1.Relationship between outcomes and relative dose intensity of lenvatinib treatment in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma
Ohki TAKAMASA ; Sato KOKI ; Kondo MAYUKO ; Goto ERIKO ; Sato TAKAHISA ; Kondo YUJI ; Akamatsu MASATOSHI ; Sato SHINPEI ; Yoshida HIDEO ; Koike YUKIHIRO ; Obi SHUNTARO
Liver Research 2020;4(4):199-205
Background and aims:Lenvatinib(LEN)is a newly developed tyrosine kinase inhibitor,and is approved as a first-line treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)in Japan.This retrospective multi-center study investigated the effect of the relative dose intensity(RDI)of LEN on response rate,progression-free survival(PFS),and overall survival(OS). Methods:This retrospective study enrolled 123 patients with advanced HCC who were treated with LEN at six hospitals in Japan between March 2018 and December 2019.These patients were divided into two groups:RDI ≥70%(RDI 70 group,N=70)or RDI<70%(control group,N=53)in the first 30 days.The following data were compared between groups:patient backgrounds,adverse events,treatment out-comes,PFS,and OS.PFS and OS were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method,followed by the log-rank test.To identify significant factors that contributed to response,PFS,and OS,multivariate analysis was performed using factors for which P-values were <0.10 in univariate analysis. Results:The proportion of patients with Child-Pugh class 5A was significantly greater in the RDI 70 group than that in the control group(64.3% vs. 28.3%,P<0.01).Dose interruption due to adverse events was significantly more common in the control group.The response rate was significantly higher in the RDI 70 group than that in the control group(35.7% vs. 11.3%,P<0.01).Median PFS was significantly longer in the RDI 70 group(9.4 vs.4.7 months,P<0.01).Multivariate analysis showed that RDI ≥70%(hazard ratio(HR)=0.55,P=0.025),hypertension grade ≥2(HR=0.47,P=0.019),and response(HR=0.52,P=0.033)were independently associated with improved PFS.Median OS was also significantly longer in the RDI 70 group(20.0 vs.13.3 months,P=0.045).Multivariate analysis showed that female sex(HR=0.33,P=0.034)and disease control(HR=0.31,P<0.01)were independently associated with improved OS.RDI ≥70% was not statistically significant in multivariate analysis. Conclusions:Our study revealed the importance of achieving RDI ≥70% in the first 30 days of treatment to maximize the effects of LEN.
2.Nutrition Improvement of Pediatric Cancer Patients through Hospital Meals and Nutrition education in Cambodia
Ayana UEDA ; Natsuki KAWAI ; Maiko KOJIRO ; Sho SATO ; Shusei WADA ; Kenji SHINKAI ; Eriko KONDO
Journal of International Health 2023;38(1):1-11
Introduction NPO Japan Heart opened a children’s medical center in Cambodia in 2018 to treat pediatric cancer. In many public hospitals in Cambodia, patients’ meals must be prepared by their families with little knowledge about hygiene and nutrition, so patients may not always receive sufficient nutrition for their treatment. We considered a hygienic and nutritious diet essential for effective pediatric cancer treatment. Therefore, the “Japan Heart Children’s Medical Center Meal Project” was launched. The objectives of this study were as follows; (1) to describe that patients receive hygienic and nutritious meals during their hospitalization and after discharge, (2) to measure the effects of providing hospital meals and nutrition education by Cambodian staff who are not qualified dietitians, and to clarify the changes in the nutritional status of pediatric cancer patients as a result of these activities.Methods The target group was pediatric cancer patients and their families. Japanese dietitians and chefs conducted study sessions, created menu standards based on the Minimum Dietary Diversity (MDD) , and trained local staff to provide meals and nutrition education. To provide hospital meals, local staff conducted hygiene management, prepared menus based on standards, and measured eating rates. They also provided nutrition education to the patients and their families, and connected survey before and after education. Nutrition assessment was conducted based on WHO Growth Chart BMI for age by measuring height and weight.Results The MDD achievement rate for the menu increased from 72% to 100% (after intervention 1week-2 week (January, 2020)), and the eating rate increased from 45.9% to a maximum of 80.5% (April, 2020-January, 2022). Surveys before and after nutrition education showed that 89.1% of patient families improved their knowledge and awareness. Height and weight were assessed by BMI, and the percentage of patients with ≤−2SD decreased from 28.1% at admission to 15.9% at discharge. Conclusions In Cambodia where there is no dietitian system, it is important to do activities with contents that is feasible for local staff who have never studied nutrition. In order to further support treatment from the nutritional aspect, it is desirable to develop nutritional human resources in Cambodia.