Preliminary clinical evaluation of low-dose cisplatin and continuous infusion of 5-FU (LFP) chemotherapy after weekly high-dose 5-FU therapy for the treatment of liver metastases from colorectal cancer

In this study, we evaluate the efficacy of low-dose cisplatin and continuous 5-FU infusion systemic chemotherapy (LFP therapy) for the treatment of unresectable and recurrent liver metastases from colorectal cancer after weekly high-dose 5-FU therapy via the hepatic artery (WHF therapy). At the start of chemotherapy, 12 patients with multiple extrahepatic lesions were treated with the LFP therapy (LFP group), and 18 patients with none or a few extrahepatic lesions were treated with the WHF therapy followed by the LFP therapy (LFP after WHF group). In the LFP group, the response rate was 50.0% (PR 6) and the one-year survival rate was 50.0%. On the contrary, in the LFP after WHF group, the response rate was 38.9% (CR 1, PR 6) and the one-year survival rate after LFP started was 46.0%. We conclude that the LFP therapy may be effective for the treatment of liver metastases from colorectal cancer even after the WHF therapy.     

Anaphylactic shock in a patient with severe aortic stenosis treated with adrenaline and landiolol for circulatory management: A case report

Rationale:We present the first case of a patient with severe aortic stenosis who developed anaphylactic shock and was successfully treated with adrenaline and landiolol, a highly selective β1-receptor blocker, to prevent disruption of the myocardial oxygen supply–demand balance caused by tachycardia.Patient concerns:An 86-year-old woman was scheduled for simultaneous anterior–posterior fixation for a burst fracture of the 12th thoracic vertebra; 200 mg sugammadex, a neuromuscular blocking agent antagonist, was administered postoperatively, and she was extubated without complications. However, 6 min after extubation, her blood pressure decreased abruptly to 55/29 mm Hg, and her heart rate increased to 78 bpm. Then, we intervened with fluid loading, an increased dose of noradrenaline, and phenylephrine administration. However, her blood pressure did not increase.Diagnoses:A general observation revealed urticaria on the lower leg; thus, we suspected anaphylactic shock due to sugammadex administration.Interventions:We carefully administered 2 doses of 0.05 mg adrenaline and simultaneously administered landiolol at 60 μg/kg/min to suppress adrenaline-induced tachycardia. Adrenaline administration resulted in a rapid increase in blood pressure to 103/66 mm Hg and a maximum heart rate of 100 bpm, suppressing excessive tachycardia.Outcomes:The patient''s general condition was stable after the intervention, and circulatory agonists could be discontinued the following day. She was discharged from the intensive care unit on the fourth postoperative day.Lessons:Landiolol may help control the heart rate of patients with aortic stenosis and anaphylactic shock. The combined use of landiolol and adrenaline may improve patient outcomes; however, their efficacy and risks must be evaluated by studying additional cases.     

Evaluation of aggressive surgical treatment for advanced carcinoma of the gallbladder

Background/Purpose. An aggressive approach is required to resect advanced carcinoma of the gallbladder. Therefore, an extended surgical procedure often brings about a poor surgical outcome. To test whether an aggressive surgical treatment can improve the survival rate for primary advanced carcinoma of the gallbladder, 59 patients with stage IV primary gallbladder carcinoma were studied. Methods. Patients were divided into three treatment groups for the survival analysis: group A (resectional surgery, n = 29), group B (low-dose cis-diamminedichloroplatinum-II and 5-fluorouracil therapy, n = 10), and group C (exploratory laparotomy, other treatment modalities, or no treatment, n = 20). Results. The prognosis of group A patients was significantly better than that of group B (P = 0.018) or group C (P = 0.0009). Furthermore, group A patients were divided into subgroups. The prognosis of patients resected with no distant metastasis (group A1) was significantly better than that of patients resected with distant metastases of the distant lymph nodes and the liver (group A2) (P = 0.0004). Also, there was no significant difference in the survival rate between the patients resected with distant metastasis (group A2) and chemotherapy cases (group B). Conclusions. These results indicated that radical surgery should be performed for patients with no distant metastasis, and that chemotherapy might be a useful alternative treatment for patients with distant metastasis in advanced carcinoma of the gallbladder.     

Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Immunotherapeutic Regimens with PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibitors for Previously Untreated Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

Improving therapeutic strategies for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) remains a challenge. To date, no reports have directly compared the efficacy and safety of immune checkpoint inhibitors plus platinum–etoposide (ICIs+EP) with platinum–irinotecan (IP) or directly compared different ICIs+EP for previously untreated ES-SCLC. This study used a Bayesian approach for network meta-analysis to compare efficacy and safety between ICIs+EP and IP and between each pair of three ICIs+EP. The six treatment arms were: pembrolizumab plus platinum–etoposide (Pem+EP), durvalumab plus platinum–etoposide (Dur+EP), atezolizumab plus platinum–etoposide (Atz+EP), platinum–amrubicin (AP), IP, and platinum–etoposide (EP). No significant differences in overall survival were observed between ICIs+EP and IP and between each pair of three ICIs+EP. The incidence of ≥grade 3 adverse events (G3-AEs) was significantly higher in ICIs+EP than IP, whereas no significant difference was found in G3-AEs between each pair of three ICIs+EP. The incidence of ≥grade 3 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia was significantly higher in ICIs+EP than IP, whereas the incidence of ≥grade 3 diarrhea was significantly lower in ICIs+EP than IP. These findings will help clinicians better select treatment strategies for ES-SCLC.     

Phase II study of S-1, a novel oral fluoropyrimidine, and biweekly administration of docetaxel for previously treated advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

Purpose

We examined the safety and efficacy of the combination of S-1 and biweekly docetaxel in patients with previously treated advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

Patients with previously treated advanced NSCLC were eligible if they had a performance status of 2 or less, were 80?years or younger, and had adequate organ function. Forty-nine patients (38 men and 11 women; median age, 66?years; range 43?C79?years) were enrolled. Patients were treated with the combination of 80?mg/m² per day of S-1 for 14 consecutive days and 35?mg/m² of docetaxel on days 1 and 15 every 4?weeks.

Results

The overall response rate was 16.3% (95% confidence interval, 7.6?C30.5%). The disease-control rate was 49.0% (95% confidence interval, 34.4?C63.7%). The median survival time after this treatment was 9?months (range 1?C22?months). The median progression-free survival time was 3?months (range 1?C11?months). Response rates and survival times did not differ significantly according to the histological type. Grade 3?C5 toxicities included neutropenia in 51.0% of patients, thrombocytopenia in 2.0%, anemia in 20.4%, infection in 24.5%, anorexia in 12.2%, diarrhea in 14.3%, nausea in 6.1%, and dehydration in 4.2%. There was 1 treatment-related death due to severe anorexia, stomatitis, diarrhea, and, as consequence, dehydration.

Conclusions

The combination of S-1 and biweekly docetaxel is an acceptable therapeutic option in patients with previously treated advanced NSCLC regardless of the histological type.     

Sinus node artery-preserving superior transseptal approach: a simple technique

With the use of the superior transseptal approach during mitral valve surgery, good exposure of the mitral valve can be achieved with simple traction sutures, which minimize the risk of deformation of the mitral valve. For this reason, we routinely perform mitral valvoplasty using the superior transseptal approach; however, we, occasionally encounter cases that develop postoperative atrial dysrhythmia. We have therefore, devised a very simple technique for preservation of the sinus node artery in the superior transseptal approach, which is effective for reducing the incidence of postoperative sinus node dysfunction. In this technique, during incision of the dome of the left atrium, the sinus node artery is carefully dissected and preserved.     

Patient willingness to undergo chemotherapy and thoracic radiotherapy for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Objectives: To determine how Japanese patients with lung cancer weigh the chance of cure and potential survival against the potential toxicity of different treatment strategies for locally advanced non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: We used a questionnaire describing a hypothetical situation involving locally advanced NSCLC. Seventy‐three patients with lung cancer who had received chemotherapy and a control group of 120 patients without cancer were asked to state the minimal benefit that would make two hypothetical treatments acceptable. Results: Patients with lung cancer were significantly more likely than were patients without cancer to accept either intensive or less‐intensive chemoradiotherapy for a potentially small benefit for ‘chance of cure’ and ‘response but not cure’. The percentages of patients who would accept intensive or less‐intensive chemoradiotherapy to prolong survival did not differ significantly between the two groups. When the chance of cure was 20%, 56 and 64% of patients with lung cancer were willing to receive intensive and less‐intensive chemoradiotherapy, respectively. If their lives were prolonged by 6 months, 20 and 30% of patients with lung cancer would choose to receive intensive and less‐intensive chemoradiotherapy, respectively. The chance of cure and the survival advantage that patients require for accepting chemoradiotherapy varied widely. No factors were associated with the choice of chemoradiotherapy in patients with lung cancer. Conclusions: Physicians must consider the substantial range of attitudes to chemoradiotherapy among patients when selecting treatment and give patients opportunities to be included in the treatment‐selection process. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.