Identification of WD-Repeat Protein 72 as a Novel Prognostic Biomarker in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer.

WD-repeat protein 72(WDR72; OMIM∗613214), a scaffolding protein lacking intrinsic enzymatic activity, produces numerous ß-propeller blade formations, serves as a binding platform to assemble protein complexes and is critical for cell growth, differentiation, adhesion, and migration. Despite evidence supporting a basic role of WDR72 in the tumorigenesis of particular cancers, the value of WDR72 in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the tumor with the highest mortality rate globally, is undocumented. We investigated the prognostic value of WDR72 in NSCLC and studied its potential immune function and its correlation with ferroptosis. According to The Cancer Genome Atlas, Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia, Genotype-Tissue Expression, and Gene Set Cancer Analysis, we used multiple bioinformatic strategies to investigate the possible oncogenic role of WDR72, analyze WDR72 and prognosis, and immune cell infiltration in different tumors correlation. WDR72 exhibited a high expression in NSCLC and a positive association with prognosis. WDR72 expression was related to immune cell infiltration and tumor immune microenvironment in NSCLC. Finally, we validated WDR72 in human NSCLC; it has a predictive value in NSCLC related to its function in tumor progression and immunity. The significance of our study is that WDR72 can be used as a potential indicator of lung cancer prognosis. Helping physicians more accurately predict patient survival and risk of disease progression.

Modified hook-wire placement technique for localizing multiple pulmonary nodules.

BACKGROUND: The localization of multiple pulmonary nodules is challenging due to a high incidence of pneumothorax after each needle insertion into lung parenchyma. The aim of the current study is to verify the safety and effectiveness of a modified technique utilizing simultaneous Hookwire placement to localize multiple lesions. METHODS: The proposed method comprises a row of metal wires, perpendicular insertion, simultaneous release of Hookwire, and a lateral position to modify a conventional localizing technique. From January 2015 to August 2016, 23 patients were subjected to the modified technique group (Group A), while 53 patients in the conventional group (Group B). Success rates, procedural parameters, and complications were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: Compared with Group B, Group A had higher success rate of lesion (96.7% vs 83.5%, P = 0.009), lower numbers of CT scans (2.91 vs 5.59, P < 0.001), shorter procedure duration (13.83 minutes vs 22.68 minutes, P < 0.001), and shorter distance between localizers and lesions (4.88 vs 6.29, P = 0.006). The incidence of pneumothorax in Group A was lower (21.8% vs 54.7%, P = 0.008), while lung hemorrhage was not significantly different ( P = 0.735). Lesion number and pneumothorax were risk factors for failure in multiple localizations. CONCLUSIONS: The modified Hookwire placement technique was feasible and successful, which was associated with fewer computed tomography scans, shorter procedure duration, and a lower incidence of pneumothorax.

Technique of skeletal navigation for localizing solitary pulmonary nodules.

We herein detail a novel method of skeletal navigation for localizing small solitary pulmonary nodules of 8-30 mm size and at a distance of less than 15 mm from visceral pleura. Thirty-four lesions found in 29 patients were successfully localized. All 34 target nodules first underwent wedge resections, and there were no cases of technical failure of the present method. This technique incurs no additional cost and complications as caused by other localization approaches. Additionally, this approach provides a backup method in cases of mark displacement.

Development and validation of a nomogram to estimate the pretest probability of cancer in Chinese patients with solid solitary pulmonary nodules: A multi-institutional study.

OBJECTIVES: To develop and validate a nomogram to estimate the pretest probability of malignancy in Chinese patients with solid solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A primary cohort of 1798 patients with pathologically confirmed solid SPNs after surgery was retrospectively studied at five institutions from January 2014 to December 2015. A nomogram based on independent prediction factors of malignant solid SPN was developed. Predictive performance also was evaluated using the calibration curve and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). RESULTS: The mean age of the cohort was 58.9 ± 10.7 years. In univariate and multivariate analysis, age; history of cancer; the log base 10 transformations of serum carcinoembryonic antigen value; nodule diameter; the presence of spiculation, pleural indentation, and calcification remained the predictive factors of malignancy. A nomogram was developed, and the AUC value (0.85; 95%CI, 0.83-0.88) was significantly higher than other three models. The calibration cure showed optimal agreement between the malignant probability as predicted by nomogram and the actual probability. CONCLUSIONS: We developed and validated a nomogram that can estimate the pretest probability of malignant solid SPNs, which can assist clinical physicians to select and interpret the results of subsequent diagnostic tests.

Up-Regulation of MELK Promotes Cell Growth and Invasion by Accelerating G1/S Transition and Indicates Poor Prognosis in Lung Adenocarcinoma.

Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) is an oncogene in many tumors, although its contribution to lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is unclear. We examined MELK expression in patient LUAD tissue and matched healthy lung tissues. We investigated the connection between MELK expression and tumor differentiation, lymph node metastasis, and patient survival. We downregulated MELK expression using small-hairpin RNA to assess its impact on LUAD cell proliferation, clonogenicity, and invasion. We also investigated the molecular mechanism underlying these effects. MELK expression was significantly heightened in LUAD tissue as opposed to the matching healthy lung tissues. LUAD patients who had MELK overexpression had a worse prognosis. Suppression of MELK hinders proliferation, clonogenicity, and invasion of LUAD cells. The MELK suppression led to the arrest of the cell cycle's G1/S phase by reducing the cyclin E1 and cyclin D expression. Our outcomes manifest that MELK can function as a beneficial prognostic indication and a new therapy target for LUAD. MELK has an essential function in progressing LUAD, manifesting potential as a viable target for therapeutic intervention in this disease management.

Preoperative nomogram for identifying invasive pulmonary adenocarcinoma in patients with pure ground-glass nodule: A multi-institutional study.

PURPOSE: To construct a preoperative nomogram to differentiate invasive pulmonary adenocarcinomas (IPAs) from preinvasive lesions in patients with solitary pure ground-glass nodules (GGN). METHODS: A primary cohort of patients with pathologically confirmed pulmonary solitary pure GGN after surgery were retrospectively studied at five institutions from January 2009 to September 2015. Half of the patients were randomly selected and assigned to a model-development cohort, and the remaining patients were assigned to a validation cohort. A nomogram predicting the invasive extent of the solitary GGNs was constructed based on the independent risk factors. Predictive performance was evaluated by concordance index (C-index) and calibration curve. RESULTS: Out of 898 cases included in the study, 501 (55.8%) were preinvasive lesions and 397 (44.2%) were IPAs. In the univariate analysis, lesion size (p < 0.001), lesion margin (p = 0.041), lesion shape (p < 0.001), mean computed tomography (CT) value (p = 0.018), presence of pleural indentation (p = 0.017), and smoking status (p = 0.014) were significantly associated with invasive extent. In multivariate analysis, lesion size (p < 0.001), lesion margin (p = 0.042), lesion shape (p < 0.001), mean CT value (p = 0.014), presence of pleural indentation (p = 0.026), and smoking status (p = 0.004) remained the predictive factors of invasive extent. A nomogram was developed and validation results showed a C-index of 0.94, demonstrating excellent concordance between predicted and observed results. CONCLUSIONS: We established and validated a novel nomogram that can identify IPAs from preinvasive lesions in patients with solitary pure GGN.