Tolerability of inhaled N-chlorotaurine in humans: a double-blind randomized phase I clinical study.

Background: N-chlorotaurine (NCT), a long-lived oxidant produced by human leukocytes, can be synthesized chemically and used topically as a well-tolerated antiseptic to different body regions including sensitive ones. The aim of this study was to test the tolerability of inhaled 1% NCT in aqueous solution upon repeated application.

Methods: The study was performed double-blind and randomized with a parallel test group (1% NCT) and control group (0.

Multicenter Phase II Study Evaluating Two Cycles of Docetaxel, Cisplatin and Cetuximab as Induction Regimen Prior to Surgery in Chemotherapy-Naive Patients with NSCLC Stage IB-IIIA (INN06-Study).

Background: Different strategies for neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with early stage NSCLC have already been evaluated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the tolerability and efficacy of a chemoimmunotherapy when limited to two cycles.

Methods: Between 01/2007 and 03/2010 41 patients with primarily resectable NSCLC stage IB to IIIA were included.

Longitudinal analysis of 2293 NSCLC patients: a comprehensive study from the TYROL registry.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to describe a large consecutive cohort of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated in daily routine within the last 25 years. An extensive list of general baseline characteristics (comorbidities, laboratory values, symptoms, performance state), NSCLC related factors (stage, histology), treatment related parameters (approach, applied therapies) and outcome (PFS, RFS, OS, perspective of decades) were analyzed in detail.

Patients And Methods: Medical files of 2293 consecutive NSCLC patients diagnosed between 1989 and 2009 at the Medical University of Innsbruck and affiliated hospitals were retrospectively analyzed.

Comparative analyses of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from patients, tumors and transformed cell lines for the validation of lung cancer-derived breath markers.

Breath analysis for the purpose of non-invasive diagnosis of lung cancer has yielded numerous candidate compounds with still questionable clinical relevance. To arrive at suitable volatile organic compounds our approach combined the analysis of different sources: isolated tumor samples compared to healthy lung tissues, and exhaled breath from lung cancer patients and healthy controls. Candidate compounds were further compared to substances previously identified in the comparison of transformed and normal lung epithelial cell lines.

Neoadjuvant chemo-immunotherapy modifies CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells (Treg) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.

Background: Regulatory T cells (Treg) are critical for cancer immune evasion; whereas natural killer (NK) cells are central for effective anti-tumor immunity including antibody-induced cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). The predictive role of Treg levels for clinical response to chemo-immunotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as well as therapy-induced Treg changes remain to be defined.

Patients And Methods: The impact of Treg on NK-mediated cetuximab-dependent cellular cytoxicity was tested in vitro.

Basic clinical parameters predict gefitinib efficacy in non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: In epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the tyrosine-kinase inhibitor gefitinib is in broad use. We retrospectively analysed data for 82 patients with advanced NSCLC treated with gefitinib and correlated benefits with clinical baseline and therapy-related parameters.

Patients: Of all patients 48/82 were male; the median age at start of gefitinib was 67.

High transforming growth factor β expression represents an important prognostic parameter for surgically resected non-small cell lung cancer.

The tumor microenvironment comprises various cellular components and associated subcellular molecules with antitumor and protumor effects. Because respective targeted treatment strategies are arising, it is important to characterize the exact role of these parameters. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of key immunologic factors in the tumor microenvironment of 383 surgically resected non-small cell lung cancer specimens.

Deregulation of p27 and cyclin D1/D3 control over mitosis is associated with unfavorable prognosis in non-small cell lung cancer, as determined in 405 operated patients.

Introduction: A large group of interacting molecular factors, involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling, and G1 mitotic phase, are shown to play an important role in cancerogenesis and progression of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Since success concerning potential correlations, structural and numeric gene aberrations, and biological risk assessment of these molecular factors are still lacking, combined analysis of a multitude of intertwined factors is currently a promising approach.

Methods: Cyclins (D1, D2, D3, and E), p21, p27, EGFR, Snail, E-cadherin, beta-catenin, phosphatidylinositol-3' kinase, phosphatase and tensin homologue, phosphorylated Akt, and phosphorylated signal transducer, and activator of transcription-3 were analyzed by immunohistochemistry in 405 surgically resected NSCLC, using a standardized tissue microarray platform.

Noninvasive detection of lung cancer by analysis of exhaled breath.

Background: Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of death in Europe and the western world. At present, diagnosis of lung cancer very often happens late in the course of the disease since inexpensive, non-invasive and sufficiently sensitive and specific screening methods are not available. Even though the CT diagnostic methods are good, it must be assured that "screening benefit outweighs risk, across all individuals screened, not only those with lung cancer".

Determination of volatile organic compounds in exhaled breath of patients with lung cancer using solid phase microextraction and gas chromatography mass spectrometry.

Background: Analysis of exhaled breath is a promising diagnostic method. Sampling of exhaled breath is non-invasive and can be performed as often as considered desirable. There are indications that the concentration and presence of certain of volatile compounds in exhaled breath of lung cancer patients is different from concentrations in healthy volunteers.

Idiopathic systemic amyloidosis primarily affecting the lungs with fatal pulmonary haemorrhage due to vascular involvement.

A patient who presented with dyspnea and suspected interstitial pulmonary fibrosis suffered a fatal pulmonary haemorrhage with no feasible cause for bleeding. Autopsy revealed abundant amyloid deposits in both lungs with a diffuse alveolar septal distribution pattern. Amyloid was also found in the cardiac interstitium and in many vessel walls.

[Small cell lung cancer].

With about 20% of all lung cancers small cell lung cancer (SCLC) represents a major subset of this entity. Although therapeutic improvements did not receive as much attention as in non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), many small steps of clinical progress have been achieved within the last 20 years. An optimal treatment should be based on an interdisciplinary treatment plan.

[Updated strategies in Small Cell Lung Cancer post ASCO 2007].

Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) is associated with intensive nicotine consumption and characterized by a very aggressive growth rate. Furthermore, metastases often appear very early. At the annual meeting of the "American Society of Clinical Oncology" (ASCO) 2007, recent issues which will influence the daily clinical practice were presented.