The effect of anti-cancer and anti-tuberculosis treatments in lung cancer patients with active tuberculosis: a retrospective analysis

Abstract

Background Lung tuberculosis (TB) and lung cancer have a complex relationship. Data concerning TB treatment in lung cancer patients are still incomplete. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of anti-cancer and anti-tuberculosis treatments in lung cancer patients with active lung TB. Methods In a retrospective cohort study, lung cancer patients with active lung TB were identified between January 2013 and December 2016. Age- and sex-matched lung cancer patients without tuberculosis were selected as control subjects. Anti-cancer and anti-tuberculosis treatments were administered according to the national guidelines. The clinical courses and responses of lung cancer patients with and without active lung TB were examined and compared.Results A total of 31 consecutive lung cancer patients were diagnosed with active lung TB. Fifty-one lung cancer patients without TB were enrolled as control subjects. Most patients in the two groups were elderly, had advanced non-small cell lung cancer and had tumor burdens. The anti-cancer treatment completion rate and response rate were not different between two group (87.1% in TB treatment patients vs. 92.2% in lung cancer patients; 77.4% in TB treatment patients vs. 88.2% in lung cancer patients, respectively). The anti-tuberculosis treatment completion rate and success rate was 87.1% and 80.7%. The median survival times were not different between two groups (52 weeks in TB treatment patients vs. 57 weeks in lung cancer patients). The change in Karnofsky performance score was also not different between two groups. The most common side effect in TB treatment patients was liver injury (61.3%). The most serious side effect in TB treatment patients was leukocyte deficiency (9.7% in Grade 3). Both of side effects mentioned above were not different between two groups. Conclusion Both anti-cancer and anti-tuberculosis treatments can be safely and effectively administered in lung cancer patients with active lung TB. Attention should be paid to the risk of tuberculosis in lung cancer patients in TB high-burden countries.

Recent research progress in the plant contribution to the management of tuberculosis

“…The suggested administration of the product is 1.5 h before the meal by adding half or one spoon into milk, 2–3 times daily for 2 months, followed by a 2‐week break, and again administered for 2–4 months (Gorev & Goreva, 2000, RU2150950 C1). Moreover, different pharmaceutical compositions containing plant extracts (Zanthoxyli Fructus extract, Toxicodendron vernicifluum ) (Kim et al, 2006; H. W. Kim, 2018) or individual compounds (rhamnetin, artemether, lumefantrine, phloretin) (Choi, 2017a; 2017b; Kim & Jeon, 2018; Y. M. Kim, 2018) were designed to alleviate or prevent tuberculosis.…”

“…The other interesting bioactive food additive patented for preventing and treating tuberculosis is propolis derived from birch or pine trees in Russia and Siberia, mixed with butter. The suggested administration of the product is 1.5 h before the meal by adding half or one spoon into milk, 2-3 times daily for 2 months, followed by a 2-week break, and again administered for compounds (rhamnetin, artemether, lumefantrine, phloretin) (Choi, 2017a;2017b;Kim & Jeon, 2018; Y. M. were designed to alleviate or prevent tuberculosis.…”