High tumor burden in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer: a Delphi survey among Spanish oncologists

Abstract

Aim: To define high tumor burden (HTB) in non-small-cell lung cancer. Methods: A total of five oncologists initiated the project, selecting 66 participants, and elaborated a questionnaire with 26 statements using the Delphi method with a 9-point Likert scale of agreement. Results: Factors with moderate strength of consensus were identified, including a sum of the longest diameter of lesions ≥10 cm, elevated LDH, hepatic involvement, lymphangitis carcinomatosis, brain involvement unapproachable with local techniques and pericardial effusion. There was a consensus against increases in tumor markers and asymptomatic brain involvement being related to HTB. HTB was considered a relevant factor for treatment selection supporting the choice of combination regimens versus immunotherapy only. Conclusion: In this Delphi study, experts defined several factors associated with HTB in non-small cell lung cancer.

Programmed Death Ligand-1 and Tumor Burden Score Dictate Treatment Responses in Patients with Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

“…Tumor burden simply indicates the total amount of tumor in the body. Accumulating studies have demonstrated that tumor burden is an independent prognostic factor with a negative impact on survival in several types of malignancies, including melanoma [14], lung cancer [15][16][17][18], head and neck cancer [19,20], thyroid cancer [21] and lymphoma [22]. Kim et al conducted a systematic review and identified the negative impact of tumor burden on baseline immunity and treatment-induced immune responses [7].…”