Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial of bestatin in patients with resected stage I squamous-cell lung carcinoma.

Background: Bestatin is a potent aminopeptidase inhibitor that has immunostimulant and antitumor activity. We conducted a prospective randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to determine whether postoperative adjuvant treatment with bestatin could prolong the survival of patients with completely resected stage I squamous-cell lung carcinoma.

Methods: Patients with confirmed, resected stage I squamous-cell lung carcinoma were randomly assigned to receive either bestatin (30 mg) or placebo daily by mouth for 2 years.

Evaluation of inflammatory-response-induced thoracoscopic surgical stress.

Objective: Due to the paucity of reports evaluating stress induced by thoracoscopic surgery with minithoracotomy, we assessed this stress based on the inflammatory response to surgery.

Methods: Differences in pre- and postoperative peripheral white blood cell (WBC) count, serum C-reactive protein (CRP), and serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) were evaluated, defined as dW, dCRP, and dIL-6. Thoracoscopic partial lung resection cases were divided into 2 groups by access route: Group A patients in which surgery was concluded via several small access ports.