OBJECTIVES

The influence of weight change on the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) among adult Filipino patients with breast cancer remains unclear. Currently, there has been increasing evidence that weight gain during NAC is associated with increased recurrence risk and decreased survival. This study aimed to investigate this relationship and identify significant predictors of pathologic complete response (pCR), overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS).

This is a retrospective study using data from 52 female patients who received NAC for stage II or III breast cancer and had complete records of weight before and after NAC. Significant predictors of pCR such as host factors and tumor characteristics and associations between weight change and pCR, OS and DFS were examined using univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses.

The average weight of all patients before NAC was 57.0 kg while the average weight of all patients after NAC was 59.5 kg. The average BMI of all patients before NAC was 25.8 kg/m2. In total, 29 patients (55.8%) were classified in the overweight/obese (OW/OB) group, and the rest were classified in the normal weight/underweight (NW/UW) group. The pCR rate was 51.3% in the OW/OB group versus 48.7% in the NW/UW group (p = 0.11). Initial BMI was a significant factor for achieving pCR (hazard ratio, 3.85; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.72-8.60, p = 0.001), suggesting that a higher initial BMI was associated with an increased likelihood of achieving pCR. Initial BMI was also an independent prognostic factor for OS (p = 0.0006) and DFS (p = 0.0005). On the other hand, no significant correlation was seen between pCR rates as well as OFS and DFS (p = 0.0551) among patients whose weight changed during the course of treatment.

These findings suggest that while initial weight may significantly predict pCR rates and affect DFS and OS, weight change during treatment may not be as influential. Further research is needed to validate these findings in more diverse and larger patient populations.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the breast panel biomarker changes and tumor intrinsic subtype after neoadjuvant chemotherapy among patients with residual invasive breast carcinoma whose breast specimens were processed at St. Luke’s Medical Center - Quezon City SLMC-QC) from 1 January 2017 to 30 June 2023. Methodology: Cases of residual invasive breast carcinoma status post neoadjuvant systemic therapy were identified by retrospective review of cases. The baseline characteristics, type of biopsy and resection procedures, pre – and post–neoadjuvant ER, PR and HER2 status and pre – and post–neoadjuvant tumor intrinsic subtype were analyzed using frequency and percentage. The comparison of the changes in pre- and post-neoadjuvant breast panel biomarkers were analyzed by using McNemar test while the changes in the intrinsic tumor subtype was done using Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: This study encompassed a total of 43 cases of residual invasive breast carcinoma following neoadjuvant systemic therapy. The data disclosed shifts in the breast molecular profile and intrinsic subtype post-administration of neoadjuvant systemic therapy. The alterations in hormone receptor status, ER and PR, were observed in 11.6% of cases, while HER-2 status exhibited changes in 2.3%. A 14% change in the tumor intrinsic subtype is observed. Among the initial 18 Luminal A cases, 1 transitioned to Luminal B, and among the 6 Luminal B cases, 2 become HER2 enriched subtypes. Furthermore, among the initial 12 HER2 enriched cases, three shifted to Luminal B, while all triple-negative cases remained unchanged after chemotherapy. Conclusion Based on our findings, alterations in the molecular profile of breast tumors, including shifts in intrinsic subtype after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), could impact patient prognosis. While the data generated from this study may not exhibit statistical significance, its clinical relevance is noteworthy. In summary, retesting of breast biomarkers in the resection specimen is recommended to accurately ascertain the appropriate use of targeted therapy.
Neoadjuvant Therapy

Rationale/Objective: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is recommended for locally-advanced breast cancer (LABC) to improve resectability and provide in-vivo tumor response assessment. This study aimed to describe the clinical and pathologic tumor response of LABC patients after response-guided NAC. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort analysis of 128 LABC patients who underwent NAC using sequential doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide (AC) – docetaxel (T) regimen at the Philippine General Hospital Breast Care Center. Clinical and pathologic response rates were analyzed according to clinicopathologic variables including tumor intrinsic subtype. Results: Objective clinical response (complete and partial) was observed in 88% (111/128) of patients with 11% (14/128) achieving pathologic complete response (pCR). The hormone receptor-negative/ Her2-enriched (HR-/Her2+) subtype had the highest pCR rate (23.5%) followed by triple negative subtype (HR-/Her2-) at 19%. The hormone receptor-positive/Her2-positive (HR+/Her2+) subtype had the lowest pCR (4.7%). Two patients with initial poor response to AC but had good response upon shifting to T achieved pCR. Twelve patients (9.4%) had poor response to AC and T chemotherapy. Patients who were pre-menopausal (p=0.04), had ductal histology (p=0.03), with a HR-/Her2- (p=0.002) or HR+/Her2+ subtype (p=0.03) had good response to AC. Intrinsic subtype was not significantly associated with treatment response in those who received docetaxel. There was strong association between the pathologic and clinical responses (Spearman’s Rho score 0.69, p-value <0.0001). Conclusion Clinical and pathologic response to NAC was highly dependent on tumor subtype. Clinical response was predictive of pathologic response. Response-guided NAC allowed direct and early evaluation of tumor treatment response that allowed for treatment modifications.
Breast Neoplasms ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Drug Therapy

Humans ; Lung Neoplasms/surgery* ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Pneumonectomy ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the value of pretreatment inflammatory-nutritional biomarkers in predicting the pathological response of locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (nCT). METHODS: This retrospective study included eligible participants who underwent nCT followed by radical surgery. Pretreatment inflammatory nutritional biomarkers were calculated within one week prior to nCT. Correlations between biomarkers and pathological responses were analyzed. The cut-off values of the pretreatment biomarkers for predicting non-response were determined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The inflammation-nutrition score was calculated using the lymphocyte level, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and prognostic nutritional index (PNI). RESULTS: A total of 235 patients were retrospectively recruited between January 2017 and September 2022. Lower lymphocyte levels, lymphocyte monocyte ratio (LMR), and PNI, and higher NLR and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were observed in patients without response. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that NLR could independently predict non-response to nCT in patients with LARC. The sensitivity and specificity of the inflammation-nutrition score for predicting nonresponse were 71.2% and 61.7%, respectively. CONCLUSION The pretreatment inflammation-nutrition score is a practical parameter for predicting non-response to nCT in patients with LARC. Patients with high scores were more likely to respond poorly to nCT.
Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Lymphocytes ; Biomarkers ; Rectal Neoplasms/pathology*

OBJECTIVES: To investigate changes of pulmonary ventilation function and diffusion function in lung cancer patients after neoadjuvant immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) therapy combined with chemotherapy treatment. METHODS: Patients with newly diagnosed lung cancer (Ⅱa-Ⅲb) admitted to Zhejiang Cancer Hospital from October 2021 to July 2022, who received ICIs combined with chemotherapy for more than two courses were enrolled. Patients underwent pulmonary ventilation function and diffusion function assessments before and after treatment. The demographic information, sizes and locations of cancer lesions, doses and duration of ICIs used, pulmonary function results before and after treatment, and the tumor regression were documented. The changes of pulmonary function parameters before and after the treatment were analyzed with paired t test and Wilcoxon rank-sum test. The factors influencing the pulmonary function changes were analyzed by multiple linear Lasso regression and ridge regression. RESULTS: Among the 52 patients, 50 cases were males (96.15%) and 43 cases were squamous carcinoma (82.69%). The medium age of the patients was 67 years. After neoadjuvant therapy, 36 patients (69.23%) showed remission of tumor lesions. After treatment, the parameters of pulmonary ventilation inspiratory vital capacity (IVC) and the area under the expiratory flow-volume curve (AREAex), and the parameter of pulmonary diffusion total lung capacity increased compared with the baseline (all P<0.05). Forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in first second (FEV₁) also showed an increasing trend. Multivariate linear Lasso regression and ridge regression showed that baseline IVC had a significant negative effect on IVC improvement (Beta=－0.435, t=－2.968, P<0.01), baseline TLC had a significant negative effect on the improvement of TLC (Beta=－0.266, t=－2.474, P<0.05), and the remission of obstructive pneumonia favored the improvement of TLC (Beta=0.308, t=2.443, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS After ICIs neoadjuvant treatment combined with chemotherapy, the lung ventilation and diffusion function can be improved in lung cancer patients, particularly for those with reduced baseline ventilation and diffusion function.
Male ; Humans ; Aged ; Female ; Lung Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/pharmacology* ; Lung ; Pulmonary Ventilation

BACKGROUND: For resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the CheckMate-816 study demonstrated that neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy increased the rate of complete pathologic response (pCR) by 21.8% compared with chemotherapy alone and resulted in a significant benefit in event-free survival (EFS). This study aimed to investigate the safety and feasibility of this approach in the real world. METHODS: Clinical data from patients with NSCLC who underwent surgery after neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy or chemotherapy alone in two centers were analyzed retrospectively, and subgroup analyses were performed for the chemoimmunotherapy group according to treatment cycle. The primary study endpoints were EFS and major pathologic response (MPR), and the secondary study endpoints were pCR, overall survival (OS), treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs), and surgery-related metrics. RESULTS: As of April 2023, 89 patients had been enrolled, including 54 in the chemoimmunotherapy group and 35 in the chemotherapy alone group. MPR was achieved in 31 (57.4%) and 5 (14.3%) patients in the chemoimmunotherapy group and chemotherapy alone group, respectively (OR=8.09, 95%CI: 2.72-24.04, P<0.001); pCR was achieved in 25 (46.3%) patients in the chemoimmunotherapy group and no patient in the chemotherapy alone group (P<0.001). The median follow-up time was 22.1 months. At 24 months, the EFS rates of the chemoimmunotherapy group and the chemotherapy alone group were 77.0% and 56.7%, respectively (P=0.026), and the OS rates were 87.1% and 67.7%, respectively (P=0.020). In the neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy group, there was no significant difference between the 1-2 cycles and 3-5 cycles groups in terms of operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS Neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy was more effective than chemotherapy alone and did not increase the risk associated with surgery. An increase in the number of cycles of neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy had no significant effect on the difficulty of surgery.
Humans ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Lung Neoplasms/surgery* ; Immunotherapy

Objective:To analyze the risk factors that affect the prognosis of patients with hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma（HPSCC） and to compare the efficacy of surgical resection followed by adjuvant radiotherapy（SR） with that of neoadjuvant therapy consisting of platinum-based chemotherapy and fluorouracil combined with either cetuximab or nimotuzumab, followed by SR. The study also aimed to evaluate the overall survival（OS） of patients, their postoperative eating function, tracheostomy decannulation rate, and tumor response to the two neoadjuvant chemotherapies. Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on the medical records of HPSCC patients who received SR or neoadjuvant therapy followed by SR treatment at the Shanghai General Hospital from 2012 to 2019 and had not undergone any prior treatment. The prognostic factors were analyzed, and the survival analysis of patients who underwent SR treatment with two neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimens was performed. Results:A total of 108 patients were included in the study. The results of the univariate analysis showed that gender（P=0.850） had no significant correlation with the survival rate of HPSCC patients who underwent SR. However, age, smoking history, alcohol consumption history, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio（PLR）, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio（NLR）, T stage, N stage, neoadjuvant therapy with either cetuximab or nimotuzumab combined with platinum-based chemotherapy and fluorouracil, and histological grade were significantly associated with prognosis（P<0.05）. The multivariate analysis revealed that smoking history, histological grade, and neoadjuvant therapy with either cetuximab or nimotuzumab combined with platinum-based chemotherapy and fluorouracil were independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of HPSCC（P<0.05）. Patients who received neoadjuvant therapy had longer OS than those who underwent SR only（P<0.001）. There was no significant difference in tumor response to the two neoadjuvant therapies and in OS（P>0.05）, and there was no significant difference in the rate of oral feeding and tracheostomy decannulation among the three treatment groups（P>0.05）. Conclusion:Univariate analysis showed that age at tumor onset, smoking history, alcohol consumption history, NLR, PLR, T stage, N stage, whether receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and pathological grade were associated with the prognosis of HPSCC patients receiving SR treatment. Multivariate analysis showed that smoking history, pathological grade, and neoadjuvant chemotherapy were independent risk factors affecting the prognosis. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy with cetuximab or nimotuzumab can prolong the OS of patients, providing a certain basis and reference for the treatment of HPSCC.
Humans ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck ; Cetuximab/therapeutic use* ; Retrospective Studies ; China ; Prognosis ; Fluorouracil ; Head and Neck Neoplasms

Objective:To evaluate the clinical significance of neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy in the treatment of larynx preservation in locally advanced hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Methods:Patients with locally advanced HPSCC（cT3-T4aN0-N3M0） were eligible. All received 2 cycles of pembrolizumab combined with docetaxel and platinum neoadjuvant induction therapy. After two cycles, the efficacy was evaluated, followed by radical chemoradiotherapy or surgery and adjuvant chemoradiotherapy according to the efficacy. The primary endpoints were objective response rate（ORR） ，larynx-preservation（LP） rate at 3 months post-treatment and the adverse reactions during neoadjuvant therapy. Results:From December 2021 to December 2022, 10 patients with locally advanced HPSCC（cT3-T4aN0-N3M0） were enrolled. After 2 cycles of the neoadjuvant therapy, 2 patients achieved complete response（CR）, 7 patients achieved partial response（PR）, 1 patient was stable disease（SD）, objective response rate（ORR） was 90%, and disease control rate（DCR） was 100%. 5 patients received radical chemoradiotherapy, 5 patients received surgery and adjuvant chemoradiotherapy, four of them received partial laryngectomy and partial hypopharyngeal resection surgery, and one of them received total laryngectomy and partial hypopharyngeal resection surgery. All patients were able to withstand adverse reactions of neoadjuvant therapy and successfully completed the whole treatment of HPSCC without grade 3-4 treatment-related adverse reactions. There was no recurrence or metastasis during 3-18 months of follow-up. 1 patient died of severe pneumonia 3 months after the completion of radical chemoradiotherapy. At 3 months after treatment, the larynx-preservation rate was 80%. Conclusion:Neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy has good short-term efficacy and the adverse reactions were tolerable. It can improve the larynx-preservation rate of patients with locally advanced HPSCC, thus improving the prognosis and quality of life of patients.
Humans ; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck/etiology* ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Quality of Life ; Cisplatin ; Treatment Outcome ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use* ; Larynx ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; Immunotherapy

Esophageal cancer is a malignant tumor with a high incidence in China. At pesent, advanced esophageal cancer patients are still frequently encountered. The primary treatment for resectable advanced esophageal cancer is surgery-based multimodality therapy, including preoperative neoadjuvant therapy, such as chemotherapy, chemoradiotherapy or chemotherapy plus immunotherapy, followed by radical esophagectomy with thoraco-abdominal two-field or cervico-thoraco-abdominal three-field lymphadenectomy via minimally invasive approach or thoracotomy. In addition, adjuvant chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or chemoradiotherapy, or immunotherapy may also be administered if suggested by postoperative pathological results. Although the treatment outcome of esophageal cancer has improved significantly in China, many clinical issues remain controversial. In this article, we summarize the current hotspots and important issues of esophageal cancer in China, including prevention and early diagnosis, treatment selection for early esophageal cancer, surgical approach selection, lymphadenectomy method, preoperative neoadjuvant therapy, postoperative adjuvant therapy, and nutritional support treatment.
Humans ; Esophageal Neoplasms/surgery* ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Neoadjuvant Therapy/methods* ; Chemoradiotherapy ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Esophagectomy/methods*