Study Identifies Potential Biomarker for Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma

By: Joshua D. Madera, MD
Posted: Tuesday, November 12, 2024

For patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma, the presence of pulmonary tumor necrosis may negatively impact clinical outcomes, according to a study published in Therapeutic Advancements in Medical Oncology. Additional studies should be dedicated to identifying evidence to support these observed clinical findings and understanding the underlying mechanisms, suggested Gen Lin, MD, PhD, of the Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China, and colleagues.

From 2016 to 2020, a total of 240 patients with advanced lung squamous cell carcinoma were recruited for the study. Contrast-enhanced chest CT was used to assess the presence of pretreatment pulmonary tumor necrosis at baseline. All patients were treated with anti–PD-1/PD-1 inhibitors and closely monitored to assess clinical outcomes.

At baseline, 39.6% of patients demonstrated evidence of pulmonary tumor necrosis on contrast-enhanced chest CT. Progression-free survival was reduced in patients who had evidence of pulmonary tumor necrosis (6.5 months) compared with those who did not (8.6 months). In addition, pulmonary tumor necrosis was identified as an independent predictor of poor progression-free survival (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.354).

After propensity-score matching was performed, patients with evidence of pulmonary tumor necrosis still had a worse progression-free survival (6.5 months) compared with those without pulmonary tumor necrosis (8.0 months). Furthermore, multivariate analyses were consistent in demonstrating the risk of a shorter progression-free survival associated with pulmonary tumor necrosis (HR = 1.494). Moreover, no clinically significant differences were found in terms of overall survival.

Disclosure: The study authors reported no conflicts of interest.

Therapeutic Advancements in Medical Oncology

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