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Ajimizu H, Sakamori Y. Narrative review of indication and management of induction therapy for thymic epithelial tumors. MEDIASTINUM (HONG KONG, CHINA) 2024; 8:44. [PMID: 39161586 PMCID: PMC11330911 DOI: 10.21037/med-23-30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/21/2024]
Abstract
Background and Objective Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) are rare and originate from the thymus. Thymomas and thymic carcinomas are the most common types of TETs. Of the two, thymomas tend to have a better prognosis and are typically localized, while thymic carcinomas have a worse prognosis and are more likely to spread. The Masaoka-Koga staging system is commonly used to determine the stage of TETs. Complete resection is the preferred treatment option, but treating locally advanced TETs can be challenging due to the invasion of surrounding structures. In such cases, induction therapy is administered to downstage the tumors and enable complete resection. We conducted this narrative review to evaluate the current progress in induction treatment for locally advanced TETs. Methods The literature search was performed using PubMed and Web of Science in June 2023. Prospective and retrospective published trials, systemic and narrative reviews, and meta-analyses were included. Key Content and Findings Induction chemotherapy is often used as a preoperative treatment for advanced TETs. Platinum and anthracycline-based chemotherapy regimens are commonly used for treating thymoma (response rate, 37-100%), and complete resection is highly common. Treatment with cisplatin and etoposide, carboplatin and paclitaxel, docetaxel and cisplatin have also demonstrated effectiveness, particularly in patients with thymic carcinoma or thymoma who cannot tolerate anthracycline regimens. The emergence of immunotherapy and targeted therapies may provide additional options for the treatment of TETs. Induction radiotherapy, as the sole treatment for TETs, is not widely practiced due to concerns about potential damage to surrounding tissues. However, combining modern radiation techniques with surgery has shown promising results in selected patients. Induction chemoradiotherapy, which combines chemotherapy and radiation, is an emerging approach for treating TETs. Despite the lack of randomized trials comparing chemotherapy with chemoradiotherapy, concurrent chemoradiation with radiation doses of 40-50 Gy is often considered the optimal induction therapy for thymic carcinoma patients or in more advanced special situations, such as great vessel invasion. Conclusions Overall, the optimal treatment for locally advanced TETs remains controversial. Induction therapy, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or chemoradiotherapy, is administered to downstage tumors and improve resectability. The choice of treatment depends on individual factors such as tumor stage, histology, and overall patient condition. However, further research and well-designed studies are needed to determine the most effective treatment strategies for locally advanced TETs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hitomi Ajimizu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yuichi Sakamori
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Japanese Red Cross Society Wakayama Medical Center, Wakayama, Japan
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Huangfu L, Li R, Huang Y, Wang S. The IL-17 family in diseases: from bench to bedside. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:402. [PMID: 37816755 PMCID: PMC10564932 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01620-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The interleukin-17 (IL-17) family comprises six members (IL-17A-17F), and recently, all of its related receptors have been discovered. IL-17 was first discovered approximately 30 years ago. Members of this family have various biological functions, including driving an inflammatory cascade during infections and autoimmune diseases, as well as boosting protective immunity against various pathogens. IL-17 is a highly versatile proinflammatory cytokine necessary for vital processes including host immune defenses, tissue repair, inflammatory disease pathogenesis, and cancer progression. However, how IL-17 performs these functions remains controversial. The multifunctional properties of IL-17 have attracted research interest, and emerging data have gradually improved our understanding of the IL-17 signaling pathway. However, a comprehensive review is required to understand its role in both host defense functions and pathogenesis in the body. This review can aid researchers in better understanding the mechanisms underlying IL-17's roles in vivo and provide a theoretical basis for future studies aiming to regulate IL-17 expression and function. This review discusses recent progress in understanding the IL-17 signaling pathway and its physiological roles. In addition, we present the mechanism underlying IL-17's role in various pathologies, particularly, in IL-17-induced systemic lupus erythematosus and IL-17-related tumor cell transformation and metastasis. In addition, we have briefly discussed promising developments in the diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune diseases and tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longjie Huangfu
- School of Stomatology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, P. R. China
| | - Ruiying Li
- Department of Oral Pathology, School of Stomatology, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, P. R. China
| | - Yamei Huang
- Department of Oral Pathology, School of Stomatology, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, P. R. China
| | - Shan Wang
- Department of Oral Pathology, School of Stomatology, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, P. R. China.
- Department of Stomatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 570216, P. R. China.
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Jin JN, Hao Y, Wang WX, Wu SY, Yue P, Song ZB. Chemoradiotherapy for untreated Masaoka-Koga stage IVB thymic carcinoma: a single-center retrospective study. Strahlenther Onkol 2023; 199:313-321. [PMID: 36729136 DOI: 10.1007/s00066-022-02042-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thymic carcinoma (TC) is a rare type of a malignant tumor. The optimal treatment for Masaoka-Koga stage IVB TC patients is controversial due to the rarity of the disease. Chemotherapy is still the preferred option, but the outcomes are unsatisfactory. Whether radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy could improve prognosis remains unclear. METHODS Untreated stage IVB TC patients who have received first-line chemotherapy were included in the present study. The patients who have undergone surgery were excluded. The primary outcomes were objective response rate (ORR) and progression-free survival (PFS). RESULTS Sixty-seven patients were included in the study. A total of 31 patients received chemoradiotherapy (ChemoRT cohort), and the remaining 36 patients only received chemotherapy (Chemo cohort). The median follow-up period was 40.3 months. The ORR for the ChemoRT and Chemo cohorts was 61.3 and 27.8%, respectively (P = 0.006). Furthermore, PFS (P = 0.003) and OS (P = 0.046) were significantly superior in the ChemoRT cohort. Radiotherapy maintained a significant favorable effect on PFS in multivariate analysis (P = 0.014), but the effect on OS was insignificant (P = 0.249). There was no advantage in PFS (P = 0.302) in the ChemoRT cohort in patients who received < 4 cycles of chemotherapy. In contrast, radiotherapy significantly improved PFS (P = 0.005) in patients who received ≥ 4 cycles of chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS Chemoradiotherapy used as the first-line treatment improved ORR and PFS in Masaoka-Koga stage IVB TC patients. Patients receiving more cycles of chemotherapy may have a better chance to benefit from chemoradiotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Nan Jin
- Phase I Clinical Trial Ward, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital/Institute of Cancer and Basic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Science, No. 1, East Banshan Road, 310022, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yue Hao
- The Second Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wen-Xian Wang
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital/Institute of Cancer and Basic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Science, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shi-Yan Wu
- Hangzhou Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Peng Yue
- Phase I Clinical Trial Ward, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital/Institute of Cancer and Basic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Science, No. 1, East Banshan Road, 310022, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zheng-Bo Song
- Phase I Clinical Trial Ward, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital/Institute of Cancer and Basic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Science, No. 1, East Banshan Road, 310022, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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Current and Future Issues in the Surgical Treatment of Thymic Epithelial Tumors: a Review. Indian J Surg 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s12262-023-03716-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
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Zucali PA, De Vincenzo F, Perrino M, Digiacomo N, Cordua N, D’Antonio F, Borea F, Santoro A. Systemic treatments for thymic tumors: a narrative review. MEDIASTINUM (HONG KONG, CHINA) 2021; 5:24. [PMID: 35118329 PMCID: PMC8794302 DOI: 10.21037/med-21-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Thymic epithelial tumours (TETs) are rare tumours originating from the thymus. Considering the rarity of this disease, the management of TETs is still challenging and difficult. In fact, all the worldwide clinical practice guidelines are based on data from retrospective analyses, prospective single arm trials or experts' opinions. The results of combined modality therapy (chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy) in thymic malignancies are reasonably good in less advanced cases whereas in case of advanced (unsuitable for surgery) or metastatic disease, a platinum-based chemotherapy is considered standard of care. Unfortunately, chemotherapy in the palliative setting has modest efficacy. Moreover, due to the lack of known oncogenic molecular alterations, no targeted therapy has been shown to be efficient for these tumours. In order to offer the best diagnostic and therapeutic tools, patients with TETs should be managed with a continuous and specific multidisciplinary expertise at any step of the disease, especially in the era of a novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Current evidences show that cancer patients might have more severe symptoms and poorer outcomes from COVID-19 infection than general population. With the exception of the patients carrying a Good's syndrome, there is no evidence that patients with TETs present a higher risk of infection compared with other cancer patients and their management should be the same. The aim of this review is to summarize the existing literature about systemic treatments for TETs in all clinical setting (local and locally advanced/metastatic disease) exploring how these therapeutic strategies have been managed in the COVID-19 era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Andrea Zucali
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabio De Vincenzo
- Department of Oncology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Perrino
- Department of Oncology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Nunzio Digiacomo
- Department of Oncology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Nadia Cordua
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy
| | - Federica D’Antonio
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Borea
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy
| | - Armando Santoro
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
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Zhang Y, Li Z, Chen Y, Tan L, Zeng Z, Ding J, Du S. Induction Strategy for Locally Advanced Thymoma. Front Oncol 2021; 11:704220. [PMID: 34367988 PMCID: PMC8339962 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.704220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Surgery remains cornerstone for the management of thymoma. Complete surgical resection (R0), is recognized as the constant and significant factor for prognosis. However, in locally advanced (Masaoka-Koga stages III-IVa) thymomas, achieving R0 resection remains challenging due to local-regional invasion of the disease. Induction treatment, with the aim of reducing bulky tumor mass, offers new strategy to facilitate totally surgical resection. Herein, we reviewed recent progress and provided a comprehensive overview of induction strategy in locally advance thymoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zongjuan Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yixing Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lijie Tan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhaochong Zeng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianyong Ding
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shisuo Du
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Yu Z, Yu L, Yu T, Yang XG, Zhang BX, Du X. Surgical feasibility and long-term outcome of superior vena cava replacement for advanced thymoma in patients undergoing preoperative chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy. Thorac Cancer 2021; 12:1074-1083. [PMID: 33569912 PMCID: PMC8017250 DOI: 10.1111/1759-7714.13872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The aim of this study was to investigate the long‐term outcome of superior vena cava (SVC) replacement after chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy for advanced thymoma. Methods The medical information of patients with advanced thymoma who underwent thymoma resection and SVC replacement in Beijing Tongren Hospital from 2002 to 2017 were reviewed. We compared surgical outcomes, postoperative complications and long‐term prognosis in the chemoradiotherapy + surgery group (CRT + surgery group, 19 cases) and the surgery group (26 cases). Results The operation time (486.05 ± 148.01 vs. 370.77 ± 124.32 min; p = 0.007) and intraoperative blood loss (1400 ml [IQR 1125–2105 ml] vs. 855 ml [IQR 555–1682.5 ml], p = 0.036), poor wound healing (three cases [15.79%] vs. zero cases [0.0%], p = 0.036) in the CRT + surgery group were significantly higher than those of the surgery group. There was no significant difference between the CRT + surgery group and the surgery group in postoperative chest tube drainage time, hospitalization time, postoperative arrhythmia and incidence of pneumonia. Kaplan Meier analysis showed that the recurrence‐free survival (RFS) curves of the CRT + surgery group patients were better than those of the surgery group (p = 0.031). However, overall survival (OS) between the two groups was not significantly different (p = 0.069). Conclusions Thymoma resection and SVC replacement is feasible for patients undergoing preoperative induction chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy for advanced thymoma. Although patients in the CRT + surgery group had a longer operation time and increased intraoperative bleeding, the RFS rate seemed to be better than that in the surgery group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Yu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Yu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Yu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xing-Guo Yang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Bao-Xun Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Du
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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