Lung neuroendocrine tumors: A systematic literature review (Review)

Application of Artificial Intelligence in Neuroendocrine Lung Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment: A Systematic Review

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) represent a heterogeneous group of neoplasms with diverse clinical presentations and prognoses. Accurate and timely diagnosis of these tumors is crucial for appropriate management and improved patient outcomes. In recent years, exciting advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) technologies have been revolutionizing medical diagnostics, particularly in the realm of detecting and characterizing pulmonary NETs, offering promising avenues for improved patient care. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the role of AI in diagnosing lung NETs. We discuss the current challenges associated with conventional diagnostic approaches, including histopathological examination and imaging modalities. Despite advancements in these techniques, accurate diagnosis remains challenging due to the overlapping features with other pulmonary lesions and the subjective interpretation of imaging findings. AI-based approaches, including machine learning and deep learning algorithms, have demonstrated remarkable potential in addressing these challenges. By leveraging large datasets of radiological images, histopathological samples, and clinical data, AI models can extract complex patterns and features that may not be readily discernible to human observers. Moreover, AI algorithms can continuously learn and improve from new data, leading to enhanced diagnostic accuracy and efficiency over time. Specific AI applications in the diagnosis of lung NETs include computer-aided detection and classification of pulmonary nodules on CT scans, quantitative analysis of PET imaging for tumor characterization, and integration of multi-modal data for comprehensive diagnostic assessments. These AI-driven tools hold promise for facilitating early detection, risk stratification, and personalized treatment planning in patients with lung NETs.

Masquerading as Pneumonia: A Lung Neuroendocrine Tumor Case Report

The presentation of recurrent pneumonia, particularly in the same lobe, should raise suspicion for possible neuroendocrine tumors of the lung within that respective lobe. Commonly, these types of tumors will have a gastrointestinal origin with a larger incidence of carcinoid syndrome, but they may also originate in the pancreas or lungs. This case illustrates the potential for a masked lung tumor in an otherwise young and healthy 31-year-old patient, with a short history of tobacco dependence and unremarkable family history, who presents with recurrent pneumonia and dyspnea. Although rare in itself, this case was even more unique due to the partial calcification of the neuroendocrine tumor mass along with causing a collapse in the entire right middle lobe.

Pro-Gastrin-Releasing Peptide as a Biomarker in Lung Neuroendocrine Neoplasm

There is a lack of effective biomarkers for diagnosing lung neuroendocrine neoplasms (LNENs). A known small cell lung cancer (SCLC) biomarker is a pro-gastrin-releasing peptide (ProGRP), but not for all LNENs, especially for bronchopulmonary carcinoids. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of ProGRP and chromogranin A (CgA) in diagnosing LNENs. The ProGRP and CgA levels in 290 cases of LNENs and 54 healthy controls (HCs) were measured. The median ProGRP concentration in the group of LNEN patients was 136.4 pg/mL, higher than that of HCs at 6.5 pg/mL. Most of the LNEN cohort was well-differentiated tumors (typical and atypical carcinoids, n = 262, 91.7% of all LNENs). The sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) of ProGRP when distinguishing LNENs vs. HCs were 94.8%, 100%, and 0.995. CgA (AUC = 0.375) could not determine LNENs vs. HCs. Therefore, based on these results, ProGRP may be considered as an effective marker for diagnosing LNENs.

The Importance of the Immune System and Molecular Cell Signaling Pathways in the Pathogenesis and Progression of Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is a disease that in recent years has become one of the greatest threats to modern society. Every year there are more and more new cases and the percentage of deaths caused by this type of cancer increases. Despite many studies, scientists are still looking for answers regarding the mechanisms of lung cancer development and progression, with particular emphasis on the role of the immune system. The aim of this literature review was to present the importance of disorders of the immune system and the accompanying changes at the level of cell signaling in the pathogenesis of lung cancer. The collected results showed that in the process of immunopathogenesis of almost all subtypes of lung cancer, changes in the tumor microenvironment, deregulation of immune checkpoints and abnormalities in cell signaling pathways are involved, which contribute to the multistage and multifaceted carcinogenesis of this type of cancer. We, therefore, suggest that in future studies, researchers should focus on a detailed analysis of tumor microenvironmental immune checkpoints, and to validate their validity, perform genetic polymorphism analyses in a wide range of patients and healthy individuals to determine the genetic susceptibility to lung cancer development. In addition, further research related to the analysis of the tumor microenvironment; immune system disorders, with a particular emphasis on immunological checkpoints and genetic differences may contribute to the development of new personalized therapies that improve the prognosis of patients.

Patients with ectopic ACTH syndrome might have a better prognosis in bronchopulmonary carcinoids with lymph node metastasis received radical surgery: a single-centre retrospective study in the last 22 years in China

Background

Bronchopulmonary carcinoids (BPCs) are rare malignancies but are known to be one of the most common causes of the ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) syndrome. Surgery is the mainstay of therapy and one key question considering surgical treatment is the impact of local lymph node metastases. We sought to determine the risk factors and prognosis of LN metastases in resected carcinoid patients.

Methods

Data of 42 patients of BPCs with lymph node metastasis who received radical surgery in Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) from Jan 2000 to Dec 2021 were retrospectively analysed. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were analyzed using Kaplan–Meier curves. Independent prognostic factors were assessed by COX hazard proportion model.

Results

It was indicated that in patients received radical surgery with local lymph node positive of BPCs, the 5-year OS and PFS rate was 74.5%, 68.3%, respectively. Multivariate Cox regression indicated that ectopic ACTH syndrome (EAS) could predict significantly to a better OS and PFS. In the subgroup analysis, the age, tumor size, Ki-67 index, histology and postoperative chemotherapy in patients with EAS had significantly differences with those without EAS.

Conclusions

Our study certified R0 resection with lymphadenectomy was effective in patients with lymph nodal positive. The ectopic ACTH syndrome was a protective factor for a better prognosis, which could provide clear evidence for operations.

Serum tumor markers for detection of bone metastases in patients with lung neuroendocrine neoplasms"

BACKGROUND

Bone metastases (BM) are related to worse outcome in patients with neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENpts).

AIM

Assess utility of serum tumor markers (STM) for detection of BM in lung NENpts.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Diagnostic metrics of STM, such as ferritin, carbohydrate antigens 19-9 (CA19-9), cancer antigen 125 (CA125), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and beta-2 microglobulin (BMG) were assessed in 62 Lung NEN patients (LNENpts), both with BM (BM-LNENpts) and without BM (non-BM-LNENpts) and 40 controls.

RESULTS

Except AFP, the mean circulating STM levels in LNENpts were significantly increased vs controls (p<0.04), but the most significant difference was in CA19-9 and CEA. BM-LNENpts exhibited an elevated level only for ferritin (n=6; 180.75±53.73 ng/ml; [182.68] compared to non-BM-LNENpts (n=56; 94.33±98.80 ng/ml; [70.35], p<0.001). Three from all used STM (ferritin, BMG and CA125) could differentiate BM-LNENpts from nonBM-LNENpts (area under the curve (AUC)=0.884 for ferritin, 0.74 for BMG and 0.658 for CA 125, p<0.05). These all three STM showed significant sensitivity (100%) by lower specificity in the detection of BM.

CONCLUSIONS

Some of the STM seem to have clinical utility for detection of BM-LNEN. The single good marker was ferritin (the high AUC, sensitivity and specificity) and fair biomarker was BMG. BM-LNENpts could be diagnosed by using CEA. The follow-up with combinations of STM (ferritin, BMG) could increase the diagnostic efficacy of BM-LNENpts. This requires further studies with larger patient groups.