Objective: The extended outcomes of the KEYNOTE-024 study demonstrated a favorable 5-year overall survival (OS) rate of 31.9%. The present study investigated the outcomes of pembrolizumab monotherapy for advanced or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) at our institution.Patient: The long-term outcomes of 102 patients with advanced or recurrent NSCLC treated with pembrolizumab monotherapy between March 2017 and December 2022 were retrospectively assessed.Results: This study included a total of 102 patients [mean age: 72 ± 9.6 years (range: 41–91 years), male/female=77/25; performance status (PS; 0, 1, 2, 3, 4)=49/38/15/0/0; smokers=91 (89%), non-squamous cell carcinoma/squamous cell carcinoma=66/36, PD-L1 tumor proportion score (TPS) ≥50%/1–49%=80/22, positive for EGFR mutation=5, advanced/postoperative recurrence=51/51, treatment line: first/second or later=81/21, treatment courses: median 8 (range: 1–39), objective response rate/disease control rate=44%/55%, immune-related adverse events (irAEs): 47, 5-year OS=34%]. On univariate analysis, PS, PD-L1 TPS, and irAEs were significant prognostic factors. On multivariate analysis, histology, PD-L1 TPS, and irAEs were significant prognostic factors.Conclusion: Pembrolizumab monotherapy demonstrated promising treatment outcomes for advanced or recurrent NSCLC, as evidenced by the significant association of PD-L1 TPS with irAEs and prognosis, suggesting its potential as a beneficial therapeutic option.

BACKGROUNDAlthough various studies have been conducted on the effects of radiation therapy for prostate cancer, rectal toxicity after radiation therapy for prostate cancer, which is an important late adverse event associated with radiation therapy, has not been sufficiently examined. This study aimed to assess the associations of late rectal disorder (LRD) with dosimetric, anatomic, and clinical factors in patients with prostate cancer who underwent three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT).

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed 104 patients undergoing 3D-CRT between January 2009 and October 2011. Thirty patients were administered anticoagulation/antiplatelet (AC/AP) agents. The standard dose was 74 Gy. Uni- and multi-variate analyses were performed to identify factors predictive of LRD after 3D-CRT.

RESULTSThe median follow-up period was 66 (range: 14-87) months. LRD occurred in 10.6% (11/104) of patients. The median time from RT to LRD was 15 months (range: 7-41 months). Sixty-four percent of those with LRD (7/11 patients) had been given AC/AP agents. Fifty-five (6/11) patients had severe internal iliac artery calcification. By univariate analysis, significant predictors of LRD were internal iliac artery calcification, administration of AC/AP agents, and age. Being very elderly was the significant predictor identified by multivariate analysis (P = 0.0276). For patients receiving AC/AP agents and those with severe internal iliac artery calcification, the LRD incidences were 23.3% (7/30 patients) and 23.1% (6/26 patients), respectively, and being 75 years of age or older was a significant predictor in these subsets.

CONCLUSIONSOur results suggest advanced age, administration of AC/AP agents, and severe internal iliac artery calcification to be risk factors for LRD in patients undergoing standard RT. Therefore, it is necessary to administer radiation with particular caution in the very elderly, especially those receiving AC/AP agents and/or with severe internal iliac artery calcification.