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M. Cerna



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    P3.11 - Poster Session 3 - NSCLC Novel Therapies (ID 211)

    • Event: WCLC 2013
    • Type: Poster Session
    • Track: Medical Oncology
    • Presentations: 1
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      P3.11-038 - EGFR mutations in squamous NSCLC - prevalence and treatment results with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors in Slovak Republic (ID 2731)

      09:30 - 09:30  |  Author(s): M. Cerna

      • Abstract

      Background
      Wide screening for EGFR mutations in locally advanced or metastatic squamous NSCLC (SQLC) is not recommended by internationally accepted guidelines, mainly due to low prevalence. However, the COSMIC database shows the increasing incidence of EGFR mutations in SQLC, in 2008: 2,6% (upper limit of 95%CI: less than 3,6%), in 2012: 5%, and in April 2013: 6% (upper limit of 95%CI: 6,9%). In spite of this, there are only very limited data about the efficacy of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in patients with SQLC containing activating EGFR mutations. The Purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of EGFR mutations in SQLC in the Slovak Republic, and to assess the treatment results with TKIs in this group of patients.

      Methods
      A nationwide multicentre retrospective study was designed, and approved by the Ethical Committee of the National Cancer Institute, Bratislava, Slovakia. The databases of the participating institutions were searched for patients with locally advanced or metastatic SQLC tested for EGFR mutations between March 2010 and March 2013. The time limit reflects the fact, that the EGFR mutation testing has been available for all patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC in the Slovak Republic since March 2010.

      Results
      Altogether 1502 patients with NSCLC were tested for EGFR mutations, among them 585 with SQLC. EGFR mutations were found in 26 SQLC cases, which give the prevalence 4.4%, 95%CI: 3.1 – 6.4%. Thirteen patients received treatment with EGFR TKIs, 10 with gefitinib, 3 with erlotinib. Patients’ characteristics: M/F: 10/3, age: median 65yrs (55 – 83), PS: 1/2/3: 1/10/2, all with stage IV SQLC, cytologically and histologically confirmed in 11 (85%), cytologically only in 2 (15%) patients. Treatment results: RR: PR: 7/11 (64%), SD: 2/11 (18%), PD: 2/11(18%), UNK: 2/13, PFS: median: 5.5 months (1 – 36+). PFS over 12 months was seen in 3 patients. There were no unexpected or treatment related SAEs.

      Conclusion
      EGFR mutations in SQLC as well as the treatment efficacy of EGFR TKIs in patients with SQLC containing EGFR mutations deserve further attention. EGFR mutation testing should be available also for patients with SQLC.

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    P3.24 - Poster Session 3 - Supportive Care (ID 160)

    • Event: WCLC 2013
    • Type: Poster Session
    • Track: Supportive Care
    • Presentations: 1
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      P3.24-036 - Lung cancer awareness months in Slovakia - what have they changed? (ID 2630)

      09:30 - 09:30  |  Author(s): M. Cerna

      • Abstract

      Background
      The tradition of Lung Cancer Awareness Month (LCAM) started in Slovakia in November 2008 with the help of several organizations, including Slovak Oncological Society, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Agriculture, Roche Slovakia, leading lung cancer centers, and many others, including volunteers, with the main purpose to raise awareness about all aspects of lung cancer. Several interesting projects were realized as a part of LCAMs in 2008 – 2012. Among them were the press conferences with participation of patients, leading experts, well known persons from cultural and political life; lung function testing in the Parliament of the Slovak Republic; lung function testing and educational leaflets distribution in the largest shopping centers in the country; the moving exhibition of lung models colored by the VIPs from the Slovakian cultural and sport life, i.e. by well known writers, actors and actresses, and sport stars; teaching activities at the secondary schools; publishing of free educational materials for patients and their relatives. In addition, during the LCAM in 2011 the Second Breath (Druhy Dych) Citizens Organization was established to help patients with lung cancer, and successfully continues with their activities (www.druhydych.eu). We decided to assess the influence of LCAMs on public awareness of lung cancer.

      Methods
      1. Search for the Slovak web pages containing the term “rakovina pluc” (“lung cancer“) was done in Google.sk for the time periods: 01.NOV.2007 – 31.DEC.2007, 01.NOV.2008 – 31.DEC.2008, and 01.NOV.2012 – 31.DEC.2012. 2. Another search was done in a Newton Media Database, aimed at the major Slovak media, for the years 2007 and 2012 to find the entries with the term “rakovina pluc” (“lung cancer”).

      Results
      1. The number of the Slovak web pages with the term “rakovina pluc” (“lung cancer”) in the time periods 01.NOV. – 31.DEC.2007, 01.NOV. – 31.DEC.2008, and O1.NOV. – 31.DEC.2012 was 14, 58, and 130, respectively. 2. The number of entries with the term “rakovina pluc” (“lung cancer”) in the Newton Media Database was 16 in 2007, and 36 in 2012.

      Conclusion
      Our results confirm, that LCAMs in Slovakia attracted media and public attention and thus increased the awareness of lung cancer. We believe that this has a positive impact on lung cancer patients’ care, and encourages us to continue with the LCAMs tradition.