Impact of multidisciplinary team discrepancies on comparative lung cancer outcome analyses and treatment equality.

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the consistency of lung cancer case assessments across multidisciplinary team (MDT) sites in Denmark. The goal was to appraise the comparability of outcomes between hospitals in a real-world context.

Methods: We prepared sixty comprehensive, fictitious lung cancer case stories, complete with images, and distributed them to the four primary lung cancer MDT conferences in Denmark.

Circulating trefoil factors in relation to lung cancer, age and lung function: a cross-sectional study in patients referred for suspected lung cancer.

The trefoil factor family proteins: TFF1, TFF2 and TFF3 are secreted by epithelial cells in the respiratory tract. Here, we explore circulating concentrations of the trefoil factors in relation to lung cancer, age and lung function. We included 751 patients suspected of lung cancer.

SARS-CoV-2 evades immune detection in alveolar macrophages.

Respiratory infections, like the current COVID-19 pandemic, target epithelial cells in the respiratory tract. Alveolar macrophages (AMs) are tissue-resident macrophages located within the lung. They play a key role in the early phases of an immune response to respiratory viruses.

Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A2 Is Associated With Mortality in Patients With Lung Cancer.

Pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) and its homolog PAPP-A2 are enzymes that modulate the availability and mitogenic activity of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). PAPP-A has been implicated in numerous cancers but reports on PAPP-A2 in malignancy are non-existent. In a prospective observational study of 689 patients under suspicion of lung cancer, we examined levels of PAPP-A and PAPP-A2 and their relationship with mortality.

[Medical thoracoscopy in the elucidationof recurrent pleural effusion].

Medical thoracoscopy allows the respiratory physician access to inspection and biopsy of the pleura. The method has several names, such as pleuroscopy, non-intubated thoracoscopy and exploratory thoracoscopy, all of which cover the same procedure. The main indication for medical thoracoscopy is the diagnosis of recurrent pleural effusion, where pleural biopsy is needed.

Development of a novel assay for IGFBP-2 complexed with IGF-I and-II in human serum.

Background: Insulin-like growth factor binding-protein 2 (IGFBP-2) was originally identified as an IGF-carrier, governing IGF half-life, tissue accessibility and biological effects. Later, IGFBP-2 was discovered to possess IGF-independent effects. IGFBP-2 circulates in several forms, as free protein, complexed with IGF-I or IGF-II, or as IGFBP-2 fragments.

Systematic intrafraction shifts of mediastinal lymph node targets between setup imaging and radiation treatment delivery in lung cancer patients.

Background And Purpose: Internal target motion results in geometrical uncertainties in lung cancer radiotherapy. In this study, we determined the intrafraction motion and baseline shifts of mediastinal lymph node (LN) targets between setup imaging and treatment delivery.

Material And Methods: Ten lung cancer patients with 2-4 fiducial markers implanted in LN targets received intensity-modulated radiotherapy with a daily setup cone-beam CT (CBCT) scan used for online soft-tissue match on the primary tumor.

Insulin-Like Growth Factor Bioactivity, Stanniocalcin-2, Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A, and IGF-Binding Protein-4 in Pleural Fluid and Serum From Patients With Pulmonary Disease.

Context: Members of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system are primarily produced in the liver and secreted into the circulation, but they are also produced, recruited, and activated locally in tissues.

Objective: To compare activity and concentrations of IGF system components in pleural fluid and blood.

Design: Pathological pleural fluid, secondary to lung cancer or nonmalignant disease, and matching blood samples were collected from 24 patients ages 66.

Introduction of cryobiopsies in the diagnostics of interstitial lung diseases - experiences in a referral center.

: Transbronchial cryobiopsies (cTBB) has emerged as a new method for obtaining lung tissue biopsies in the diagnosis of interstitial lung diseases (ILDs). Until now, it has been used in a few highly specialized interventional centers and has shown promising results in obtaining a definite diagnosis of ILDs. : All patients undergoing a cTBB between November 2015 and June 2016 were included in this case series study.

Cardiac and respiration induced motion of mediastinal lymph node targets in lung cancer patients throughout the radiotherapy treatment course.

Background And Purpose: Involved mediastinal lymph nodes (LNs) are often included in the radiotherapy target for lung cancer patients. Their motion may differ from the primary tumor motion, possibly undermining the loco-regional control. This study determines the detailed differential target motion throughout the treatment course.

Gene Expression of the EGF System-a Prognostic Model in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Without Activating EGFR Mutations.

Objectives: Contradicting results have been demonstrated for the expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) as a prognostic marker in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The complexity of the EGF system with four interacting receptors and more than a dozen activating ligands is a likely explanation. The aim of this study is to demonstrate that the combined network of receptors and ligands from the EGF system is a prognostic marker.

Exosomal Proteins as Diagnostic Biomarkers in Lung Cancer.

Introduction: Exosomes have been suggested as promising biomarkers in NSCLC because they contain proteins from their originating cells and are readily available in plasma. In this study, we explored the potential of exosome protein profiling in diagnosing lung cancers of all stages and various histological subtypes in patients.

Methods: Plasma was isolated from 581 patients (431 with lung cancer and 150 controls).

Ultra-micro samples can be used for mRNA quantification of lung cancer biomarkers.

Background: Isolating sufficient material for molecular testing remains challenging in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The use of new ultra-microsamples (uMS) is proven sufficient for DNA and mRNA detection, but whether uMS are useful for quantifying mRNA expression is unknown. We investigated if uMS from lung cancer patients can be used to generate quantitative data on mRNA expression.

Ultrasound-assisted aspiration of loculated pneumothorax: A new technique.

In this report, we describe a new sonographic (US) technique that can assist in the aspiration of a loculated pneumothorax. Patients may develop loculated pneumothorax as a result of such conditions as pleural malignancy or pleural infection or after undergoing thoracic surgery. Often the loculated pneumothorax is outside of safe areas, and chest tubes need to be placed near vital structures.

Mediastinitis: A Serious Complication of Endobronchial Ultrasound-guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration.

Mediastinitis is a rare but a serious complication of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) and endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA). We present 3 cases of mediastinitis following these diagnostic procedures. In 2 of the patients oropharyngeal bacteria were found in the cultures from the mediastinal abscess.

Reduced specialist time with direct computed tomography for suspected lung cancer in primary care.

Introduction: Lung cancer (LC) is the most common cause of cancer death in Denmark, and triaging patients through fast-track diagnostic pathways is recommended to improve patient outcome. Data on the most efficient triage organisation of such pathways are limited. The aim of this study was to test a strategy of a straight-to-test model for patients referred to the fast-track pathway.