The clinical application of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration for staging of lung cancer

Objective To determine the value of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) for staging of lung cancer. Methods The study was retrospective,a total of 52 patients underwent EBUSTBNA for known or suspected lung cancer. All patients were detected enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes on CT scan (≥ 1. 0 cm) . Results Of the 52 patients,41 patients were found with N2 or N3 disease

Radionuclide Colloid ^(32)P Used for the Treatment of Stage II Lung Cancer by Video Enhanced Minimal Access Muscle Sparing Thoracotomy

Objective: To study the feasibility of radionuclide colloid 32P used for the treatment of stage II lung cancer by video enhanced minimal access muscle sparing thoracotomy (VEMAST). Methods: Video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) was carried out under general anesthesia. A double lumen endobronchial tube was intubated into trachea. One lung ventilation of the healthy side was done during operation. An incision of 8–10 cm long was made along the 4th or 5th intercostals. The lobectomy could be performed under VATS. Radionuclide colloid 32P was injected locally into the area where surgical cleaning of lymph node around was considered to be unsatisfactory or desection of the tumor was not completed. Results: The operation with VEMAST was successful in 29 patients. A conventional lobectomy by thoracotomy had to be done due to unusual bleeding from the pulmonary artery involved during VEMAST in one case and the procedure was interrupted because the pulmonary artery cloud not be separated from the tumor in another patient. There was no dead case or the patient who had any severe complication or adverse response to the radiant. Conclusion: Radionuclide therapy was performed to the treatment of stage II lung cancer with VEMAST in case that surgical resection was considered not to be satisfactory. Minithoractomy assisted with VATS lobectomy and radionuclide colloid 32P therapy is a safe and e?ective technique for some selected stage II lung cancer.

Deep diving in the PACIFIC:Practical issues in stage III non-small cell lung cancer to avoid shipwreck

After publication of the PACIFIC trial results,immune checkpoint inhibitor-based immunotherapy was included in the treatment algorithm of locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC).The PACIFIC trial demonstrated that 12 mo of durvalumab consolidation therapy after radical-intent platinum doublet chemotherapy with concomitant radiotherapy improved both progression-free survival and overall survival in patients with unresectable stage III NSCLC.This is the first treatment in decades to successfully improve survival in this clinical setting,with manageable toxicity and without deterioration in quality of life.The integration of durvalumab in the management of locally advanced NSCLC accentuates the need for multidisciplinary,coordinated decision-making among lung cancer specialists,bringing new challenges and controversies as well as important changes in clinical work routines.The aim of the present article is to review—from a practical,multidisciplinary perspective—the findings and implications of the PACIFIC trial.We evaluate the immunobiological basis of durvalumab as well as practical aspects related to programmed cell death ligand 1 determination.In addition,we comprehensively assess the efficacy and toxicity data from the PACIFIC trial and discuss the controversies and practical aspects of incorporating durvalumab into routine clinical practice.Finally,we discuss unresolved questions and future challenges.In short,the present document aims to provide clinicians with a practical guide for the application of the PACIFIC regimen in routine clinical practice.

Effect of TCM Combined with Chemotherapy on Immune Function and Quality of Life of Patients with Non-small Cell Lung Cancer inStage Ⅲ-Ⅳ

Objective: To observe and compare the effect of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) combined with chemotherapy (CT) on immune function and quality of life (QOL)of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ. Methods: One hundred cases with stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ NSCLC were randomly divided into two groups. The treated group (n=50) received CT combined with TCM, and the control group received CT alone. The percentage of T lymphocyte subset in peripheral blood and the change of natural killer (NK) cell count were observed after treatment. The QOL and tolerance of CT were also compared between the two groups after treatment. Results: In the treated group, CD3 cell count, CD4 cell count, CD4/ CDg ratio and NK cell activity were higher than those in control group, while CD8 cell count in the treated group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05), and QOL and tolerance of CT in the treated group were also better (P<0.05). Conclusion: TCM combined with CT could raise the patients' ability in tolerating CT in stage Ⅲ-ⅣNSCLC.

Optimal timing of thoracic irradiation for limited stage small cell lung cancer:Current evidence and future prospects

Lung cancer is a global health concern as the leading cause of cancer related mortality worldwide.Small cell lung cancer(SCLC)poses a formidable challenge to the treating physicians with the worst prognosis among all lung cancers.However,limited stage SCLC(LS-SCLC)has a relatively better outcome with multimodality management.Efforts have been focused on optimal integration of treatment modalities to achieve an improved therapeutic ratio for patients with LS-SCLC.While chemotherapy and thoracic radiation therapy(TRT)are primary components of initial management for LS-SCLC,there is no consensus on optimal timing of TRT.Within this context,we herein provide a concise overview of current evidence and future prospects regarding the optimal timing of thoracic irradiation for LS-SCLC in light of the literature.

Combination therapy using low‐dose anlotinib and immune checkpoint inhibitors for extensive‐stage small cell lung cancer

Background:This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of low‐dose anlotinib combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors as second‐line or later treatment for extensive‐stage small cell lung cancer(ES‐SCLC).Methods:The study included 42 patients with ES‐SCLC who were treated with low‐dose anlotinib combined with programmed cell death protein 1/programmed cell death‐ligand 1 inhibitors at Henan Cancer Hospital between March 2019 and August 2022.We retrospectively analyzed the efficacy and safety data for these patients.Indicators assessed included progression‐free survival(PFS),overall survival(OS),the overall response rate(ORR),the disease control rate(DCR),and adverse events(AEs).Prognostic factors were identified in univariate and multivariate analyses.Results:Median PFS was 11.0 months(95%CI:7.868–14.132)and median OS was 17.3 months(95%CI:11.517–23.083).The ORR was 28.5%and the DCR was 95.2%.Treatment‐related AEs were noted in 27 patients(64.3%),the most common of which was thyroid dysfunction(26.2%).Grade 3/4 treatmentrelated AEs were observed in two patients(4.8%).Conclusions:A combination of low‐dose anlotinib and immune checkpoint inhibitors as second‐line or later treatment for ES‐SCLC may achieve longer PFS and OS and have manageable AEs.