Treatment patterns and clinical outcomes of patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer receiving neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy: A large-scale, multicenter, real-world study (NeoR-World).

BACKGROUND: Neoadjuvant immunotherapy has ushered in a new era of perioperative treatment for resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, large-scale data for verifying the efficacy and optimizing the therapeutic strategies of neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy in routine clinical practice are scarce. METHODS: NeoR-World (NCT05974007) was a multicenter, retrospective cohort study involving patients who received neoadjuvant immunotherapy plus chemotherapy or chemotherapy alone in routine clinical practice from 11 medical centers in China between January 2010 and March 2022. Propensity score matching was performed to address indication bias. RESULTS: A total of 408 patients receiving neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy and 684 patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy were included. The pathologic complete response (pCR) and major pathologic response (MPR) rates of the real-world neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy cohort were 32.8% and 58.1%, respectively. Notably, patients with squamous cell carcinoma exhibited significantly higher pCR and MPR rates than those with adenocarcinoma (pCR, 39.2% vs 16.5% [P < .001]; MPR, 66.6% vs 36.5% [P < .001]), whereas pCR and MPR rates were comparable among patients receiving different neoadjuvant cycles. In addition, the 2-year rates of disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rate were 82.0% and 93.1%, respectively. Multivariate analyses identified adjuvant therapy as an independent prognostic factor for DFS (hazard ratio [HR], 0.51; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.29-0.89; P = .018) and OS (HR, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.13-0.58; P < .001). A significantly longer DFS with adjuvant therapy was observed in patients with non-pCR or 2 neoadjuvant cycles. We observed significant benefits in pCR rate (32.4% vs 6.4%; P < .001), DFS (HR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.38-0.68; P < .001) and OS (HR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.40-0.94; P = .024) with immunotherapy plus chemotherapy compared to chemotherapy alone both in the primary propensity-matched cohort and across most key subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: The study validates the superior efficacy of neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy over chemotherapy alone for NSCLC. Adjuvant therapy could prolong DFS in patients receiving neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy, and patients with non-pCR or those who underwent 2 neoadjuvant cycles were identified as potential beneficiaries of adjuvant therapy.

Comparison of indocyanine green-near-infrared fluorescence guided and traditional mediastinal lymphadenectomy during radical esophagectomy: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The extent of lymph node dissection during radical esophagectomy remains a controversial topic. Thus, this study mainly aimed to explore the location of sentinel lymph nodes in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and the application value of the indocyanine green-near-infrared fluorescence system in lymphadenectomy. METHODS: This randomized controlled clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04615806) included 42 participants without neoadjuvant therapy who were lymph node negative based on positron emission tomography/computed tomography findings. Traditional esophagectomy with indocyanine green-near-infrared fluorescence imaging was performed after injecting 0.5 mL indocyanine green (1.25 mg/mL) into the esophageal submucosa in the 4 peritumoral quadrants. The primary endpoint was to determine the location of the sentinel lymph node in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma based on postoperative pathologic reports. RESULTS: A total of 40 patients, with 20 in each group, were included in the final analysis. In the indocyanine green group, indocyanine green-near-infrared fluorescence imaging was successful in all subjects. Seven cases (cases 2, 3, 9, 11, 17, 18, and 20) in the indocyanine green group exhibited lymph node metastases, all of which were near-infrared positive. The detection rate, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, sensitivity, and specificity were 100% (20 of 20 cases), 8.7% (13/150), 100% (265/265), 100% (13/13), and 65.9% (265/402), respectively. All near-infrared-negative lymph nodes were nonmetastatic lymph nodes. In addition, the number of mediastinal lymph nodes resected in the indocyanine green group was significantly higher than in the non-indocyanine green group. CONCLUSION: Indocyanine green-near-infrared might be an important and promising technique in predicting sentinel lymph nodes of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and could significantly improve the detection rate of lymph nodes of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Association between a family history of cancer and multiple primary lung cancer risks: a population-based analysis from China.

OBJECTIVES: The incidence of multiple primary lung cancer (MPLC) has increased in recent years. The risk factors of MPLC are not well studied, especially in the Asian population. This case-control study investigated the association between a family history of cancer and MPLC risk. METHODS: We used data from people who surgically confirmed MPLC with at least 2 nodes of Fujian Medical University Union Hospital and matched 1:2 normal individuals as controls between 2016 and 2017. Information on age, sex, lifestyle, personal history, and family history of cancer was collected using a self-administered questionnaire, and odds ratios (OR) were estimated using unconditional logistic regression. RESULTS: We included 2 104 patients. In total, 321 patients with histologically confirmed MPLC and 642 healthy controls were studied. The significantly higher ratio of current smokers was observed for the cases than the controls (54.1% vs. 30.0%). A family history of LC in first-degree relatives of the cases reported a significantly higher proportion than in the controls (15.3% vs. 8.6%). Family history of all cancers and LC significantly increased the risk of MPLC (OR = 1.64, P = 0.009 and OR = 2.59, P = 0.000, respectively). The multivariate analysis identified a significantly increased risk of MPLC (OR = 2.45, P = 0.000) associated with parents and siblings influenced by LC history. The younger age (aged < 55 years) of LC cases at diagnosis exhibited a significantly increased risk of MPLC (OR = 2.39, P = 0.000). A significant association with a family history of LC was found for male squamous carcinoma and male adenocarcinoma (OR = 1.59, p = 0.037 and OR = 1.64, p = 0.032, respectively). A positive association with LC history was only observed for female adenocarcinoma (OR = 2.23, p = 0.028). The risk of MPLC was not significantly associated with A family history of cancers in non-smokers (OR = 0.91, P = 0.236). Ever-smokers with a positive family history of cancer or LC had a significantly elevated risk of MPLC (OR = 4.01, P = 0.000 and OR = 6.49, P = 0.000, respectively). We also observed a very elevated risk for smokers with no family history (OR = 3.49, P = 0.000). Such a positive association was also observed in ever-smokers with no family history of LC (OR = 3.55, P = 0.000). Adenocarcinoma in females was prevalent and significantly associated with a family history of LC in risk of MPLC compared with other histologic subtypes. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest an association between a family history of LC and MPLC risk among an Asian population. Smoking status and family history of LC have a synergistic effect on MPLC. These findings indicate that MPLC exhibits familiar aggregation and that inherited genetic susceptibility may contribute to the development of MPLC.

Clear cell sarcoma of soft tissue in pleural cavity: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Clear cell sarcoma (CCS) of soft tissue is a rare malignant soft tissue sarcoma usually reported to locate at distal end of extremities and rarely at trunk. Herein, we report a case of CCS in pleural cavity. CASE SUMMARY: A 31-year-old male was admitted for an uncertain mass in left pleural cavity in routine physical examination without any symptoms. A VATS surgery was performed to remove the tumor. The pathological finding displayed a cystic mass with 6.5 cm at the longest diameter, dark red in section and cysts could be found locally. A strong expression of S-100, HMB45 and Vimentin was detected in immunohistochemical staining, which was inclined to the diagnosis of the CCS of soft tissue. The patient refused chemotherapy, radiotherapy and targeted therapy because of the personal financial situation. Follow-up computed tomography scans were done at the 90th postoperative day and the 180th postoperative day, and no obvious sign of recurrence was found till now. CONCLUSION: CCS of soft tissue also can be found in pleural cavity although in an extremely rare incidence. Radical resection is useful to improve the prognosis.

Laparoscopic extracorporeal repair without a mesh of parasternal diaphragmatic hernia in an elderly woman: A case report.

RATIONALE: The case of parasternal diaphragmatic hernia is relatively rare in adults. The best way for the treatment of diaphragmatic hernia is to receive operation, yet which surgical method is the best remains unclear. PATIENT CONCERNS: An elderly woman in the hospital was complaining about upper abdominal pain that was complicated by the parasternal diaphragmatic hernia. Such state was found accidentally in a car accident and diagnosed by a computed tomography (CT) scan. DIAGNOSIS: Parasternal diaphragmatic hernia. INTERVENTIONS: Laparoscopic surgery was performed. The hernial component was easily drawn back into the abdominal cavity, and hernia sac was resected. Closure hernia sac underwent full-thickness U-shaped transabdominal wall sutures with 3-0 Prolene (ETHICON) after straightening the needle without a mesh. OUTCOMES: The patient recovered quickly without postoperative complication. The hospital stay was 2 days. There was no recurrence and symptoms at a 6-month follow-up. LESSONS: Laparoscopic extracorporeal repair without using a mesh is a safe, quick, and effective approach. It seems to be an effective treatment of the parasternal diaphragmatic hernia, in particular for elderly patients.

New evidence guiding extent of lymphadenectomy for esophagogastric junction tumor: Application of Ber-Ep4 Joint with CD44v6 staining on the detection of lower mediastinal lymph node micrometastasis and survival analysis.

For Siewert type II adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEJ), the optimal surgical approach and extent of lymph nodes dissection remain controversial. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) has been reported to be available for identifying lymph node micrometastasis (LNMM) in patients with AEJ. This was a prospective case series of patients who underwent R0 resection and lower mediastinal lymphadenectomy from January 2010 to June 2015 in Fujian Medical University Union Hospital for Siewert type II AEJ. The outcomes were analyzed retrospectively. A total of 1325 lymph nodes were collected from 49 patients, grouped into 3 groups: lower mediastinal, paracardial, and abdominal. The former 2 groups were examined by monoclonal antibodies against Ber-Ep4 and CD44v6. The incidence of LNMM in mediastinal group was 37% (18/49) for Ber-Ep4 and 33% (16/49) for CD44v6. While in routine histological diagnosis, the number of patients with the positive lymph nodes was 7 (14%). When combining IHC with histopathology (HE) staining, the incidence of positive mediastinal lymph nodes was increased to 24%, with a total number of 37 lymph nodes from 28 patients (57%). Micrometastases indicated by Ber-Ep4 and CD44v6 were associated with the depth of tumor invasion (P = 0.020 and 0.037, respectively), histopathological nodal status (P = 0.024 and 0.01, respectively), and Lauren classification (P = 0.038 and, respectively). Expression of CD44v6 and Ber-Ep4 was positively correlated (r = 0.643, P < 0.001). The 3- and 5-year survival rates for all patients were 66% and 50%, respectively. The patients with LNMM had a lower 3-year survival rate of 51%, compared to 80% from no LNMM group; 5-year survival rate was also lower in LNMM group, which is 29% versus 68% (P = 0.006) in the no LNMM group. Patients with positive Ber-Ep4 cells had a lower survival, but not statistically significant (P = 0.058). CD44v6-positive group had a significantly reduced survival (P < 0.001). In patients group with negative lower mediastinal lymph nodes, patients without LNMM obtained a significant survival benefit (P = 0.021). Our study demonstrated that routine test for LNMM is necessary for patients with negative lymph nodes. As a positive prognostic factor, thorough lower mediastinal lymphadenectomy in an invasive approach should be considered when necessary. Ber-Ep4 and CD44v6 were shown to be great markers for detecting LNMM.