Prognostic impact of minimal pleural effusion in non-small-cell lung cancer

[Detection of carcinoembryonic antigen levels in pleural effusion and serum and their ratio for differential diagnosis of pleural effusion resulting from tuberculosis and lung cancer]

OBJECTIVE

To study the clinical value of detecting carcinoembryonic antigen levels in pleural effusion (PCEA) and serum (SCEA) and their ratio (P/S) in the differential diagnosis of pleural effusions resulting from tuberculosis and lung cancer.

METHODS

This retrospectively study was conducted among 82 patients with pleural effusion caused by pulmonary tuberculous (TB; control group) and 120 patients with pleural effusion resulting from lung cancer in our hospital between April, 2016 and March, 2018. PCEA, SCEA and P/S were compared between the two groups and among the subgroups of lung cancer patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SqCa), adenocarcinoma (ACA), small cell carcinoma (SCLC). The receiveroperating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was used to confirm the optimal critical value to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of different combinations of PCEA, SCEA and P/S.

RESULTS

PCEA, SCEA and P/S were significantly higher in the overall cancer patients and in all the 3 subgroups of cancer patients than in the patients with TB (P < 0.05). The areas under the ROC curve of PCEA, SCEA and P/S were 0.925, 0.866 and 0.796, respectively; PCEA had the highest diagnostic value, whose diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, accurate rate, and diagnostic threshold were 83.33%, 96.34, 88.61%, and 3.26 ng/ml, respectively; SCEA had the lowest diagnostic performance; the diagnostic performance of P/S was between that of SCEA and PCEA, but its combination with SCEA greatly improved the diagnostic performance and reduced the rates of misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis. Parallel tests showed that the 3 indexes combined had significantly higher diagnostic sensitivity than each or any two of the single indexes (P < 0.05), but the diagnostic specificity did not differ significantly. The area under the ROC curve of combined detections of the 3 indexes was 0.941 for diagnosis of lung cancer-related pleural effusion, higher than those of any other combinations of the indexes.

CONCLUSIONS

The combined detection of PCEA, SCEA and P/S has a high sensitivity for diagnosis of lung cancer-related pleural effusion and provides important information for rapid and accurate diagnosis of suspected cases.

IL-10 promotes malignant pleural effusion in mice by regulating TH 1- and TH 17-cell differentiation and migration

The role of IL-10 in malignant pleural effusion (MPE) remains unknown. By using murine MPE models, we observed that an increase in pleural IL-10 was a significant predictor of increased risk of death. We noted that T_H 1- and T_H 17-cell content in MPE was higher in IL-10^-/- mice than in WT mice, and IL-10 deficiency promoted differentiation into T_H 1 but not into T_H 17 cells. A higher fraction of T_H 1 and T_H 17 cells in the MPE of IL-10^-/- mice expressed CXCR3 compared with WT mice. We also demonstrated that Lewis lung cancer and colon adenocarcinoma cells secreted large amounts of CXCL10, a ligand of CXCR3, which induced the migration of T_H 1 and T_H 17 cells into the MPE, and IFN-γ could promote this signaling cascade. Furthermore, intrapleural injection of mice with CXCL10-deficient tumor cells led to decreased T_H 1- and T_H 17-cell content in MPE, increased MPE volume, and reduced survival of MPE-bearing mice. Taken together, we demonstrated that IL-10 deficiency promoted T-cell differentiation into T_H 1 cells and upregulated the CXCR3-CXCL10 signaling pathway that recruits T_H 1 and T_H 17 cells into MPE, ultimately resulting in decreased MPE formation and longer survival time of mice-bearing MPE.

Gender as an independent prognostic factor in small-cell lung cancer: Inha Lung Cancer Cohort study using propensity score matching

Introduction

The prognostic relevance of gender is undetermined in patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). Therefore, we investigated whether gender is a prognostic factor in a SCLC cohort after controlling for confounding factors.

Materials and methods

Fifteen prognostic factors were classified into four groups (patient, stage migration, tumor, and treatment). The prognostic relevance of gender was evaluated using propensity score matching, Cox proportional hazards regression, and stepwise fashion adjustments.

Results

Of 591 patients with SCLC, 88 were women (14.9%). Women were more likely than men to have no history of smoking (48.9% vs. 2.0%, P < 0.001) and limited disease (48.9% vs. 37.8%, P = 0.050). Women had less progressive disease in M stage than men (52.3% vs. 62.8%, P = 0.031). Women had better survival than men in the entire cohort (median survival times [MSTs] and 95% confidence intervals [CIs]: 9.7 months and 7.8–11.6 for women, 8.0 months and 7.0–8.9 for men, log-rank P = 0.034) and in the matched cohort (MSTs and 95% CIs: 8.8 months and 5.8–11.8 for women, 5.9 months and 4.5–7.4 for men, log-rank P = 0.013). Female gender was a prognostic factor predicting better survival, even after stepwise and full adjustment with all prognostic variables (adjusted hazard ratios and 95% CIs: 0.51 and 0.34–0.77, P = 0.001 for entire cohort, 0.42 and 0.24–0.75, P = 0.003 for matched cohort).

Conclusions

Our results confirmed that gender is an independent prognostic factor in patients with SCLC.

[Analysis of Prognostic Factors and Clinical Characteristics for Patients with Limited Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer with Pleural Effusion]

背景与目的

一般将含有肿瘤细胞的胸水称为恶性胸水，预后差，因量少而无法定性胸水预后同样较差。本研究分析合并胸腔积液局限期小细胞肺癌患者的临床特点、预后因素。

方法

回顾性分析了2007年10月-2016年1月期间于我院诊断为局限期小细胞肺癌542例患者，对其中初诊含有胸水患者109例的临床特点及生存时间、预后因素进行分析。主要观察指标为总生存期及无进展生存期。

结果

全组患者中位总生存期、中位无进展生存期分别为29.4个月、18.2个月。治疗前合并胸水的患者较无胸水者生存期明显缩短（中位OS 21.0个月vs 31.7个月，中位PFS 14.1个月vs 19.1个月；Log-rankP=0.001, P=0.014），Cox多因素分析表明胸水是局限期小细胞肺癌的独立预后因素（P=0.004）；对于胸水患者，单因素分析提示影响OS的因素有临床分期、淋巴结分期、KPS评分、肺不张、治疗后胸水状态；而Cox多因素分析提示，治疗后胸水状态是合并胸水的局限期小细胞肺癌患者的独立预后因素（P=0.016）；患者初治无胸水（n=433）与经治后胸水消失（n=67）、胸水未消失（n=32）三组患者中位OS分别为31.7个月、23.2个月和16.8个月，中位PFS为19.1个月、17.9个月和11.4个月，三组生存期之间比较有明显差异（Log-rank, P < 0.001, P < 0.002），其中后两组差距明显（Log-rank, P=0.046, P=0.013），而前两组比较无明显差异（Log-rank, P=0.088, P=0.656）；对于胸水的患者，行放化疗治疗与单独化疗相比并无明显差距（Log-rank, P=0.243, P=0.390）。

结论

合并胸水局限期小细胞肺癌生存期明显缩短，经治疗后胸水消失是生存的独立良好预后因素，如何治疗值得进一步探索。

Activated naïve B cells promote development of malignant pleural effusion by differential regulation of TH1 and TH17 response

Inflammatory signaling networks between tumor cells and immune cells contribute to the development of malignant pleural effusion (MPE). B cells have been found in MPE; however, little is known about their roles there. In the present study, by using mouse MPE models, we noted that although the total B cells in MPE were decreased as compared with the corresponding blood and spleen, the percentage of activated naïve B cells expressing higher levels of CD80, CD86, myosin heavy chain-II, CD44, CD69, and programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) molecules were increased in wild-type mouse MPE. Compared with wild-type mice, decreased T helper (T_H)1 cells and increased T_H17 cells were present in B cell-deficient mouse MPE, which paralleled to the reduced MPE volume and longer survival time. Adoptive transfer of activated naïve B cells into B cell-deficient mice was able to increase T_H1 cells and decrease T_H17 cells in MPE and shorten the survival of mice bearing MPE. Furthermore, we demonstrated that activated naïve B cells inhibited T_H17-cell expansion via the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway and promoted naïve CD4⁺ T-cell differentiation into T_H1/T_H17 cells through secreting IL-27/IL-6 independent of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway. Collectively, our data uncovered a mechanism by which naïve B cells promote MPE formation by regulating T_H1/T_H17 cell responses, making these B cells an attractive target for therapeutic intervention in the fight against cancer.

Combination of long noncoding RNA MALAT1 and carcinoembryonic antigen for the diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion caused by lung cancer

Purpose

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are present in body fluids, but their potential as tumor biomarkers has never been investigated in malignant pleural effusion (MPE) caused by lung cancer. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical significance of lncRNAs in pleural effusion, which could potentially serve as diagnostic and predictive markers for lung cancer-associated MPE (LC-MPE).

Patients and methods

RNAs from pleural effusion were extracted in 217 cases of LC-MPE and 132 cases of benign pleural effusion (BPE). Thirty-one lung cancer-associated lncRNAs were measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The level of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was also determined. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) were established to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the identified lncRNAs and other biomarkers. The correlations between baseline pleural effusion lncRNAs expression and response to chemotherapy were also analyzed.

Results

Three lncRNAs (MALAT1, H19, and CUDR) were found to have potential as diagnostic markers in LC-MPE. The AUCs for MALAT1, H19, CUDR, and CEA were 0.891, 0.783, 0.824, and 0.826, respectively. Using a logistic model, the combination of MALAT1 and CEA (AUC, 0.924) provided higher sensitivity and accuracy in predicting LC-MPE than CEA (AUC, 0.826) alone. Moreover, baseline MALAT1 expression in pleural fluid was inversely correlated with chemotherapy response in patients with LC-MPE.

Conclusion

Pleural effusion lncRNAs were effective in differentiating LC-MPE from BPE. The combination of MALAT1 and CEA was more effective for LC-MPE diagnosis.

Combined therapy with epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors for non-small cell lung cancer

INTRODUCTION

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have a pronounced clinical benefit for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) positive for EGFR activating mutations. Such individuals inevitably develop resistance to these drugs, however, new treatment strategies to overcome such resistance are being actively pursued. The clinical benefit of EGFR-TKIs for patients with locally advanced NSCLC remains to be clarified. Areas covered: This review summarizes the recent progress in combination treatment with EGFR-TKIs and either chemotherapy or radiotherapy for patients with NSCLC positive for EGFR activating mutations. Expert commentary: Combination therapy with EGFR-TKIs and various other treatment options are under investigation in clinical studies. Although early studies failed to show a clinical benefit for such combination therapy because of a lack of patient selection, clinical studies with patient selection based on EGFR mutation status have shown promising results. Such combination therapy might eventually replace the current standard treatment for patients with NSCLC positive for EGFR activating mutations.

The prognosis after contraindicated surgery of NSCLC patients with malignant pleural effusion (M1a) may be better than expected

Although non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with malignant pleural effusion (M1a) is generally contraindicated for surgery, several reports have demonstrated favorable prognosis. This study aimed to describe the results of surgical intervention in this disease. In this retrospective study, we evaluated NSCLC patients with ipsilateral malignant pleural effusion selected from Surveillance Epidemiology and End-Results database (SEER). Primary tumor resection was compared to no tumor resection in the overall survival (OS) and lung cancer-specific survival (LCSS). Multivariate analyses and propensity score matching were applied to compare the two groups. The study included 2,217 eligible patients. Primary tumor resection group was significantly associated with better OS and LCSS compared to no tumor resection group (the median survival time (MST), 20 vs 7 months; OS, p <0.001; LCSS, p <0.001). Multivariable analyses indicated that no primary tumor resection was associated with decreased OS (Hazard Ratio (HR), 2.136; p<0.001) and LCSS (HR, 2.053; p<0.001). In propensity score-matched pairs, better OS and LCSS were further validated in patients with ipsilateral malignant pleural effusion who underwent primary tumor resection compared to no tumor resection (MST, 20 vs 6 months; OS, p <0.001; LCSS, p <0.001). Similarly, multivariable analyses also indicated that no primary tumor resection was associated with decreased OS (HR, 2.309; p <0.001) and LCSS (HR, 2.301; p <0.001) for patients with ipsilateral malignant pleural effusion. In conclusion, the prognosis after contraindicated surgery of NSCLC patients with malignant pleural effusion (M1a) may be better than expected. Thus, subsequent studies should aim to identify patients who could benefit from surgery.

Prognostic Factors of Malignant Pleural Effusion among Palliative Care Outpatients: A Retrospective Study

Background

Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) has varied survival and indicates advanced disease. LENT prognostic score is the first validated score used for MPE. This study assessed the role of LENT among palliative care cancer patients and assessed different patient, tumor, and treatment related factors that may affect survival.

Methods

A retrospective study of advanced cancer patients with MPE, seen in palliative care outpatient clinic (2013-2015) until death, was done. LENT prognostic score could be calculated in 15 patients. Patient, tumor, and treatment related factors that affect survival were assessed.

Results

The study included 48 patients (70.8% female; 29.2% male) with a median age of 53 years. Lung (41.7%) was the most common primary, and adenocarcinoma (44.7%) was the most common histology. The median overall survival (OS) was 14.5 months (interquartile range [IQR]: 5.25-32.75) and median survival time (ST) was 3 months (IQR: 1-7.75). ST was significantly low with poor Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (P = 0.002), bilateral effusion (P < 0.001), and with no oncological treatment after MPE diagnosis (P < 0.001). OS and ST were significantly low with lung primary (P = 0.006 and 0.02, respectively). Age, gender, breathlessness, tumor histology, lung metastasis, and interventions for MPE did not significantly affect survival. The median ST in the moderate and high risk LENT groups was 6 and 3 months, respectively (P = 0.16).

Conclusion

ECOG performance status, bilateral effusion, and no oncological treatment after diagnosis of MPE were associated with poor ST. Lung primary was associated with shorter OS and ST. Small numbers precluded any definitive conclusion on the prognostic value of LENT in our group of patients, and hence larger studies are recommended.

Assessment of real-time PCR method for detection of EGFR mutation using both supernatant and cell pellet of malignant pleural effusion samples from non-small-cell lung cancer patients

BACKGROUND

EGFR mutation is an emerging biomarker for treatment selection in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. However, optimal mutation detection is hindered by complications associated with the biopsy procedure, tumor heterogeneity and limited sensitivity of test methodology. In this study, we evaluated the diagnostic utility of real-time PCR using malignant pleural effusion samples.

METHODS

A total of 77 pleural fluid samples from 77 NSCLC patients were tested using the cobas EGFR mutation test (Roche Molecular Systems). Pleural fluid was centrifuged, and separated cell pellets and supernatants were tested in parallel. Results were compared with Sanger sequencing and/or peptide nucleic acid (PNA)-mediated PCR clamping of matched tumor tissue or pleural fluid samples.

RESULTS

All samples showed valid real-time PCR results in one or more DNA samples extracted from cell pellets and supernatants. Compared with other molecular methods, the sensitivity of real-time PCR method was 100%. Concordance rate of real-time PCR and Sanger sequencing plus PNA-mediated PCR clamping was 98.7%.

CONCLUSIONS

We have confirmed that real-time PCR using pleural fluid had a high concordance rate compared to conventional methods, with no failed samples. Our data demonstrated that the parallel real-time PCR testing using supernatant and cell pellet could offer reliable and robust surrogate strategy when tissue is not available.

Malignant pleural effusions because of lung cancer

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The discovery of a pleural effusion in the setting of lung cancer has diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic challenges, some of which are addressed in this review.

RECENT FINDINGS

Around 20% of patients with lung cancer have minimal pleural effusions, which are not amenable to a diagnostic thoracentesis. These patients have a poorer overall survival (∼7.5 months) than those without effusions (∼12-18 months), although slightly better than those with proven malignant fluids (∼5.5 months). Tumor genotype techniques are feasible on pleural fluid specimens and clinically helpful in identifying patients who may benefit from targeted therapies. If limited pleural involvement is detected during lung cancer surgery despite the presurgical imaging studies, macroscopic complete resection of the lung tumor is still a treatment option. Cytological examination for cancer cells in pleural cavity washings at the time of thoracotomy (pleural lavage cytology) is recommended to uncover pleural dissemination. Patients with non-small cell lung cancer with visceral pleural invasion might be considered candidates for postsurgical adjuvant therapy.

SUMMARY

Some predictors of adverse survival in patients with lung cancer include the presence of a minimal pleural effusion, positive pleural lavage cytology, visceral pleural invasion on pathologic examination, and unexpected pleural involvement during surgery.

Addition of bevacizumab for malignant pleural effusion as the manifestation of acquired EGFR-TKI resistance in NSCLC patients

This study aimed to investigate the role of bevacizumab in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who had developed acquired resistance to EGFR-TKIs therapy that manifested as malignant pleural effusion (MPE). In total, 86 patients were included. 47 patients received bevacizumab plus continued EGFR-TKIs and 39 patients received bevacizumab plus chemotherapy. The curative efficacy rate for MPE in bevacizumab plus EGFR-TKIs group was significantly higher than that in bevacizumab plus chemotherapy group (89.4% vs. 64.1%, respectively; P = 0.005). Patients in bevacizumab plus EGFR-TKIs group had longer progression-free survival (PFS) than those in bevacizumab plus chemotherapy group (median PFS 6.3 vs. 4.8 months, P = 0.042). While patients with acquired T790M mutation in bevacizumab plus EGFR-TKIs group had a significantly longer PFS than those in bevacizumab plus chemotherapy group (median PFS 6.9 vs. 4.6 months, P = 0.022), patients with negative T790M had similar PFS (median PFS 6.1 vs. 5.5 months, P = 0.588). Overall survival (OS) was similar between two groups (P = 0.480). In multivariate analysis, curative efficacy was an independent prognostic factor (HR 0.275, P = 0.047). In conclusion bevacizumab plus EGFR-TKIs could be a valuable treatment for NSCLC patients presenting with MPE upon resistant to EGFR-TKIs therapy, especially for those with acquired T790M mutation.

Diagnostic value of medical thoracoscopy in malignant pleural effusion

Background

Medical thoracoscopy has been shown to be an efficacious procedure in diagnosing unexplained exudative pleural effusions with excellent safety. This study aimed to assess the diagnostic significance of thoracoscopy in the management of patients with malignant pleural effusion (MPE).

Methods

Consecutive patients with malignant pleural effusion were retrospectively reviewed, and their demographic, radiographic, thoracoscopic and histological data were collected.

Results

Between July 2005 and June 2014, 342 of 833 patients undergoing thoracoscopy were finally confirmed to suffer from MPE. The top three frequent causes of MPE were metastatic carcinoma (79.5%), malignant mesothelioma (10.2%), and lymphoma (2.9%). Among metastatic malignancies, the most common cancer was lung cancer (85.2%), followed by breast cancer (4.4%), ovarian cancer (2.2%), pancreatic cancer (1.8%), etc. No serious adverse events associated with thoracoscopy were recorded.

Conclusions

Medical thoracoscopy is a valuable and safe tool in diagnosing malignant pleural effusion with minimal complication rates.

Mutant KRAS promotes malignant pleural effusion formation

Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is the lethal consequence of various human cancers metastatic to the pleural cavity. However, the mechanisms responsible for the development of MPE are still obscure. Here we show that mutant KRAS is important for MPE induction in mice. Pleural disseminated, mutant KRAS bearing tumour cells upregulate and systemically release chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) into the bloodstream to mobilize myeloid cells from the host bone marrow to the pleural space via the spleen. These cells promote MPE formation, as indicated by splenectomy and splenocyte restoration experiments. In addition, KRAS mutations are frequently detected in human MPE and cell lines isolated thereof, but are often lost during automated analyses, as indicated by manual versus automated examination of Sanger sequencing traces. Finally, the novel KRAS inhibitor deltarasin and a monoclonal antibody directed against CCL2 are equally effective against an experimental mouse model of MPE, a result that holds promise for future efficient therapies against the human condition.

Prognostic Impact of Minimal Pericardial Effusion in Patients With Advanced Non-small-cell Lung Cancer

INTRODUCTION

Minimal (< 10 mm in thickness) pericardial effusion (PCE) can be incidentally detected by computed tomography at the time of diagnosis in patients with lung cancer. Although malignant PCE is known to be associated with poor prognosis, the impact of minimal PCE on outcome has remained unclear. We therefore examined the prognostic relevance of minimal PCE in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed consecutive patients diagnosed with stage IV NSCLC at Kindai University Hospital between April 2009 and March 2015. The patients were classified into 3 groups on the basis of the presence and thickness of PCE: no PCE, minimal (< 10 mm) PCE, and malignant (≥ 10 mm) PCE. The relation between overall survival and PCE status was examined with a Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

The total of 428 enrolled patients included 327 (76.4%) in the no PCE group, 61 (14.3%) in the minimal PCE group, and 40 (9.3%) in the malignant PCE group. Median overall survival was 15.0, 10.1, and 7.6 months in the no PCE, minimal PCE, and malignant PCE groups, respectively, with the survival of patients with minimal PCE thus being intermediate between that of the other 2 groups (P = .003). Multivariable analysis revealed that minimal PCE was independently associated with reduced survival (hazard ratio, 1.46; 95% confidence interval, 1.07-1.96; P = .019).

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of minimal PCE was an independent prognostic factor for reduced survival in patients with advanced NSCLC.

Prognostic impact of EGFR mutation in non-small-cell lung cancer patients with family history of lung cancer

Background

A family history can be a valuable tool in the era of precision medicine. Although a few studies have described an association of family history of lung cancer with EGFR activating mutation, their impact on survival of lung cancer patients is unclear.

Methods

The study included consecutive 829 non-small-cell lung cancer patients who received analysis of EGFR mutation in a prospective lung cancer cohort. Family history of lung cancer was obtained by face-to-face interviews at the time of diagnosis. An association of EGFR activating mutation with a family history of lung cancer in first-degree relatives was evaluated with multivariate logistic regression analysis, and its association with survival was estimated with Cox’s proportional hazards model.

Results

Seventy five (9.0%) patients had family history of lung cancer. The EGFR mutation was commonly observed in patients with positive family history compared to those with no family history (46.7% v 31.3%, χ² p = 0.007). The family history was significantly associated with the EGFR mutation (aOR and 95% CI: 2.01 and 1.18–3.60, p = 0.011). Patients with the positive family history survived longer compared to those without (MST, 17.9 v 13.0 months, log-rank p = 0.037). The presence of the EGFR mutation was associated with better survival in patients without the family history (aHR and 95% CI: 0.72 and 0.57–0.90, p = 0.005). However, this prognostic impact was not observed in patients with the positive family history (aHR and 95% CI: 1.01 and 0.50–2.36, p = 0.832).

Conclusions

In comparison to patients without the family history, EGFR activating mutation was common, and it did not affect prognosis in patients with positive family history.

Diagnosis of anaplastic lymphoma kinase rearrangement in cytological samples through a fluorescence in situ hybridization-based assay: Cytological smears versus cell blocks

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) status analysis of lung cytological specimens should be successfully encouraged in routine practice because biopsy specimens are not always available. To date, the US Food and Drug Administration has approved both fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) as diagnostic tests for identifying ALK-positive patients eligible for treatment with crizotinib. Although ALK IHC is an optimal diagnostic tool, FISH becomes mandatory in equivocal cases. ALK FISH of paraffin-embedded tissue material is still the gold standard, whereas the cytological specimen assay has not yet been completely standardized. Many controversial data have been reported on the adequacy of cytology cell blocks (CBs) versus conventional smears for FISH testing. This review discusses some critical issues related to ALK FISH of cytological samples, including the triaging of collected specimens to optimize the material, the use of CBs versus conventional smears, and alternative methods for an ALK rearrangement diagnosis. Conventional smears have the advantages of an immediate evaluation, no probe tissue-related artifactual loss, no fixation-related alterations, and usually sufficient material for an analytic preparation. On the other hand, CBs have several advantages, including the appropriate conservation of the tissue architecture, an absence of problems related to cell overlapping, and the ability to evaluate neoplastic cells in a dark field. Cancer Cytopathol 2017;125:303-312. © 2017 American Cancer Society.

The role of surgical intervention in lung cancer with carcinomatous pleuritis

Patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) associated with carcinomatous pleuritis are currently classified as having stage IV disease per the 7^th edition of the tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) system, which means that the disease is deemed incurable. In fact, the 5-year survival rate of these patients was only 2% in a large global cohort collected by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer. However, patients with carcinomatous pleuritis have heterogeneous conditions. Some have minimal pleural effusion, which is first detected at thoracotomy; some have numerous pleural nodules without any effusion; and others have massive effusion and nodules with symptoms. Several investigators have reported the contribution of surgical intervention to favorable outcomes of patients with carcinomatous pleuritis first detected at thoracotomy. These reports show a relatively higher 5-year survival rate of 15% to 37%. The extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) is a radical surgical procedure that is commonly employed in the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma. Two authors reported that they have successfully performed EPPs for the treatment of patients with carcinomatous pleuritis. Their 5-year survival rates were estimated to be 22% and 61%, a significantly improved outcome. Although the development of chemotherapeutic agents, including molecular targeted drugs, might have the potential to prolong the survival of patients with advanced lung cancer, surgical interventions including EPP might have a role in improving the survival of patients with carcinomatous pleuritis of minimal disease and those without massive effusion or numerous pleural nodules.

Malignant Pleural Effusion and ascites Induce Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Cancer Stem-like Cell Properties via the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)/Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase (PI3K)/Akt/Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) Pathway

Malignant pleural effusion (PE) and ascites, common clinical manifestations in advanced cancer patients, are associated with a poor prognosis. However, the biological characteristics of malignant PE and ascites are not clarified. Here we report that malignant PE and ascites can induce a frequent epithelial-mesenchymal transition program and endow tumor cells with stem cell properties with high efficiency, which promotes tumor growth, chemoresistance, and immune evasion. We determine that this epithelial-mesenchymal transition process is mainly dependent on VEGF, one initiator of the PI3K/Akt/mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. From the clinical observation, we define a therapeutic option with VEGF antibody for malignant PE and ascites. Taken together, our findings clarify a novel biological characteristic of malignant PE and ascites in cancer progression and provide a promising and available strategy for cancer patients with recurrent/refractory malignant PE and ascites.

The IASLC Lung Cancer Staging Project: Proposals for the Revision of the M Descriptors in the Forthcoming Eighth Edition of the TNM Classification of Lung Cancer

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study is to analyze all metastatic (M) categories of the current tumor, node, and metastasis (TNM) classification of lung cancer with the objective of providing suggestions for modifications of the M component in the next edition of the TNM classification for lung cancer.

METHODS

The new International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer lung cancer database was created from 94,708 patients diagnosed as having lung cancer between 1999 and 2010. Including further patients submitted through the electronic data capture system to Cancer Research and Biostatistics until 2012, all together 1059 non-small-cell lung cancer cases were available for a detailed analysis of the clinical M categories. Overall survival was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and prognosis was assessed using a Cox proportional hazards regression analysis.

RESULTS

No significant differences were found among the M1a (metastases within the chest cavity) descriptors. However, when M1b (distant metastases outside the chest cavity) were assessed according to the number of metastases, tumors with a single metastasis in a single organ had significantly better prognosis than those with multiple metastases in one or several organs.

CONCLUSIONS

In this revision of the TNM classification, cases with pleural/pericardial effusions, contralateral/bilateral lung nodules, contralateral/bilateral pleural nodules, or a combination of multiple of these parameters should continue to be grouped as M1a category. Single metastatic lesions in a single distant organ should be newly designated to the M1b category. Multiple lesions in a single organ or multiple lesions in multiple organs should be reclassified as M1c category. This new division can serve as a first step into providing rational definitions for an oligometastatic disease stage in non-small-cell lung cancer in the future.

Seroma Cytology in Breast Cancer: An Underappreciated Issue

BACKGROUND

The presence of malignant cells in postoperative seroma has been ignored in current breast cancer treatment. We aimed to assess the presence of malignant seroma cytology and to evaluate its relationship with the known prognostic factors for breast cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The solution from irrigation of the operation field and postoperative drainage fluid from 68 patients were prospectively collected and examined for malignant cytology. The results were evaluated according to the tumor characteristics and patient demographics.

RESULTS

Malignant cytology was found in none of the intraoperative samples but was found in the postoperative samples from 4 patients. Of these 4 patients, 3 were free of axillary metastasis. None of the common risk factors for breast cancer was associated with the finding of malignant cytology.

CONCLUSION

Malignant cells can be seen in the drainage fluids from breast cancer patients independent of any contamination occurring during surgery, even in those without axillary metastasis.

Human lung adenocarcinoma cell cultures derived from malignant pleural effusions as model system to predict patients chemosensitivity

Background

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer related deaths and Malignant Pleural Effusion (MPE) is a frequent complication. Current therapies suffer from lack of efficacy in a great percentage of cases, especially when cancer is diagnosed at a late stage. Moreover patients’ responses vary and the outcome is unpredictable. Therefore, the identification of patients who will benefit most of chemotherapy treatment is important for accurate prognostication and better outcome. In this study, using malignant pleural effusions (MPE) from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, we established a collection of patient-derived Adenocarcinoma cultures which were characterized for their sensitivity to chemotherapeutic drugs used in the clinical practice.

Methods

Tumor cells present in MPEs of patients with NSCLC were isolated by density gradient centrifugation, placed in culture and genotyped by next generation sequencing. In a subset of cases patient derived xenografts (PDX) were obtained upon tumor cell inoculation in rag2/IL2 knock-out mice. Isolated primary cultures were characterized and tested for drug sensitivity by in vitro proliferation assays. Additivity, antagonism or synergy for combinatorial treatments were determined by analysis with the Calcusyn software.

Results

We have optimized isolation procedures and culture conditions to expand in vitro primary cultures from Malignant Pleural Effusions (MPEs) of patients affected by lung adenocarcinomas, the most frequent form of non small cell lung cancer. Using this approach we have been able to establish 16 primary cultures from MPEs. Cells were banked at low passages and were characterized for their mutational pattern by next generation sequencing for most common driver mutations in lung cancer. Moreover, amplified cultures were shown to engraft with high efficiency when injected in immunocompromised mice. Cancer cell sensitivity to drugs used in standard chemotherapy regimens was assessed either individually or in combination. Differential chemosensitivity and different mutation profiles were observed which suggests that this isolation method could provide a platform for predicting the efficacy of chemotherapy in the clinical setting. Most importantly for six patients it was possible to establish a correlation between drug response in vitro and response to therapy in the clinic.

Conclusions

Results obtained using primary cultured cells from MPEs underscore the heterogeneity of NSCLC in advanced stage as indicated by drug response and mutation profile. Comparison of data obtained from in vitro assays with patients’ responses to therapy leads to the conclusion that this strategy may provide a potentially useful approach for evaluating individual chemosensitivity profile and tailor the therapy accordingly. Furthermore, combining MPE-derived primary cultures with their genomic testing allows to identify patients eligible to trials with novel targeted agents.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12967-016-0816-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Minimal Pleural Effusion in Small Cell Lung Cancer: Proportion, Mechanisms, and Prognostic Effect

PURPOSE

To determine the frequency and investigate possible mechanisms and prognostic relevance of minimal (<10-mm thickness) pleural effusion in patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The single-center retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board of the hospital, and informed consent was waived by the patients. A cohort of 360 consecutive patients diagnosed with SCLC by using histologic analysis was enrolled in this study. Based on the status of pleural effusion on chest computed tomographic (CT) scans at diagnosis, patients were classified into three groups: no pleural effusion, minimal pleural effusion, and malignant pleural effusion. Eighteen variables related to patient, environment, stage, and treatment were included in the final model as potential confounders.

RESULTS

Minimal pleural effusion was present in 74 patients (20.6%) and malignant pleural effusion in 83 patients (23.0%). Median survival was significantly different in patients with no, minimal, or malignant pleural effusion (median survival, 11.2, 5.93, and 4.83 months, respectively; P < .001, log-rank test). In the fully adjusted final model, patients with minimal pleural effusion had a significantly increased risk of death compared with those with no pleural effusion (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.454 [95% confidence interval: 1.012, 2.090]; P = .001). The prognostic effect was significant in patients with stage I-III disease (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.751 [95% confidence interval: 1.586, 4.773]; P < .001), but it disappeared in stage IV disease. An indirect mechanism representing mediastinal lymphadenopathy was responsible for the accumulation in all but one patient with minimal pleural effusion.

CONCLUSIONS

Minimal pleural effusion is a common clinical finding in staging SCLC. Its presence is associated with worse survival in patients and should be considered when CT scans are interpreted.

Pleural involvement in lung cancer

The pleural space, a sterile secluded environment in the thoracic cavity, represents an attractive metastatic site for various cancers of lung, breast and gastrointestinal origins. Whereas lung and breast adenocarcinomas could invade the pleural space because of their anatomic proximity, "distant" cancers like ovarian or gastrointestinal tract adenocarcinomas may employ more active mechanisms to the same end. A pleural metastasis is often accompanied by a malignant pleural effusion (MPE), an unfavorable complication that severely restricts the quality of life and expectancy of the cancer patient. MPE is the net "product" of three different processes, namely inflammation, enhanced angiogenesis and vascular leakage. Current efforts are focusing on the identification of cancer cell autocrine (specific mutation spectra and biochemical pathways) and paracrine (cytokine and chemokine signals) characteristics as well as host features (immunological or other) that underlie the MPE phenotype. Herein we examine the pleural histology, cytology and molecular characteristics that make the pleural cavity an attractive metastasis destination for lung adenocarcinoma. Mesothelial and tumor features that may account for the tumor's ability to invade the pleural space are highlighted. Finally, possible therapeutic interventions specifically targeting MPE are discussed.

Toll-like receptor 4 signaling inhibits malignant pleural effusion by altering Th1/Th17 responses

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is involved in multiple malignancies; however, the role of TLR4 in the pathogenesis of malignant pleural effusion (MPE) remains unknown. The objectives of this study were to explore the impact of TLR4 signaling on the development of MPE in a murine model and to define the underline mechanisms by which TLR works. Development of MPE as well as proliferation and angiogenesis of pleural tumor were determined in TLR4(-/-) and wild type mice. Differentiation of Th1 and Th17 cells as well as their signal transductions was explored. The effects of TLR4 signaling on survival of mice bearing MPE were also investigated. Compared with wild type mice, Th1 cells were augmented, and Th17 cells were suppressed in MPE from TLR4(-/-) mice. The in vitro experiments showed that TLR4 deficiency promoted Th1 cell differentiation via enhancing STAT1 pathway and inhibited Th17 cell differentiation via suppressing STAT3 pathway. TLR4 deficiency promoted MPE formation and, thus, accelerated the death of mice bearing MPE, whereas intraperitoneal injection of anti-IFN-γ mAb or recombinant mouse IL-17 protein into TLR4(-/-) mice was associated with improved survival. Our data provides the first definitive evidence of a role for TLR4 signaling in protective immunity in the development of MPE. Our findings also demonstrate that TLR4 deficiency promotes MPE formation and accelerates mouse death by enhancing Th1 and suppressing Th17 response.

Mast cells mediate malignant pleural effusion formation

Mast cells (MCs) have been identified in various tumors; however, the role of these cells in tumorigenesis remains controversial. Here, we quantified MCs in human and murine malignant pleural effusions (MPEs) and evaluated the fate and function of these cells in MPE development. Evaluation of murine MPE-competent lung and colon adenocarcinomas revealed that these tumors actively attract and subsequently degranulate MCs in the pleural space by elaborating CCL2 and osteopontin. MCs were required for effusion development, as MPEs did not form in mice lacking MCs, and pleural infusion of MCs with MPE-incompetent cells promoted MPE formation. Once homed to the pleural space, MCs released tryptase AB1 and IL-1β, which in turn induced pleural vasculature leakiness and triggered NF-κB activation in pleural tumor cells, thereby fostering pleural fluid accumulation and tumor growth. Evaluation of human effusions revealed that MCs are elevated in MPEs compared with benign effusions. Moreover, MC abundance correlated with MPE formation in a human cancer cell-induced effusion model. Treatment of mice with the c-KIT inhibitor imatinib mesylate limited effusion precipitation by mouse and human adenocarcinoma cells. Together, the results of this study indicate that MCs are required for MPE formation and suggest that MC-dependent effusion formation is therapeutically addressable.

Important prognostic factors for survival in patients with malignant pleural effusion

BACKGROUND

The approach to palliative treatment of malignant pleural effusion (MPE) should be individualized because these patients generally have poor survival. Our study aimed to develop a model to identify prognostic factors or survival time in patients diagnosed with MPE.

METHODS

This is a retrospective, descriptive, observational study to identify prognostic factors related to MPE in patients with a confirmed cancer diagnosis. Cox regression analysis was used to determine significant potential prognostic factors with respect to survival time. Survival time was defined as the time from pathological diagnosis to death.

RESULTS

One hundred and sixty-five patients were included; 77 were men (47%) and 88 were women (53%). The median age was 60 years, and all of the patients were pathologically proven to have MPE. Non-small-cell lung cancer (36.0%), breast carcinoma (26%), and lymphoma (13.0%) were the most frequently diagnosed tumors. The median overall survival of patients from the initial diagnosis was 5 months (range: 1.0-96.0 months). Kaplan-Meier univariate analysis showed that survival was significantly related to the following prognostic factors: ECOG PS (hazard ratio [HR] 10.0, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 5.96 to 18.50, p < 0.0001), primary cancer site (HR 1.99, 95% CI 1.23 to 3.22, p < 0.01), positive pleural cytology (HR 1.25, 95% CI 0.88 to 1.78, p = 0.04), and positive histology (HR 1.33, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.81, p = 0.04). Other potential independent diagnostic factors that were examined did not affect survival. Cox regression analysis showed that only the ECOG PS was highly predictive of survival (HR 73.58, 95% CI 23.44 to 230.95, p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

ECOG PS is an independent predictor of survival in patients with MPE at initial diagnosis. This prognostic factor can help physicians select patients for appropriate palliative treatment of this syndrome.

Clinical features and survival of lung cancer patients with pleural effusions

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The clinical relevance of pleural effusions in lung cancer has seldom been approached systematically. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, causes and natural history of lung cancer-associated pleural effusions, as well as their influence on survival.

METHODS

Retrospective review of clinical records and imaging of 556 consecutive patients with a newly diagnosed lung cancer over a 4-year period at our institution.

RESULTS

Lung cancer comprised 490 non-small cell and 66 small cell types. About 40% of patients with lung cancer developed pleural effusions at some time during the course of their disease. In half the patients, the effusions were too small to be tapped. These effusions did not progress to require a pleural intervention. Patients with minimal effusions had a worse prognosis compared to patients without pleural effusions (median survival of 7.49 vs 12.65 months, P < 0.001). Less than 20% of the 113 patients subjected to a diagnostic thoracentesis had benign causes for their effusions. Palliative pleural procedures (like therapeutic thoracenteses, pleurodesis or tunnelled pleural catheters) were conducted in 79 (84%) of the 94 malignant effusions. An effusion's size equal to or greater than half of the hemithorax was a strong predictor of the need for a palliative procedure. Overall survival of patients with malignant effusions was 5.49 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Malignant pleural effusions are a poor prognostic factor in the setting of lung cancer, which includes minimal effusions not amenable to tapping.

Cell block samples from malignant pleural effusion might be valid alternative samples for anaplastic lymphoma kinase detection in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

AIM

To evaluate the clinical value of cell block samples from malignant pleural effusion (MPE) as alternative samples to tumour tissue for anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) detection in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Fifty-two matched samples were eligible for analysis. ALK status was detected by Ventana immunohistochemistry (IHC) (with the D5F3 clone), reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) in MPE cell block samples, and by FISH in tumour tissue block samples. In total, ALK FISH results were obtained for 52 tumour tissue samples and 41 MPE cell block samples. Eight cases (15.4%) were ALK-positive in tumour tissue samples by FISH, and among matched MPE cell block samples, five were ALK-positive by FISH, seven were ALK-positive by RT-PCR, and eight were ALK-positive by Ventana IHC. The ALK status concordance rates between tumour tissue and MPE cell block samples were 78.9% by FISH, 98.1% by RT-PCR, and 100% by Ventana IHC. In MPE cell block samples, the sensitivity and specificity of Ventana IHC (100% and 100%) and RT-PCR (87.5% and 100%) were higher than those of FISH (62.5% and 100%).

CONCLUSIONS

Malignant pleural effusion cell block samples had a diagnostic performance for ALK detection in advanced NSCLC that was comparable to that of tumour tissue samples. MPE cell block samples might be valid alternative samples for ALK detection when tissue is not available. Ventana IHC could be the most suitable method for ALK detection in MPE cell block samples.

Lung cancer coexisting with ipsilateral pleural effusion

SUMMARY 

Invasion beyond the elastic layer of the visceral pleura and/or diffuse pleural metastatic spread affects negatively survival in lung cancer. Presence of pleural effusion is also associated with poor prognosis, and image techniques can be of great help for diagnosis. When pleural fluid cytology is negative, thoracoscopy is advisable before attempting tumor resection, in order to detect unsuspected pleural metastases. If widespread pleural malignancy is confirmed, chemical pleurodesis using graded talc (with particles larger than 20 µm in diameter) is the best option, unless the lung is unable to re-expand. In this case, or when a previous pleurodesis has failed, or there is a short life expectancy, placement of a indwelling pleural catheter is the treatment of choice.

Monoclonal antibody targeting of mononuclear cell chemokines driving malignant pleural effusion

Recent evidence suggests that host immune cells contribute to the development of malignant pleural effusion (MPE), a common manifestation of metastatic cancer. We have identified such cells, predominantly mononuclear myeloid cells, recruited by tumor-orchestrated inflammatory chemokines. Moreover, targeting of these inflammation-associated mediators modified the disease course of MPE in mice.

Malignant pleural effusion: medical approaches for diagnosis and management

Malignant pleural effusions (MPEs) are the second leading cause of exudative pleural effusions after parapneumonic effusions. In the vast majority of cases, a MPE signifies incurable disease associated with high morbidity and mortality. Considerable advances have been made for the diagnosis of MPEs, through the development of improved methods in the specialized cytological and imaging studies. The cytological or histological confirmation of malignant cells is currently important in establishing a diagnosis. Furthermore, despite major advancements in cancer treatment for the past two decades, management of MPE remains palliative. This article presents a comprehensive review of the medical approaches for diagnosis and management of MPE.