Lung cavitation in lung metastases of gastric and non-small-cell lung cancer patients treated with apatinib

In one of the latest issues of Translational Lung Cancer Research (TLCR), Jiang et al. have reported on the frequent cavitation of lung metastases in metastatic lung and gastric cancer patients following treatment with apatinib. It has been recognized that anti-angiogenic compounds surface among the anti-cancer therapies, inducing lung cavitation. Although lung cavitation was not found to influence PFS and OS in previous studies (1), the study of Man Jiang, directed by Xiaochun Zhang, has shown that apatinib induces cavitation of lung metastases in a significant number of patients treated with apatinib. Detection of cavitation of lung metastases was associated with longer PFS and OS.