Chest
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Comparative Study
Rationale for treatment of metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the lung using fibroblast growth factor receptor inhibitors.
We previously identified amplification of the fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 gene (FGFR1) as a potential therapeutic target for small-molecule inhibitor therapy in squamous cell lung cancer (L-SCC). Currently, clinical phase I trials are underway to examine whether patients with FGFR1-amplified L-SCC benefit from a targeted therapy approach using small-molecule inhibitors. Because most patients with lung cancer present with metastatic disease, we investigated whether lymph node metastases in L-SCC share the FGFR1 amplification status of their corresponding primary tumor. ⋯ FGFR1 amplification is a common genetic event occurring at a frequency of 16% in L-SCCs. Moreover, lymph node metastases derived from FGFR1-amplified L-SCCs also exhibit FGFR1 amplification. Therefore, we suggest that the FGFR1 amplification is a clonal event in tumor progression. Beyond this biologically relevant observation, the findings carry potential therapeutic implications in that small-molecule inhibitors may be applicable to the treatment of a subset of patients with metastatic L-SCC.
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Pulmonary invasive fungal disease is a frequent complication in patients with hematologic malignancies. Surgical resection in addition to antifungal therapy is an option for selected cases but often feared because of immunosuppression. ⋯ Lung resection is a therapeutic option for hematologic patients with pulmonary fungal infection. Despite immunosuppression, the perioperative morbidity and mortality is acceptable, and, therefore, the prognosis is not determined by the surgical intervention.
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Comparative Study
Drug-associated acute lung injury: a population-based cohort study.
A number of drugs have been reported as risk factors for acute lung injury (ALI) and ARDS. However, evidence is largely limited to case reports, and there is a paucity of data on the incidence and outcome of drug-associated ALI (DALI). ⋯ Drugs are important risk factors for ALI, and recognizing them as such may have important implications for early identification of patients at risk, discontinuation of the offending agent, and prognosis.
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Comparative Study
The complex relationship of serum adiponectin to COPD outcomes COPD and adiponectin.
COPD is a chronic inflammatory disorder with high risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Adiponectin is a hormone that has anti inflammatory, antidiabetic, and anti atherogenic activities. We investigated the relationship of serum adiponectin to health outcomes in COPD. ⋯ Adiponectin is a complex serum biomarker in COPD that is associated with decreased risk of cardiovascular events but increased risk of respiratory mortality. Because serum adiponectin is not significantly influenced by smoking status, it is a very promising biomarker of cardiovascular outcomes in COPD.
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Comparative Study
Effects of lecithinized superoxide dismutase and/or pirfenidone against bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis.
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) involves lung injury induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as superoxide anion, and fibrosis. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) catalyses the dismutation of superoxide anion to hydrogen peroxide. We recently reported that inhalation of lecithinized SOD (PC-SOD) ameliorated bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. We here studied effects of PC-SOD on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis and lung dysfunction and compared the results to those obtained with pirfenidone, a newly developed drug for IPF. ⋯ These results suggest that the superior activity of PC-SOD to pirfenidone against bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis and lung dysfunction is due to its unique antioxidant activity. We propose that treatment of IPF with a combination of PC-SOD and pirfenidone could be therapeutically beneficial.