Clinical impact of cancer cachexia on the outcome of patients with non-small cell lung cancer with PD-L1 tumor proportion scores of ≥50% receiving pembrolizumab monotherapy versus immune checkpoint inhibitor with chemotherapy.

This retrospective, multicenter cohort study aimed to determine whether cancer cachexia serves as a biomarker for determining the most effective treatment for patients having non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with high programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) alone or combined with chemotherapy (ICI/chemotherapy). We included 411 patients with advanced NSCLC with a PD-L1 tumor proportion score of ≥50%. The patients were treated with pembrolizumab monotherapy or ICI/chemotherapy.

Public assistance and survival equality in patients with EGFR mutation-positive lung cancer.

Background: Disparities in public assistance or the urbanization level of a residential region can affect cancer treatment outcomes. This study aimed to investigate whether these factors affect the overall survival (OS) of patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using Tokushukai REAL World Data.

Methods: We analyzed the clinical data of consecutive patients with NSCLC receiving EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors between April 2010 and March 2020 at 46 Tokushukai Medical Group hospitals in Japan.

combined with L858R mutation reduced afatinib sensitivity and associated to early recurrence in lung cancer.

Background: The third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) osimertinib is widely used as a first-line treatment for -mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, there is no established treatment for osimertinib resistance, so second-generation afatinib is an alternative treatment option. The purpose of this study was to elucidate gene alterations associated with afatinib efficacy and resistance by analyzing cell-free DNA (cfDNA) obtained from patients with -mutated NSCLC.

Achieving Hemostasis With a Foley Catheter for Hemorrhagic Shock Caused by an Aortoesophageal Fistula of an Infected Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm With Dissection: A Case Report.

Aortoesophageal fistulas (AEFs) are a rare complication of thoracic aortic aneurysms. Moreover, the associated massive bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract results in a very high mortality rate. In this report, we describe a successful experience in using a Foley catheter to save a patient's life.

Early Diagnosis of Primary Right Atrial Angiosarcoma From Intraoperative Transesophageal Echocardiographic Findings of Right Atrial Pseudoaneurysm and Cardiac Rupture.

Primary cardiac angiosarcoma is a rare and aggressive malignant tumor with a poor clinical outcome. Its nonspecific symptoms often complicate early diagnosis. Here, we present the case of a 39-year-old man who initially presented with pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade.

Air-trapping bulla in the azygoesophageal recess as a "sentinel bulla" causing secondary spontaneous pneumothorax: A case report.

Successful surgical management of spontaneous pneumothorax usually depends on identifying the pleural fistula that is causing the air leak. However, identifying the exact location of the air leak preoperatively is typically impossible. A peculiar thin-walled bulla located in the azygoesophageal recess can cause pneumothorax in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

An aspirin-free strategy for percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with diabetes: a pre-specified subgroup analysis of the STOPDAPT-3 trial.

Aims: Safety of aspirin-free strategy immediately after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for cardiovascular events in patients with diabetes was unknown.

Methods And Results: We conducted the prespecified subgroup analysis on diabetes in the STOPDAPT-3 trial, which randomly compared prasugrel (3.75 mg/day) monotherapy (2984 patients) to dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with prasugrel and aspirin (2982 patients) in patients with acute coronary syndrome or high bleeding risk.

The Significance of Longitudinal Psoas Muscle Loss in Predicting the Maintenance Efficacy of Durvalumab Treatment Following Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy in Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Retrospective Study.

Sarcopenia assessed at a single time point is associated with the efficacy of immunotherapy, and we hypothesized that longitudinal changes in muscle mass may also be important. This retrospective study included patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who received durvalumab treatment after concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) between January 2017 and April 2023. Muscle loss and sarcopenia were assessed based on the lumbar skeletal muscle area.

CYFRA 21-1 predicts efficacy of combined chemoimmunotherapy in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a prospective observational study.

Background: Tumor markers such as serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and cytokeratin fragment 19 (CYFRA 21-1) are utilized for assessing the effectiveness of chemotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Yet, it remains uncertain whether these markers can reliably forecast responses to combined chemoimmunotherapy. Our study aimed to examine the significance and effectiveness of these markers in predicting responses among NSCLC patients undergoing combined chemoimmunotherapy.

Depth of response and treatment outcomes of immune checkpoint inhibitor-based therapy in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer and high PD-L1 expression: An exploratory analysis of retrospective multicenter cohort.

The association between depth of response (DpR) and treatment outcomes has been documented across various types of cancer. Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-based treatment is globally used as first-line treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression ≥ 50%. However, in this population, the significance of DpR is not elucidated.

Spontaneous hemopneumothorax causing life-threatening hemorrhage: a case report.

Background: Spontaneous hemopneumothorax is a rare condition that can be life-threatening if not promptly diagnosed and treated. We report a case of early treatment with transcatheter arterial embolization and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.

Case Presentation: A 19-year-old Japanese male was diagnosed with left pneumothorax and underwent chest tube drainage.

Low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm penetrating sigmoid colon: A case report.

Low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm (LAMN) is principally characterized by low-grade cytology without evidence of invasion to other organs. We report a LAMN surgical case whose appendiceal tumor penetrated the sigmoid colon wall. An 87-year-old man was referred for endoscopic resection (ER) of a colon polyp.

Unraveling the influence of TTF-1 expression on immunotherapy outcomes in PD-L1-high non-squamous NSCLC: a retrospective multicenter study.

Introduction: Several studies explored the association between thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1) and the therapeutic efficacy of immunotherapy. However, the effect of TTF-1 on the therapeutic efficacy of programmed death-1 (PD-1) inhibitor/chemoimmunotherapy in patients with non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (non-Sq NSCLC) with a programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) tumor proportion score of 50% or more who are highly susceptible to immunotherapy remains unresolved. Therefore, we evaluated whether TTF-1 has a clinical impact on this population.

Association between Physical Activity and Quality of Life in Colorectal Cancer Patients with Postoperative Defecatory Dysfunction: A Preliminary Survey.

In this study, we aimed to explore the association between physical activity (PA) and quality of life (QoL) in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients with postoperative defecatory dysfunction. A survey using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-30 and QLQ-29 was conducted among 62 adult outpatients with CRC at two cancer hospitals in Japan. PA and sedentary behavior were evaluated using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire.

The efficacy of simple oral nutritional supplements versus usual care in postoperative patients with gastric cancer: study protocol for a multicenter, open-label, parallel, randomized controlled trial.

Background: Body weight loss (BWL) after gastrectomy impact on the short- and long-term outcomes. Oral nutritional supplement (ONS) has potential to prevent BWL in patients after gastrectomy. However, there is no consistent evidence supporting the beneficial effects of ONS on BWL, muscle strength and health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Biological Agents for Treating Atezolizumab-Induced Psoriasis in Small-Cell Lung Cancer: A Case Report.

One of the immune-related adverse events from immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is skin toxicity. Oral corticosteroids are the first-line treatment for severe cutaneous immune-related adverse events. However, corticosteroids may conflict with the efficacy of ICIs.

Exercise, Dietary Habits, and Defecatory Dysfunction in Patients Living with Colorectal Cancer: A Preliminary Quantitative Study.

This study investigated the association of exercise and dietary habits with defecatory dysfunction in patients living with colorectal cancer. We recruited 61 adult patients who had undergone surgery within the past 20 years and attended outpatient clinics at designated cancer hospitals in Japan. Defecatory dysfunction was defined as any symptom caused by issues with colon and anal function, including fecal incontinence, evacuation difficulties, frequent stools, diarrhea, and constipation.

Metagenomic Analysis of Biliary Microbial Flora in Patients with Gallbladder Cancer or Gallstones-Associated Chronic Cholecystitis.

Biliary dysbiosis is associated with gallbladder cancer (GBC). We aimed to look for biliary bacteria specifically detected in GBC patients. We used 16S rRNA-based metagenomic analysis to elucidate biliary microbiota in 30 GBC and 30 gallstones-associated chronic cholecystitis patients.

In vitro throughput screening of anticancer drugs using patient-derived cell lines cultured on vascularized three-dimensional stromal tissues.

The development of high-throughput anticancer drug screening methods using patient-derived cancer cell (PDC) lines that maintain their original characteristics in an in vitro three-dimensional (3D) culture system poses a significant challenge to achieving personalized cancer medicine. Because stromal tissue plays a critical role in the composition and maintenance of the cancer microenvironment, in vitro 3D-culture using reconstructed stromal tissues has attracted considerable attention. Here, a simple and unique in vitro 3D-culture method using heparin and collagen together with fibroblasts and endothelial cells to fabricate vascularized 3D-stromal tissues for in vitro culture of PDCs is reported.