MyMedR

Epidermal growth factor receptor targeted therapy with gefitinib in locally advanced and metastatic primary lung adenocarcinoma

Liam CK, Pang YK, Leow CH

Respirology, 2006 May;11(3):287-91.

PMID: 16635086

To describe the efficacy of monotherapy with the epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor, gefitinib in patients with locally advanced and metastatic primary lung adenocarcinoma.

Fulltext Tracheobronchial stenting is safe and effective in relieving upper airway obstruction

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.

Changes in the distribution of lung cancer cell types and patient demography in a developing multiracial Asian country: experience of a university teaching hospital

Liam CK, Pang YK, Leow CH, Poosparajah S, Menon A

Lung Cancer, 2006 Jul;53(1):23-30.

PMID: 16690159

A comparison of patients with lung cancer diagnosed at the University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from October 1991 to September 1999 with another group of lung cancer patients diagnosed at the same hospital during an earlier period of 1967-1976 was undertaken to determine whether there had been a change in the distribution of lung cancer cell types and patient demography. The number of histologically and/or cytologically proven lung cancer cases was 583 from October 1991 to September 1999 and 278 from 1967 to 1976. The mean (S.D.) age of the patients during the period 1991-1999, 60.1 (12.0) years was similar to that of patients during the period 1967-1976, 60.3 (12.2) years. There was no shift of the peak age distribution of lung cancer (i.e., the 7th decade) between the two periods. In the recent period, the percentage of patients with adenocarcinoma had increased significantly to 43.2% from 25.2% while that of large cell carcinoma had decreased to 3.3% from 11.9%. The percentages of patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and small cell lung cancer remained stable. In the period 1967-1976, SCC was the commonest cell type in men and in smokers while adenocarcinoma was the commonest cell type in women and in never smokers. In the period 1991-1999, adenocarcinoma was the commonest cell type in both men and women as well as in smokers and never smokers.

Pulmonary tuberculosis presenting as community-acquired pneumonia

Liam CK, Pang YK, Poosparajah S

Respirology, 2006 Nov;11(6):786-92.

PMID: 17052309

The aims of this study were to investigate the frequency of Mycobacterium tuberculosis as a cause of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) requiring hospitalization in Malaysia, and to define the clinical features of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) that distinguish it from non-TB CAP.

Fulltext Diagnostic yield of flexible bronchoscopic procedures in lung cancer patients according to tumour location

Liam CK, Pang YK, Poosparajah S

Singapore Med J, 2007 Jul;48(7):625-31.

PMID: 17609823

This study aims to determine whether the diagnostic yield of flexible bronchoscopy sampling procedures in patients with lung cancer was dependent on tumour location.

Fulltext Obstructed breathing during sleep and obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome--assessment and treatment

Liam CK, Pang YK, Shyamala P, Chua KT

Med J Malaysia, 2007 Aug;62(3):268-73; quiz 274.

PMID: 18246927

During normal sleep the tone of the pharyngeal airway dilator muscles is decreased resulting in upper airway narrowing and increased resistance to airflow. Nasal obstruction may result from a variety of anatomical abnormalities such as septal deviation, nasal polyps, adenoid hypertrophy and rhinitis such as allergic rhinitis, acute viral rhinitis, vasomotor rhinitis and non-allergic rhinitis with nasal eosinophilia syndrome. Disordered breathing during sleep can both result from and be worsened by nasal obstruction. In children, nasal obstruction due to enlarged tonsils and adenoids results in a switch to oral breathing which may lead to the adenoid faces because of changes in the craniofacial structures during growth that predispose to disordered breathing during sleep.

Fulltext Antiphospholipid syndrome with pulmonary artery embolism and multiple venous thromboses

Lee CE, Zain AA, Pang YK

Med J Malaysia, 2010 Sep;65(3):221-3.

PMID: 21939173

We report a case of a 21-year-old university student with underlying lupus nephritis who presented with recurrent symptoms of fever, haemoptysis, and pleuritic chest pain. CT pulmonary angiogram confirmed pulmonary embolism in the right subsegmental pulmonary arteries. One week later, she developed left renal vein and left common iliac vein thromboses, with new emboli in the left subsegmental pulmonary arteries. We hereforth discuss the diagnostic issues of a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) on corticosteroids therapy, and also treatment of the antiphospholipid syndrome.

Successful pregnancy with epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment of metastatic lung adenocarcinoma presenting with respiratory failure

Lee CH, Liam CK, Pang YK, Chua KT, Lim BK, Lai NL

Lung Cancer, 2011 Nov;74(2):349-51.

PMID: 21920622 DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2011.08.008

We report a woman presenting with respiratory failure due to a right-sided pleural effusion, lung metastases and lymphangitis carcinomatosis from advanced lung adenocarcinoma in the third trimester of pregnancy, who showed good response to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

Outcomes of Malaysian patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma and unknown epidermal growth factor receptor mutation status treated with gefitinib

Liam CK, Ruthranesan M, Lee CH, Pang YK, Chua KT, Lim BK

Asia Pac J Clin Oncol, 2012 Sep;8(3):267-74.

PMID: 22897510 DOI: 10.1111/j.1743-7563.2011.01509.x

To evaluate the response and progression-free survival (PFS) of Malaysian patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma and unknown epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation status treated with gefitinib.

Fulltext Advanced right lung adenocarcinoma with ipsilateral breast metastasis

Liam CK, Pang YK, Poh ME, Kow KS, Wong CK, Varughese R

Respirol Case Rep, 2013 Sep;1(1):20-2.

PMID: 25473531 DOI: 10.1002/rcr2.14

Breast metastases from non-small cell lung carcinoma are rarely reported. We report a case of a female patient with primary adenocarcinoma of the lower lobe of her right lung presenting with a massive right-sided malignant pleural effusion. The tumor harbored an epidermal growth factor receptor insertion mutation in exon 20 but was anaplastic lymphoma kinase translocation negative. She did not respond to treatment with erlotinib. First- and second-line cytotoxic chemotherapy resulted in stable disease as the best responses. She developed right breast metastasis 20 months after her initial presentation. The rarity of the condition and the likely mechanism of the breast metastasis are discussed.

Fulltext Mycobacterium abscessus - to treat or not to treat

Pang YK, Ngeow YF, Wong YL, Liam CK

Respirol Case Rep, 2013 Dec;1(2):31-3.

PMID: 25473536 DOI: 10.1002/rcr2.17

A patient with Mycobacterium abscessus lung disease was mistaken to have pulmonary tuberculosis with airway colonization by the non-tuberculous mycobacterium. Appropriate antibiotics were only given when the patient's signs and symptoms worsened while on anti-tuberculosis therapy. Despite treatment with a combination of antibiotics showing in vitro susceptibility, the pathogen persisted in the respiratory secretions for longer than 6 months and the patient suffered a spontaneous pneumothorax 14 months into treatment. This case illustrates the chronic course of M. abscessus lung infection, the tendency for flare-ups, the inadequacy of current treatment regimens, and the necessity for prolonged patient follow-up.

Fulltext Endobronchial metastasis from resected renal cell carcinoma causing total lung collapse

Poh ME, Liam CK, Pang YK, Chua KT

Respirol Case Rep, 2013 Dec;1(2):26-7.

PMID: 25473534 DOI: 10.1002/rcr2.16

We report a man presenting with dyspnea, cough, and hemoptysis due to left lung collapse from an endobronchial tumor obstructing the left main bronchus. Endobronchial biopsy of the tumor showed renal cell carcinoma, identical to a previous specimen of renal cell carcinoma removed by a radical left nephrectomy five years ago. The endobronchial tumor was removed by snare diathermy through a flexible bronchoscope, following which his symptoms resolved and the left lung re-expanded. Endobronchial metastasis from renal cell carcinoma is rare and can mimic obstruction from other endobronchial etiologies, such as bronchogenic carcinoma. Total lung collapse as a result is even more uncommon, although atelectasis is well described. Endobronchial techniques, such as snare diathermy, can relieve obstruction, providing symptom palliation even in advanced disease.

Fulltext EGFR mutation testing for squamous cell lung carcinoma

Liam CK, Leow HR, Pang YK

J Thorac Oncol, 2013 Dec;8(12):e114.

PMID: 24389448 DOI: 10.1097/JTO.0b013e3182a4e111

Fulltext Draft Genome Sequence of Mycobacterium massiliense Strain M159, Showing Phenotypic Resistance to β-Lactam and Tetracycline Antibiotics

Ngeow YF, Leong ML, Wong YL, Wong GJ, Tan JL, Wee WY, et al.

Genome Announc, 2013;1(4).

PMID: 23990576 DOI: 10.1128/genomeA.00669-13

Mycobacterium massiliense is a nontuberculous mycobacterium associated with human infections. We report here the draft genome sequence of M. massiliense strain M159, isolated from the bronchial aspirate of a patient who had a pulmonary infection. This strain showed genotypic and in vitro resistance to a number of tetracyclines and beta-lactam antibiotics.

Fulltext Lung adenocarcinoma with ipsilateral pleural and breast metastases

Liam CK, Pang YK, Kow KS

J Thorac Oncol, 2014 Jan;9(1):e8-9.

PMID: 24346108 DOI: 10.1097/01.JTO.0000438376.45132.9c

Fulltext Satisfaction level and asthma control among Malaysian asthma patients on Symbicort Maintenance and Reliever Therapy (SMART) in the primary care setting (SMARTEST study)

Liam CK, Pang YK, Chua KT

Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol, 2014 Jun;32(2):145-52.

PMID: 25003728 DOI: 10.12932/AP0359.32.2.2013

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate Malaysian patients' satisfaction levels and asthma control with Symbicort SMART® in the primary care setting.
METHOD: This is a cross-sectional, multicentre study involving adult patients with persistent asthma who were prescribed only Symbicort SMART in the preceding one month prior to recruitment. Patients' satisfaction with Symbicort SMART and asthma control were evaluated using the self-administered Satisfaction with Asthma Treatment Questionnaire (SATQ) and the Asthma Control Test (ACT).
RESULTS: Asthma was controlled (ACT score >20) in 189 (83%) of 228 patients. The mean overall SATQ score for patients with controlled asthma was 5.65 indicating a high satisfaction level, which was positively correlated with high ACT scores. There were differences in asthma control based on ethnicity, number of unscheduled visits and treatment compliance.
CONCLUSIONS: Symbicort SMART resulted in a high satisfaction level and asthma control among Malaysian patients treated in the primary care setting and it is an effective and appealing treatment for asthmatic patients.
Study site: General practice clinics, Malaysia

Fulltext Detection of airflow limitation using a handheld spirometer in a primary care setting

Ching SM, Pang YK, Price D, Cheong AT, Lee PY, Irmi I, et al.

Respirology, 2014 Jul;19(5):689-93.

PMID: 24708063 DOI: 10.1111/resp.12291

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Early diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in primary care settings is difficult to achieve chiefly due to lack of availability of spirometry. This study estimated the prevalence of airflow limitation among chronic smokers using a handheld spirometer in this setting.
METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study performed on consecutive patients who were ≥40 years old with ≥10 pack-years smoking history. Face-to-face interviews were carried out to obtain demographic data and relevant information. Handheld spirometry was performed according to a standard protocol using the COPd-6 device (Model 4000, Vitalograph, Ennis, Ireland) in addition to standard spirometry. Airflow limitation was defined as ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1 )/forced expiratory volume in 6 s <0.75 (COPd-6) or FEV1 /forced vital capacity <0.7. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to determine predictors of airflow limitation.
RESULTS: A total of 416 patients were recruited with mean age of 53 years old. The prevalence of airflow limitation was 10.6% (n = 44) with COPd-6 versus 6% as gauged using standard spirometry. Risk factors for airflow limitation were age >65 years (odds ratio (OR) 3.732 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.100-1.280), a history of 'bad health' (OR 2.524, 95% CI: 1.037-6.142) and low to normal body mass index (OR 2.914, 95% CI: 1.191-7.190).
CONCLUSIONS: In a primary care setting, handheld spirometry (COPd-6) found a prevalence of airflow limitation of ∼10% in smokers. Patients were older, not overweight and had an ill-defined history of health problems.
KEYWORDS: Malaysia; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; prevalence; primary care; smoke
Study site: Public primary health‐care clinic (Klinik Kesihatan), Sepang District, Selangor, Malaysia

Fulltext EGFR mutations in Asian patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma

Liam CK, Pang YK, Poh ME

J Thorac Oncol, 2014 Sep;9(9):e70-1.

PMID: 25122441 DOI: 10.1097/JTO.0000000000000251

Tuberculosis (TB)-associated immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in TB-HIV co-infected patients in Malaysia: prevalence, risk factors, and treatment outcomes

Tan HY, Yong YK, Lim SH, Ponnampalavanar S, Omar SF, Pang YK, et al.

Sex Health, 2014 Dec;11(6):532-9.

PMID: 25200957 DOI: 10.1071/SH14093

Background Tuberculosis-associated immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (TB-IRIS) is an important early complication of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in countries with high rates of endemic TB, but data from South-East Asia are incomplete. Identification of prevalence, risk factors and treatment outcomes of TB-IRIS in Malaysia was sought.

METHODS: A 3-year retrospective study was conducted among TB-HIV co-infected patients treated at the University of Malaya Medical Centre. Simple and adjusted logistic regressions were used to identify the predictors for TB-IRIS while Cox regression was used to assess the influence of TB-IRIS on long-term CD4 T-cell recovery.

RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-three TB-HIV patients were enrolled, of whom 106 had received both anti-TB treatment (ATT) and ART. The median (IQR) baseline CD4 T-cell count was 52 cells μL(-1) (13-130 cells μL(-1)). Nine of 96 patients (9.4%) developed paradoxical TB-IRIS and eight developed unmasking TB-IRIS, at a median (IQR) time of 27 (12-64) and 19 (14-65) days, respectively. In adjusted logistic regression analysis, only disseminated TB was predictive of TB-IRIS [OR: 10.7 (95% CI: 1.2-94.3), P=0.032]. Mortality rates were similar for TB-IRIS (n=1, 5.9%) and non-TB-IRIS (n=5, 5.7%) patients and CD4 T-cell recovery post-ART was not different between the two groups (P=0.363).

CONCLUSION: Disseminated TB was a strong independent predictor of TB-IRIS in Malaysian HIV-TB patients after commencing ART. This finding underscores the role of a high pathogen load in the pathogenesis of TB-IRIS; so interventions that reduce pathogen load before ART may benefit HIV patients with disseminated TB.

Epidermal growth factor receptor mutations in non- small cell lung cancers in a multiethnic malaysian patient population

Liam CK, Leow HR, How SH, Pang YK, Chua KT, Lim BK, et al.

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2014;15(1):321-6.

PMID: 24528049

BACKGROUND: Mutations in the tyrosine kinase domain of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in non- small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are predictive of response to EGFR-targeted therapy in advanced stages of disease. This study aimed to determine the frequency of EGFR mutations in NSCLCs and to correlate their presence with clinical characteristics in multiethnic Malaysian patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective study, EGFR mutations in exons 18, 19, 20 and 21 in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded biopsy specimens of consecutive NSCLC patients were asessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS: EGFR mutations were detected in NSCLCs from 55 (36.4%) of a total of 151 patients, being significantly more common in females (62.5%) than in males (17.2%) [odds ratio (OR), 8.00; 95% confidence interval (CI), 3.77-16.98; p<0.001] and in never smokers (62.5%) than in ever smokers (12.7%) (OR, 11.50; 95%CI, 5.08-26.03; p<0.001). Mutations were more common in adenocarcinoma (39.4%) compared to non-adenocarcinoma NSCLCs (15.8%) (p=0.072). The mutation rates in patients of different ethnicities were not significantly different (p=0.08). Never smoking status was the only clinical feature that independently predicted the presence of EGFR mutations (adjusted OR, 5.94; 95%CI, 1.94- 18.17; p=0.002).

CONCLUSIONS: In Malaysian patients with NSCLC, the EGFR mutation rate was similar to that in other Asian populations. EGFR mutations were significantly more common in female patients and in never smokers. Never smoking status was the only independent predictor for the presence of EGFR mutations.

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