Heterogeneity in advanced pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma and its efficacy to immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have improved the prognosis of patients with non-small cell lung cancer but rarely been explored in pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma (PSC). This multicenter study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of ICIs for PSC and its underlying mechanism.

Methods: Advanced PSC who received ICIs between August 2018 and May 2022 from 11 centers in China were included.

Endogenous and exogeneous stimuli-triggered reactive oxygen species evoke long-lived carbon monoxide to fight against lung cancer.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS)-associated anticancer approaches usually suffer from two limitations, i.e., insufficient ROS level and short ROS half-life.

A retrospective study of first-line therapy and subsequent pyrotinib treatment in advanced lung adenocarcinoma with HER2 mutations.

Objectives: HER2 is an infrequently mutated driver gene in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). At present, there has been no comprehensive large-scale clinical study to establish the optimal first-line treatment strategy for advanced lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) with HER2-Mutant. Besides that, the effectiveness and safety of pyrotinib, a pan-HER inhibitor, in the context of NSCLC are still undergoing investigation.

Mechanisms underlying therapeutic resistance of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in chronic myeloid leukemia.

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a malignant clonal disease involving hematopoietic stem cells that is characterized by myeloid cell proliferation in bone marrow and peripheral blood, and the presence of the Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome with BCR-ABL fusion gene. Treatment of CML has dramatically improved since the advent of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI). However, there are a small subset of CML patients who develop resistance to TKI.

Full spectrum flow cytometry-powered comprehensive analysis of PBMC as biomarkers for immunotherapy in NSCLC with EGFR-TKI resistance.

Background: Clinical studies suggest that immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) monotherapy has limited benefits in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients after epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) failure. However, data about efficacy of ICI plus chemotherapy remain controversial, probably attributed to the heterogeneity among such population, and robust efficacy biomarkers are urgent to explore.

Methods: A total of 60 eligible patients who received ICI plus chemotherapy after EGFR-TKI treatment failure were enrolled, 24 of whom peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) samples were collected at baseline and after 2 cycles of treatment.

Influence of Exosomes on Astrocytes in the Pre-Metastatic Niche of Lung Cancer Brain Metastases.

Background: Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related death globally. There are several reasons for this high mortality rate, including metastasis to multiple organs, especially the brain. Exosomes play a pivotal role in tumor metastasis by remodeling the microenvironment of remote target organs and promoting the pre-metastatic niche's formation.

Hepatic mitochondrial NAD + transporter SLC25A47 activates AMPKα mediating lipid metabolism and tumorigenesis.

Background Aims: SLC25A47 was initially identified as a mitochondrial HCC-downregulated carrier protein, but its physiological functions and transport substrates are unknown. We aimed to investigate the physiological role of SLC25A47 in hepatic metabolism.

Approach Results: In the treatment of hepatocytes with metformin, we found that metformin can transcriptionally activate the expression of Slc25a47 , which is required for AMP-activated protein kinase α (AMPKα) phosphorylation.

Microenvironment and the progress of immunotherapy in clinical practice of NSCLC brain metastasis.

One of the most frequent distant metastases of lung cancer occurs in the brain. The average natural survival duration for patients with lung cancer who have brain metastases is about 1 to 2 months. Knowledge about brain metastases is currently restricted since they are more difficult to acquire than other metastases.

Special issue "The advance of solid tumor research in China": Real-world clinical outcomes of alectinib for advanced nonsmall-cell lung cancer patients with ALK fusion in China.

Global phase 3 trials have demonstrated the priority of several next-generation anaplastic lymphoma kinase-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (ALK-TKIs). However, clinical studies are conducted with specific populations that differ from the real world. The study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of alectinib in real-world settings.

Low baseline plasma PCSK9 level is associated with good clinical outcomes of immune checkpoint inhibitors in advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a crucial protein involved in the metabolism of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. However, the role of plasma PCSK9 in predicting the efficacy of ICIs in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains to be clarified.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of NSCLC patients who presented at Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital between April 2019 and June 2020.

Treatment efficacy of HER2-mutant lung adenocarcinoma by immune checkpoint inhibitors: a multicenter retrospective study.

Background: Despite the remarkable clinical advance of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in the treatment of lung cancer, there are limited studies focused on evaluating efficacy of ICIs for patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-mutant lung adenocarcinoma.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter retrospective study of patients with HER2-mutant lung adenocarcinoma who received ICIs therapy at Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Shanghai Chest Hospital and the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University between 2016 and 2021. Response was defined with reference to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST), version 1.

Real-world outcomes of chemo-antiangiogenesis versus chemo-immunotherapy combinations in EGFR-mutant advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients after failure of EGFR-TKI therapy.

Background: Despite the potent efficacy of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in the treatment of EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, drug resistance inevitably ensues, and there remains a paucity of treatment options in clinical practice.

Methods: We identified patients with EGFR-mutant advanced NSCLC presenting to Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital and Shanghai Chest Hospital between January 2015 and December 2020 treated with chemo-antiangiogenesis or chemo-immunotherapy combinations after EGFR-TKI resistance. Patient information was collected, and the objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), and progression-free survival (PFS) were assessed.

Cascade Lactonization/Benzannulation of Propargylamines with Dimethyl 3-Oxoglutarate for Modular Assembly of Hydroxylated/Arene-Functionalized Benzo[]chromen-6-ones.

A DBU-mediated cascade strategy of propargylamines with dimethyl 3-oxoglutarate for constructing a functionalized benzo[]chromen-6-one core has been achieved. This cascade process presumably involves a sequence of 1,4-conjugate addition, followed by lactonization, alkyne-allene isomerization, enol-keto tautomerization, 6π-electrocyclization, and aromatization. This protocol features mild reaction conditions, simple operation, rich structural diversity, and good functional group tolerance.

Rh(III)-Catalyzed Cascade Nucleophilic Addition/Annulation of 2-Diazo-1,3-diketones with 1,3-Dicarbonyl Compounds To Access 6,7-Dihydrobenzofuran-4(5)-ones.

A Rh(III)-catalyzed cascade nucleophilic addition/intramolecular annulation of 2-diazo-1,3-diketones with 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds (e.g., 1,3-diketones and β-keto esters) is achieved to afford 6,7-dihydrobenzofuran-4(5)-ones in up to 91% yields.

A cascade double 1,4-addition/intramolecular annulation strategy for expeditious assembly of unsymmetrical dibenzofurans.

Existing synthetic routes for accessing dibenzofuran core have intrinsic regioselectivity, limiting the substitution patterns available in heteropolycyclic arene products. Here we report a double 1,4-conjugate addition/intramolecular annulation cascade reaction between propargylamines and two equivalents of imidazolium methylides that allows efficient access of structurally versatile dibenzofurans. This transition metal-free protocol proceeds smoothly under bench-top air atmosphere and offers easy manipulation of substituents on the dibenzofuran core, and also provides good-to-excellent product yields with good functional group tolerance, particularly the -Br and -Cl groups which are often incompatible with existing metal-catalyzed C-C and/or C-O bond ring-forming processes.

Synthesis of unsymmetrical urea derivatives via one-pot sequential three-component reactions of cyclic 2-diazo-1,3-diketones, carbodiimides, and 1,2-dihaloethanes.

A novel and efficient multicomponent reaction of cyclic 2-diazo-1,3-diketones, carbodiimides, and 1,2-dihaloethanes has been developed, and it leads to unsymmetrical urea derivatives with good yields in a single operation. This transformation involves the cascade formation of C-X (X = Cl, Br, I), C-N and C[double bond, length as m-dash]O bonds through halogenation, nucleophilic addition, ring-opening, and enol-ketone tautomerization processes. This protocol is step- and atom-economical; 1,2-dihaloethane was used as an easily available halogenated reagent, and it is amenable to different functional groups.

Organocatalytic Approach for Assembling Flavanones via a Cascade 1,4-Conjugate Addition/-Michael Addition between Propargylamines with Water.

A DBU-catalyzed one-pot cascade reaction of propargylamines and water for the synthesis of flavanones has been developed. This process proceeds via a sequence of 1,4-conjugate addition of water to alkynyl -quinone methide (-AQM), followed by the alkyne-allene isomerization and subsequent intramolecular -Michael addition. This strategy provides a convenient method for accessing a broad range of flavanones in good to excellent yields with good functional-group tolerance, in particular, the reactive halo functional groups.

Rh-Catalyzed C-H activation/intramolecular condensation for the construction of benzo[f]pyrazolo[1,5-a][1,3]diazepines.

A novel and mild Rh(iii)-catalyzed C-H activation/intramolecular condensation of 1-aryl-1H-pyrazol-5-amines with cyclic 2-diazo-1,3-diketones was developed, giving access to various important benzo[f]pyrazolo[1,5-a][1,3]diazepine scaffolds through sequential C-C/C-N bond formation in a one-pot procedure under additive- and oxidant-free conditions. Furthermore, 3-([1,1'-biphenyl]-2-ylamino)-2-ethoxycyclohex-2-enones can be obtained in good yields by constructing C-O and C-N bonds through 1,1'-insertion, dehydration, and isomerization processes.

Substituent-oriented C-N bond formation via N-H insertion or Wolff rearrangement of 5-aryl-1H-pyrazoles and diazo compounds.

A facile and efficient synthetic strategy for the chemoselective synthesis of N-substituted 3-aryl-1H-pyrazole derivatives has been developed, and it was oriented by different 2-diazo compounds. Both N-H insertion and Wolff-rearrangement products can be obtained selectively by the opportune choice of diazo compounds. N-Cyclohexenone 3-aryl-1H-pyrazoles were formed using cyclic 2-diazo-1,3-diketones via N-H insertion in the presence of a copper catalyst, and α-carbonyl 3-aryl-1H-pyrazoles could be synthesized through a Wolff-rearrangement process without any catalyst under thermal conditions.

Catalyst-Free Synthesis of 2,3-Dihydrobenzofurans via a Formal [4+1] Annulation of Propargylamines with Sulfur Ylides.

A simple, general route to the 2,3-dihydrobenzofurans substituted at C3 by an aryethynyl or aryl group, starting from propargylamine and its derivatives with benzoyl sulfonium salts, has been developed. This reaction involved an generated -quinone methide (-QM) intermediate followed by [4+1] annulation with sulfur ylides. Notably, this protocol's features include moderate to excellent yields and remarkable diastereoselectivity (>20:1 dr in general), easy performance, as well as applicability to versatile 2,3-dihydrobenzofurans with aryethynyl or an aryl group via C-C and C-O bond formation in one pot without any catalyst in an aqueous mixed solvent.

Synthesis of 4-styrylcoumarins via FeCl-promoted cascade reactions of propargylamines with β-keto esters.

A versatile and highly regioselective FeCl3-promoted tandem cyclization reaction of in situ generated alkynyl o-quinone methides (o-AQMs) with β-keto esters has been developed on the basis of the mode involving an intermolecular 1,4-conjugate addition/alkyne-allene isomerization/intramolecular transesterification/isomerization cascade. Using this method, a variety of diversely substituted 4-styryl-2H-chromen-2-ones were prepared with good efficiency and exclusive site-selectivity.