A Randomized, Multicenter, Double-blind, Phase III Study to Evaluate the Efficacy on Allergic Rhinitis and Safety of a Combination Therapy of Montelukast and Levocetirizine in Patients With Asthma and Allergic Rhinitis.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a fixed-dose combination of montelukast and levocetirizine in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis with mild to moderate asthma compared with the efficacy and safety of montelukast alone. METHODS: This study was a 4-week, randomized, multicenter, double-blind, Phase III trial. After a 1-week placebo run-in period, the subjects were randomized to receive montelukast (10 mg/day, n = 112) or montelukast (10 mg/day)/levocetirizine (5 mg/day) (n = 116) treatment for 4 weeks. The primary efficacy end point was mean daytime nasal symptom score. Other efficacy end points included mean nighttime nasal symptom score, mean composite symptom score, overall assessment of allergic rhinitis by both subjects and physicians, forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC, asthma control test score, and the frequency of rescue medication used during the treatment period. FINDINGS: Of 333 patients screened for this study, 228 eligible patients were randomized to treatment. The mean (SD) age of patients was 43.32 (15.02) years, and two thirds of subjects were female (66.67%). The demographic characteristics were similar between the treatment groups. Compared with the montelukast group, the montelukast/levocetirizine group reported significant reductions in mean daytime nasal symptom score (least squares mean [SE] of combination vs montelukast, -0.98 [0.06] vs -0.81 [0.06]; P = 0.045). For all other allergic rhinitis efficacy end points, the montelukast/levocetirizine group showed greater improvement than the montelukast group. Similar results were observed in overall assessment scores and in FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, and asthma control test score changes from baseline for the 2 treatment groups. Montelukast/levocetirizine was well tolerated, and the safety profile was similar to that observed in the montelukast group. IMPLICATIONS: The fixed-dose combination of montelukast and levocetirizine was effective and safe in treating perennial allergic rhinitis in patients with asthma compared with montelukast alone. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02552667.

Effects of Immunoglobulin Replacement on Asthma Exacerbation in Adult Asthmatics with IgG Subclass Deficiency.

PURPOSE: Recurrent respiratory tract infection is a common manifestation of primary immunodeficiency disease, and respiratory viruses or bacteria are important triggers of asthma exacerbations. Asthma often coexists with humoral immunodeficiency in adults, and some asthmatics with immunoglobulin (Ig) G subclass deficiency (IgGSCD) suffer from recurrent exacerbations. Although some studies suggest a benefit from Ig replacement, others have failed to support its use. This study aimed to assess the effect of Ig replacement on asthma exacerbation caused by respiratory infection as well as the asthma control status of adult asthmatics with IgGSCD. METHODS: This is a multi-center, open-label study of adult asthmatics with IgGSCD. All patients received monthly intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) for 6 months and were evaluated regarding asthma exacerbation related to infection, asthma control status, quality of life, and lung function before and after IVIG infusion. RESULTS: A total of 30 patients were enrolled, and 24 completed the study. Most of the patients had a moderate degree of asthma severity with partly (52%) or uncontrolled (41%) status at baseline. IVIG significantly reduced the proportion of patients with asthma exacerbations, lowered the number of respiratory infections, and improved asthma control status, compared to the baseline values (P<0.001). The mean asthma-specific quality of life and asthma control test scores were improved significantly (P=0.009 and P=0.053, respectively); however, there were no significant changes in lung function. CONCLUSIONS: IVIG reduced the frequency of asthma exacerbations and improved asthma control status in adult asthmatics with IgGSCD, suggesting that IVIG could be an effective treatment option in this population.

Comparison between skin prick test and serum immunoglobulin E by CAP system to inhalant allergens.

BACKGROUND: Skin prick tests (SPTs) and measurements of serum specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) antibodies are the most commonly used diagnostic tools for confirming sensitization. However, disagreement between the tests has been observed. OBJECTIVE: To compare SPT and the CAP system for diagnosis of sensitization to common inhalant allergens. METHODS: Subjects included 2,635 patients 10 to 90 years old who underwent analyses by SPT and CAP at the Dong-A University Hospital (Busan, Korea) from June 2011 through May 2016. The 2 test results were compared for 17 inhalant allergens. RESULTS: Agreement between the SPT and sIgE level was 75.3%. Overall agreement was moderate (κ = 0.59), with strong agreement for house dust mites and birch (κ > 0.7) and weak agreement for Tyrophagus putrescentiae and dog (κ < 0.3). When CAP was compared with SPT as the reference, the sensitivity was 75.8% and the specificity was 75.2%. Mean wheal size by SPT showed a positive correlation with sIgE levels (r = 0.59), which decreased with age. CONCLUSION: There was a discrepancy between SPT and CAP for diagnosing allergic sensitization among inhalant allergens. The allergic sensitization and correlation between the tests decreased with age. Cautious interpretation of the clinical relevance of allergen sensitization based on SPT and CAP results is required, especially in older patients.

Physician's recommendation and explanation is important in the initiation and maintenance of allergen immunotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is currently the only immune-modifying treatment for allergic disease. The clinical efficacy of AIT for the treatment of allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma is well documented. However, many factors including inconvenience, cost, side effects, and adherence influence the initiation and persistence of AIT, and patients lack knowledge and have misconceptions about the treatment. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the knowledge, attitude, and satisfaction of patients who received AIT. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of medical records of 167 patients who received AIT, and compared the clinical characteristics between conventional immunotherapy (CIT) and rush immunotherapy (RIT). Ninety-nine patients completed a questionnaire survey. RESULTS: Of the total 167 patients, 65.9% (n=110) were treated with CIT and 34.1% (n=57) with RIT. More than half of the patients (68.7%) initiated AIT according to their physician's recommendation. Frequent hospital visits were the main barrier for persistence of AIT. RIT patients were younger and started AIT earlier than CIT patients. The majority (77%) of patients who received AIT were satisfied, with no significant difference between CIT and RIT groups. RIT and fewer allergens used in AIT were related with preference for AIT to pharmacotherapy. The longer duration of AIT was associated with higher treatment satisfaction. CONCLUSION: A majority of patients initiated AIT by the physician's recommendation and were satisfied with treatment regardless of CIT or RIT schedule. Adequate patient education and a strict patient-physician relationship in early AIT period could improve the effectiveness and compliance of AIT.

Efficacy and safety of omalizumab in Japanese and Korean patients with refractory chronic spontaneous urticaria.

BACKGROUND: Many patients with chronic spontaneous/idiopathic urticaria (CSU/CIU) do not respond adequately to treatment with non-sedating H1 antihistamines (H1AH). There are limited studies on use of omalizumab as add-on therapy for treatment of CSU in an Asian population. OBJECTIVE: The POLARIS study (NCT02329223), representing the first randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase III trial of omalizumab for CSU in an Eastern Asian population, evaluated efficacy and safety of omalizumab as add-on therapy for treatment of CSU. METHODS: This 26-week multicenter (41 Japanese/Korean sites) study enrolled patients (12-75 years) who were symptomatic despite H1AH treatment. Eligible participants (N=218) were randomized 1:1:1 to receive three subcutaneous injections of omalizumab 300mg, 150mg, or placebo every 4 weeks, followed by 12 weeks of follow-up. Primary outcome was change from baseline to Week 12 (Wk12) in weekly itch severity score (ISS7). Safety was assessed through the summary of adverse events (AEs). RESULTS: Baseline demographics and disease characteristics were generally well balanced across treatment groups. At Wk12, statistically significant decreases from baseline were observed in ISS7 with omalizumab vs placebo (mean changes -10.22, -8.80, and -6.51 for omalizumab 300mg, 150mg and placebo; p<0.001 and p=0.006 vs placebo, respectively). Overall AE incidence was similar across treatment groups (54.8%, 57.7%, and 55.4% in omalizumab 300mg, 150mg, and placebo groups, respectively); nasopharyngitis was the most frequently reported AE in all treatment arms. CONCLUSION: The POLARIS study demonstrates that omalizumab is an efficacious and well-tolerated add-on therapy in Japanese and Korean H1AH-refractory patients with CSU.

A Case of Sorafenib-induced DRESS Syndrome in Hepatocelluar Carcinoma.

Sorafenib is currently the only targeted therapy available for advanced stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Cutaneous adverse events associated with sorafenib treatment include hand-foot skin reaction, but there has been no report of drug reaction (or rash) with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome. Here, we report a case of 72-year-old man with HCC and alcoholic liver cirrhosis who developed skin eruptions, fever, eosinophilia, and deteriorated hepatic and renal function under sorafenib treatment. He has since successfully recovered with conservative care.

Predictors of Asthma Control by Stepwise Treatment in Elderly Asthmatic Patients.

The geriatric population is increasing, and asthma severity increases with age. We determined the predictors of asthma control, exacerbation, and the factors that affect asthma-specific quality of life (A-QOL) in elderly asthmatic patients. This was a prospective, multicenter, real-life study for 6 months with stepwise pharmacologic treatment based on the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guideline. A total of 296 asthmatic patients aged ≥ 60 yr were recruited from 5 university centers in Korea. The improved-asthma control group was defined as the group of patients who maintained well-controlled or improved disease and the not-improved asthma control group was defined as the remaining patients. Fewer number of medications for comorbidities (2.8 ± 3.3 in the improved vs. 4.5 ± 4.4 in the control) and higher physical functioning (PF) scale (89.8 ± 14.2 in the improved vs. 82.0 ± 16.4 in the control) were significant predictors in the improved-asthma control group (OR = 0.863, P = 0.004 and OR = 1.028, P = 0.018, respectively). An asthma control test (ACT) score of ≤ 19 at baseline was a significant predictor of asthma exacerbation (OR = 3.938, P = 0.048). Asthma duration (F = 5.656, P = 0.018), ACT score (F = 12.237, P = 0.001) at baseline, and the presence of asthma exacerbation (F = 5.565, P = 0.019) were significant determinants of changes in A-QOL. The number of medications for comorbidities and performance status determined by the PF scale may be important parameters for assessing asthma control in elderly asthmatic patients.

Immunologic evaluation of patients with cefotetan-induced anaphylaxis.

Cefotetan is a commonly prescribed second-generation cephalosporin that acts against a wide range of bacteria. However, cefotetan-induced hypersensitivity has rarely been reported. We report 2 cases of cefotetan-induced anaphylaxis with immunologic evaluation. The first case was a 70-year-old asthmatic woman who had dyspnea and hypotension during administration of cefotetan, in which high serum-specific IgE to cefotetan-human serum albumin (HSA) conjugate was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The second case was a 63-year-old asthmatic woman who complained of chest tightness and dyspnea during cefotetan infusion, in which high serum-specific IgG1 and IgG4 with no serum specific IgE to cefotetan-HSA conjugate was detected. The basophil activation test using basophils from the patient showed a significant up-regulation of CD63 with the addition of anti-IgG4 antibody compared with that in non-atopic healthy controls. In conclusion, cefotetan can induce anaphylaxis, which may involve both IgE- and IgG4-mediated responses in the pathogenic mechanism.

Predictors of the severity and serious outcomes of anaphylaxis in korean adults: a multicenter retrospective case study.

PURPOSE: Differences in definitions of the condition, relevant triggers, and the geographical locations of study centers, cause estimates of the prevalence of anaphylaxis to vary. Recent epidemiological data indicate that the incidence of anaphylaxis is rising. METHODS: To investigate the causes and clinical features of anaphylaxis in Korean adults, factors associated with the severity of the condition, and serious outcomes, a retrospective medical record review was performed on adult patients diagnosed with anaphylaxis between 2007 and 2011 in 15 University Hospitals of South Korea. RESULTS: A total of 1,806 cases (52% male, age 16-86 years) were reported. Cutaneous symptoms (84.0%), combined with respiratory (53.9%) and/or cardiovascular (55.4%) symptoms, were the most frequent presentations. Using a recognized grading system, 1,776 cases could be classified as either mild, 340; moderate, 690; or severe, 746. Although eliciting factors varied significantly by age, gender, and regional and seasonal factors, drugs (46.5%; including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, and radiocontrast media) were the most common cause of anaphylaxis, followed by foods (24.2%), insect stings (16.4%), exercise (5.9%), and unknown etiology (7.0%). All of age, multi-organ involvement, a history of allergic disease, and drug-induced anaphylaxis, were significant predictors of serious outcomes requiring hospital admission or prolongation of hospital stay. Epinephrine auto-injectors were prescribed for 7.4% of reported cases. CONCLUSIONS: The principal causes of anaphylaxis in Korean adults were drugs, food, and insect stings. Drug-associated anaphylaxis, a history of allergic disease, multi-organ involvement, and older age, were identified as predictors of serious outcomes.

Prevalence and risk factors for depression in Korean adult patients with asthma: is there a difference between elderly and non-elderly patients?

Depression is an important comorbidity of asthma. However, little information is available about depression and its potential impact on asthma control in Korean adult asthma patients. We aimed to estimate the prevalence and risk factors for depression in Korean adults with persistent asthma. The 127 non-elderly (20-64 yr) and 75 elderly (≥65 yr) patients with asthma were recruited. Demographic and clinical data were extracted, and the patients completed the Asthma Specific Quality of Life (AQOL) questionnaire and asthma control test (ACT). Depression status was defined using the Korean version of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Depression was more prevalent in non-elderly (18.9%) than in elderly patients with asthma (13.3%). Patients with depression were significantly younger, had lower economic status, shorter disease duration, poorer asthma control, and worse AQOL scores (P<0.05). Within the non-elderly group, younger age and shorter disease duration were significantly associated with depression (P<0.05). Within the elderly group, a higher body mass index and current smoking status were significantly associated with depression (P<0.05). The PHQ-9 score was significantly correlated with worse ACT and AQOL scores in both groups. In conclusion, depression is strongly associated with poor asthma control and quality of life in Korean adult asthma patients. Our results provide important clues that used to target modifiable factors which contribute to development of depression in asthma patients.

Epidemiological aspects of pertussis among adults and adolescents in a Korean outpatient setting: a multicenter, PCR-based study.

Epidemiological data of Bordetella pertussis infection among adolescents and adults are limited in Korea. Patients (≥ 11 yr of age) with a bothersome cough for less than 30 days were enrolled during a 1-yr period at 22 hospitals in Korea. Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and for bacteriologic culture. In total, 490 patients were finally enrolled, and 34 (6.9%) patients tested positive for B. pertussis; cough duration (14.0 days [7.0-21.0 days]) and age distribution were diverse. The incidence was the highest in secondary referral hospitals, compared to primary care clinics or tertiary referral hospitals (24/226 [10.6%] vs. 3/88 [3.4%] vs. 7/176 [4.0%], P = 0.012), and the peak incidence was observed in February and August (15.8% and 15.9%), with no confirmed cases between March and June. In the multivariate analysis, post-tussive vomiting was significantly associated with pertussis (odds ratio, 2.508; 95% confidence interval, 1.146-5.486) and secondary referral hospital showed a borderline significance. In conclusion, using a PCR-based method, 6.9% of adolescent and adult patients with an acute cough illness had pertussis infection in an outpatient setting. However, hospital levels and seasonal trends must be taken into account to develop a better strategy for controlling pertussis.

A computerized asthma-specific quality of life: a novel tool for reflecting asthma control and predicting exacerbation.

BACKGROUND: Proper assessment of health-related quality of life is essential to achieve and maintain a controlled status in asthmatic patients. We developed our own computerized asthma-specific quality-of-life (cA-QOL) questionnaire based on in-depth interviews with adult asthmatic patients. In this study, we evaluated this cA-QOL in terms of the Asthma Control Test (ACT) score and Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines as well as asthma exacerbation, and compared it with the asthma-related quality-of-life questionnaire (AQLQ). METHODS: We conducted a multicenter, prospective, observational study in 133 adult asthmatic patients recruited from 5 university hospitals in South Korea, who were randomized into 2 groups according to the operating order of the cA-QOL and AQLQ. At every visit (3-month interval), physicians evaluated asthma control status with monitoring spirometry. The self-administered cA-QOL, AQLQ(S) and ACT were completed. RESULTS: The cA-QOL scores correlated significantly with ACT and AQLQ(S) scores (r = 0.814, p < 0.001; r = 0.900, p < 0.001). The cA-QOL score was significantly lower where the ACT score was <19, in the patients with an uncontrolled asthma status according to the GINA guidelines and in those with asthma exacerbation (p < 0.001, respectively). A multivariate analysis showed that this cA-QOL was a significant parameter associated with an uncontrolled asthma status and asthma exacerbation (p < 0.001, p = 0.045, p = 0.019, respectively). CONCLUSION: The cA-QOL is a valid tool for reflecting current asthma control status and for assessment to predict the future risk of asthma exacerbation in adult asthmatics.

Characteristics of additional primary malignancies in Korean patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Long-term cancer survival results in increasing numbers of multiple primary malignancies in one person, which represents growing clinical challenge in patients with lung cancer. This study was intended to assess the incidence rate, temporal relationship, and characteristics of additional primary malignancies (APM) in Korean patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed all 632 NSCLCs (313 adenocarcinomas, 276 squamous cell carcinomas, and 43 other NSCLCs) patients who underwent curative resection of NSCLC at the Dong-A University Medical Center from January 1991 to December 2009. We used the hospital information system and medical record to collect data about these patients and their tumors. In the data base, the following parameters were recorded: patient's demographics (age, gender and smoking habit), time interval between the diagnosis of the NSCLC and APM, NSCLC characteristics (date of diagnosis, histology, TNM staging, operative details, and survival) and characteristics of APM (site of tumor, date of diagnosis, histology, TNM staging, operative details, and survival). RESULTS: Eighty-one (12.8%) of the 632 patients with NSCLC had APMs. Thirty-three patients (40.8%) had APM in their history [occurring earlier than six months or more before NSCLC diagnosis; prior (P) group], 18 patients (22.2%) were diagnosed with an APM synchronously [diagnosed within six months before or after NSCLC; synchronous (S) group], and the remaining 30 patients (37.0%) were diagnosed with an APM during the follow-up period [occurring six months or more after NSCLC diagnosis; metachronous (M) group]. The second primary malignancy occurred most often two to five years in both P group (39.4%) and M group (36.7%). The most frequent APM was stomach cancer (25.0%), followed by colorectal cancer (19.0%), and thyroid cancer (10.7%). Interestingly, we found difference in the incidence of APM between different NSCLC histotypes. In the adenocarcinoma group, colorectal cancer was the most frequently discovered [12 of 46 events (26.1%)], followed by thyroid cancer [9 of 46 events (19.6%)]. In the squamous cell carcinoma group, stomach cancer occurred most frequently [12 of 36 events (33.3%)]. CONCLUSIONS: APMs are commonly seen in patients with NSCLC, either preceding or following its occurrence. Therefore, it is important to recognize the characteristic of NSCLC patients with APM in order to detect the second primary malignancy as early as possible and to achieve a possible cure of disease.

Antituberculosis drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome and its association with human leukocyte antigen.

Antituberculosis drug (ATD)-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (HSS) is a serious adverse reaction to ATDs, but much remains to be determined regarding its characteristics and genetic risk factors. In this study, we have collected cases of ATD-induced HSS and their clinical features, and investigated the associations of ATD-induced HSS with human leukocyte antigen (HLA). Subjects with ATD-induced HSS and ATD-tolerant controls were recruited through analysis of a multicenter adverse drug reaction registry in Korea. HLA allele frequencies were compared between subjects with ATD-induced HSS (n = 14) and two control groups: ATD-tolerant controls (n = 166) and the general population (n = 485). The number of enrolled subjects with ATD-induced HSS (n = 14) was comparable to those of patients with HSS induced by other common drugs such as allopurinol during the recruitment period. The frequency of Cw*0401 was much higher in the cases (50.0%) compared with ATD-tolerant controls (12.7%, Pc = 0.0204, OR = 6.90) and the general population (12.8%, Pc = 0.0132, OR = 6.82). Our results suggest that ATD is an important causative agent inducing HSS with distinct clinical features. The strong association of Cw*0401 with the risk for ATD-induced HSS suggests immunological involvement in the development of this syndrome.

Liver cirrhosis as a delayed complication of Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

A 26-year-old woman was referred to our department due to fever and skin rash after having taken medication for a common cold. Physical examination revealed erythematous skin changes on her body associated with mucosal involvement in her eyes and oral cavity. Peripheral blood examination revealed leukopenia and thrombocytopenia. Liver function test showed hyperbilirubinemia. She was managed with high dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) at 1.0 gm/kg of body weight infused for 5 consecutive days. Although the patient's skin lesion improved dramatically with IVIG therapy, her hyperbilirubinemia aggravated progressively. Eighteen months after her presentation, liver cirrhosis was diagnosed by ultrasonography, laboratory and liver biopsy findings.

Absence of hyper-responsiveness to methacholine after specific bronchial provocation tests in a worker with hydroxyapatite-induced occupational asthma.

Hydroxyapatite is commonly used as a filler to replace amputated bone or as a coating to promote bone ingrowth into prosthetic implants. Many modern implants, such as hip replacements and dental implants, are coated with hydroxyapatite. We report a patient with occupational asthma due to hydroxyapatite, proven by a specific inhalation challenge, who experienced an early asthmatic reaction after exposure to hydroxyapatite, without increased airway responsiveness to methacholine despite an increased eosinophil count in the peripheral blood. A 38-year-old male dental implant worker visited our allergy department for the evaluation of occupational asthma. He had treated dental implant titanium surfaces with hydroxyapatite for 1.5 years. One year after starting his employment, he noticed symptoms of rhinorrhea, paroxysmal cough, and chest tightness. His symptoms were aggravated during and shortly after work and subsided several hours after work. When he stopped working for 2 months because of his chest symptoms, he became asymptomatic. After restarting his work, his symptoms reappeared and were aggravated. A methacholine bronchial challenge test had a negative response. The following day, a specific bronchial provocation test with wheat powder was negative. On the third day, a specific bronchial provocation test with hydroxyapatite powder produced an early asthmatic response. On the fourth day, a methacholine bronchial challenge test was negative. Further studies are needed to evaluate the exact pathogenetic mechanism of hydroxyapatite-induced occupational asthma.

Skills in handling turbuhaler, diskus, and pressurized metered-dose inhaler in korean asthmatic patients.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to evaluate skills in handling inhalers and factors associated with these skills among patients with asthma who had undergone treatment at special asthma and allergy clinics in Korea. METHODS: We enrolled 78 subjects who used Turbuhaler and 145 who used Diskus for asthma control at special clinics in 10 university hospitals and visually assessed their skills in handling these inhalers. We also evaluated skills in 137 subjects who had used pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs) for symptom relief. Age, sex, duration of asthma and inhaler use, smoking status, monthly income, highest grade completed in school and previous instruction for handling inhalers were also measured to evaluate their association with overall inhaler skills. RESULTS: Performance grade was inadequate for 12.8% of participants using Turbuhaler, 6.2% for Diskus, and 23.4% for pMDIs. The success rates for each step in handling the inhalers were relatively high except for the "exhale slowly to residual volume" step, in which success rates ranged from 24.2% to 28.5%. Older age, male sex, lower educational grade, and absence of previous instruction for handling inhalers were associated with inadequate inhaler technique in univariate analysis; however, only older age and absence of previous instruction remained significant independent risk factors in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Among Korean asthmatic patients in special asthma and allergy clinics, skills in handling their inhalers were mostly excellent; meanwhile, older age and absence of previous instruction for handling inhalers were associated with inadequate techniques.

Phase I study of autologous dendritic cell tumor vaccine in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: A dendritic cell vaccine has been developed as a novel strategy for generating antitumor immunity in the treatment of cancer. The purpose of this study was to assess the maximal tolerated dose, safety, and immunologic response of a new dendritic cell vaccine (DC-Vac) into which tumor lysate was loaded by electroporation and pulse in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients with inoperable stage III or IV NSCLC were assigned to cohorts that received 3, 6, or 12 × 10(6) DC-Vac intradermally 3 times at 2 week intervals. We also evaluated immunologic and tumor responses. RESULTS: The maximum dose of DC-Vac (12 × 10(6)) was shown to be safe. In 5 of 9 patients, the vaccine resulted in increased interferon (IFN)-γ production by CD8+ cells after exposure to tumor lysate. Additionally, there were mixed responses which do fulfill progressive disease definition but demonstrate some clinical benefit in two patients. CONCLUSION: The administration of tumor lysate-loaded autologous dendritic cells by electroporation and pulse was non-toxic and induced immunologic responses to tumor antigens. The two mixed tumor responses which were achieved may represent a potential benefit of this new DC-Vac.

Four cases of a cerebral air embolism complicating a percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy.

A percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy is a common procedure in the practice of pulmonology. An air embolism is a rare but potentially fatal complication of a percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy. We report four cases of a cerebral air embolism that developed after a percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy. Early diagnosis and the rapid application of hyperbaric oxygen therapy is the mainstay of therapy for an embolism. Prevention is the best course and it is essential that possible risk factors be avoided.

Forkhead box M1 expression in pulmonary squamous cell carcinoma: correlation with clinicopathologic features and its prognostic significance.

Forkhead box M1 (FoxM1) transcription factor has been shown to play important roles in regulating the expression of genes that are involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, and transformation by promoting both G(1)/S and G(2)/M transition. Although it has been reported that the FoxM1 signaling network is frequently deregulated with an up-regulated FoxM1 expression in human malignancies, the role of FoxM1 in lung cancer remains to be determined. We performed immunohistochemical detection of FoxM1 protein in 69 tissue samples from patients with primary pulmonary squamous cell carcinoma using a tissue microarray, and Western blotting was done to confirm the immunohistochemical observations. FoxM1 immunoreactivity was observed in 26 (37.7%) of the 69 squamous cell carcinoma cases. Analysis of the FoxM1 expression in 12 squamous cell carcinoma tissues and 2 normal lung tissues by Western blotting confirmed the immunohistochemical results. A FoxM1 expression was more frequently detected in the moderately or poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinomas than in the well-differentiated squamous cell carcinomas (P = .008). The tumors with a positive FoxM1 expression more frequently showed lymph node metastasis (P = .027) and an advanced American Joint Committee on Cancer stage (P = .049). The Kaplan-Meier survival curves demonstrated that patients with a positive FoxM1 expression had a significantly shorter survival time than those patients with a negative FoxM1 expression (P = .003). The multivariate analysis revealed that the FoxM1 expression was an independent poor prognostic factor (P = .018). A subset of pulmonary squamous cell carcinoma with a FoxM1 expression was associated with progressive pathologic features and an aggressive clinical course.