In patients with advanced lung cancer, changes in intramuscular and subcutaneous adipose tissue can predict
immunotherapy clinical outcomes, although muscle mass and visceral adipose tissue do not appear to be linked
with disease-free progression (DFS) or overall survival (OS), according to a study published in Cancers (Basel).
Azim Khan, MBBS, FRACPS, and colleagues examined the link between skeletal muscle mass and adiposity
measures with DFS and OS in patients with advanced lung cancer receiving immunotherapy. They conducted a retrospective analysis of 97 patients (aged 67.5±10.2) with lung cancer who were treated with immunotherapy. From data provided from CT scans, the study team evaluated the radiological measures of skeletal muscle mass, and
subcutaneous, intramuscular, and visceral adipose tissue located at the third lumbar vertebra. Based
on specific or median values at baseline and changes throughout treatment, patients were divided into two
groups. Nearly all patients (99.0%) had disease progression (median of 11.3 months) and died (median of 15.4
months) during follow-up.
