Lung cancer : journal of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer
-
The study aimed to investigate associations of tumor tissue EGFR mutations with response to the front-line chemotherapy and prognosis in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. EGFR genotypes of 145 chemotherapy-naive patients with Stage IIIB and IV NSCLC were examined by using denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC). All patients received the front-line chemotherapy. ⋯ Cox multivariate regression analysis showed that response to the front-line chemotherapy (RR vs PD) and EGFR mutation were independent prognostic factors (HR=0.461, 95% CI: 0.271-0.783, P=0.0042; HR=0.598, 95% CI: 0.372-0.961, P=0.0335, respectively) for patients with advanced NSCLC. We conclude that EGFR mutations in the Chinese patients with advanced NSCLC were not associated with response to the front-line chemotherapy, but Stage IV NSCLC patients with mutated EGFR had a longer PFS after the front-line chemotherapy. EGFR mutation is an independent prognostic factor for Chinese advanced NSCLC.
-
The Department of Medical Imaging at the University Health Network in Toronto is performing a lung cancer screening study, utilizing low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) as the modality. Baseline and annual repeat results are reported on the first 3352 participants, enrolled between June 2003 and May 2007. ⋯ Data indicate that LDCT can identify small lung cancers in an at-risk population. The diagnostic algorithm results in few false-positive invasive procedures. Most cancers are detected at an early stage, where the cancer is resectable with a greater potential for cure. Long-term follow up of lung cancer cases will be carried out to determine survival.
-
Due to state-of-art analytical techniques, non-invasive exhaled volatile organic compounds (VOCs) analysis has become a potential method for early diagnosis of lung cancer. We collected breath samples from 43 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and 41 normal controls using Tedlar gas bags. The VOCs were extracted with solid phase micro-extraction (SPME) and analyzed by gas chromatography (GC)/mass spectrometry (MS). ⋯ VOCs levels were not significantly different between early stage lung cancer patients and late stage lung cancer patients. Lung adenocarcinoma was significantly related to higher VOCs concentrations in the breath. Our data showed that 1-butanol and 3-hydroxy-2-butanone in breath could possibly be taken as useful breath biomarkers for discerning potential lung cancer patients and VOCs analysis could be used as a complementary test for the diagnosis of lung cancer.
-
Comparative Study
Cigarette smoke and increased COX-2 and survivin levels in exhaled breath condensate of lung cancer patients: how hot is the link?
One of the most current intriguing hypotheses on lung cancerogenesis envisages a role for inflammation as a possible trigger of both epithelial-mesenchymal transition and cancer development. Cigarette smoke has been suggested to be the main factor underlying the inflammation of the airways described in lung cancer patients. Cycloxygenase and survivin, a COX-2 dependent factor of apoptosis resistance, seem to play a key role in this regard. ⋯ We support the hypothesis that cigarette smoke be strongly connected to the inflammation of the airways observed in lung cancer patients. On the basis of the results obtained the use of exhaled breath condensate COX-2 and survivin levels could be suggested as two potential markers within an early non-invasive screening of populations of smokers at risk of lung cancer.
-
Both malignancy and granulomatous diseases may be diagnosed by endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA). Sarcoidal reactions may be seen in the presence of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Demonstration of granulomas by lymph node EBUS-TBNA in the staging of NSCLC is of uncertain significance. ⋯ Sarcoidal reactions are seen in 4.3% of all patients with NSCLC. Metastatic involvement by NSCLC is not seen in lymph nodes exhibiting sarcoidal granulomatous reactions. Non-necrotising granulomas revealed by EBUS-TBNA of lymph nodes during staging of NSCLC should serve to indicate the absence of lymph node metastases.