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G. Liu



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    MA 16 - Mediastinal, Tracheal and Esophageal Tumor: Multimodality Approaches (ID 675)

    • Event: WCLC 2017
    • Type: Mini Oral
    • Track: Thymic Malignancies/Esophageal Cancer/Other Thoracic Malignancies
    • Presentations: 1
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      MA 16.03 - Health Utility Scores in Patients with Thymic Malignancies Treated with Multimodality Therapy (ID 9651)

      15:45 - 17:30  |  Author(s): G. Liu

      • Abstract
      • Presentation
      • Slides

      Background:
      The management of patients with locally advanced thymic malignancies remains controversial. Various combinations of surgical resection, chemotherapy and radiation are currently used. Given the generally favorable prognosis, treatment related toxicities and quality of life (QOL) could inform therapeutic options. For economic analyses, QOL can be measured as health utilities. This study describes health utility scores (HUS) in patients with locally advanced thymic malignancies, while determining the impact of multimodality regimens on HUS.

      Method:
      In a cross-sectional study (2014-2017), patients with Masaoka stage II-IVa thymic malignancies seen at a comprehensive cancer centre completed various self-reported questionnaires at routine medical visits. HUS as measured by the EuroQol-5-Dimensions (EQ-5D) with visual analogue scale (VAS) and self-reported Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status were compared in patients treated with trimodality versus uni- or bimodality regimens. Patient-reported Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) scores were also collected to explore symptom burden. Regression analysis was used to compare groups; multivariable analysis investigating potential confounders was also conducted.

      Result:
      From 2014 to 2017, 72 patients were included in the study; 43 (59.7%) were male with a median age of 58 years, 65 (90.3%) had thymoma while 7 (9.7%) had thymic carcinomas and median time since diagnosis was 50.5 months (range: 3-266). Compared to patients treated with uni/bimodality regimens (n=48), those treated with trimodality (n=24) had higher stage of disease at diagnosis and were more likely to have received multiple lines of chemotherapy. Median HUS and VAS did not differ between groups (trimodality vs uni/bimodality: HUS=0.77 vs 0.80, p=0.26; and VAS=80 vs 75, p=0.79, respectively). The distribution of patient-reported ECOG at assessment was also similar (p=1.00). ESAS scores for pain, tiredness, nausea, depression, anxiety, drowsiness, appetite, wellbeing and shortness of breath were neither statistically nor clinically different by number of modalities of therapy. Subset analyses of individuals who were 1+ year since diagnosis affirmed these findings.

      Conclusion:
      Patients with stage II-IVa thymic malignancies report favorable HUS, VAS and self-reported ECOG with minimal symptom burden. Trimodality therapy appears similarly tolerable when compared to uni- and bimodality regimens in this population.

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    MA 20 - Recent Advances in Pulmonology/Endoscopy (ID 685)

    • Event: WCLC 2017
    • Type: Mini Oral
    • Track: Pulmonology/Endoscopy
    • Presentations: 1
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      MA 20.11 - Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Prevalence in a Lung Cancer Screening Population (ID 9588)

      14:30 - 16:15  |  Author(s): G. Liu

      • Abstract
      • Presentation
      • Slides

      Background:
      Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer are associated through tobacco use. COPD is underdiagnosed in both the primary care and lung cancer populations. Diagnosis of COPD should lead to improved care and quality of life. Screening programs could provide an opportunity to capture undiagnosed COPD. We analyzed the Pan-Canadian Early Detection of Lung Cancer Study (PanCan Study) to evaluate the prevalence of COPD in a screening population.

      Method:
      The PanCan Study was a single arm lung cancer screening trial which recruited individuals to low dose CT scan, autofluorescence bronchoscopy, and biomarker screening. Eligible individuals were 50-75 years of age, had smoked within 15 years, and had a minimum six-year risk of lung cancer ≥ 2% based on a risk prediction model derived from PLCO study data, which included COPD as a risk factor. Consenting subjects completed a questionnaire including background medical conditions, high-risk work exposures, and smoking history. Baseline spirometry was performed, and COPD was defined by GOLD criteria. For individuals not receiving post-bronchodilator spirometry, COPD was defined as ‘probable’ if GOLD criteria were met pre-bronchodilator and there was no prior diagnosis of asthma. Individuals with definite or probable COPD were defined as having COPD.

      Result:
      Of 2537 individuals recruited, 2514 had available spirometry data. Mean age was 62.3 years, 55.3% were male, median pack-years smoked was 50, 62.3% were active smokers, 45.1% had symptoms of dyspnea, 52.4% cough, and 37.5% wheeze. 35.2% had worked in a high-risk occupation. Overall, 1136 (45.2%) met spirometry criteria for COPD. Of 1987 individuals without a prior history of COPD, 41.9% met spirometry criteria for COPD, of which 53.7% had moderate to severe disease. Of 527 individuals (21%) reporting a diagnosis of COPD at baseline, 57.5% met spirometry criteria for COPD, 32.2% did not, and 10.3% had a prior diagnosis of asthma. In a multivariate model for risk of COPD, age (odds ratio (OR)~per year~ 1.06), dyspnea (OR 1.42), being a current smoker (OR 1.43), and pack-years (log transformed OR 1.42) were significant (all p < 0.001) as were high-risk occupation (OR 1.24, p=0.013) and wheeze (OR 1.24, p = 0.024).

      Conclusion:
      A diagnosis of COPD by spirometry is common in a lung cancer screening trial population. Individuals with a pre-existing self-reported diagnosis of COPD often fail to meet spirometry criteria for their diagnosis. Testing a lung cancer screening population for COPD could significantly improve COPD diagnosis and treatment.

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    OA 15 - Diagnostic Radiology, Staging and Screening for Lung Cancer II (ID 684)

    • Event: WCLC 2017
    • Type: Oral
    • Track: Radiology/Staging/Screening
    • Presentations: 1
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      OA 15.01 - Lung Cancer Screening: Participant Selection by Risk Model – the Pan-Canadian Study (ID 8466)

      14:30 - 16:15  |  Author(s): G. Liu

      • Abstract
      • Presentation
      • Slides

      Background:
      Retrospective studies indicate that selecting individuals for low dose computed tomography (LDCT) lung cancer screening based on a highly predictive risk model is superior to applying National Lung Screening Trial (NLST)-like criteria, which use only categorized age, pack-year and smoking quit-time information. The Pan-Canadian Early Detection of Lung Cancer Study (PanCan Study) was designed to prospectively evaluate whether individuals at high risk for lung cancer could be identified for screening using a risk prediction model. This paper describes the study design and results.

      Method:
      2537 individuals were recruited through 8 centers across Canada based on a ≥2% of lung cancer risk estimated by the PanCan model, a precursor to the validated PLCOm2012 model. Individuals were screened at baseline and 1 and 4 years post-baseline.

      Result:
      At a median 5.5 years of follow-up, 164 individuals (6.5%) were diagnosed with 172 lung cancers. This was a significantly greater percentage of persons diagnosed with lung cancers than was observed in the NLST(4.0%)(p<0·001). Compared to 57% observed in the NLST, 77% of lung cancers in the PanCan Study were early stage (I or II) (p<0.001) and to 25% in a comparable population, age 50-75 during 2007-2009 in Ontario, Canada’s largest province, (p<0·001).

      Conclusion:
      Enrolling high-risk individuals into a LDCT screening study or program using a highly predictive risk model, is efficient in identifying individuals who will be diagnosed with lung cancer and is compatible with a strong stage shift – identifying a high proportion at early, potentially curable stage. Funding This study was funded by the Terry Fox Research Institute and Canadian Partnership Against Cancer. ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00751660

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    P3.01 - Advanced NSCLC (ID 621)

    • Event: WCLC 2017
    • Type: Poster Session with Presenters Present
    • Track: Advanced NSCLC
    • Presentations: 2
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      P3.01-019 - Canadian Multicentre Validation Study of Plasma Circulating Tumour DNA for Epidermal Growth Factor (EGFR) T790M Testing (ID 8878)

      09:30 - 16:00  |  Author(s): G. Liu

      • Abstract
      • Slides

      Background:
      Plasma detection of EGFR T790M mutations in circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) of advanced lung cancer patients with acquired resistance to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) has been proposed as alternative to tumor re-biopsy. This national validation study across Canadian centres aimed to establish the sensitivity and specificity of plasma detection of T790M as a clinical test using digital droplet (dd)PCR and next generation sequencing (NGS) assays.

      Method:
      Canadian patients at 7 centres undergoing screening for ASTRIS (NCT02474355) were invited to participate in this companion blood-based study. Patients with acquired resistance to EGFR TKI consented to collection of blood samples and demographic data. Samples were analysed using ddPCR and/or NGS platforms available at 4 molecular diagnostic laboratories across Canada. Concordance between the results of plasma T790M assayed in these 4 laboratories with reference tissue/plasma testing conducted for ASTRIS was assessed.

      Result:
      63 patients participated; the median age was 64 years (range 31-87), 69%(40/58) were Asian; 55%(33/60) were male. All patients received prior EGFR TKI, 17%(10/60) also received prior chemotherapy. Reference testing for EGFR T790M for ASTRIS eligibility identified positive T790M(+) results for 31(49%), negative(-) for 30(48%) and indeterminate(i) results for 2(3%) patients. One laboratory tested all 63 patient samples using both ddPCR and NGS (Oncomine Lung cfDNA assay), another laboratory tested 18 samples using ddPCR and NextSeq, a third tested 10 samples using ddPCR and COBAS EGFRv2, and a fourth tested 6 samples using Ion Torrent PGM. A total of 188 tests were performed including 91 by ddPCR, 87 NGS and 10 COBAS assays. Combining test results for each patient, 60%(38/63) of patient plasma samples were T790M+, 23(37%) were T790M-, and 2(3%) were inconclusive. Of 31 patients with reference T790M+ results from ASTRIS, 23(74%) had T790M detected in plasma, 6(19%) did not (T790M-), and 2(7%) had indeterminate (T790Mi) plasma results. For 30 patients with T790M- reference results from ASTRIS, 13(43%) had plasma T790M+ and 17 plasma T790M- results. The 2 patients with T790Mi by reference testing both had T790M+ results from plasma. Altogether, 47%(15/32) of patients deemed to have T790M-/i tumours by reference testing were found to have T790M+ results by plasma in this multicentre study. Combining results from both tissue and plasma testing, 73%(46/63) of study patients had T790M+ results.

      Conclusion:
      Plasma ctDNA testing in this multicentre Canadian study identified a significant number of additional patients eligible for osimertinib therapy beyond routine biopsy tissue testing for EGFR T790M.

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      P3.01-062 - The Perceived Value of Avoiding Biopsy: Patients' Willingness to Pay for Circulating Tumour DNA T790M Testing (ID 10004)

      09:30 - 16:00  |  Author(s): G. Liu

      • Abstract
      • Slides

      Background:
      Plasma detection of circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) with T790M mutation in the context of EGFR tyrosine kinase resistance has been shown to have high concordance with tissue biopsy specimens. In a public healthcare system, patients’ perceived value of a test and willingness to pay can inform policy decisions regarding implementation and funding of a novel technology.

      Method:
      As part of screening for the ASTRIS clinical trial (NCT02474355), Canadian patients were invited to participate in a national validation study of blood-based ctDNA T790M testing. Eligible patients had acquired resistance to EGFR TKI and consented to collection of blood samples, demographic data, and completion of a structured interview measuring their perceived value of blood-based ctDNA testing as an alternative to tumour biopsy. They were asked about their willingness to pay for testing using both open-ended and iterative bidding approaches. The study was supported by a grant from AstraZeneca.

      Result:
      60 patients were accrued to the study. Median age of the cohort is 64 years (range 31-87); 69% are Asian (40/58); 55% (33/60) are male. All patients had received prior EGFR kinase inhibitor treatment, with 67% (45/60) receiving gefitinib. 17% of patients also received chemotherapy (10/60). A median of 1 prior line of therapy had been received (range 1-6). All patients preferred to have the blood test over repeat tumour biopsy. Patients estimated a mean reasonable price to pay for the test of $954; median $300 (range 0-10,000; IQR 150-800). Patients were personally willing to pay a mean of $281; median $100 (range 0-2500; IQR 33-350).

      Conclusion:
      In a public health system that covers the cost of standard diagnostic tests, Canadian patients indicated a willingness to pay out of pocket for peripheral blood detection of ctT790M. Patients have high perceived value of ctDNA and prefer it to tumor biopsy.

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    P3.06 - Epidemiology/Primary Prevention/Tobacco Control and Cessation (ID 722)

    • Event: WCLC 2017
    • Type: Poster Session with Presenters Present
    • Track: Epidemiology/Primary Prevention/Tobacco Control and Cessation
    • Presentations: 1
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      P3.06-005 - Informational Needs on Smoking Cessation of Cancer Patients  (ID 9162)

      09:30 - 16:00  |  Author(s): G. Liu

      • Abstract

      Background:
      Newly diagnosed cancer patients are motivated to quit smoking and are more receptive to discussions on how to best accomplish this goal, but require support. However, little is known about the informational needs of cancer patients that would assist with their smoking cessation efforts. The purpose of this study is to determine the smoking cessation informational needs of cancer patients.

      Method:
      Patients at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre who are current smokers (smoking or quit within the last 6 months) completed a cross-sectional survey during their outpatient clinic appointments. The survey captured demographic data, details about smoking history and behaviors, and informational needs including: general information and support (8-items), health and disease (14-items), relationships (5-items), testimonials from patients who had quit (7-items) and smoking cessation interventions (3-items). Each item asked for information priority (not important, somewhat important or very important) and how much information is desired (none, a little bit or detailed). Data are summarized using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test was used to explore relationships between socio-demographic variables and smoking behaviour variables (perception of health, motivation to quit and readiness to quit).

      Result:
      44 current smokers were recruited. The mean age was 43 (23-76 years), 28 (64%) were male and 35 (80%) were Caucasian. 21 (48%) had college/university level education and 11 (25%) had completed high-school. 18 (41%) were married and 30 (68%) were working. 23 (52%) lived with a support person. 29 (66%) of patients currently use a tobacco product and 15 (34%) had quit within the last 6 months. 23 (52%) were motivated/very motivated to quit smoking and 12 (27%) were somewhat motivated. Only 7 (16%) reported a lack of cessation services as a reason for continued smoking and 26 (59%) reported smoking will have a negative impact on their health. Only employment status was found to be related to readiness to quit p=.028. The three most important information needs were: “Information about strategies to help you stay quit” (n=24, 54.5%),“Information about why patients continue to smoke even with the known health risks” (n= 23, 52.3%) and “Information about strategies to help you quit” (n= 22, 50%). The preferred modality for this information was pamphlets followed by one-on-one teaching.

      Conclusion:
      Patients are most interested in obtaining information about strategies to help them quit and to stay quit and exploring their motivations to quite may be critical to success. Pamphlets are the preferred modality for this information.