BACKGROUND:Eribulin is an approved treatment option for soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) in Japan; however, real-world data regarding its safety, efficacy, and optimal dosing strategies across heterogeneous patient populations remain limited. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate clinical outcomes, treatment tolerability, and prognostic factors in patients with STS treated with eribulin. METHODS:We retrospectively reviewed 50 patients with STS who received eribulin at a single institution between 2018 and 2024. Clinical variables, dosing schedules, tumor responses, survival outcomes, and adverse events (AEs) were analyzed. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method; group comparisons were performed with the log-rank test. RESULTS:The cohort had a median age of 66 years, and eribulin was administered as first-line therapy in 24 patients. The disease control rate was 62%; one patient achieved complete response and one achieved partial response. Median PFS and OS were 4 and 19 months, respectively. Hematologic toxicities were the most common Grade ≥ 3 AEs, with no treatment-related cardiac events observed. Dose modifications included a bi-weekly schedule or a regimen consisting of two administrations followed by a 2-week rest period with pegfilgrastim support. No treatment discontinuations due to AEs occurred in either reduced-intensity schedule; the latter regimen demonstrated the longest treatment duration. Survival outcomes were comparable across age groups, treatment lines, histological subtypes, and tumor locations. Patients aged ≥70 years achieved a median OS of 16 months, generally consistent with previously reported outcomes in elderly sarcoma populations. CONCLUSIONS:Eribulin demonstrated favorable tolerability and durable disease control across diverse patient subgroups, including elderly and comorbid patients who are often ineligible for anthracycline therapy. Although no significant prognostic factors were identified, bi-weekly dosing and two-administration/2-week rest schedules were feasible, with the latter offering the advantage of pegfilgrastim support. These findings support the integration of eribulin into individualized treatment strategies for advanced STS and highlight the need for prospective studies to refine patient selection and optimize dosing approaches.
BACKGROUND:We aimed at estimating trends in 5-year net survival for myeloid and lymphoid malignancies, by age group and morphological subtype, using data on patients diagnosed during 2000-2014 and registered by 16 Japanese population-based cancer registries participating in the CONCORD-3 study. METHODS:We analyzed data on adult patients (15-99 years) diagnosed with a myeloid or lymphoid malignancy during 2000-2014 and followed up to December 31, 2014. We estimated 5-year net survival by age group and morphological subtype with the Pohar Perme estimator, and age-standardized the estimates using International Cancer Survival Standard weights. RESULTS:Significant improvements were observed in five-year net survival for myeloid malignancies among patients aged 15-44 years (from 57.3% in 2000-2004 to 72.3% in 2010-2014) and 45-54 years (from 41.9% to 61.3% over the same period). For lymphoid malignancies, 5-year net survival improved for all ages, but the improvement was less pronounced for older patients. Five-year net survival improved by 10% or more for myeloproliferative neoplasms, classic Hodgkin's lymphoma, and follicular lymphoma. Moderate improvement was observed for diffuse B-cell lymphoma and acute myeloid leukemia. CONCLUSIONS:Five-year net survival for patients with hematological malignancies improved throughout 2000-2014 in Japan. The improvement was more pronounced in younger than older patients. Continuous and detailed monitoring of cancer survival trends is crucial for devising effective control strategies for hematological malignancies. [221/250 words].
The Union for International Cancer Control classification can predict the outcome of patients with oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma, which has a poor prognosis. However, in some cases, cancer relapse occurs earlier than in others despite an identical stage. Pathological findings are the first step in detecting features associated with a high risk of recurrence. Herein, we identified a novel pathological feature, termed Crawling Amoeboid Migration (CAM), characterized by an invasive tumor front in which cancer cells progress between muscle fibers in an amoeboid manner. Furthermore, we investigated its prognostic significance in oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC). This retrospective cohort study enrolled patients with OTSCC who were referred to the National Cancer Center Hospital East Japan between January 2011 and December 2017. The main pathological features were reevaluated by two investigators who were blinded to the clinical data. Additionally, recurrence-free survival rates according to pathological features, including CAM, were calculated and compared. Herein, 211 patients were included, with a median follow-up duration of 4.8 years. Overall survival and recurrence-free survival were significantly worse in the CAM-positive group than in the CAM-negative group (p < 0.01 for both). In multivariable analysis, lymphatic invasion, venous invasion, CAM, and nodal metastasis were strong prognostic factors for recurrence-free survival, with hazard ratios (95
INTRODUCTION:Colorectal serrated lesions (SLs) are recognized as precursors of colorectal cancer (CRC); however, their detection rates and prevalence remain inadequately defined. We aimed to assess their detection rates and estimate their prevalence in the Asia-Pacific, as well as to examine their associated factors. METHODS:This was a multicenter prospective study in the Asia-Pacific. Asymptomatic individuals aged 40-74 years undergoing first-time colonoscopy for CRC screening were prospectively enrolled. To ensure precise prevalence estimates, colonoscopy procedures involved repeated proximal colon inspection using pan-chromoendoscopy with indigo carmine dye. Detection rates of proximal SLs and sessile serrated lesions (SSLs) were calculated. Mixed-effects logistic regression analyses, accounting for institution-level variability, were performed to identify factors associated with proximal SL and SSL detection. Associations between SLs and synchronous advanced colorectal neoplasia (ACN) were evaluated. RESULTS:Among 965 participants, detection rates of proximal SLs and SSLs were 16.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 13.8-18.5) and 8.6% (6.9-10.6), respectively. Institutional differences affected detection of proximal SLs (adjusted median OR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.25-1.79) and SSLs (1.34; 1.18-1.62). A family history of CRC was associated with higher SSL detection (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 2.36; 95% CI, 1.29-4.33). Detection of proximal SLs was associated with synchronous ACN (OR, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.24-3.02 and 1.90; 1.18-3.07, respectively). DISCUSSION:This multicenter study demonstrates that detection rates and estimated prevalence of SLs are higher than previously reported in the Asia-Pacific and highlights the impact of institutional differences, challenging the notion of their low regional prevalence. TRIAL REGISTRATION:UMIN-CTR number, UMIN 000042890.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. To aid the development of lung cancer control strategies, we analyzed trends in lung cancer survival using data from 16 population-based cancer registries in Japan that participated in the CONCORD-3 study. We included patients aged 15-99 years diagnosed with lung cancer between 2000 and 2014 and followed up until 31 December 2014. A total of 5-year net survival was estimated using the Pohar Perme estimator, stratified by calendar period, age group, sex, histological subtype, and stage. All-ages estimates were standardized with the International Cancer Survival Standard weights. Age-standardized 5-year net survival in 339 277 patients with lung cancer increased slightly over time, from 29.3% (95% confidence intervals 28.1%-30.5%) for patients diagnosed during 2000-2004 to 32.9% (32.3%-33.4%) in 2010-2014. Five-year net survival improved particularly for young patients (15-44 years), for women diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer and with localized disease. We observed limited or no survival improvement for patients diagnosed with small-cell lung cancer or with distant disease. In Japan, 5-year net survival for patients with lung cancer improved slightly over the 15 years 2000-2014, but no improvement was observed for patients with small-cell lung cancer or with distant disease. Continued surveillance of cancer survival is essential to guide cancer control efforts and further improve treatment outcomes.
