YAP1 as a Novel Negative Biomarker of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors for EGFR-Mutant Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer.

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have become a standard care in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, its application to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutant NSCLC patients is confronted with drug resistance. This study aimed to clarify the potential role of Yes1-associated transcriptional regulator (YAP1) in ICIs treatment for EGFR-mutant NSCLC population.

Concurrent EGFR-TKI and Thoracic Radiotherapy as First-Line Treatment for Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Harboring EGFR Active Mutations.

Lessons Learned: This single-arm, phase II study shows that concurrent EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor plus thoracic radiotherapy as the first-line treatment for stage IV non-small cell lung cancer harboring EGFR active mutations provides long-term control for the primary lung lesion, and 1-year progression-free survival (PFS) rate and median PFS are numerically higher than those of the erlotinib monotherapy.Serious adverse events are acceptable, although grade >3 radiation pneumonitis occurred in 20% of patients.

Background: Studies show effective local control by EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) combined with radiotherapy at metastatic sites in advanced lung cancer harboring EGFR active mutations.

Case report: primary resistance to osimertinib in erlotinib-pretreated lung adenocarcinoma with EGFR T790 M mutation.

Background: Among non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with acquired T790 M mutation resistance to first-generation epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI), 71% are likely to benefit from osimertinib. There have been several reports about the secondary resistance to osimertinib treatment in T790 M-positive patients, while primary resistance to osimertinib has been rarely reported.

Case Presentation: A 62-year-old Asian male never smoker who presented with stage IV EGFR L858R-positive adenocarcinoma developed EGFR T790 M mutation after 14 months of treatment with erlotinib combined with thoracic radiotherapy as first-line therapy.

Recruitment of CD11bLy6C monocytes in non-small cell lung cancer xenografts challenged by anti-VEGF antibody.

A series of antibodies against vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) have been developed for the treatment of various types of cancer, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in recent years. However, tumors frequently demonstrate resistance to these strategies of VEGF inhibition. Efforts to better understand the mechanism underlying the acquired resistance to anti-VEGF antibodies are warranted.

Essential role of miR-200c in regulating self-renewal of breast cancer stem cells and their counterparts of mammary epithelium.

Background: Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) have been reported as the origin of breast cancer and the radical cause of drug resistance, relapse and metastasis in breast cancer. BCSCs could be derived from mutated mammary epithelial stem cells (MaSCs). Therefore, comparing the molecular differences between BCSCs and MaSCs may clarify the mechanism underlying breast carcinogenesis and the targets for gene therapy.

Regulation of miRNAs affects radiobiological response of lung cancer stem cells.

Radiotherapy (RT) is a key therapeutic strategy for lung cancer, the most common cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, but radioresistance often occurs and leads to failure of RT. It is therefore important to clarify the mechanism underlying radioresistance in lung cancer. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are considered the fundamental reason for radioresistance.

Efficacy and safety of endostar® combined with chemotherapy in patients with advanced soft tissue sarcomas.

Background: Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are a heterogeneous group of tumors, and approximately 40-50% of patients with STS develop metastatic disease. The median overall survival of those patients was 12 months and their 5-year survival rate was 8%. Therefore, study on more effective treatment, especially the targeting therapies, is urgently needed.