Immunotherapy for Thymomas and Thymic Carcinomas: Current Status and Future Directions.

Thymic epithelial tumors are a histologically diverse group of cancers arising from the epithelial compartment of the thymus. These tumors are characterized by a low tumor mutation burden, a lack of actionable genomic changes, and, especially with thymomas, defects in immune tolerance. Surgery is the mainstay of the management of resectable disease, whereas advanced, unresectable tumors are treated with platinum-based chemotherapy.

Immunotherapy for Management of Thymic Epithelial Tumors: A Double-Edged Sword.

Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) are rare thoracic cancers that are broadly classified as thymomas and thymic carcinomas. Surgery is the cornerstone of management for early-stage disease. There are a limited number of effective treatment options for patients with advanced or recurrent disease.

Joint-Predominant Rheumatic Complications of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy in Patients with Thymic Epithelial Tumors.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized the treatment of advanced cancers. However, activation of the immune system can occasionally cause life-threatening toxicity involving critical organs. Induction of immune-mediated toxicity is a significant concern for patients with thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) due to defects in immune tolerance.

Caregiver-assisted coping skills training for patients with COPD: background, design, and methodological issues for the INSPIRE-II study.

Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive illness characterized by airflow obstruction and dyspnea that afflicts over 12 million people and represents a leading cause of death in the United States. Not surprisingly, COPD is often associated with emotional distress and reduced psychosocial adjustment, which can negatively impact physical functioning and impair quality of life. However, the psychosocial consequences of COPD remain largely untreated.