Publications by authors named "Katherine Nishimura"

Introduction: The eighth edition of the TNM classification of pleural mesothelioma (PM) saw substantial changes in T and N components and stage groupings. The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer collected data into a multinational database to further refine this classification. This ninth edition proposal incorporates changes proposed in the clinical (c)T component but not the pathologic T component, to include size criteria, and further refines TNM stage groupings for PM.

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Introduction: Spread through air spaces (STAS) consists of lung cancer tumor cells that are identified beyond the edge of the main tumor in the surrounding alveolar parenchyma. It has been reported by meta-analyses to be an independent prognostic factor in the major histologic types of lung cancer, but its role in lung cancer staging is not established.

Methods: To assess the clinical importance of STAS in lung cancer staging, we evaluated 4061 surgically resected pathologic stage I R0 NSCLC collected from around the world in the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer database.

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Introduction: The TNM classification of lung cancer is periodically revised. The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer collected and analyzed a new database to inform the forthcoming ninth edition of the TNM classification. The results are herewith presented.

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Introduction: This study analyzed all metastatic categories of the current TNM classification of NSCLC to propose modifications of the M component in the next edition (ninth) of the classification.

Methods: A database of 124,581 patients diagnosed between 2011 and 2019 was established; of these, 14,937 with NSCLC in stages IVA to IVB were available for this analysis. Overall survival was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and prognosis was assessed using multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression.

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Introduction: An international database was created by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer to inform on the ninth edition of the TNM classification of lung cancer. The present analyses concern its T component.

Methods: Data on 124,581 patients diagnosed with lung cancer from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2019 were submitted to the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer database.

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Introduction: The accurate assessment of nodal (N) status is crucial to the management and prognostication of nonmetastatic NSCLC. We sought to determine whether the current N descriptors should be maintained or revised for the upcoming ninth edition of the international TNM lung cancer staging system.

Methods: Data were assembled by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer on patients with NSCLC, detailing both clinical and pathologic N status, with information about anatomical location and individual station-level identification.

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Introduction: Currently, tumors with different histopathologic characteristics and oncologic outcomes comprise the T3 category of the eight edition TNM classification for lung cancers. To better understand the T3 category, we evaluated completeness of resection and long-term survival in patients undergoing resection for T3 NSCLC.

Methods: The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer 1999 to 2010 database was queried for patients with pathologic T3N0M0 NSCLC who underwent lobectomy or pneumonectomy.

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Article Synopsis
  • The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) has been revising the TNM classification of lung cancer over the past 20 years, with phases one and two already adopted by major cancer organizations.
  • A new database was created for the third phase, comprising over 124,000 lung cancer cases diagnosed between 2011 and 2019, with most data coming from Asia and Australia.
  • This comprehensive data set, which includes detailed information on staging and pathology, aims to inform the upcoming ninth edition of the TNM classification, expected to be implemented in January 2024.
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The status of lymph node involvement is a major component of the TNM staging system. The N categories for lung cancer have remained unchanged since the fourth edition of the TNM staging system, partly because of differences in nodal mapping nomenclature, partly because of insufficient details to verify possible alternative approaches for staging. In preparation for the rigorous analysis of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer database necessary for the ninth edition TNM staging system, members of the N-Descriptors Subcommittee of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer Staging and Prognostic Factors Committee reviewed the evidence for alternative approaches to categorizing the extent of lymph node involvement with lung cancer, which is currently based solely on the anatomical location of lymph node metastasis.

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In the eighth edition TNM staging, the T3N0M0 category represents a heterogeneous group of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC). This study aims to compare the oncologic outcomes associated with individual T3 features. We performed a single-institution, retrospective analysis of 280 consecutive patients with pT3N0M0 NSCLC.

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Purpose: As immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) become increasingly used in frontline settings, identifying early indicators of response is needed. Recent studies suggest a role for circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in monitoring response to ICI, but uncertainty exists in the generalizability of these studies. Here, the role of ctDNA for monitoring response to ICI is assessed through a standardized approach by assessing clinical trial data from five independent studies.

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  • Idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease (iMCD) is a rare condition characterized by swollen lymph nodes, systemic inflammation, and organ dysfunction, with siltuximab being approved for its treatment.
  • A study showed that patients treated with siltuximab had significantly improved progression-free survival compared to those receiving a placebo, with an average of 14.5 months for placebo recipients.
  • In patients who responded to siltuximab, the normalization of symptoms and laboratory tests occurred in a specific order, supporting its continued use as a frontline treatment according to international guidelines.
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  • Stage classification is crucial for cancer management as it provides a standard way to understand the extent of cancer, allowing for effective communication and comparison of treatment outcomes over time.
  • The IASLC is refining the ninth edition of the TNM staging system for thoracic cancers by utilizing a global, multidisciplinary approach to ensure the system remains relevant and applicable across different clinical settings and patient populations.
  • Key principles for the new staging system include maintaining clear communication, consistently differentiating tumor types, and ensuring the classification's relevance to ongoing clinical practices, supported by a robust international database for analysis.
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Investigation of erythrocytes from spontaneous or engineered germ-line mutant mice has been instrumental in characterizing the physiological functions of components of the red cell cytoskeleton and membrane. However, the red blood cell expresses some proteins whose germline loss-of-function is embryonic-lethal, perinatal-lethal, or confers reduced post-weaning viability. Promoter regions of erythroid-specific genes have been used to engineer erythroid-specific expression of Cre recombinase.

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One mechanism by which genetic factors influence complex traits and diseases is altering gene expression. Direct measurement of gene expression in relevant tissues is rarely tenable; however, genetically regulated gene expression (GReX) can be estimated using prediction models derived from large multi-omic datasets. These approaches have led to the discovery of many gene-trait associations, but whether models derived from predominantly European ancestry (EA) reference panels can map novel associations in ancestrally diverse populations remains unclear.

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Background: Circulating white blood cell and platelet traits are clinically linked to various disease outcomes and differ across individuals and ancestry groups. Genetic factors play an important role in determining these traits and many loci have been identified. However, most of these findings were identified in populations of European ancestry (EA), with African Americans (AA), Hispanics/Latinos (HL), and other races/ethnicities being severely underrepresented.

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Lipid levels are important markers for the development of cardio-metabolic diseases. Although hundreds of associated loci have been identified through genetic association studies, the contribution of genetic factors to variation in lipids is not fully understood, particularly in U.S.

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As multiple myeloma (MM) treatments evolve, frequent updates are required to monitor the long-term effect of changes in approach. Traditionally, MM is considered an incurable disease, with most patients eventually relapsing. However, improvements in treatments has raised the possibility that MM might be functionally curable.

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  • β-thalassemia is caused by defective β-globin production, leading to an imbalance in globin chains and stress-related issues in red blood cells, resulting in anemia.
  • Genetic inactivation of K-Cl cotransporters KCC1 and KCC3 in a mouse model showed improvements in anemia and red blood cell characteristics, including increased cell volume and reduced density.
  • These findings suggest that targeting K-Cl cotransport could help alleviate some symptoms of β-thalassemia by reducing red cell dehydration and improving overall blood health.
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Excessive red cell dehydration contributes to the pathophysiology of sickle cell disease (SCD). The densest fraction of sickle red cells (with the highest corpuscular hemoglobin concentration) undergoes the most rapid polymerization of deoxy-hemoglobin S, leading to accelerated cell sickling and increased susceptibility to endothelial activation, red cell adhesion, and vaso-occlusion. Increasing red cell volume in order to decrease red cell density can thus serve as an adjunct therapeutic goal in SCD.

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Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have laid the foundation for investigations into the biology of complex traits, drug development and clinical guidelines. However, the majority of discovery efforts are based on data from populations of European ancestry. In light of the differential genetic architecture that is known to exist between populations, bias in representation can exacerbate existing disease and healthcare disparities.

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  • Robotic lobectomy shows varied initial proficiency based on a surgeon's previous experience with different surgical approaches, with de novo surgeons performing better after 20 cases compared to those transitioning from open or VATS methods.
  • The study analyzed 5619 robotic lobectomies performed from 2009 to 2016 by categorizing surgeons based on their prior techniques, revealing that most achieved high proficiency in outcomes like mortality and blood transfusion rates after gaining experience.
  • Cumulative sum analysis proved to be a valuable tool in assessing and monitoring the proficiency of surgeons during their transition to robotic techniques in lobectomy procedures.
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