Preliminary experience of surgery after neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy for stage-IIIB non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: Previously, stage-IIIB non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been considered inoperable. In recent years, neoadjuvant immunotherapy has shown encouraging efficacy in the treatment of advanced stage NSCLC in several trials. However, the effectiveness and safety of neoadjuvant immunotherapy in treating stage-IIIB NSCLC are still unknown. Therefore, we conducted this retrospective study to examine the outcomes of surgery after neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy for stage-IIIB NSCLC. Methods: Thirty patients with stage-IIIB NSCLC who were treated at the Department of Thoracic Surgery of Renji Hospital from January 2019 to September 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. Neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy was administered prior to surgery. The curative effect was evaluated by imaging and pathological examinations. Results: The objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) of the patients after neoadjuvant therapy evaluated by imaging studies were 70% and 86.7%, respectively. Of the 30 patients, 19 (63%) underwent surgical resection, in which all achieved a complete R0 resection. The median operative time was 168 minutes (range, 75-295 minutes), and the average intraoperative blood loss was 215.3±258.4 mL. The median postoperative hospital stay was 8 days (range, 4-59 days). The major pathological response (MPR) rate was 73.7% (14/19), and the pathological complete response rate was 47.4% (9/19); 2/30 patients (6.7%) had postoperative complications, including two who developed bronchopleural fistulas and one mortality, from a postoperative pulmonary infection. The treatment-related adverse reactions were mainly grades 1-2. Only two patients had grade 3 anemia, and no grade 4 adverse reactions were observed. Conclusions: Neoadjuvant immunotherapy and chemotherapy combined with surgery in patients with stage-IIIB NSCLC is safe and feasible. The patient outcomes and optimal number of neoadjuvant treatment cycles need to be explored and studied further.

Adding predictive and diagnostic values of pulmonary ground-glass nodules on lung cancer via novel non-invasive tests.

Pulmonary ground-glass nodules (GGNs) are highly associated with lung cancer. Extensive studies using thin-section high-resolution CT images have been conducted to analyze characteristics of different types of GGNs in order to evaluate and determine the predictive and diagnostic values of GGNs on lung cancer. Accurate prediction of their malignancy and invasiveness is critical for developing individualized therapies and follow-up strategies for a better clinical outcome. Through reviewing the recent 5-year research on the association between pulmonary GGNs and lung cancer, we focused on the radiologic and pathological characteristics of different types of GGNs, pointed out the risk factors associated with malignancy, discussed recent genetic analysis and biomarker studies (including autoantibodies, cell-free miRNAs, cell-free DNA, and DNA methylation) for developing novel diagnostic tools. Based on current progress in this research area, we summarized a process from screening, diagnosis to follow-up of GGNs.

Mantle cell lymphoma with endobronchial involvement: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a subtype of Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). MCL frequently affects extranodal sites while endobronchial involvement is uncommon. Only 5 cases of MCL with endobronchial involvement have been previously reported. CASE SUMMARY: A 56-year-old male patient arrived at the hospital complaining of a dry cough. A mass in the right upper lobe of the lung was revealed in Chest computed tomography (CT). Right lung hilar and mediastinal lymphadenopathies were also found by CT scan. The patient was diagnosed with central-type lung cancer with multiple lymph node metastases after positron emission tomography (PET) CT scan examination. The fiber optic bronchoscope examination revealed diffuse neoplasm infiltration in the inlet of the right up lobar bronchus. The patient was finally diagnosed with MCL based on the bronchoscopy and mediastinoscopy biopsy results. CONCLUSION: MCL could masquerade as central type lung cancer. An endobronchial biopsy examination is necessary for the early diagnosis of MCL.

The deubiquitinase USP16 functions as an oncogenic factor in K-RAS-driven lung tumorigenesis.

K-RAS mutation and molecular alterations of its surrogates function essentially in lung tumorigenesis and malignant progression. However, it remains elusive how tumor-promoting and deleterious events downstream of K-RAS signaling are coordinated in lung tumorigenesis. Here, we show that USP16, a deubiquitinase involved in various biological processes, functions as a promoter for the development of K-RAS-driven lung tumor. Usp16 deletion significantly attenuates K-rasG12D-mutation-induced lung tumorigenesis in mice. USP16 upregulation upon RAS activation averts reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced p38 activation that would otherwise detrimentally influence the survival and proliferation of tumor cells. In addition, USP16 interacts with and deubiquitinates JAK1, and thereby promoting lung tumor growth by augmenting JAK1 signaling. Therefore, our results reveal that USP16 functions critically in the K-RAS-driven lung tumorigenesis through modulating the strength of p38 and JAK1 signaling.

Spherical cap surface model: A novel method for predicting renal function after partial nephrectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the percent functional volume preservation from preoperative images using a novel method, the spherical cap surface model, and to investigate whether this model can preoperatively predict renal function after partial nephrectomy. METHODS: A total of 233 patients with renal cell carcinoma who underwent open or laparoscopic partial nephrectomy between January 2011 and December 2013 were included in the present study. The spherical cap surface model was used to calculate the estimated percent functional volume preservation on preoperative computed tomography, and the estimated percent functional volume preservation was multiplied by the preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate to predict the postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate. The occurrence of acute kidney injury also served as an outcome. Univariate and multivariate linear regression, and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis were used to test the model. RESULTS: The estimated percent functional volume preservation calculated by the novel model was significantly associated with both nadir percent estimated glomerular filtration rate preservation and late percent estimated glomerular filtration rate preservation in the multivariate analysis (the P-values were 0.021 and 0.043, respectively). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis for predicting acute kidney injury after partial nephrectomy showed that volume preservation (P < 0.001) and warm ischemia time (P = 0.040) were both significant. Regarding the ability to predict a significant decrease in late renal function after partial nephrectomy, only volume preservation (P = 0.044) was significant. CONCLUSIONS: Preservation of functional volume is the primary determinant of functional outcomes after partial nephrectomy. The spherical cap surface model seems to represent a promising tool to predict nadir and late postoperative renal function in patients undergoing partial nephrectomy.