Mesothelioma

Depletion of intracellular potassium ions (K+) is necessary for cells to shrink, induce DNA fragmentation and activate caspases, events which are features of apoptosis. We used 86Rb+ as a K+ analogue to evaluate the possibility of pharmacologically depleting human pulmonary mesothelioma (P31) and small cell lung cancer (U1690) cells of K+, for future use in studies of apoptosis induction. The Na+, K+, 2CI(-)-cotransport inhibitor bumetanide transiently inhibited 86Rb+ influx, but when combined with the Na+, K+, ATPase pump inhibitor ouabain there was a marked and lasting (up to 6 h) 86Rb+ influx inhibition. Cellular K+ efflux was augmented by amphotericin B, digitonin and nigericin. Amphotericin B was an effective 86Rb+ efflux stimulator with low cytotoxicity, whereas digitonin caused cell detachment and nigericin increased LDH release in the U1690 cell line, indicating considerable toxicity of the drugs. It is possible to efficiently reduce intracellular K+ by persistent K+ influx ...

To show the radiological manifestations of primary pleural tumors. we carried out a retrospective analysis of radiological findings in 62 patients with primary malignant tumor of pleura. Study included 39 male and 23 female patients. Malignant tumors were present in 92.7% of the patients and benign ones in 7.2%. The most common malignant tumor was mesothelioma (85.4%), and solitary fibrous tumor prevailed among benign tumors (9.7%). Diffuse malignant mesothelioma manifested on computed tomography (CT) as a pleural thickening and effusion in 67.4% of the patients, tumors and effusion in 11.7%, and only as an effusion in 9.8% cases. Thickening of the pleura appeared diffuse in 54% of patients and most often it had nodular pattern. Both localized malignant and all benign tumors presented as tumor-like changes with the signs of necrosis in 50%. The imaging methods have a key role in the diagnosis of pleural tumors. CT shows different morphologic features of pleural lesions that have been established as a useful tool for differentiating malignant from benign disease. However, magnetic resonance is preferred imaging method for assessing the extent and resectability of pleural tumors.

To summarize the geographical and temporal variations in incidence of pleural mesothelioma in Europe, using the extensive data available from European general cancer registries, and consider these in light of recent trends in asbestos extraction, use and import in European countries. The data were extracted from the European Cancer Incidence and Mortality database (EUROCIM). The inclusion criteria was acceptance in Volume VII of Cancer Incidence in Five Continents. Truncated age-standardized rates per 100,000 for the ages 40-74 were used to summarise recent geographical variations. Standardized rate ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the periods 1986-1990 and 1991-1995 were compared to assess geographical variations in risk. To investigate changes in the magnitude of most recent trends, regression models fitted to the latest available 10-year period (1988-1997) were compared with trends in the previous decade. Fitted rates in younger (40-64) and older adults (65-74) in the most...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence, clinical meaning and diagnostic value of extrapleural and cardiophrenic nodes occasionally observed on computed tomography (CT) scans of the chest. We included 750 consecutive patients who underwent CT of the chest for different clinical purposes (340 nonneoplastic patients, 270 with extrathoracic neoplasms, 120 with intrathoracic neoplasms, 20 with pleural metastasis) and 91 patients with histologically proven malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). For each group of patients, we analysed the presence of extrapleural and cardiophrenic nodes, their number (single or multiple) and their size. The prevalence of cardiophrenic nodes between 6 and 10 mm and >10 mm was significantly higher in patients with MPM (28.6 and 26.4 %, respectively) than in all other categories of patients, except for patients with pleural metastasis (30 and 25 %, respectively). The prevalence of extrapleural nodes, independently from their size, was significantly higher in patients with MPM (68 %) compared with all other groups, including patients with pleural metastasis (5 %; p < 0.0001). Cardiophrenic nodes >5 mm and extrapleural nodes of any size have a significant diagnostic value in malignant pleural disease, either primary or secondary, whereas they are extremely rare in other neoplastic or nonneoplastic diseases.

The objective of this paper is to investigate mortality among 1247 male asbestos-cement workers employed in an asbestos-cement plant located in Naples. The cohort included 1247 men hired between 1950 and 1986. The follow-up began on January 1st 1965. The vital status and causes of death were ascertained up to December 31 2005. Cause-specific mortality rates of the Campania Region population were used as reference. Relative risks were estimated using Standardized Mortality Ratios (SMRs), and the confidence intervals were calculated at a 95% level (95% CI). A significant increase in mortality was observed for respiratory disease (81 deaths; SMR = 187; 95% CI = 149- 233), particularly for pneumoconiosis (42 deaths; SMR = 13 313; 95% CI = 9595-17 996) of which 41 deaths for asbestosis (SMR = 43 385; 95% CI = 31 134-58 857), for pleural cancer (24 deaths; SMR = 2617; 95% CI = 1677-3893), for lung cancer (84 deaths; SMR=153; 95% CI = 122-189) and for peritoneal cancer (9 deaths; SMR = 198...

Treatment of lung cancer remains a challenge, and lung cancer is still the leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Immunotherapy has previously failed in lung cancer but has recently emerged as a very effective new therapy, and there is now growing worldwide enthusiasm in cancer immunotherapy. We summarize why immune checkpoint blockade therapies have generated efficacious and durable responses in clinical trials and why this has reignited interest in this field. Cancer vaccines have also been explored in the past with marginal success. Identification of optimal candidate neoantigens may improve cancer vaccine efficacy and may pave the way to personalized immunotherapy, alone or in combination with other immunotherapy such as immune checkpoint blockade. Understanding the steps in immune recognition and eradication of cancer cells is vital to understanding why previous immunotherapies failed and how current therapies can be used optimally. We hold an optimistic view for the future prospect in lung cancer immunotherapy.