Effective management of lung spindle cell carcinoma with ipilimumab, nivolumab, carboplatin, and paclitaxel, demonstrating efficacy in brain metastases treatment.

A 76-year-old woman with cT1bN2M1b stage IVA spindle cell carcinoma of the right lower lobe of the lung, no driver gene mutation, and programmed death ligand 1 < 1%, was started on ipilimumab+nivolumab+carboplatin+paclitaxel. After two courses, the patient initiated maintenance therapy with ipilimumab+nivolumab. New multiple brain metastases were observed during treatment but resolved with continued treatment.

Pseudoprogression in Previously Treated Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Who Received Nivolumab Monotherapy.

Introduction: Nivolumab is effective in the treatment of previously treated patients with advanced NSCLC. However, its radiological evaluation is challenging because of atypical patterns of response such as pseudoprogression. We examined the characteristics and outcomes of previously treated patients with NSCLC who were treated with nivolumab and experienced development of pseudoprogression.

Efficacy and safety of nivolumab in previously treated patients with non-small cell lung cancer: A multicenter retrospective cohort study.

Introduction: Nivolumab has been shown to be effective and safe in previously treated patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, little is known regarding its performance in real-world (i.e.

Co-existence and seasonal variation in rhinitis and asthma symptoms in patients with asthma.

Background: Asthma and rhinitis are common diseases that often occur concomitantly. However, in patients with asthma, the concurrent assessment of seasonal variation in rhinitis and asthma symptoms has not been comprehensively addressed. We prospectively evaluated seasonal changes in rhinitis and asthma symptoms over one year.

A pleomorphic carcinoma of the lung producing multiple cytokines and forming a rapidly progressive mass-like opacity.

Background: Lung cancer cells have been reported to produce cytokines, resulting in systemic reactions. There have been few reports showing that these cytokines induced the formation of an inflammatory mass around lung cancers.

Case Presentation: We encountered a patient with a pleomorphic carcinoma of the lung.

Effect of a network system for providing proper inhalation technique by community pharmacists on clinical outcomes in COPD patients.

Introduction: Nonadherence to inhalation therapy is very common in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Few data are available to support the role of community pharmacists in optimizing inhalation therapy in COPD patients. Since 2007, the Kitano Hospital and the Kita-ku Pharmaceutical Association have provided a network system for delivering correct inhalation techniques through certified community pharmacists.

Septic pulmonary embolism due to periodontal disease.

Background And Objective: Septic pulmonary embolism due to periodontal disease (SPE-PD) is rarely reported and little is known about its clinical features. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiological features, as well as outcome, in SPE-PD.

Methods: Patients' records were retrospectively reviewed and 12 patients with SPE-PD were identified (10 men, mean age 60.

A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of acupuncture in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): the COPD-acupuncture trial (CAT).

Background: Dyspnea on exertion (DOE) is a major symptom of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is difficult to control. This study was performed to determine whether acupuncture is superior to placebo needling in improving DOE in patients with COPD who are receiving standard medication.

Methods: Sixty-eight of 111 patients from the Kansai region of Japan who were diagnosed as having COPD and were receiving standard medication participated in a randomized, parallel-group, placebo-controlled trial (July 1, 2006, through March 31, 2009) in which the patients, evaluators, and statistician were unaware of the random allocation.

Impact of a network system for providing proper inhalation technique by community pharmacists.

Objective: The availability of many types of inhalers in the treatment of asthma has resulted in a wide range of prescription choices for clinicians. With so many devices available, however, there is some confusion regarding their proper use among both medical staff and patients. Since 2007, Kitano Hospital and Kita-ku Pharmaceutical Association, Osaka, Japan, have provided a network system for delivering instruction on correct inhalation technique through community pharmacists.

[Effectiveness of the HighFO novel oxygen nebulizer for respiratory failure patients with severe hypoxia].

Optimal oxygen delivery is an essential component of therapy for patients with respiratory failure. Reservoir masks or air entrainment nebulizers have often been used for patients who require highly concentrated oxygen, but these may not actually deliver a sufficient fraction of inspired oxygen if there is a marked increase in the patient's ventilatory demands, or if oxygen flow becomes limited due to high resistance in the nebulizer nozzles. The HighFO nebulizer is a novel air entrainment nebulizer equipped with unique structures which reduce nozzle resistance, and as a result, it is possible to supply a sufficient flow of highly concentrated-oxygen.

Relationships between repeated instruction on inhalation therapy, medication adherence, and health status in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Purpose: Adherence to inhalation therapy is a critical determinant of the success of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) management. However, in practice, nonadherence to inhalation therapy is very common in COPD patients. The effects of adherence to inhalation therapy in COPD have not been fully studied, and less is known about the relationship between medication adherence and quality of life in COPD.

Repeated instruction on inhalation technique improves adherence to the therapeutic regimen in asthma.

Background: Adherence to inhalation therapy is a critical determinant of the success of asthma management. Reasons for nonadherence have been well studied, but reasons for good adherence are poorly understood. Understanding the mechanisms of adherence to inhalation therapy is important in developing strategies to promote adherence.

[Case of bronchocentric granulomatosis that became recognized in the course of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis].

A 56-year-old man with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) was admitted due to the appearance of nodular opacities in the right upper lung field on chest radiography, after discontinuing itraconazole and clarithromycin on the suspicion of possible hepatic adverse effects. Chest CT scans on admission revealed nodular opacities in the right S3 and lingula bronchus, and bilateral bronchiectasis with mucoid impactions. A specimen obtained by transbronchial lung biopsy showed complete replacement of bronchioles by necrotizing granulomatous inflammation, containing the diagnosis of bronchocentric granulomatosis.

[Diffuse expression of KIT in a pulmonary artery sarcoma].

A 77-year-old woman presented with hoarseness and hemoptysis. Chest CT scan revealed a mediastinal tumor in the lumen of the left pulmonary artery. A definitive diagnosis could not be made based on mediastinoscopy and thoracotomy.

[Relationship between time taken from collection of blood to incubation and measurement in whole-blood interferon gamma assay for diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection].

Background: The introduction of second-generation QuantiFERON-TB (QFT) enables the diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) infection with high specificity and sensitivity. This in vitro diagnostic test uses 2 TB-specific proteins (ESAT-6 and CFP-10) to stimulate cells in heparinized whole blood and detects interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) produced from blood cells. When QFT is done in laboratories outside of the hospital, several hours may be required to transport blood samples.