Can some inflammatory parameters predict the survival of patients with malignant pleural effusion?

Background: This study aimed to investigate whether there is a correlation between some serum inflammatory markers and the survival of patients with malignant pleural effusions (MPEs).

Methods: The prospective study included 125 patients (67 males, 58 females; median age: 62 years; range, 40 to 92 years) who underwent thoracentesis for pleural effusion between January 2020 and December 2021. An overall survival analysis was performed, and survival differences between the groups were investigated.

Ki67 Tumor Expression Predicts Treatment Benefit Achieved by Macroscopic Radical Lung-Preserving Surgery in Pleural Mesothelioma-A Retrospective Multicenter Analysis.

Pleural mesothelioma (PM), linked to asbestos-induced inflammation, carries a poor prognosis. Therapy ranges from therapy limitation to aggressive multimodality treatment. Given the uncertainty about treatment benefits for patients, this study aimed to assess the role of Ki67 as a prognostic and predictive parameter in PM.

Validation of Inflammatory Prognostic Biomarkers in Pleural Mesothelioma.

Evoked from asbestos-induced inflammation, pleural mesothelioma represents a fatal diagnosis. Therapy ranges from nihilism to aggressive multimodality regimens. However, it is still unclear who ultimately benefits from which treatment.

Lymph but Not Blood Vessel Invasion Is Independent Prognostic in Lung Cancer Patients Treated by VATS-Lobectomy and Might Represent a Future Upstaging Factor for Early Stages.

Lung cancer is the most frequent cause of cancer-related death worldwide. The patient’s outcome depends on tumor size, lymph node involvement and metastatic spread at the time of diagnosis. The prognostic value of lymph and blood vessel invasion, however, is still insufficiently investigated.

Biomarkers for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma-A Novel View on Inflammation.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive disease with limited treatment response and devastating prognosis. Exposure to asbestos and chronic inflammation are acknowledged as main risk factors. Since immune therapy evolved as a promising novel treatment modality, we want to reevaluate and summarize the role of the inflammatory system in MPM.

A novel mutation of the folliculin gene causing Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome as rare cause for secondary pneumothorax.

The Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome is an orphan genetic disease characterized by the development of renal neoplasms, fibrofolliculomas, pulmonary cysts and spontaneous pneumothoraces. Here, we report on the case of a 21-year-old man presenting with a primary event of a persistent spontaneous pneumothorax. Computed tomography images and a positive family history for pneumothoraces led to the suspicion of Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome.

Tumour cell PD-L1 expression is prognostic in patients with malignant pleural effusion: the impact of C-reactive protein and immune-checkpoint inhibition.

Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) confers dismal prognosis and has limited treatment options. While immune-checkpoint inhibition (ICI) proved clinical efficacy in a variety of malignancies, data on the prognostic role of PD-L1 in MPE is scarce. We retrospectively studied PD-L1 tumour proportion score and Ki-67 index in pleural biopsies or cytologies from 123 patients (69 lung cancer, 25 mesothelioma, and 29 extrathoracic primary malignancies).

Lymphangiopathy in neurofibromatosis 1 manifesting with chylothorax, pericardial effusion, and leg edema.

Background: This case report documents the affliction of the lymph vessels as a phenotypic feature of neurofibromatosis-1 (NF-1).

Methodology: Routine transthoracic echocardiography, computed tomography scan of the thorax, magnetic resonance angiography of the renal arteries, and conventional digital subtraction angiography were applied. Comprehensive NF-1 mutation analysis was carried out by fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis, long-range reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, and multiple-ligation probe assay.

Endoscopic one-way valve implantation in patients with prolonged air leak and the use of digital air leak monitoring.

Background: Prolonged alveolar-pleural air leaks are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Endoscopic valve therapy has been recently introduced as a potential less invasive treatment option. We aimed at quantifying the effects of valve therapy on air leak flow and clinical outcomes in patients with prolonged air leaks.

Integrin-linked kinase, phosphorylated AKT and the prognosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Objective: Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) is a cell membrane-bound molecule implicated in the metastatic progression of many tumour types. It phosphorylates the downstream target AKT (phosphorylated AKT, pAKT), and, by doing this, it activates anti-apoptotic pathways. We have recently shown ILK expression in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM).

Immunoreactivity of integrin-linked kinase in primary non-small-cell lung cancer and survival after curative resection.

Objective: Increased immunoreactivity of integrin-linked kinase (ILK) in the primary tumour is an adverse prognostic factor in a variety of preclinical and clinical models of human cancer. Here, we investigate the relationship between ILK immunoreactivity in primary non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and the survival after curative lung resection.

Methods: Tumour specimens of 138 radically operated NSCLC patients have been retrieved from the pathology archive, mounted in tissue microarrays and immunostained against ILK.