Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 148 in total

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  1. Wu YL, Zhou C, Liam CK, Wu G, Liu X, Zhong Z, et al.
    Ann Oncol, 2015 Sep;26(9):1883-1889.
    PMID: 26105600 DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdv270
    BACKGROUND: The phase III, randomized, open-label ENSURE study (NCT01342965) evaluated first-line erlotinib versus gemcitabine/cisplatin (GP) in patients from China, Malaysia and the Philippines with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation-positive non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

    PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients ≥18 years old with histologically/cytologically confirmed stage IIIB/IV EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0-2 were randomized 1:1 to receive erlotinib (oral; 150 mg once daily until progression/unacceptable toxicity) or GP [G 1250 mg/m(2) i.v. days 1 and 8 (3-weekly cycle); P 75 mg/m(2) i.v. day 1, (3-weekly cycle) for up to four cycles]. Primary end point: investigator-assessed progression-free survival (PFS). Other end points include objective response rate (ORR), overall survival (OS), and safety.

    RESULTS: A total of 217 patients were randomized: 110 to erlotinib and 107 to GP. Investigator-assessed median PFS was 11.0 months versus 5.5 months, erlotinib versus GP, respectively [hazard ratio (HR), 0.34, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.22-0.51; log-rank P < 0.0001]. Independent Review Committee-assessed median PFS was consistent (HR, 0.42). Median OS was 26.3 versus 25.5 months, erlotinib versus GP, respectively (HR, 0.91, 95% CI 0.63-1.31; log-rank P = .607). ORR was 62.7% for erlotinib and 33.6% for GP. Treatment-related serious adverse events (AEs) occurred in 2.7% versus 10.6% of erlotinib and GP patients, respectively. The most common grade ≥3 AEs were rash (6.4%) with erlotinib, and neutropenia (25.0%), leukopenia (14.4%), and anemia (12.5%) with GP.

    CONCLUSION: These analyses demonstrate that first-line erlotinib provides a statistically significant improvement in PFS versus GP in Asian patients with EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC (NCT01342965).

  2. Pang YK, Liam CK, Leow CH, Shyamala P, Zal AR
    Med J Malaysia, 2006 Jun;61(2):147-50.
    PMID: 16898303 MyJurnal
    Many studies have shown that tracheobronchial stenting is effective in relieving respiratory distress secondary to major airway obstruction due to lung or oesophageal cancer. A retrospective review on the benefits and complications of self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) insertion through flexible bronchoscopy for the palliative treatment of upper airway obstruction in University Malaya Medical Centre was performed. Ten patients underwent this procedure. Relief of dyspnoea was immediate following stent insertion in all patients. Stent migration occurred in one patient and three patients had restenosis of the central airway. We conclude that tracheobronchial stenting via flexible bronchoscopy is feasible and safe.
  3. How SH, Liam CK, Jamalludin AR, Chin SP, Zal AB
    Med J Malaysia, 2006 Dec;61(5):558-63.
    PMID: 17623956 MyJurnal
    We studied the prevalence of raised serum CA125 in patients with pleural effusions and explored factors affecting its level. Sixty four patients with benign effusions and 36 patients with malignant effusions admitted to the University Malaya Medical Centre from May 2001 to January 2002 were included in the study. There were no significant differences in age, gender and ethnicity of the patients with benign and malignant effusions. There was also no difference in the frequency of the side of pleural effusion between the two groups but compared to benign effusions, a higher proportion of malignant effusions was moderate to large in size (66% versus 39%, p = 0.011). Serum CA125 levels were above 35U/dL in 83.3% and 78.1% of patients with malignant and benign effusions, respectively (p = 0.532). All patients with underlying malignancy and 95.3% of patients with benign effusions had pleural fluid CA125 levels above 35U/dL (p = 0.187). The median levels of CA125 were higher in the pleural fluid than in the serum in all aetiological groups. Higher serum CA125 levels were more likely to be found in patients with moderate to large effusions (p = 0.015), malignant effusions (p = 0.001) and in female patients (0.016). Serum CA125 level showed significant correlation with pleural fluid CA125 level (r = 0.532, p < 0.001) but not with pleural fluid total white blood cell count (r = -0.092, p = 0.362), red blood cell count (r = -0.082, p = 0.417) and lactate dehydrogenase level (r = 0.062, p = 0.541). We conclude that serum CA125 is commonly elevated in patients with benign and malignant pleural effusions.
  4. Lu S, Shih JY, Jang TW, Liam CK, Yu Y
    Adv Ther, 2021 May;38(5):2038-2053.
    PMID: 33730350 DOI: 10.1007/s12325-021-01696-9
    Epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR TKIs) are a standard of care in the first-line treatment of patients with EGFR mutation-positive metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). EGFR mutations are relatively common in Asian patients with NSCLC, and there is an increasing number of studies supporting the effectiveness of the second-generation TKI afatinib in routine clinical practice in Asia. This article reviews these real-world studies investigating afatinib as first-line treatment for EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC in Asian patients. Evidence from real-world studies with afatinib in this patient population supports findings from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) showing that afatinib is associated with more favorable outcomes compared with the first-generation EGFR TKIs. The effectiveness of afatinib has also been shown in real-world studies in Asian patients with poor prognostic factors, who are often under-represented or excluded from RCTs, such as those with uncommon EGFR mutations, brain metastases, or poor performance status, and elderly patients. The tolerability profile of afatinib in the real-world setting reflects that seen in RCTs, with no new safety signals reported in real-world studies in Asian patients with EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC. Dose-modification strategies also seem to be effective in the real world, with results of the RealGido study, which included 44% Asian patients, confirming findings from prospective clinical trials showing that tolerability-guided afatinib dose modifications can reduce the incidence of adverse events without adversely affecting clinical outcomes. While further research, including clinical trial data, is needed, real-world data have also demonstrated the feasibility of sequential afatinib followed by the third-generation TKI osimertinib in T790M-positive EGFR mutation-positive patients, which showed longer overall survival. Together, these real-world results demonstrate the real-world clinical effectiveness of afatinib as first-line treatment for patients with EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC.
  5. Ahn MJ, Mendoza MJL, Pavlakis N, Kato T, Soo RA, Kim DW, et al.
    Clin Lung Cancer, 2022 Dec;23(8):670-685.
    PMID: 36151006 DOI: 10.1016/j.cllc.2022.07.012
    Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a heterogeneous disease, with many oncogenic driver mutations, including de novo mutations in the Mesenchymal Epithelial Transition (MET) gene (specifically in Exon 14 [ex14]), that lead to tumourigenesis. Acquired alterations in the MET gene, specifically MET amplification is also associated with the development of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) resistance in patients with EGFR-mutant NSCLC. Although MET has become an actionable biomarker with the availability of MET-specific inhibitors in selected countries, there is differential accessibility to diagnostic platforms and targeted therapies across countries in Asia-Pacific (APAC). The Asian Thoracic Oncology Research Group (ATORG), an interdisciplinary group of experts from Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Mainland China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam, discussed testing for MET alterations and considerations for using MET-specific inhibitors at a consensus meeting in January 2022, and in subsequent offline consultation. Consensus recommendations are provided by the ATORG group to address the unmet need for standardised approaches to diagnosing MET alterations in NSCLC and for using these therapies. MET inhibitors may be considered for first-line or second or subsequent lines of treatment for patients with advanced and metastatic NSCLC harbouring MET ex14 skipping mutations; MET ex14 testing is preferred within multi-gene panels for detecting targetable driver mutations in NSCLC. For patients with EGFR-mutant NSCLC and MET amplification leading to EGFR TKI resistance, enrolment in combination trials of EGFR TKIs and MET inhibitors is encouraged.
  6. Liam CK, Lee P, Yu CJ, Bai C, Yasufuku K
    Int J Tuberc Lung Dis, 2021 01 01;25(1):6-15.
    PMID: 33384039 DOI: 10.5588/ijtld.20.0588
    Advances in bronchoscopic and other interventional pulmonology technologies have expanded the sampling procedures pulmonologist can use to diagnose lung cancer and accurately stage the mediastinum. Among the modalities available to the interventional pulmonologist are endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needles aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) and transoesophageal bronchoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-B-FNA) for sampling peribronchial/perioesophageal central lesions and for mediastinal lymph node staging, as well as navigational bronchoscopy and radial probe endobronchial ultrasound (RP-EBUS) for the diagnosis of peripheral lung cancer. The role of the interventional pulmonologist in this setting is to apply these procedures based on the correct interpretation of clinical and radiological findings in order to maximise the chances of achieving the diagnosis and obtaining sufficient tissue for molecular biomarker testing to guide targeted therapies for advanced non-small cell lung cancer. The safest and the highest diagnosis-yielding modality should be chosen to avoid a repeat sampling procedure if the first one is non-diagnostic. The choice of site and biopsy modality are influenced by tumour location, patient comorbidities, availability of equipment and local expertise. This review provides a concise state-of-the art account of the interventional pulmonology procedures in the diagnosis and staging of lung cancer.
  7. Lam DC, Liam CK, Andarini S, Park S, Tan DSW, Singh N, et al.
    J Thorac Oncol, 2023 Oct;18(10):1303-1322.
    PMID: 37390982 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtho.2023.06.014
    INTRODUCTION: The incidence and mortality of lung cancer are highest in Asia compared with Europe and USA, with the incidence and mortality rates being 34.4 and 28.1 per 100,000 respectively in East Asia. Diagnosing lung cancer at early stages makes the disease amenable to curative treatment and reduces mortality. In some areas in Asia, limited availability of robust diagnostic tools and treatment modalities, along with variations in specific health care investment and policies, make it necessary to have a more specific approach for screening, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of patients with lung cancer in Asia compared with the West.

    METHOD: A group of 19 advisors across different specialties from 11 Asian countries, met on a virtual Steering Committee meeting, to discuss and recommend the most affordable and accessible lung cancer screening modalities and their implementation, for the Asian population.

    RESULTS: Significant risk factors identified for lung cancer in smokers in Asia include age 50 to 75 years and smoking history of more than or equal to 20 pack-years. Family history is the most common risk factor for nonsmokers. Low-dose computed tomography screening is recommended once a year for patients with screening-detected abnormality and persistent exposure to risk factors. However, for high-risk heavy smokers and nonsmokers with risk factors, reassessment scans are recommended at an initial interval of 6 to 12 months with subsequent lengthening of reassessment intervals, and it should be stopped in patients more than 80 years of age or are unable or unwilling to undergo curative treatment.

    CONCLUSIONS: Asian countries face several challenges in implementing low-dose computed tomography screening, such as economic limitations, lack of efforts for early detection, and lack of specific government programs. Various strategies are suggested to overcome these challenges in Asia.

  8. Liam CK, Ahmad AR, Hsia TC, Zhou J, Kim DW, Soo RA, et al.
    Clin Cancer Res, 2023 May 15;29(10):1879-1886.
    PMID: 36971777 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-22-3318
    PURPOSE: The final analyses of the INSIGHT phase II study evaluating tepotinib (a selective MET inhibitor) plus gefitinib versus chemotherapy in patients with MET-altered EGFR-mutant NSCLC (data cut-off: September 3, 2021).

    PATIENTS AND METHODS: Adults with advanced/metastatic EGFR-mutant NSCLC, acquired resistance to first-/second-generation EGFR inhibitors, and MET gene copy number (GCN) ≥5, MET:CEP7 ≥2, or MET IHC 2+/3+ were randomized to tepotinib 500 mg (450 mg active moiety) plus gefitinib 250 mg once daily, or chemotherapy. Primary endpoint was investigator-assessed progression-free survival (PFS). MET-amplified subgroup analysis was preplanned.

    RESULTS: Overall (N = 55), median PFS was 4.9 months versus 4.4 months [stratified HR, 0.67; 90% CI, 0.35-1.28] with tepotinib plus gefitinib versus chemotherapy. In 19 patients with MET amplification (median age 60.4 years; 68.4% never-smokers; median GCN 8.8; median MET/CEP7 2.8; 89.5% with MET IHC 3+), tepotinib plus gefitinib improved PFS (HR, 0.13; 90% CI, 0.04-0.43) and overall survival (OS; HR, 0.10; 90% CI, 0.02-0.36) versus chemotherapy. Objective response rate was 66.7% with tepotinib plus gefitinib versus 42.9% with chemotherapy; median duration of response was 19.9 months versus 2.8 months. Median duration of tepotinib plus gefitinib was 11.3 months (range, 1.1-56.5), with treatment >1 year in six (50.0%) and >4 years in three patients (25.0%). Seven patients (58.3%) had treatment-related grade ≥3 adverse events with tepotinib plus gefitinib and five (71.4%) had chemotherapy.

    CONCLUSIONS: Final analysis of INSIGHT suggests improved PFS and OS with tepotinib plus gefitinib versus chemotherapy in a subgroup of patients with MET-amplified EGFR-mutant NSCLC, after progression on EGFR inhibitors.

  9. Liam CK, Wong KT
    Singapore Med J, 1995 Jun;36(3):333-4.
    PMID: 8553108
    An asymptomatic middle-aged women was investigated for a lung nodule detected on routine chest X-ray. Percutaneous needle biopsy revealed it to be a sclerosing haemangioma which was subsequently removed by a left lower lobectomy. The literature on this uncommon benign lesion is reviewed.
  10. Liam CK, Lim KH, Wong CMM
    Med J Malaysia, 2000 Mar;55(1):21-8.
    PMID: 11072486
    Tuberculosis and malignancy are two common causes of exudative pleural effusions. In this retrospective study of 52 patients with tuberculous pleural effusions and 32 patients with malignant effusions, the median age of patients with malignant effusions (68.5 years) was older than that of patients with tuberculous effusions (34.5 years) (p < 0.001). Both types of effusion occurred more frequently on the right side and there was no difference between them in terms of right-sided dominance. A higher percentage of patients with malignant pleural effusions (44%) presented with large effusions than patients with tuberculous effusions (12%) (x2 = 11.33, p = 0.001). A higher proportion of patients with tuberculous effusion had lymphocyte predominant effusions and tuberculous effusions had higher lymphocyte percentage, lower red cell count, and higher protein content. However, there was considerable overlap of these characteristics of both types of effusions.
  11. Lim KH, Liam CK, Wong CMM
    Med J Malaysia, 2000 Jun;55(2):265-7.
    PMID: 19839158
    An asymptomatic subject with radiographic changes due to welders' siderosis is described. This condition has not been well recognized and described in our community. Siderosis of the lung is generally considered to be a benign condition not associated with respiratory symptoms. However, recent reports have associated welding with various disorders of pulmonary function as well as lung cancer. There is a need for future epidemiological studies to better define the risk of long term welding.
  12. Liam CK, Aziah AM, Lim KH, Wong CMM
    Med J Malaysia, 2000 Sep;55(3):304-7.
    PMID: 11200708
    Forty patients were treated with ofloxacin for community acquired lower respiratory tract infections. Eighteen pathogens were isolated in sputum; Streptococcus pneumoniae (4) and Haemophilus influenzae (4) were the most common, followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (3), Klebsiella spp. (2), Staphylococcus anreus (2), Pseudomonas spp. (2), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (1). Ofloxacin 200 mg every 12 hours was administered for an average of 3.7 days intravenously followed by 5.4 days orally. Response to therapy was judged to be cure in 38 (95%; 95% C.I., 85%-95%) patients, failure in one (2.5%) and "indeterminate" in one (2.5%).
  13. Liam CK, Lim KH, Wong CM
    Respirology, 2001 Sep;6(3):259-64.
    PMID: 11555386
    This study aimed to investigate the microbial aetiology of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in patients requiring hospitalization.
  14. Liam CK, Lim KH, Wong CM
    Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol, 2000 Sep;18(3):135-40.
    PMID: 11270467
    This study aimed to evaluate dry powder inhaler naive asthmatic patients' perception and preference of the Accuhaler, a multidose dry powder inhaler and the pressurized metered dose inhaler (pMDI). After the first instruction, 66.7% of 48 patients enrolled in the study could demonstrate the correct use of the Accuhaler. When the patients were asked to compare the pMDI and the Accuhaler after using the Accuhaler to administer salmeterol for 4 weeks, the Accuhaler scored significantly better than the pMDI for the following features: knowing how many doses are left, presence of an attached cover, taste, instruction for use, attractiveness, ease of use, ease of holding, shape, and comfortable mouthpiece. The pMDI scored better to the Accuhaler in terms of size. More patients preferred the Accuhaler than the pMDI; the presence of a dose counter and perceived ease of use were the main reasons cited for their preference for the Accuhaler.
    Study site: Asthma Clinic, University of Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  15. Liam CK, Goh CT, Isahak M, Lim KH, Wong CM
    Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol, 2001 Jun;19(2):79-83.
    PMID: 11699724
    The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between asthma symptoms and the degree of airway obstruction as measured by the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) in a group of 64 asthmatic patients with clinically stable disease attending a university-based urban asthma clinic. Asthma symptoms did not correlate with the degree of airway obstruction as measured by prebronchodilator PEFR (total asthma symptom score vs PEFR: r = -0.214, p = 0.104, n = 59) and only correlated poorly with prebronchodilator FEV1 (total asthma symptom score vs FEV1: r = -0.256, p = 0.041, n = 64). These results lend support to the recommendation that airway obstruction should be measured objectively when assessing patients with chronic persistent asthma.
    Study site: Asthma clinic, University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  16. Lim KH, Tan LH, Liam CK, Wong CM
    Chest, 2001 Nov;120(5):1728-31.
    PMID: 11713160
  17. Lim KH, Liam CK, Vasudevan AE, Wong CM
    Respirology, 1999 Sep;4(3):299-301.
    PMID: 10489679 DOI: 10.1046/j.1440-1843.1999.00195.x
    A 62-year-old man presented with a 3-month history of chronic non-productive cough and unexplained fever. Further questioning revealed that he had headaches and myalgia. Bilateral thickened temporal arteries were noted on physical examination. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 96 mm in 1 h. A biopsy specimen of the left temporal artery showed inflammatory changes consistent with the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis. Commencement of prednisolone resulted in rapid and dramatic resolution of his symptoms. Physicians should be aware of respiratory symptoms in patients with giant cell arteritis in order to avoid delay in diagnosis and therapy of this condition.
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