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Contains fulltext : 252040.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access) INTRODUCTION: In 1-3% of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2) mutations are identified as a genomic driver. Nevertheless, no HER2-targeted treatment is approved for NSCLC. In the Drug Rediscovery Protocol (DRUP), patients are treated with off-label drugs based on their molecular profile. Here, we present the results of the cohort 'trastuzumab/pertuzumab for HER2 exon20 mutation positive (HER2m+) NSCLC'. METHODS: Patients with treatment refractory, advanced HER2m+ NSCLC with measurable disease (RECISTv1.1) were eligible. Treatment with intravenous trastuzumab combined with pertuzumab every 3 weeks was administered. The primary end-point was clinical benefit (CB: either objective response or stable disease ≥ 16 weeks). Patients were enrolled using a Simon-like 2-stage design, with 8 patients in stage 1 and up to 24 patients in stage 2 if at least 1 patient had CB in stage 1. At baseline, a biopsy for biomarker analysis, including whole genome sequencing, was obtained. RESULTS: Twenty-four evaluable patients were enrolled and treated between May 2017 and August 2020. CB was observed in 9 patients (38%); including an objective response rate of 8.3% (2 patients had a partial response) and 7 patients with stable disease ≥ 16 weeks. The most frequently observed HER2 mutation was p.Y772_A775dup (71%, n = 20). Median follow-up was 13 months, median progression-free survival and overall survival 4 (95% CI 3-6) and 10 months (95% CI 4 - not reached), respectively. Whole genome sequencing data (available for 67% of patients) confirmed the inclusion mutation in all cases. No unexpected toxicity was observed. CONCLUSION: Despite the fact that the study did meet its primary end-point, trastuzumab/pertuzumab was only marginally active in a subset of patients with heavily pre-treated HER2m+ NSCLC.

[EN] Background Reported prevalence of driver gene mutations in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is highly variable and clinical correlations are emerging. Using NSCLC biomaterial and clinical data from the European Thoracic Oncology Platform Lungscape iBiobank, we explore the epidemiology of mutations and association to clinicopathologic features and patient outcome (relapse-free survival, time-to-relapse, overall survival). Methods Clinically annotated, resected stage I¿III NSCLC FFPE tissue was assessed for gene mutation using a microfluidics-based multiplex PCR platform. Mutant-allele detection sensitivity is¿>1% for most of the ~150 (13 genes) mutations covered in the multiplex test. Results Multiplex testing has been carried out in 2063 (76.2%) of the 2709 Lungscape cases (median follow-up 4.8¿years). FFPE samples mostly date from 2005 to 2008, yet recently extracted DNA quality and quantity was generally good. Average DNA yield/case was 2.63¿µg; 38 cases (1.4%) failed QC and were excluded from study; 95.1% of included cases allowed the complete panel of mutations to be tested. Most common were KRAS, MET, EGFR and PIK3CA mutations with overall prevalence of 23.0%, 6.8%, 5.4% and 4.9%, respectively. KRAS and EGFR mutations were significantly more frequent in adenocarcinomas: PIK3CA in squamous cell carcinomas. MET mutation prevalence did not differ between histology groups. EGFR mutations were found predominantly in never smokers; KRAS in current/former smokers. For all the above mutations, there was no difference in outcome between mutated and non-mutated cases. Conclusion Archival FFPE NSCLC material is adequate for multiplex mutation analysis. In this large, predominantly European, clinically annotated stage I¿III NSCLC cohort, none of the mutations characterized showed prognostic significance.

Methods: 17 patients with advanced NSCLC harboring an EGFR exon 20 insertion were treated with osimertinib 80 mg once daily, in four institutions in the Netherlands. Data were obtained retrospectively. EGFR mutation status was assessed by next-generation sequencing. Progression free survival (PFS), disease control rate (DCR) and objective response rate (ORR) were assessed using RECIST v1.1.

BACKGROUND We examined if cancer patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL) scores on the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30 are affected by the specific time point, before or during treatment, at which the questionnaire is completed, and whether this could bias the overall treatment comparison analyses. PATIENTS AND METHODS A 'completion-time window' variable was created on three closed EORTC randomised control trials in lung (non-small cell lung cancer, NSCLC) and colorectal cancer (CRC) to indicate when the QLQ-30 was completed relative to chemotherapy cycle dates, defined as 'before', 'on' and 'after'. HRQoL mean scores were calculated using a linear mixed model. RESULTS Statistically significant differences (P

Background: Both bevacizumab and erlotinib have clinical activity in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Preclinical data suggest synergistic activity.Patients and methods: Chemonaive patients with stage IIIb or IV non-squamous NSCLC were treated with bevacizumab 15 mg/kg every 3 weeks and erlotinib 150 mg daily until progression. Primary end point was non-progression rate (NPR) at 6 weeks. Tumor response was measured with computed tomography, 2-[fluorine-18]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG-PET) and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI). KRAS and EGFR mutations were assessed in tumor samples.Results: Forty-seven patients were included. Median follow-up was 15.2 months. NPR at 6 weeks was 75%. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 3.8 [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.3-5.4] months and median overall survival (OS) was 6.9 (95% CI 5.5-8.4) months. Toxicity was mainly mild. The presence of KRAS (n = 10) or EGFR mutations (n = 5) did not influence outcome. After 3 weeks of treatment, >20% decrease in standard uptake value as measured with positron emission tomography predicted for longer PFS (9.7 versus 2.8 months; P = 0.01) and >40% decrease in K(trans) as assessed by DCE-MRI did not predict for longer PFS.Conclusions: First-line treatment with bevacizumab and erlotinib in stage IIIb/IV NSCLC resulted in an NPR of 75%. OS was however disappointing. Early response evaluation with FDG-PET is the best predictive test for PFS.

To assess the therapeutic activity of accelerated cisplatin and high-dose epirubicin with erythropoietin and G-CSF support as induction therapy for patients with stage IIIa-N2 non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients with stage IIIa-N2 NSCLC were enrolled in a phase II trial. They received cisplatin 60 mg m(-2) and epirubicin 135 mg m(-2) every 2 weeks for three courses combined with erythropoietin and G-CSF. Depending on results of clinical response to induction therapy and restaging, patients were treated with surgery or radiotherapy. In total, 61 patients entered from March 2001 to April 2004. During 169 courses of induction chemotherapy, National Cancer Institute of Canada (NCI-C) grade III/IV leucocytopenia was reported in 35 courses (20.7%), NCI-C grade III/IV thrombocytopenia in 26 courses (15.4%) and NCI-C grade III/IV anaemia in six courses (3.6%). Main cause of cisplatin dose reduction was nephrotoxicity (12 courses). Most patients received three courses. There were no chemotherapy-related deaths. Three patients were not evaluable for clinical response. Twenty-eight patients had a partial response (48.3%, 95% CI: 36-61.1%), 24 stable disease and six progressive disease. After induction therapy, 30 patients underwent surgery; complete resection was achieved in 19 procedures (31.1%). Radical radiotherapy was delivered to 25 patients (41%). Six patients were considered unfit for further treatment. Median survival for all patients was 18 months. Response rate of accelerated cisplatin and high-dose epirubicin as induction chemotherapy for stage IIIa-N2 NSCLC patients is not different from more commonly used cisplatin-based regimen.

Background: A study was undertaken to study the effect of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) on the diagnosis and management of clinically problematic patients with suspected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: A prospective before-after study was performed in a cohort of all 164 patients (university/community settings) referred for PET between August 1997 and July 1999. PET was restricted to cases where non-invasive tests had failed to solve clinical problems. The impact on diagnostic understanding and management was assessed using questionnaires (intended treatment without PET, actual treatment choice after PET, post hoc clinical assessment). Results: Diagnostic problems especially pertained to unclear radiological findings (n=112; 63%), mediastinal staging (n=36; 20%), and distant staging issues (n=16; 9%). PET findings were validated by reviewing medical records. PET had a positive influence on diagnostic understanding in 84%. Improved diagnostic understanding solely based on PET was reported in 26%. According to referring physicians, PET resulted in beneficial change of treatment in 50%. Cancelled surgery was the most frequent change in treatment after PET (35%). Conclusion: FDG PET applied as "add on" technology in patients with these clinical problems appears to be a clinically useful tool, directly improving treatment choice in 25% of patients. The value of increased confidence induced by PET scanning requires further evaluation.

Aims: Transporter proteins known to mediate multidrug resistance (MDR) in tumour cells—MDR1 P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and multidrug resistance related protein 1 (MRP1)—are thought to be involved in protecting the lungs against inhaled toxic pollutants. Recently, several new transporter family members have been identified—for example, MRP2, MRP3, and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP). To study the possible contribution of these proteins and the earlier defined MDR1 and MDR3 P-gp molecules, MRP1, and the major vault protein (MVP) to lung functioning, their expression was analysed in normal lung tissue of humans and several animal species. Methods: Frozen sections of normal lung tissues were examined for the expression of the multidrug resistance associated proteins, using an extended panel of monoclonal antibodies that specifically detect these proteins in immunohistochemical techniques. Results: In line with earlier reports, the expression of MDR1 P-gp and MRP1 was readily detected in the apical and basolateral membranes, respectively, of the epithelial cell layers of the lungs. In addition, prominent cytoplasmic MVP staining was detected in these layers. In contrast, the recently discovered transporters were either undetectable or they were present at very low values in lung tissue. Immunohistochemical staining in tissues from mice, rats, and guinea pigs points to a strong evolutionary conservation for these transporter proteins. Conclusions: These results show that the “classic” MDR related molecules, MDR1 P-gp, MRP1, and MVP, should be considered the most important transporters in normal lung physiology. It will be of great interest to investigate differences in expression of both classic and newly defined transporters between normal individuals and—for example, patients with various bronchopulmonary pathological conditions.

We recently identified a DNA copy number aberration (CNA)-based classifier, including changes at 3p26.3-p11.1, 3q26.2-29, and 6p25.3-24.3, as a risk predictor for cancer in individuals presenting with endobronchial squamous metaplasia. The current study was set out to validate the prediction accuracy of this classifier in an independent series of endobronchial squamous metaplastic and dysplastic lesions. The study included 36 high-risk subjects who had endobronchial lesions of various histological grades that were identified and biopsied by autofluorescence bronchoscopy and were subjected to arrayCGH in a nested case-control design. Of the 36 patients, 12 had a carcinoma in situ or invasive carcinoma at the same site at follow-up (median 11 months, range 4-24), while 24 controls remained cancer free (78 months, range 21-142). The previously defined CNA-based classifier demonstrated 92% (95% CI 77% to 98%) accuracy for cancer (in situ) prediction. All nine subjects with CNA-based classifier-positive endobronchial lesions at baseline experienced cancer outcome, whereas all 24 controls and 3 cases were classified as being low risk. In conclusion, CNAs prove to be a highly accurate biomarker for assessing the progression risk of endobronchial squamous metaplastic and dysplastic lesions. This classifier could assist in selecting subjects with endobronchial lesions who might benefit from more aggressive therapeutic intervention or surveillance.

Summary Purpose The topoisomerase I inhibitor topotecan (T) and the topoisomerase II inhibitor etoposide (E) are active drugs in lung cancer The complementary functions of their targets may suggest benefit from the combined use of these agents but drug scheduling has been shown to play a critical role in preclinical models To establish the optimal schedule and assess the impact of sequential administration of the combination of T and E, we conducted a dose finding study of sequential intravenous T and E in a four-weekly-schedule in relapsed lung cancer patients Patients and methods The importance of drug sequence was assessed in consecutive patients throughout all dose levels, patients received in the first course either T followed by E (the TE group Ton days 1–3 and E on days 4–6) or E before T (the ET group E on days 1–3 and T on days 4–6) The sequence of T and E was alternated in the successive courses In this crossover design, each patient served as his own control for analysis of hematological toxicity in which TE sequence was compared to that of the ET sequence Moreover, hematological toxicity after the first course was compared between the TE and the ET groups The starting dose was T/E 0 75/75 mg/m2 at dose level 1 and dose escalation was planned to T/E 1 00/75 mg/m2 at dose level 2, T/E 1 00/100 mg/m2 at dose level 3, T/E 1 25/100 mg/m2 at dose level 4 and T/E 1 50/100 mg/m2 at dose level 5 Nineteen patients (small-cell lung cancer 7, non-small-cell lung cancer 11, mesothelioma 1 patient) were included Results The principal toxicity was myelosuppression, primarily neutropenia and thrombocytopenia At dose level 3 several grade 4 toxicities were observed DLT (febrile neutropenia) occurred in two patients, one in the TE and one in the ET group and precluded further dose escalation There was no significant difference in WBC and platelet nadirs during the first course between the TE and the ET group The influence of the sequence of administration of topotecan and etoposide was calculated by comparing the nadir values of cycles I and II for each patient For none of the dose levels, a significant sequence-dependent effect could be detected The MTD was reached at the doses of 100 mg/m2 topotecan and 75 mg/m2 etoposide No objective responses were seen Conclusion Although the combined use of topoisomerase I and II inhibitors is attractive on theoretical grounds, excessive myelosuppression prevents substantial dose escalation

PURPOSE: Our objective was to better define the activity/feasibility of gemcitabine/cisplatin (GC) as induction chemotherapy in patients with stage IIIA N2 non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) followed by surgery or radiotherapy within a large, ongoing comparative study (EORTC 08941). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-seven chemotherapy-naive patients with NSCLC, median age of 58 years, stage IIIA N2 disease, World Health Organization performance status of 0 or 1, and the ability to tolerate a pneumonectomy received gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m2 on days 1, 8, and 15 and cisplatin 100 mg/m2 on day 2, every 4 weeks. Patients received induction chemotherapy (three cycles) before re-evaluation and randomization to surgery or radiotherapy. RESULTS: Grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia, the main hematologic toxicity, occurred in 60% of patients but was not associated with bleeding. Full-dose gemcitabine was given in 48% of the courses. Severe nonhematologic toxicity was uncommon. Two patients with preexisting, autoimmune pulmonary fibrosis had deterioration of pulmonary function after radiotherapy. Thirty-three (70.2%; 95% confidence interval, 55.1% to 82.7%) of the 47 eligible patients had objective responses (three complete responses and 30 partial responses). Mediastinal nodes were tumor-free after induction therapy in 53% of cases. Resections were considered complete in 71% of the patients who underwent thoracotomy after induction therapy. Median survival for all recruited patients (N = 53) was 18.9 months, with an estimated 1-year survival rate of 69%. CONCLUSION: In patients with N2 stage IIIA NSCLC, GC is a highly active and well-tolerated induction regimen. GC should be explored in combination with surgery or radiotherapy in stage I and II patients.

To study DNA topoisomerase IIalpha (Topo-IIalpha) and -beta expression and regulation in human ovarian cancer, 15 ovarian tumour samples were investigated. To compare different levels of expression, the samples were screened for topo IIalpha and -beta mRNA with Northern blotting and a quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay for Topo-IIalpha mRNA. Additionally, protein levels were determined with Western blotting and topoisomerase II activity levels with the decatenation assay. The results obtained were compared with each other and with the tumour volume index of the samples. In tumours with a tumour volume indexor = 50%, the mRNA levels (as determined by Northern blotting) and protein levels for each isozyme were in accordance. Additionally, correlations were found between Topo-IIalpha RT-PCR data and Topo-IIalpha Northern blot results, and between Topo-IIalpha RT-PCR data and Topo-IIalpha protein levels. Interestingly, Topo-IIbeta protein levels correlated better with Topo-II activity than Topo-IIalpha protein levels. In eight ovarian cystadenoma samples, no Topo-IIalpha protein could be found. In only three out of eight of these cystadenomas, Topo-IIbeta protein could be detected. These findings suggest that Topo-IIalpha and Topo-IIbeta protein levels are up-regulated in ovarian cancer and may indicate that Topo-IIbeta is an interesting target for chemotherapy in ovarian tumours.

Anthracyclines are anti-tumor drugs with a wide spectrum of activity in human cancers. Th.ey were introduced in clinical practice in the early 1960's and have been extensively used in the adJuvant, curative and palltatlve settmg for both soltd tumors and hematologic malignancies. Their mechanisms of action have not yet been fully clarified. The best known cellular mechanisms are prevention of replication and transcription by intercalation of DNA , formation of DNA breaks possibly due to formation of tox1c topmsomerase complexes, and generation of free radicals. Pharmacokinetic studies revealed that anthracyclines dissappear fast from the plasma into tissues. Cellular uptake takes place b_Y d1ffuswn; efflux can take place by ener y-dependent membrane pumps. The intracellular concentration seems a major determmant for the cytotox1c effect. Anthracychnes are reduced to more hydrophilic glycide metabolites and aglycones. The drug .Js excreted vw the b1le and for a mmor degree v1a the unne. The cltmcal value of anthracyclines is limited by intrinsic or acqmred tumor cell resistance to anthracycltnes. D1fferent ways of resistance seem to play a role in multidrug resistance (MDR) such as the overexpression. of the membrane efflux pump P-glycoprotein , as well as th e overexpression of the multidrug res1stance associated protem (MRP) or probably other efflux pumps , a decrease in the activity of the target enzyme topoisomerase II and an .increase in cellular detoxifyin,g. capacity. Resistance against anthracyclines as well as early (myelosuppressiOn , mucosil!S) and late tox1c!ly (cardJOtOXJCity) have directed the search for analogs with higher antitumor efficacy and lower toxicity. This search delivered variants of the original daunorubicin such as epirubicin and idarubicin with a more favorable therapeutic index , and morpholino anthracyclines, drugs designed to circumvent P-glycoprotein and non P­ glycoprotem MDR. These last compounds recently enrolled phase IIII clinical trials . Results of these trials are of even more interest because up t now, results of clinical studies in solid tumors with modulators (resistance modifiers) of MDR , such as amwdarone, verapmml , cyclosponn A and PSC 833 are not very encouraging. In vivo studies with e.g. PET scanning to analyse the mtratumor kmellc behavior of anthracycltnes and modulators of drug resistance, are ongoing .

PURPOSE Here we report the results of a phase II study of teniposide, one of the most active drugs against small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), in patients with brain metastases. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with SCLC who presented with brain metastases at diagnosis (n = 11) or during follow-up evaluation after treatment (n = 69) were treated with teniposide at a dose of 150 mg/m2 intravenously on days 1, 3, and 5 at 3-week intervals in an outpatient setting. Response in the brain was evaluated by brain computed tomography (CT) after two, six, and 12 courses. RESULTS In 26 of 80 assessable patients, an intracranial response was seen, with a response rate of 33% (95% confidence interval, 22% to 44%). The median response duration was 5.4 months for patients with a complete response (CR) and 4.2 months for patients with a partial response (PR). Patients who required corticosteroids for peritumoral edema had a significantly lower response rate than patients who did not receive corticosteroids. Neurologic function at the start of treatment had a significant influence (neurologic function 1 better than 2, respectively, better than 3 and 4; P < .001), as did the number of cycles of previous chemotherapy (0 better than 1 to 5 cycles, respectively, better than > 5 cycles; P = .043). Grade 3/4 leukocytopenia and thrombocytopenia were seen in 3% and 39%, respectively, of 80 patients. Toxicity-related death was seen in eight patients, seven of whom were previously treated with chemotherapy. CONCLUSION Teniposide is active against brain metastases of SCLC. It is a suitable drug for palliation, especially of patients without extensive pretreatment and with a good neurologic function and performance status. Patients previously treated with cranial radiotherapy are also candidates for this therapy. If systemic chemotherapy is considered for tumor progression outside the brain, radiotherapy of brain metastases might be omitted or delayed pending the effect of chemotherapy. The use of corticosteroids in patients with brain metastases treated with chemotherapy might influence the efficacy of the chemotherapy.

7525^ Background: Despite initial responses to reversible epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors, (erlotinib or gefitinib), all non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with EGFR-sensitizing mutations experience disease progression. This "acquired resistance" (AR) is associated with a second site exon 20 EGFR T790M mutation (M) in >50% of cases. No therapy, including the anti-EGFR antibody cetuximab plus erlotinib, has proven effective in treating AR (Janjigian YY. Clin Cancer Res; Epub Jan 2011). Preclinical data suggest afatinib, a potent ErbB family blocker, is active in T790M M cell lines such as H1975. Combined EGFR targeting with afatinib and cetuximab has induced near complete responses in T790M transgenic murine models. This study assesses safety and preliminary efficacy of this combination in NSCLC. METHODS: NSCLC patients with clinically defined AR (Jackman D. J Clin Oncol 2010;28:357) received oral afatinib 40 mg daily with escalating dose cohorts of biweekly cetuximab at 250 and 500 mg/m(2). Patients receiving the recommended Phase II dose (RP2D) were evaluated for objective response. Acquisition of tumor tissue after emergence of AR was mandated. RESULTS: Of 26 treated patients, 22 received the predefined maximum dose (RP2D: afatinib 40 mg + cetuximab 500 mg/m(2)). Median time on erlotinib or gefitinib at study entry was 2.4 years. No dose-limiting toxicity was observed. Common adverse events were grade 1/2 rash (35/46%) and diarrhea (50/19%), respectively, and three patients (11.5%) had grade 3 rash. Disease control was observed in all patients enrolled at RP2D (tumor size reduction up to 76%; treatment duration up to 5+ months so far). Confirmed partial responses (PRs) were seen in 8/22 evaluable patients (36%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.17-0.59), including 4/13 (29%) confirmed PRs in T790M+NSCLC. Enrollment has now begun in an 80-patient expansion cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Combined EGFR targeting with afatinib and cetuximab is tolerable at RP2D. Owing to encouraging clinical activity in AR to prior erlotinib or gefitinib, the study has been expanded. Elucidating mechanisms underlying regression in T790M+ and T790M- patients is critical.

Background: Elderly patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) may derive similar benefit from platinum-based chemotherapy as younger patients. Quality of life (QoL) and comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) is often advocated to assess benefits and risks. Patients and methods: A total of 181 chemotherapy-naive patients [‡70 years, performance score (PS) of 0‐2] with stage III‐IV NSCLC received carboplatin and gemcitabine (CG) (n = 90) or carboplatin and paclitaxel (CP) (n = 91) every 3 weeks for up to four cycles. Primary end point was change in global QoL from baseline compared with week 18. Pretreatment CGA and mini geriatric assessment during and after treatment were undertaken. A principal component (PC) analysis was carried out to determine the underlying dimensions of CGA and QoL and subsequently related to survival. Results: There were no changes in QoL after treatment. The number of QoL responders (CG arm, 12%; CP arm, 5%) was not significantly different. CGA items were only associated with neuropsychiatric toxicity. Quality-adjusted survival was not different between treatment arms. The PC analysis derived from nine CGA, six QoL and one PS score indicated only one dominant dimension. This dimension was strongly prognostic, and physical and role functioning, Groningen Frailty Indicator and Geriatric Depression Scale were its largest contributors. Conclusions: Paclitaxel or gemcitabine added to carboplatin did not have a differential effect on global QoL. CGA was associated with toxic effects in a very limited manner. CGA and QoL items measure one underlying dimension, which is highly prognostic.

Three cell lines derived from small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) tumors of patients who had no clinical response after treatment with a multi-drug regimen were compared to 3 cell lines derived from tumors of patients who, upon treatment, showed a complete clinical response. These 2 groups of cell lines were considered to represent the in vitro counterparts of the 2 extremes of the clinical spectrum of sensitivity for chemotherapeutic drugs in small-cell lung cancer. To assess whether the in vivo (in)sensitivity of a tumor to a certain drug regimen is retained in vitro, the cell lines were tested for drug sensitivity using the microtiter-well tetrazolium assay and the results were compared with the in vivo data. No correlation was found. Since in vitro models using cell lines are based on the assumption that a cell line reflects the properties of the tumor from which it is derived, several additional parameters such as MAb staining against different SCLC-associated antigens and DNA content were analyzed in the biopsies and the cell lines. The results showed that selection of discrete tumor-cell populations in vitro occurs. Results of in vitro chemosensitivity testing for individual SCLC patients should be interpreted with caution.

The molecular basis of lung carcinogenesis must be understood more fully and exploited to enhance survival rates of patients suffering from lung cancer. In this review we will discuss the major molecular alterations that occur in lung cancer. Emphasis is placed on alterations that occur early during carcinogenesis since they might be relevant for future screening programs. Finally we will shortly review new approaches that are used to study the molecular pathology of lung cancer and how they can be applied in a clinical setting.

Background: A study was undertaken to investigate the clinical practice, yield, and costs of preoperative staging in patients with suspected NSCLC and to obtain baseline data for prospective studies on the cost effectiveness of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in the management of these patients. Methods: A retrospective study of the medical records of all patients with suspected NSCLC was performed during a 2 year interval (1993-4) in an academic and a large community hospital. Results: Three hundred and ninety five patients with suspected NSCLC were identified; 58 were deemed to be medically inoperable and 337 patients proceeded to the staging process. Staging required a mean (SD) of 5.1 (1.5) diagnostic tests per patient (excluding thoracotomy) carried out over a median period of 20 days (IQR 10-31). Many of the tests (including both invasive and non-invasive) were done because previous imaging tests had suggested metastases, and in most cases the results of initial tests proved to be false positives. After clinical staging, 168 patients were considered to be resectable (stage 1/11) and 144 patients underwent surgery with curative intent. At surgery 33 patients (23% of those who underwent surgery) were found to have irresectable lesions and 19 (13%) had a benign lesion. Surgery was also considered to be futile in 22 patients (15%) who developed metastases or local recurrence within 12 months following radical surgery. Hospital admission was responsible for most of the costs. Conclusion: In many patients staging involved considerable effort in terms of the number of diagnostic tests, the duration of the staging period and the cost, with limited success in preventing futile surgery. Failures relate to the quality of diagnostic preparation at every level of the TNM staging system.

Summary Objective This study was conducted to assess the activity and toxicity of gemcitabine in patients with resistant small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) Patients and methods Forty-one patients with limited- or extensive-stage SCLC, who were previously treated with at least one chemotherapeutic regimen and progressed during or within three months of finishing the last regimen, were treated with 1000 mg/m2 gemcitabine on days 1, 8, and 15 of a fourweek cycle. Results Thirty-eight patients were evaluable for response Five partial and no complete responses were seen, for an overall response rate of 13% (95% confidence interval (Cl) 6%-27%) Time to progression varied from 4 to 20 weeks, with a median of 8 weeks Median survival was 17 weeks (range 4-84 weeks) Hematological toxicity mainly consisted of NCI-CTC grade 3 thrombocytopem a (29% of patients) and, to a lesser extent, grade 3 leukopenia (18%) of patients) Non-hematologlcal toxicity was mild, with nausea being the most commonly reported event Conclusions Gemcitabine has modest activity in patients with resistant SCLC There is some non-cross resistance to most agents against SCLC

PURPOSE: Approximately 60% of patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) develop brain metastases. Whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) gives symptomatic improvement in more than 50% of these patients. Because brain metastases are a sign of systemic progression, and chemotherapy was found to be effective as well, it becomes questionable whether WBRT is the only appropriate therapy in this situation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a phase III study, SCLC patients with brain metastases were randomized to receive teniposide with or without WBRT. Teniposide 120 mg/m2 was given intravenously three times a week, every 3 weeks. WBRT (10 fractions of 3 Gy) had to start within 3 weeks from the start of chemotherapy. Response was measured clinically and by computed tomography of the brain. RESULTS: One hundred twenty eligible patients were randomized. A 57% response rate was seen in the combined-modality arm (95% confidence interval [CI], 43% to 69%), and a 22% response rate was seen in the teniposide-alone arm (95% CI, 12% to 34%) (P < .001). Time to progression in the brain was longer in the combined-modality group (P = .005). Clinical response and response outside the brain were not different. The median survival time was 3.5 months in the combined-modality arm and 3.2 months in the teniposide-alone arm. Overall survival in both groups was not different (P = .087). CONCLUSION: Adding WBRT to teniposide results in a much higher response rate of brain metastases and in a longer time to progression of brain metastases than teniposide alone. Survival was poor in both groups and not significantly different.

Summary In lung cancer patients brain metastases develop with a high frequency. For years radiotherapy has been the standard treatment for these patients. Here we review the experience with chemotherapy for brain metastases in lung cancer patients. The concept of the brain as pharmacological sanctuary site when brain metastases are present is challenged and it is argued that chemotherapy does play a role in this situation. Recent clinical trials indicate that the combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy may become the standard treatment for lung cancer patients with brain metastases. It is unclear whether for micrometastatic disease to the brain, blood brain barrier function is of importance for the outcome of chemotherapy in lung cancer patients with respect to the development of overt brain metastases. Areas of improvement of delivery of cytotoxic agents to the brain when brain metastases have not yet developed are discussed.