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Monoclonal antibodies targeting programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) represent a new treatment paradigm in non-small cell lung cancer. Three phase III trials have demonstrated a survival benefit and improved tolerability of nivolumab and pembrolizumab when compared with standard second-line chemotherapy.Nevertheless, the adverse events associated with PD-1 inhibitors are unique; early recognition and treatment are essential. This review summarizes the required monitoring and appropriate management of immune-related adverse events in lung cancer patients receiving these agents. The Oncologist 2017;22:70-80Implications for Practice: The potential adverse events of immune checkpoint inhibitors differ from conventional chemotherapy and can require a multidisciplinary approach. Continued education is important for all physicians to ensure optimal care for patients.

Unresectable cancer of the pancreas was treated with the combination of weekly paclitaxel and external beam irradiation in an effort to improve palliation and extend life expectancy. One hundred twenty-two patients were entered in a multicentered protocol. Thirteen patients were either ineligible, cancelled, or had delinquent data, thus providing 109 for analysis. Unresectable cancer was based on imaging studies (computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging), all had histologic proof of adenocarcinoma, and none had evidence of metastatic disease or peritoneal seeding. Image-guided radiotherapy treatment consisted of 50.4 Gy in 28 fractions over 5.5 weeks with coplanar anterior/posterior and lateral ports. An initial dose of 45 Gy was given to fields covering the primary tumor plus the regional peripancreatic, celiac, and porta hepatis lymph nodes. A cone down field was used for the last three fractions to encompass the gross tumor volume with a 1- to 1.5-cm margin. Paclitaxel was administered weekly with irradiation in a dosage of 50 mg/m2 as a 3-hour infusion. The median age was 63 and 53% were female. The Karnofsky performance status was greater than or equal to 80 in 81%. Eighty percent were classified T3 or 4; 20% had N1 disease. The primary tumor was located in the pancreatic head in 65%. Eighty-five percent received all six cycles of paclitaxel per protocol, whereas 93% received irradiation with acceptable protocol variation. Field placement, total dose, fractionation, and overall treatment time were given per protocol in greater than or equal to 90%. Acute toxicity (worst per patient) occurred in 39% with grade III (35% of these were asymptomatic neutropenia), 5% with grade IV, and one patient died of infection during the fourth cycle of chemotherapy (grade V). The median follow-up time for alive patients is 20.6 months (range 5-30). The median survival is 11.2 months (95% CI 10.1, 12.3) with estimated 1- and 2-year survivals of 43% and 13%, respectively. External irradiation plus concurrent weekly paclitaxel is well tolerated when given with large-field radiotherapy. The median survival is better than historical results achieved with irradiation and fluoropyrimidines. These data provide the basis for a new Radiation Therapy Oncology Group trial using paclitaxel and irradiation combined with a second radiation sensitizer, gemcitabine, now under way.

Ultrasound imaging allows detection of pathologic change in muscle on the basis of increased strength of echoes. With current commercial equipment, however, there is no method of quantitation of the echoes representing muscle, and there is lack of uniformity in scanning methodology. We describe a specially constructed scanning system, designed to access the raw echo data directly from the ultrasound transducer, and allow display and measurement of the echo signals on a computer. In a study of 38 boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, aged 1 to 11 years, who had an ultrasound scan of the thigh muscle, 32 (84%) had abnormality on quantitation of the ultrasound echoes. The quantitative techniques we describe could easily be incorporated into the design of ultrasound scanners.

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In this epidemiologic study, the social institution of marriage is associated with improved survival in women with ovarian cancer.

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