Cancer Progress and Priorities: Lung Cancer

Eating Disorders and Later Incidence of Cancer: A Nationwide Longitudinal Study in Denmark

Background

We examined the incidence of cancer types among individuals with eating disorders (EDs).

Methods

A nationwide longitudinal study of 6,807,731 individuals born between 1940 and 2015 was conducted using the Danish National Registries. Cox models with ED diagnosis as exposure and cancer diagnoses as outcomes were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs while adjusting for sex, birth year, and comorbidities. The primary analysis comprised ICD-8 and ICD-10 codes for anorexia nervosa (AN) and other ED (OED). The secondary analysis comprised ICD-10 codes and included AN, bulimia nervosa (BN), and eating disorders not otherwise specified (EDNOS).

Results

AN was associated with a reduced incidence of breast cancer while adjusting for sex and birth year (HR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.66-0.97) and elevated incidence of respiratory (HR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.24-2.04), cervical (HR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.05-1.98), and esophageal (HR, 4.77; 95% CI, 2.82-8.06) cancers. OED was associated with an elevated incidence of respiratory (HR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.20-2.06) and cervical (HR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.20-2.14) cancers. ICD-10-only analyses confirmed the association of AN with reduced incidence of breast cancer and elevated incidence of respiratory and cervical cancers. BN was associated with reduced incidence of breast cancer in sensitivity analysis. EDNOS was associated with reduced incidence of breast cancer and elevated incidence of respiratory and cervical cancers.

Conclusions

All EDs were associated with a reduced incidence of breast cancer. All EDs except BN were associated with a higher incidence of respiratory and cervical cancers. AN was associated with a higher incidence of esophageal cancer.

Reagentless aptamer based on the ultrasensitive and fast response electrochemical capacitive biosensor for EGFR detection in non-small cell lung cancer

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is still the leading cause of lung cancer-related deaths globally, affecting both men and women. Mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are most common among patients with NSCLC, especially Asian patients. Here, we introduce an electrochemical capacitive biosensor for the early detection of NSCLC through specific identification of EGFR. A novel and reagentless EGFR aptamer was designed using the systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) process and immobilized on a chromium (Cr)/gold (Au) electrode, with capacitance signals used for detection. The biosensor employs an interdigitated capacitor electrode (IDCE) functionalized with 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA), enhancing EGFR aptamer immobilization, while 6-mercapto-1-hexanol (MCH) was used for effective blocking to ensure robust and high-affinity binding to target analytes. The IDCE capacitive biosensor achieved real-time rapid detection within 3 s and demonstrated a detection limit of 0.005 ng/mL for the EGFR peptide, with a dynamic range of 10-11-10-7 ng/mL. Furthermore, the specific EGFR aptamer-immobilized IDCE biosensor was found to be regenerable and reusable up to five times using deionized water. This biosensor offers a rapid, label-free, and highly selective approach for early-stage EGFR detection in NSCLC. Its portability and scalability make it a promising tool for point-of-care diagnostic applications in biomedicine, potentially advancing the field of cancer diagnostics.

Cost-effective shallow genome-wide sequencing for profiling plasma cfDNA signatures to enhance lung cancer detection

BACKGROUND

Lung cancer (LC) screening via low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) faces challenges including high false-positive rates and low patient compliance. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA)-based tests offer a minimally invasive alternative but are limited by high costs and low sensitivity, particularly in early-stage detection. This study introduces a cost-effective, shallow genome-wide sequencing approach for LC detection by profiling multiple cell-free DNA (cfDNA) signatures.

METHODS

We developed a multimodal cfDNA assay with shallow sequencing coverage (0.5×) that integrates fragmentomic, nucleosome, end-motif, and copy number alteration analyses. A machine-learning model trained on a discovery cohort (99 LC patients, 168 healthy controls) and validated on an independent cohort (58 LC patients, 71 controls) demonstrated robust performance.

RESULTS

The ensemble model exhibited outstanding performance, achieving an AUC of 0.97 and a specificity of 92% in both the discovery and validation cohorts, with sensitivities of 94% and 90%, respectively. Notably, it outperformed hotspot mutation-based assays and the multi-cancer SPOT-MAS assay in sensitivity across all LC stages.

CONCLUSIONS

This assay provides a cost-effective, accurate, and minimally invasive method for LC detection, addressing the limitations of current screening methods. It represents a promising complementary tool to improve early detection and patient outcomes in LC.

Polysocial risk score, lifestyle, genetic factors and risk of incident lung cancer

OBJECTIVES

Lung cancer (LC) is the most frequently diagnosed cancer globally; however, the role of social risk factors in its development is not well understood. While previous studies have identified various lifestyle and genetic factors contributing to LC, the interplay between these elements and broader social determinants of health is still unclear. In this study, we aimed to construct a polysocial risk score (PsRS) that captures the multifaceted nature of social environment risk exposure and its relationship with incident LC, and to explore whether the effect of PsRS is influenced by lifestyle behaviours and heritable risk.

STUDY DESIGN

Cohort study.

METHODS

In the UK Biobank cohort, 349,553 participants without previous a cancer diagnosis were recruited. For PsRS construction, 12 social determinants of health were calculated across three domains consistently associated with incident LC. Cox models were used to estimate the association between PsRS and incident LC. Healthy lifestyle and LC genetic risk scores were constructed to evaluate whether lifestyle behaviours and genetic susceptibility modified the effect of PsRS on LC incidence. Mediation analysis was used to estimate whether a healthy lifestyle mediates the effect of PsRS' on LC incidence.

RESULTS

Compared with participants with low PsRS (≤3), the fully adjusted hazard ratio (HR) (95 % CI) for high PsRS (≥7) in developing LC was 2.75 (2.43-3.12). We observed an additive interaction between PsRS and lifestyle. The proportion of mediation effect of lifestyle in the association between PsRS and LC was 6.41 % (95 % CI: 5.74-7.08 %). Individuals with high PsRS and genetic risk had a 4.63-fold higher risk of incident LC.

CONCLUSION

A high PsRS is associated with a higher risk of LC, and lifestyle influences this association. High heritable susceptibility and unfavourable social vulnerability may synergistically contribute to higher LC incidence.

Predicting Gene Comutation of EGFR and TP53 by Radiomics and Deep Learning in Patients With Lung Adenocarcinomas

PURPOSE

This study was designed to construct progressive binary classification models based on radiomics and deep learning to predict the presence of epidermal growth factor receptor ( EGFR ) and TP53 mutations and to assess the models' capacities to identify patients who are suitable for TKI-targeted therapy and those with poor prognoses.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 267 patients with lung adenocarcinomas who underwent genetic testing and noncontrast chest computed tomography from our hospital were retrospectively included. Clinical information and imaging characteristics were gathered, and high-throughput feature acquisition on all defined regions of interest (ROIs) was carried out. We selected features and constructed clinical models, radiomics models, deep learning models, and ensemble models to predict EGFR status with all patients and TP53 status with EGFR-positive patients, respectively. The validity and reliability of each model were expressed as the area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, precision, and F1 score.

RESULTS

We constructed 7 kinds of models for 2 different dichotomies, namely, the clinical model, the radiomics model, the DL model, the rad-clin model, the DL-clin model, the DL-rad model, and the DL-rad-clin model. For EGFR - and EGFR +, the DL-rad-clin model got the highest AUC value of 0.783 (95% CI: 0.677-0.889), followed by the rad-clin model, the DL-clin model, and the DL-rad model. In the group with an EGFR mutation, for TP53 - and TP53 +, the rad-clin model got the highest AUC value of 0.811 (95% CI: 0.651-0.972), followed by the DL-rad-clin model and the DL-rad model.

CONCLUSION

Our progressive binary classification models based on radiomics and deep learning may provide a good reference and complement for the clinical identification of TKI responders and those with poor prognoses.

A new methodology for the evaluation of radon diffusion coefficients in anti-radon membranes

Indoor radon is classified as a carcinogen because it can lead to lung cancer. Some radon preventive strategies are related to building protection with radon barrier materials whose capacity to stop the gas depends on the diffusion coefficient, which can be calculated using different techniques. In this article, we propose a new experimental device, called TESTMAT, to measure the radon diffusion coefficient, using a weak radon source, to prevent radiation protection oversight. The device is small and made from PVC. The sample of the tested material is placed between the source and the receiver containers, as indicated by ISO/TS 11665-13 standard. Since a non-stationary radon diffusion occurs in the system, we developed a specific software, ENDORSE, to model radon activity concentrations in the receiver chamber and the diffusion through the material by applying the explicit finite difference method. The software utilizes Montecarlo simulation to determine the error associated with the diffusion coefficient. Different tests were performed to calibrate the system and assess the value and the evolution of background radon during the two-week measurement. When working with low-activity radon sources, this parameter cannot be neglected, particularly with the best performing membranes. An adequate sample holder was selected to guarantee a good airtightness, with a leakage constant of only 7 % of the radon decay constant. The minimum detection limits were calculated based on the material thickness and the source intensity. The system was finally tested with three commercially available waterproofing membranes and results compared with expected values, based on literature.

Decoding the role of lipid metabolism in NSCLC: From macrophage subtype identification to prognostic model development

Lipid metabolism plays a pivotal role in shaping the tumor microenvironment, particularly by influencing macrophage function. This study aimed to identify lipid-associated macrophage (LAM) marker genes involved in the onset and progression of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) through integrated single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and bulk RNA sequencing (bulk RNA-seq) analyses. Mutation and RNA-seq data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases were analyzed to explore the relationship between lipid metabolism pathways and NSCLC progression. scRNA-seq analysis revealed macrophage subtypes closely associated with lipid metabolism, with three key marker genes-S100A10, HLA-DMB, and CTSL-identified as predictive factors for patient prognosis. A prognostic risk scoring model was constructed and validated using survival analysis and ROC curves, demonstrating high accuracy in stratifying NSCLC patients by risk. Further in vivo experiments using subcutaneous tumor xenografts and lung metastasis models showed that S100A10 and CTSL promoted tumor growth and metastasis, while HLA-DMB inhibited these processes. Immune infiltration analysis highlighted the immunological relevance of the identified marker genes, providing insights into their functional roles. This study underscores the critical influence of LAMs in NSCLC progression and highlights a robust prognostic model that offers potential therapeutic targets for improving patient outcomes.

Cryo-EM structure of HMGB1-RAGE complex and its inhibitory effect on lung cancer

Mitochondrial dysfunction and mitophagy are closely linked with human diseases such as neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic diseases, and cancer. High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) has been shown to mediate a wide range of pathological responses by binding with the receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) and toll-like receptors (TLRs). Extracellular HMGB1 and its ligand RAGE stimulate the growth, metastasis, invasiveness, and treatment resistance of different cancer cells. Through extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) signaling, HMGB1 and RAGE lead to the phosphorylation of Drp1-S616 and Drp1-mediated mitochondrial fission, which consequently causes autophagy. Although the structure of the RAGE and HMGB1 complex is not clearly known, the complex has emerged as a potential therapeutic target. In the present study, the structure of the RAGE and HMGB1 complex was determined at a resolution of 5.19 Å using cryogenic electron microscopy. The structure revealed that the residues P66, G70, P71, S74, and R77 in RAGE and E145, K146, E153, and E156 in HMGB1 were the sites of interaction between the two proteins. Additionally, an HMGB1 peptide (151 LKEKYEK 157) was synthesized based on the RAGE-HMGB1 complex. We investigated the inhibitory function of the HMGB1 peptide and demonstrated that it inhibits tumor growth, metastasis, and invasion by binding to the RAGE protein in lung cancers. The HMGB1 peptide significantly suppressed mitochondrial dysfunction and the initiation of autophagy. Furthermore, the HMGB1 peptide dramatically reduced cell viability, migration, and mitophagy in the colorectal and pancreatic cancer cell lines HCT-116 and AsPC-1, respectively.

The potential of natural herbal plants in the treatment and prevention of non-small cell lung cancer: An encounter between ferroptosis and mitophagy

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Chinese herbal medicine constitutes a substantial cultural and scientific resource for the Chinese nation, attracting considerable scholarly interest due to its intrinsic characteristics of "multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway" interactions. Simultaneously, it aligns accurately with the intricate and continuously evolving progression of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Furthermore, contemporary pharmacological studies indicate that natural herbaceous plants and their bioactive compounds exhibit a diverse array of biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor effects, among others. Additionally, these substances have been demonstrated to possess a degree of safety, particularly in terms of exhibiting comparatively lower levels of toxicity to the liver and kidneys when contrasted with conventional Western medicine. Thus, the development of herbal plants, which includes both single herbs and composite formulations, as well as their bioactive constituents, through the targeted regulation of ferroptosis and mitophagy, presents substantial potential and instills considerable hope for individuals diagnosed with NSCLC.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

This review aims to conduct a critical analysis of the ethnopharmacological applications of natural herbaceous plants in relation to ferroptosis and mitophagy in NSCLC. The objective is to evaluate the potential advantages of prioritizing specific phytochemical constituents found in these plants, which may serve as novel therapeutic candidates informed by ethnobotanical knowledge. Additionally, this study seeks to enhance the current pharmacological applications of natural herbaceous plants.

METHODS

An investigation into natural herbal remedies for NSCLC was conducted, with a particular emphasis on the ferroptosis and mitophagy pathways. This study utilized traditional medical texts and ethnomedicinal literature as primary sources. Furthermore, relevant information related to ethnobotany, phytochemistry, and pharmacology is obtained from online databases, including PubMed and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), among others. "Traditional Chinese medicine compound preparations", "single herb extracts", "active compounds", "NSCLC", "ferroptosis", and "mitophagy" were used as keywords when searching the databases. Consequently, pertinent articles published in recent years were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

Given the complex etiology of NSCLC, treatment strategies that concentrate exclusively on ferroptosis or mitophagy often demonstrate limitations. In this regard, the utilization of herbal plants offers unique benefits in the management of NSCLC. The rationale can be summarized within the following two dimensions: Firstly, due to the molecular mechanisms of ferroptosis and mitophagy involving multiple signaling pathways (including PINK1/Parkin, HMGB1, system Xc-/GPX4/GSH, FSP1/CoQ10/NAD (P) H, and so on), sometimes drugs with a single target are difficult to involve multiple pathways. Fortunately, there is an expanding body of evidence suggesting that various herbaceous plants and their bioactive compounds can affect multiple biological targets. Moreover, these compounds seem to interact with several targets associated with ferroptosis and mitophagy in NSCLC (such as NIX, BNIP3, FUNDC1, GPX4, FSP1, P53, Nrf2, LncRNA, and so on). Secondly, Herbaceous plants and their bioactive compounds have been shown to possess a favorable safety profile, particularly with respect to reduced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in comparison to conventional Western medicine. For example, Numerous compound formulations, such as Fangji Huangqi decoction, Mufangji decoction, Qiyu Sanlong decoction, and Fuzheng Kangai decoction, have been employed in China for millennia, and their clinical efficacy appears to be quite promising. Notably, In recent years, numerous researchers have sought to isolate active constituents from clinically effective compound formulations through the application of chemical methodologies. This endeavor has been driven by the necessity to tackle challenges related to complex ingredient compositions and sophisticated processing. These active compounds have been employed in cellular and animal studies to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying these formulations.

CONCLUSIONS

The Asian region has a long-standing historical tradition of employing natural herbaceous plants for traditional medicinal purposes. Phytochemical and pharmacological studies have shown that various compound preparations derived from traditional Chinese medicine, along with individual herb extracts and their active constituents, display a range of bioactive effects. These effects encompass anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties, among others. Numerous traditional compound formulations originating from China have emerged as promising candidates for the development of pharmacological agents targeting NSCLC. It is noteworthy that a variety of compound formulations aimed at the ferroptosis and mitophagy pathways, which demonstrate unique therapeutic effects on NSCLC, are presently under extensive investigation by an increasing number of researchers. Therefore, it is imperative to consider in vitro mechanistic studies, in vivo pharmacological evaluations, and assessments of clinical efficacy. Furthermore, it is essential to conduct a comprehensive assessment of plant resources, implement quality control measures, and engage in toxicological research to ensure that the data is appropriate for further examination.

Semi-synthesis and biological activities of heterocyclic compounds containing camphor

Breast cancer and lung cancer are two of the most prevalent and deadly malignancies worldwide. Both cancers present significant challenges in terms of effective treatment and management, highlighting the urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies that can improve patient outcomes. This study focuses on the synthesis of novel heterocyclic compounds derived from the naturally formed camphor, aimed at evaluating their cytotoxicity. The research addresses the need for effective cancer treatments by presenting compounds that demonstrate significant inhibitory effects against MCF-7 breast carcinoma cells. Among these, compound 20 exhibited remarkable potency, with an IC50 value of 0.78 μM, surpassing the efficacy of standard chemotherapeutics, dasatinib (IC50 = 7.99 μM) and doxorubicin (IC50 = 3.10 μM). In the context of A549 lung cancer cells, compound 20 also showed strong inhibitory activity (IC50 = 1.69 μM), again outperforming dasatinib (IC50 = 11.8 μM) and doxorubicin (IC50 = 2.43 μM). To further elucidate the biological activities of these compounds, molecular docking studies were performed, revealing that compound 20 exhibited the highest binding energy among the tested compounds, supporting the experimental findings. These results indicate that the synthesized camphor-derived heterocycles, particularly compound 20, have significant potential as potent anticancer agents against breast and lung cancer cell lines.

Combining network pharmacology and experimental verification to explore the inhibitory effects of Deoxyelephantopin (DET) Against Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

BACKGROUND

DET has a significant inhibitory activity against a range of cancer cells; however, its specific effects and underlying mechanisms in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) remain to be fully elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the potential mechanisms through which DET exerts its anti-neoplastic effects on NSCLC.

METHOD

Targets of DET were predicted using the SwissTargetPrediction database. Disease targets for NSCLC were obtained from the GeneCards database, and the intersection between drug targets and disease targets was determined. The STRING database was then employed to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and analyze target interactions. Additionally, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG)enrichment analyses were conducted to investigate their biological functions. Molecular docking simulations were conducted using AutoDock software to analyze the binding interactions between DET and key target proteins. Subsequently, both in vitro and in vivo experiments were carried out to evaluate the anticancer effects of DET, with alterations in key gene expression levels assessed through RT-qPCR and Western blot analyses.

RESULTS

A total of 52 potential targets were discovered for DET and NSCLC. The PPI analysis revealed 5 hub targets, including CASP3, PTGS2, TNFα, ICAM1 and JUN. GO analysis identified 164 biological processes, 44 molecular functions and 40 cellular components. KEGG analysis revealed that DET anticancer effects were mediated through multiple pathways, primarily the AGE-RAGE and TNF signaling pathways. Experimental results demonstrated that DET inhibited the proliferation and migration of H460 cells and induced apoptosis in vitro. RT-qPCR and WB indicated that DET up regulated Bax and CASP3 while down regulating Bcl2, JUN, TNFα, NF-κB, ICAM1 and PTGS2.

CONCLUSION

This study aims to investigate the inhibitory effect of DET on NSCLC by combining network pharmacology and experimental methods. The results demonstrate that DET effectively inhibited the proliferation of H460 cells and induced apoptosis, with significant involvement of the AGE-RAGE and TNF signaling pathways, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic intervention for NSCLC.

Variability in Survival Outcomes Among Asian Ethnic Groups with Stage IV NSCLC

Background and Objectives: Patients of Asian descent are often grouped together despite their diverse ethnicities and genetic backgrounds. Cancer outcomes result from a complex interplay of genetics, environment, and socioeconomic factors. This study aims to describe lung cancer survival outcome variations in Asian ethnic subgroups, hypothesizing that significant outcome differences exist between subgroups. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of the 2020 National Cancer Database identified patients with stage IV non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Asian patients were subcategorized into nine groups: Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Asian Indian/Pakistani, Vietnamese, Pacific Islander, Filipino, Laotian/Hmong/Kampuchean/Thai, and Other Asian/Asian not otherwise specified (NOS). The primary outcome was overall survival, and the secondary outcome was utilization of palliative care. Kaplan-Meier analysis and multivariate Cox and logistic modeling were used to assess outcomes of interest. Results: A total of 23,747 Asian patients with stage IV NSCLC were identified. Demographic characteristics of the subgroups varied by age, sex, Charlson-Deyo Comorbidity Index, and utilization of palliative care. Relative to Chinese Asians, multivariate Cox analysis showed worse survival outcomes among patients categorized as Japanese, Korean, Pacific Islanders, Filipino, and Laotian/Hmong/Kampuchean/Thai. The rate of palliative care utilization also varied among Asian subgroups. Compared to Chinese patients, palliative care was more likely to be utilized by patients categorized as Japanese and Pacific Islander. Conclusions: Amongst Asian subgroups, variations in survival outcomes and palliative care utilization in stage IV NSCLC patients were observed. Surgeons should acknowledge these disparities and consider disaggregating Asian races in prognosis analysis to enhance understanding of race's impact on outcomes. Recognizing these differences is crucial for guiding personalized treatment strategies, optimizing resource allocation, and informing health policy to ensure equitable cancer care for all Asian populations.

A 7-Year Active Surveillance Experience for Occupational Lung Cancer in Bologna, Italy (2017-2023)

BACKGROUND

In Italy, lung cancer is the second most frequent neoplasm in men and the third in women. Exposure to carcinogens in workplaces plays a significant role. Still, cases attributable to occupational exposure are currently under-reported as occupational diseases: the current National Prevention Plan also encourages active research projects for the detection of cancers attributable to occupational exposure.

METHODS

The Unit of Prevention and Safety in the Workplace of Bologna Local Health Authority (Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-AUSL-)created a network for active surveillance of occupational lung cancer cases with the dedicated Diagnostic and Therapeutic Care Pathways(PDTA). Possible occupational exposure cases were selected within all incident PDTA cases using a self-completed patient filter form. Only patients selected through the form were interviewed; occupational physicians collected personal, occupational, and clinical history. Definition of a cooperation system with the local office of the National Institute for Insurance(INAIL)for monitoring the process during the medico-legal assessments conducted by the insurance institute up to resolution.

RESULTS

453 cases completed the filter form, 177 had a potential occupational exposure. Of these, 140 accepted the direct interview with occupational physicians. One hundred eleven cases interviewed were assessed with sure or suspect occupational origin: for 82, a claim for recognition was sent to the INAIL, while for the other 29 was sent to INAIL a report for epidemiological purposes. Out of 82 compensation claims, 18 individuals (4 females and 14 males) received compensation, while 4 cases remain under investigation. A total of 53 claims were rejected: 54.7% for lack of exposure to risk factors, 24.5% for insufficient exposure, 9.4% due to inadequate administrative documentation, 7.5% because of insufficient clinical documentation, and 3.8% for the absence of causal association.

CONCLUSIONS

Several occupational lung cancers were found that otherwise would have been unrecognized. Asbestos was the most frequent agent occurring in the most widespread work sectors-construction and manufacture of metalworking products-and in the period of exposure from 1970 to 1980. Other relevant agents were welding fumes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Active surveillance, direct patient interviews, and claims for recognition integrated by a complementary report are essential to increase the INAIL compensation rate.

Pt(IV) Complexes as Anticancer Drugs and Their Relationship with Oxidative Stress

Despite continuous research, cancer is still a leading cause of death worldwide; therefore, new methods of cancer management improvement are emerging. It is well known that in the pathophysiology of cancer, oxidative stress (OS) is a significant factor. Nevertheless, there is currently no quick or easy way to identify OS in cancer patients using blood tests. Currently, in cancer treatments, Pt(IV) complexes are preferred to Pt(II) complexes in terms of adverse effects, drug resistance, and administration methods. Intracellular reductants convert Pt(IV) complexes to their Pt(II) analogs, which are Pt compounds with anti-carcinogenic effects. Our aim was to find out if Pt(IV) complexes could be used to assess blood oxidative stress indicators and, consequently, monitor the development of cancer. In this review, we analyzed previous research using the PubMed and Google Scholar public databases to verify the potential use of Pt(IV) complexes in cancer management. We found that two main serum antioxidants, glutathione and ascorbic acid, which are easily measured using conventional methods, react favorably with Pt(IV) complexes. Our research results suggest Pt(IV) complexes as therapeutic anticancer drugs and potential diagnosis agents. However, further research must be conducted to verify this hypothesis.

Synthesis of a novel mitochondrial fluorescent probe - killing cancer cells in vitro and in vivo

Purpose

The global incidence and mortality rates associated with cancer are increasing annually, presenting significant challenges in oncology, particularly regarding the efficacy and toxicity of antineoplastic agents. Additionally, mitochondria are recognized for their multifaceted roles in the progression of malignant tumors. Mitochondrial-targeting drugs offer promising avenues for cancer therapy. This study focuses on the synthesis of a mitochondrial fluorescent probe, designated Mitochondrial Probe Molecule-1 (MPM-1), and evaluates its anti-tumor effects on colon cancer (CRC) and lung cancer (LUNG) both in vitro and in vivo.

Methods

Mito Tracker Green FM staining was performed to investigate the subcellular location of MPM-1. Cell cycle assay, colony formation, EdU, assay of cell apoptosis, wound healing assay, and trans-well migration assay were utilized to confirm anticancer properties of MPM-1 in vitro. Using a xenograft mouse model, the effects of MPM-1 in tumor treatment were also identified. RNA-seq and Western blot were performed to examine the underlying mechanism of MPM-1.

Results

The findings indicate that MPM-1 selectively targets mitochondria and exerts inhibitory effects on CRC and LUNG cells. Specifically, MPM-1 significantly reduced the proliferation and migration of lung cancer cell lines A549 and H1299, as well as colon cancer cell lines SW480 and LOVO, with IC50 values of 4.900, 7.376, 8.677, and 7.720 µM, respectively, while also promoting apoptosis. RNA-seq analysis revealed that MPM-1 exerts its broad-spectrum anticancer effects through interactions with multiple signaling pathways, including mTOR, Wnt, Hippo, PI3K/Akt, and MAPK pathways. Additionally, in vivo studies demonstrated that MPM-1 effectively inhibited tumor progression.

Conclusion

In summary, MPM-1 demonstrates the ability to inhibit the growth of CRC and LUNG by targeting mitochondria and modulating several signaling pathways that attenuate tumor cell migration and proliferation while promoting apoptosis. This research underscores the potential of MPM-1 as a tumor suppressor and lays a robust foundation for the future development of innovative anticancer therapies that target mitochondrial functions.

Prediction of postoperative intensive care unit admission with artificial intelligence models in non-small cell lung carcinoma

BACKGROUND

There is no standard practice for intensive care admission after non-small cell lung cancer surgery. In this study, we aimed to determine the need for intensive care admission after non-small cell lung cancer surgery with deep learning models.

METHODS

The data of 953 patients who were operated for non-small cell lung cancer between January 2001 and 2023 was analyzed. Clinical, laboratory, respiratory, tumor's radiological and surgical features were included as input data in the study. The outcome data was intensive care unit admission. Deep learning was performed with the Fully Connected Neural Network algorithm and k-fold cross validation method.

RESULTS

The training accuracy value was 92.0%, the training F1 1 score of the algorithm was 86.7%, the training F1 0 value was 94.2%, and the training F1 average score was 90.5%. The test sensitivity value of the algorithm was 67.7%, the test positive predictive value was 84.0%, and the test accuracy value was 85.3%. Test F1 1 score was 75.0%, test F1 0 score was 89.5%, and test F1 average score was 82.3%. The AUC in the ROC curve created for the success analysis of the algorithm's test data was 0.83.

CONCLUSIONS

Using our method deep learning models predicted the need for intensive care unit admission with high success and confidence values. The use of artificial intelligence algorithms for the necessity of intensive care hospitalization will ensure that postoperative processes are carried out safely using objective decision mechanisms.

Inflammatory Pathways to Carcinogenesis: Deciphering the Rheumatoid Arthritis-Lung Cancer Connection

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common chronic autoimmune arthropathy. If the disease is aggressive or left untreated, it becomes debilitating, affects a patient's functionality, and reduces the quality of life. Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), both conventional, targeted, and biological, decrease the disease progression and are key components of effective treatment. Recently, there has been a continuous debate about the possible carcinogenicity of various DMARDs. Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer death worldwide. The available data show an increased risk of lung cancer in RA patients, but the link between RA and cancer is poorly understood. Carcinogenesis in RA seems to be related to chronic inflammation, familial predisposition, risky behaviors (e.g., smoking), and iatrogenic complications. The main mechanisms of carcinogenic processes in patients with RA are the up-regulation of interleukin-6 (IL-6) cytokine production and wingless/integrated WNT signaling. Up-regulation of WNT5A is an important mechanism that links chronic inflammatory pathways to carcinogenesis observed in RA patients. Concomitant up-regulation of transcription factor STAT3 promotes cell proliferation and inhibits apoptosis. Conversely, suppressed inflammatory processes by DMARDs may decrease the risk of lung cancer. In this article, we discuss the molecular mechanisms of lung cancer in RA and the role of DMARDs in this process. Furthermore, we analyze the molecular effect of drug-induced cancer, which affects transcription factors and thus modulates carcinogenic processes. Finally, we describe risk factors and present preventive and therapeutic approaches.

Explainable AI for lung cancer detection via a custom CNN on CT images

Lung cancer, which claims 1.8 million lives annually, is still one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths globally. Patients with lung cancer frequently have a bad prognosis because of late-stage detection, which severely limits treatment options and decreases survival rates. Early detection is essential for better outcomes, but traditional CT image analysis is time-consuming, prone to error, and relies on subjective judgments. To overcome these issues, we propose a custom convolutional neural network (CNN) combined with explainable AI (XAI) techniques, particularly gradient-weighted class activation mapping (Grad-CAM). This approach is intended to reliably classify lung cancer into squamous cell carcinoma, large cell carcinoma, or adenocarcinoma. Unlike conventional methods, our approach not only achieves highly accurate classification of lung cancer subtypes but also incorporates clinically validated interpretability features to ensure alignment with medical diagnostics. Our model trained on a comprehensive dataset of CT images achieved an overall accuracy of 93.06%. This performance demonstrates the model's robustness in detecting even subtle malignancies, with strong precision, recall, and F1-scores across all cancer types. Including interpretable Grad-CAM visualizations ensures reliability and transparency, aiding clinicians in understanding the model's predictions. This innovative method demonstrates the potential to revolutionize early lung cancer detection and improve patient survival rates by combining state-of-the-art accuracy with explainability tailored for clinical application.

Construction of a prognostic model for autophagy-related LncRNAs in lung adenocarcinoma

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally, with lung adenocarcinoma being the most prevalent subtype. Current prognostic indicators have limitations due to tumor heterogeneity, necessitating the identification of novel biomarkers for better risk stratification and personalized treatment. Here, we constructed and validated a prognostic model for lung adenocarcinoma based on autophagy-related long noncoding RNAs (LncRNAs). Transcriptional data, including 501 lung adenocarcinoma and 54 adjacent non-tumor samples, were retrieved from the cancer genome atlas. The LncRNAs associated with autophagy-related genes were identified. A prognostic prediction model was constructed using univariate Cox regression and further refined through the Lasso regression. The risk score, calculated based on the prediction model, was used to stratify patients into high-risk and low-risk groups. The prognostic value of the model was assessed using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Twenty paired lung adenocarcinoma and adjacent noncancerous tissues were collected from patients who underwent surgery. Six LncRNAs were validated in these tissues using RT-qPCR. A total of 1321 autophagy-related LncRNAs (R ≥ 0.3, P < .001) were identified, with 143 LncRNAs significantly associated with the prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma. A prognostic prediction model, composed of 14 LncRNAs (LINC01876, FAM83A-AS1, AL031667.3, FENDRR, AC125807.2, AP002761.1, AC107959.3, MYO16-AS1, AL606489.1, AC026355.2, NKILA, LINC01116, LINC01137, and MMP2-AS1), was constructed. The high-risk group had significantly lower survival times than the low-risk group (P < .001). The area under ROC curves of the prognostic model was 0.78, 0.73, and 0.71 for 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year survival, respectively. Consistently, RT-qPCR revealed that LINC01876, AC125807.2, and AL031667.3 were significantly increased in lung adenocarcinoma, while MMP2-AS1, AC026355.2, and FENDRR were significantly decreased. The study presents a novel prognostic model based on 14 autophagy-related LncRNAs for patients with lung adenocarcinoma. This model may further guide the clinical treatment of lung adenocarcinoma.

Targeting KRAS-G12C in lung cancer: The emerging role of PROTACs in overcoming resistance

In lung cancer, KRAS mutations, especially the G12C, favor aggressive tumor growth and resistance to standard therapies. Although first-generation inhibitors of KRAS G12C, such as sotorasib and adagrasib, are highly effective in early-phase studies, resistance invariably develops under selective inhibition pressure and rarely leads to sustained long-term treatment benefits. As a novel approach to targeting KRAS mutations in lung cancer, PROTAC (Proteolysis Targeting Chimera) technology is explored in this review. The PROTACs take advantage of the cell's ubiquitin-proteasome system to selectively degrade KRAS proteins, overcoming the dilemma of a lack of traditional binding sites and the means of resistance. We review recent progress with KRAS-specific PROTACs and their mechanisms, clinical application, and effectiveness at targeting primary KRAS oncogenes and secondary drivers and signaling pathways contributing to therapeutic resistance. Also, the synergies between PROTACs and immunotherapies or chemotherapies are further amplified. This review also underscores PROTAC technology's promise to advance precision medicine by providing durable treatment options for KRAS-driven lung cancers. It addresses future directions for optimizing PROTAC efficacy, bioavailability, and patient-specific applications.

A cost-effectiveness analysis of amivantamab plus lazertinib versus osimertinib in the treatment of US and Chinese patients with EGFR-mutated advanced non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

The combination of amivantamab and lazertinib (AL) has demonstrated clinically significant efficacy in patients with previously untreated EGFR-mutated advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, its economic value relative to the standard therapy, osimertinib, remains unclear. This study evaluates the cost-effectiveness of AL regimen compared with osimertinib in US and Chinese healthcare settings.

METHODS

A partitioned survival model, comprising progression-free survival (PFS), post-progression, and death states, was developed using a Markov model. Clinical data were obtained from the recent Phase III MARIPOSA trial. Direct medical costs (including drug acquisition, administration, and adverse event management) were obtained from US and Chinese healthcare system data, public databases, and the literature. Health-state utilities were sourced from the literature. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were calculated based on quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). Threshold analysis was performed to identify pricing strategies at specified willingness-to-pay (WTP) thresholds. Model robustness was assessed through sensitivity and scenario analyses, and additional subgroup analyses performed.

RESULTS

In the base case analysis, the average costs of AL and osimertinib regimen were $1,030,524.3 (China: $234,270.87) and $466,922.0 (China: $20,075.35), respectively, and the QALYs achieved were 4.08 (China: 3.66) and 2.60 (China: 2.66), respectively. The ICERs for AL compared with osimertinib in the US and China were $563,602.3 and $214,195.51, respectively. Based on the respective WTP thresholds in the US and China, the AL regimen did not represent a cost-effective option. Sensitivity, scenario, and subgroup analyses confirmed the robustness of these findings.

CONCLUSIONS

Although AL regimen prolongs QALYs compared with osimertinib, it may not meet cost-effectiveness thresholds given current US pricing and simulated Chinese prices. These findings emphasize the need to consider policy implications and future pricing strategies.

Amplified dosage of the NKX2-1 lineage transcription factor controls its oncogenic role in lung adenocarcinoma

Amplification-mediated oncogene overexpression is a critical and widespread driver event in cancer, yet our understanding of how amplification and dosage mediate oncogene regulation is limited. Here, we find that the most significant focal amplification event in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) targets a lineage "super-enhancer" near the NKX2-1 lineage transcription factor. The NKX2-1 super-enhancer is targeted by focal and co-amplification with NKX2-1 and controls NKX2-1 expression and regulation. We find that NKX2-1 directly controls enhancer accessibility to drive a lineage-addicted state in LUAD. We precisely map the effects of NKX2-1 dosage modulation upon both overexpression and knockdown and identify both linear and non-linear regulation by NKX2-1 dosage. We find that NKX2-1 is a widespread dependency in LUAD cell lines and that NKX2-1 confers persistence to EGFR inhibitors. Our data suggest a defining role for dosage in the oncogenic regulation of amplified NKX2-1 and that amplified NKX2-1 lineage addiction defines LUAD tumors.

Pulmonary fibrosis complicated by lung cancer: bibliometric analysis from 2004 to 2024 - research status, trends and future directions

Objective

Although research on the association between pulmonary fibrosis and lung cancer is of great significance, to date, no bibliometric analysis has been conducted on the comorbidity of these two diseases. This study aims to explore the current status and cutting - edge trends in this field through bibliometric analysis, and to establish new directions for future research.

Methods

Using the Web of Science Core Collection database, statistical calculations, graphic, and data visualization tools such as CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and Biblimatrix - biblioshiny were adopted.

Results

A total of 2,234 original Articles and Reviews on pulmonary fibrosis complicated by lung cancer published between 2004 and 2024 were identified. A slow growth trend in publications related to pulmonary fibrosis complicated by lung cancer was observed. The United States, Japan, and China were the countries with the greatest contributions. Professor Michael Kreuter from Marienhaus Clinic, Mainz, Germany, and the University of Michigan published the most articles. Through cluster analysis of co - cited literature, five main clusters were identified. Keyword analysis predicted that "nintedanib", "pirfenidone", "immunotherapy", etc. might become hot topics in the field of the comorbidity of pulmonary fibrosis and lung cancer.

Conclusion

This bibliometric analysis shows that the literature related to the comorbidity of pulmonary fibrosis and lung cancer is on a continuous upward trend. The research hotspots and trends identified in this study provide a reference for in - depth research in this field, aiming to promote the development of research on the comorbidity of pulmonary fibrosis and lung cancer.

Patterns and Differences in Lung Cancer Treatment: United States, 2015-2020

BACKGROUND

Treatment for lung cancer can improve prognosis, but 5-year survival remains low at 26%. An examination of treatment using data with higher population coverage, and among a broader number of treatment modalities and individual characteristics, would provide greater insight into differences in lung cancer treatment.

RESEARCH QUESTION

Among adults diagnosed with lung cancer, how does reported receipt of lung cancer treatment differ by sociodemographic characteristics?

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

We used 2015-2020 National Program of Cancer Registry data covering 89% of the US population to describe first-course treatment among people aged ≥ 20 years and diagnosed with lung and bronchus cancer. We performed multivariable logistic regression to examine associations between sociodemographic characteristics and treatment received.

RESULTS

Among 1,068,155 people diagnosed with lung cancer, 22% received surgery, 41% received chemotherapy, 40% received radiation, 13% received immunotherapy, and 75% received at least one of the four treatments. People who were aged ≥ 45 years (OR range, 0.08-0.67); were of American Indian or Alaska Native (OR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.77-0.87), Black (OR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.81-0.84), or Hispanic (OR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.78-0.82) race/ethnicity; resided in a nonmetropolitan county (OR, 0.98; 0.96-0.99); resided in the bottom 25% (OR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.78-0.81) and middle 50% (OR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.86-0.88) of counties by economic status (considers unemployment rate, per capita market income, and poverty rate); and in the West US census region (OR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.94-0.97) had significantly lower odds of receiving at least 1 of the 4 treatments.

INTERPRETATION

Chemotherapy and radiation were the most common types of first-course treatment reported. Receipt of at least one of the four treatments examined was lower among several groups, including certain racial and ethnic groups and those residing in counties with lower economic status. Future studies might further identify and intervene on factors underlying differences.

Early Routine Lung Cancer Screening Leads to Improved Treatment Options and Survival

BackgroundLung cancer is the second-most common cancer and leading cause of cancer-related deaths. American adults aged 55 to 80 years are at heightened risk for lung cancer; only 4.5% underwent screening history by computed tomography. The hypothesis is that lung cancers diagnosed on screening were an earlier stage which broadens treatment options and improves survival.MethodsThe electronic health record (EHR) was retrospectively queried to identify patients with lung cancer from 2017 to 2020. Kaplan-Maier curves were used to compare survival based on screening history.Results764 patients with lung cancer were included. 14.7% (112/764) had a history of lung cancer screening. Patients with a history of screening were significantly more likely to be diagnosed at early stages (66/112, 59% vs 215/652, 33%; P < .0001). They were significantly more likely to have surgery (46/112, 41% vs 97/652, 15%, respectively; P < 0.0001). Patients diagnosed in late stages were significantly more likely than those diagnosed at early stages to receive chemotherapy (318/483, 66% vs 76/281, 27%, respectively; P < .0001). Three-year survival was higher with screening (P < .0001). Survival rates at 3 years after initial diagnosis with screening history is 47.4% (95% CI, 34.8-59.0) while the rate without screening is 25.2% (95% CI, 21.2-29.4).DiscussionLung cancer diagnosed via screening was more likely to be earlier stages. Patients diagnosed at early stages were more likely to undergo surgery. Those diagnosed via screening had a higher 3-year survival. These findings indicate that early routine screening leads to improved treatment options and survival.

Spatiotemporal analysis of lung cancer mortality in Spain

BACKGROUND

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in Spain. This study aims to analyze the spatiotemporal pattern of lung cancer mortality in Spain and to discuss the role of potential risk factors.

METHODS

A spatiotemporal study of lung cancer mortality was conducted in Spain. Moran's I index and Local Indicators of Spatial Association (LISA) were utilized to identify spatial clustering. Bivariate spatial associations and multivariate regression models were applied to examine the association between lung cancer mortality, population density, mining activity, and average income per capita.

RESULTS

A total of 81.8 % of lung cancer deaths occurred in males, though there is a rising trend in deaths among females. There are low-mortality clusters mainly concentrated in inland areas of the peninsula and in the northern half of the country, while high-mortality clusters are distributed heterogeneously and, in some regions, follow the course of the rivers. Municipal-level association analysis shows a direct relationship with population density and, among individuals aged 65 and older, with mining activity; however, it reveals an inverse relationship with average income per capita.

CONCLUSION

A better understanding of the spatiotemporal behavior of lung cancer mortality and its associated risk factors could be useful for primary prevention efforts and healthcare planning.

Exploring the Impact of Neuroticism on Lung Cancer Risk: Insights From Mediated Mendelian Randomization

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore the potential association between neuroticism and lung cancer.

METHODS

We conducted analyses on publicly accessible aggregated data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) that included individuals of European descent. The objective was to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) significantly associated with neuroticism and utilize them as instrumental variables in a two-sample Mendelian randomization framework to evaluate the gender-specific causal link between neuroticism and lung cancer risk. We applied four statistical methods: Inverse variance weighting (IVW), weighted median, MR-Egger regression, and weighted mode. Our analysis also considered the mediating effect of educational attainment on this relationship.

RESULTS

We selected 67 SNPs associated with neuroticism at genome-wide significance levels from GWAS datasets. Our primary findings using IVW suggest a notable increase in lung cancer risk associated with neuroticism across the general population (odds ratio [OR] = 1.175; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.020-1.354, p = 0.026). Gender-specific analysis revealed that neuroticism posed a slight but significant risk increase in men (OR = 1.006; 95% CI 1.000-1.012, p = 0.045) and women (OR = 1.005; 95% CI 1.002-1.009, p = 0.002), with findings corroborated by the additional statistical methods. Further, evidence from both observational and Mendelian randomization analyses suggests that genetically predicted neuroticism is causally associated with a modestly increased risk of incident lung cancer, with ∼17% of this effect mediated by educational attainment.

CONCLUSIONS

The results from this Mendelian randomization study provide robust evidence supporting a potential association between neuroticism and an increased risk of lung cancer. This association appears more pronounced in men than women. Additionally, educational level serves as a mediator in the nexus between these conditions, suggesting that interventions aimed at increasing educational attainment might mitigate some of the risk neuroticism poses for developing lung cancer.

TMEM33, an oncogene regulated by miR-214-3p, promotes the progression of lung adenocarcinoma through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

Background

Lung cancer remains a major factor causing cancer-associated mortality globally. While there have been advancements in treatment options, advanced lung cancer patients still have poor outcomes. This study aims to investigate the potential role of Transmembrane protein 33 (TMEM33) in the development of lung adenocarcinoma.

Methods

We leveraged The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database to analyze the connection between TMEM33 expression to the prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Cell proliferation, invasiveness, and sphere formation were analyzed by various experiments. The association of miR-214-3p with TMEM33 was explored using luciferase reporter assay, immunoblotting, and real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Additionally, TMEM33's biological role was confirmed in the mouse xenograft model through lung cancer transplantation and metastasis studies.

Results

TMEM33 showed high expression within both LUAD tissues and cells, with its expression correlating with poor patient survival outcomes. Silencing TMEM33 resulted in significant reductions in cell proliferation, invasiveness, and stem-like properties. Further investigation suggested that miR-214-3p negatively regulated TMEM33. In both cellular and animal models, we further demonstrated that TMEM33 knockdown could effectively suppress the aggressiveness of lung cancer cells, impeding tumor growth and inhibiting metastasis in the mouse model. Moreover, reducing TMEM33 expression reduced key signaling molecules within the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, providing insights into TMEM33's mechanistic role in LUAD.

Conclusion

TMEM33 functions as an oncogene, which is under the negative regulation of miR-214-3p, to promote the LUAD malignant characteristics by engaging the Wnt/β-catenin cascade.

Cnidaria herd optimized fuzzy C-means clustering enabled deep learning model for lung nodule detection

Introduction

Lung nodule detection is a crucial task for diagnosis and lung cancer prevention. However, it can be extremely difficult to identify tiny nodules in medical images since pulmonary nodules vary greatly in shape, size, and location. Further, the implemented methods have certain limitations including scalability, robustness, data availability, and false detection rate.

Methods

To overcome the limitations in the existing techniques, this research proposes the Cnidaria Herd Optimization (CHO) algorithm-enabled Bi-directional Long Short-Term Memory (CHSTM) model for effective lung nodule detection. Furthermore, statistical and texture descriptors extract the significant features that aid in improving the detection accuracy. In addition, the FC2R segmentation model combines the optimized fuzzy C-means clustering algorithm and the Resnet -101 deep learning approach that effectively improves the performance of the model. Specifically, the CHO algorithm is modelled using the combination of the induced movement strategy of krill with the time control mechanism of the cnidaria to find the optimal solution and improve the CHSTM model's performance.

Results

According to the experimental findings of a performance comparison between other established methods, the FC2R + CHSTM model achieves 98.09% sensitivity, 97.71% accuracy, and 97.03% specificity for TP 80 utilizing the LUNA-16 dataset. Utilizing the LIDC/IDRI dataset, the proposed approach attained a high accuracy of 97.59%, sensitivity of 96.77%, and specificity of 98.41% with k-fold validation outperforming the other existing techniques.

Conclusion

The proposed FC2R + CHSTM model effectively detects lung nodules with minimum loss and better accuracy.

The Impact of an Educational Project on Cancer-Related Knowledge and Awareness Among High School Students

Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, making it a significant global health issue. Approximately half of cancer cases are linked solely to behavioral habits. Lifestyle changes made at a young age are easier to adopt and have lasting effects on future health, making early awareness about cancer essential. The "OncoAcademy: The Key to Health" project, aimed at high school Polish students, has been created to promote a positive health attitude and increase awareness among young people about cancer and methods of its prevention. From September 2023 to November 2024, we conducted educational sessions for 3000 high school students and assessed their cancer prevention knowledge before and after the project. Results revealed that students' level of knowledge before classes was moderate (M = 51.76%; SD = 13.63%). On average, students correctly answered 13 of 26 questions. After classes, the level of knowledge was assessed as moderately good (M = 62.47%; SD = 14.48%). On average, students correctly answered 16 out of 26 questions. The analysis revealed a statistically significant difference between the general level of knowledge-after classes, students achieved significantly better scores. This study highlighted changes in students' awareness and knowledge about cancer brought about by implementing a cancer education project. Generally, high school students in Poland have basic knowledge about cancer and its risk factors. Most adolescents are aware of the significant impact of lifestyle on cancer risk. Early education on cancer prevention, mainly aimed at lifestyle changes, is crucial. Enhancing adolescents' understanding of risk factors can play a significant role in lowering future cancer rates.

Adverse event profile of crizotinib in real-world from the FAERS database: a 12-year pharmacovigilance study

AIM

Crizotinib, an anaplastic lymphoma kinase tyrosine kinase inhibitor (ALK-TKI). It gained approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) specifically for treating ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The objective of the present investigation was to evaluate adverse events (AEs) associated with crizotinib in real-world by employing data mining on the U.S. FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).

METHODS

Data encompassing AEs linked to crizotinib from 2011 to 2023 were gathered. Disproportionality analyses, which involved the utilization of reporting odds ratio (ROR), proportional reporting ratio (PRR), Bayesian confidence propagation neural network (BCPNN), and multi-item gamma Poisson shrinker (MGPS), were employed for analytical purposes.

RESULTS

A total of 10,226 reports documenting crizotinib-associated AEs were extracted from the FAERS database. Out of these, 147 preferred terms (PTs) displaying significant disproportionality were identified concurrently across all four algorithms. The most frequently observed AEs included increased transaminases, bradycardia, prolonged QT, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, visual impairment, and interstitial lung disease, which were consistent with previous reports from clinical trials. Additionally, unexpected significant AEs such as deep vein thrombosis, pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia, gastrointestinal amyloidosis, and hepatic coma were also observed.

CONCLUSION

Crizotinib offers therapeutic benefits but is also accompanied by various risks in the form of AEs. Our study findings align with previous clinical observations, and furthermore, we have identified unforeseen serious AEs. This discovery serves as a novel basis for the monitoring of dosages and the identification of risks associated with crizotinib.

Current Advances in the Use of Mushrooms as Therapeutics for Lung Cancer: A Review

Medicinal mushrooms have become increasingly important in the pharmaceutical industry because they contain a wealth of bioactive compounds and offer various nutritional benefits. These qualities also contribute to their widespread use in cooking. Global mycologists have suggested that a deeper understanding of mushrooms can aid in treating a variety of cancers at different stages. The excellent anticancer potential of fungi has inevitably attracted the attention of researchers, given the ever-increasing number of cases of lung cancer. Thus, the purpose of this review was to compile and synthesize the existing scientific literature about the potential of mushroom extracts particularly towards lung cancer prevention. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in electronic databases to identify relevant studies for the review. We found that 26 distinct kinds of mushrooms, prepared in over 10 different solvents, were used to make extracts that decreased the viability of different types of lung cancer cells (A549, NCI-H460, 3LL, H1264 cells etc.). We also examined a range of experimental models, including cell cultures (in vitro), mouse models (in vivo), as well as case studies and randomized controlled trials. The investigated mushrooms' effective mechanisms included: a reduction in the growth of cancer cells; an imbalanced percentage of cells in different phases of the cell cycle; an increase in autophagy and phagocytosis; an enhanced immune response; and the induction of cell apoptosis through the upregulation of pro-apoptotic factors and the downregulation of anti-apoptotic genes. Considering that mushrooms are consumed as a daily supplement, their potent pro-apoptotic properties and high antiproliferative efficacy are advantageous and could provide a model for further studies in this field as well as novel drug therapies and cancer treatments.

An Assessment of ChatGPT's Responses to Common Patient Questions About Lung Cancer Surgery: A Preliminary Clinical Evaluation of Accuracy and Relevance

Background: Chatbots based on artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are rapidly growing in popularity. Patients may use these technologies to ask questions regarding surgical interventions, preoperative assessments, and postoperative outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine whether ChatGPT could appropriately answer some of the most frequently asked questions posed by patients about lung cancer surgery. Methods: Sixteen frequently asked questions about lung cancer surgery were asked to the chatbot in one conversation, without follow-up questions or repetition of the same questions. Each answer was evaluated for appropriateness and accuracy using an evidence-based approach by a panel of specialists with relevant clinical experience. The responses were assessed using a four-point Likert scale (i.e., "strongly agree, satisfactory", "agree, requires minimal clarification", "disagree, requires moderate clarification", and "strongly disagree, requires substantial clarification"). Results: All answers provided by the chatbot were judged to be satisfactory, evidence-based, and generally unbiased overall, seldomly requiring minimal clarification. Moreover, information was delivered in a language deemed easy-to-read and comprehensible to most patients. Conclusions: ChatGPT could effectively provide evidence-based answers to the most commonly asked questions about lung cancer surgery. The chatbot presented information in a language considered understandable by most patients. Therefore, this resource may be a valuable adjunctive tool for preoperative patient education.

A Systematic Review of Trajectories of Clinically Relevant Distress Amongst Adults with Cancer: Course and Predictors

To improve interventions for people with cancer who experience clinically relevant distress, it is important to understand how distress evolves over time and why. This review synthesizes the literature on trajectories of distress in adult patients with cancer. Databases were searched for longitudinal studies using a validated clinical tool to group patients into distress trajectories. Twelve studies were identified reporting trajectories of depression, anxiety, adjustment disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder. Heterogeneity between studies was high, including the timing of baseline assessments and follow-up intervals. Up to 1 in 5 people experienced persistent depression or anxiety. Eight studies examined predictors of trajectories; the most consistent predictor was physical symptoms or functioning. Due to study methodology and heterogeneity, limited conclusions could be drawn about why distress is maintained or emerges for some patients. Future research should use valid clinical measures and assess theoretically driven predictors amendable to interventions.

Management of lung cancer in older adults

BACKGROUND

More than half of the patients diagnosed with lung cancer are older than 70 years. Good knowledge of the special needs of these patients in diagnosis and treatment is essential for proper management of older adults with lung cancer.

METHODS

For this narrative review, an exploratory literature search was conducted using the keywords "lung cancer", "elderly", "geriatric", and "frailty".

RESULTS

Common diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in older adults with lung cancer are bronchoscopy for histological diagnosis and molecular tissue analyses, staging with computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography CT (PET-CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), surgical tumor resection, radiotherapy and systemic therapy including treatment with immune checkpoint or kinase inhibitors. Frailty is common in this group of patients and the geriatric assessment (GA) is suitable for determining the extent of frailty of individual cases. These diagnostic procedures do not pose a high risk even in very old age. Age per se should not preclude curative treatment approaches. Assessment of frailty by GA prior to adjuvant or palliative systemic treatment together with subsequent targeted geriatric interventions improve outcomes of older patients with lung cancer (less treatment toxicity).

CONCLUSION

Management of lung cancer in advanced age requires careful tailoring of diagnostic and therapeutic measures to tumor characteristics, frailty profile and preferences but not the age of individual patients.

Sufentanil Suppresses Cell Carcinogenesis Via Targeting miR-186-5p/HMGB1 Axis and Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Sufentanil is a common opioid anesthetic agent, which exerts anti-cancer properties in several cancer types. However, its action mechanisms in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are unclear. Therefore, the present study investigated the pharmacological effect of sufentanil on miRNAs in NSCLC treatment. In this study, after treatment with sufentanil, the proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis of A549 and H1299 NSCLC cell lines were measured by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, colony formation assay, transwell assays and flow cytometry. Quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was utilized to detect the expression of miR-186-5p and high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1), and their interaction was analyzed using luciferase reporter assay. The proteins of HMGB1, and apoptosis- and Wnt/β-catenin pathway-related factors were detected by western blot. It was demonstrated that sufentanil significantly upregulated miR‑186‑5p to restrict NSCLC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and boost apoptosis in vitro. Mechanically, miR-186-5p interacted with HMGB1 and negatively regulated HMGB1 in NSCLC cells. Furthermore, rescue assay showed that sufentanil exerted antitumor activities by upregulating miR-186-5p, which targeted HMGB1 and restrained Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway in NSCLC cells. In conclusion, these results suggested that sufentanil disrupts the oncogenicity of NSCLC cells by regulating miR-186-5p/HMGB1/β-catenin axis, providing a promising implication for the anti-oncogenic effect of sufentanil.

Herbal Formula Yi-Fei-Jie-Du-Tang Regulates Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Vasculogenic Mimicry in Lung Cancer via HIF1A-Mediated Ferroptosis

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) Yi-Fei-Jie-Du-Tang (YFJDT) has shown potential in lung cancer treatment. However, the mechanisms underlying the effects of YFJDT on lung cancer remain unclear. Bioinformatics analysis is conducted to identify potential targets of YFJDT. The impact of YFJDT on hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF1A), ferroptosis, and vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is investigated using xenograft tumor models and A549 cells. Additionally, A549 cells are stimulated with CoCl2 to mimic the hypoxic microenvironment of the tumor. The role of HIF1A overexpression in modulating ferroptosis is assessed. The effects of HIF1A and ferroptosis on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and VM in vitro are evaluated. Results: YFJDT treatment led to a concentration-dependent decrease in HIF1A levels in xenograft tumors and A549 cells. Overexpression of HIF1A counteractes the inhibitory effects of YFJDT on proliferation, EMT, and VM in transplanted tumors. Moreover, HIF1A overexpression attenuates YFJDT-induced lipid peroxidation and iron accumulation, indicating inhibition of ferroptosis in A549 cells. Hypoxia-induced alterations in EMT markers and VM are reversed by YFJDT but exacerbated by HIF1A overexpression. Molecular docking identified salicylic acid and psoralen as potential components of YFJDT targeting HIF1A. YFJDT exerts anti-tumor effects in lung cancer by downregulating HIF1A and promoting ferroptosis.

Trends and regional variations in chronic ischemic heart disease and lung cancer-related mortality among American adults: Insights from retrospective CDC wonder analysis

Introduction

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the United States and shares cardiovascular risk factors with chronic ischemic heart disease (CIHD). However, the cumulative mortality burden of these comorbid conditions is underexplored. This study aims to retrospectively assess mortality trends among American adults with concurrent lung cancer and CIHD.

Methods

We utilized death certificate data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (CDC WONDER) database, encompassing ICD-10 codes for individuals aged ≥45 years from 1999 to 2020. Age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) per 100,000 population, annual percentage change (APC), and corresponding 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Data were further stratified by year, sex, race, and geographic region (state, rural-urban, and census regions).

Results

A total of 214,785 deaths were identified in adults aged ≥45 years with comorbid lung cancer and CIHD. The overall AAMR between 1999 and 2020 was 8.4 per 100,000 (95 % CI: 8.3 to 8.4). AAMRs remained relatively stable from 1999 to 2005 (APC: -0.84 %; 95 % CI: -1.91 to 1.54), followed by a significant decline from 2005 to 2010 (APC: -2.37 %; 95 % CI: -5.58 to -0.61) and from 2010 to 2017 (APC: -4.72 %; 95 % CI: -7.61 to -3.60). A subsequent period of stability was noted between 2017 and 2020 (APC: 0.86 %; 95 % CI: -2.17 to 5.22). In 1999, men had a threefold higher mortality rate compared to women (AAMR: 17.8 vs. 5.7), with a non-significant decline by 2020 (AAMR: 10 vs. 4). Stratification by race/ethnicity revealed that non-Hispanic (NH) Whites exhibited the highest AAMR at 9.3, followed by NH American Indian or Alaska Natives (7.3), NH Blacks (6.8), Hispanic/Latinos (3.3), and NH Asians or Pacific Islanders (3.2). Geographically, AAMRs were highest in the Midwest (9.6), followed by the Northeast (8.8), South (8.4), and West (6.8). Non-metropolitan regions exhibited higher AAMRs compared to metropolitan areas (10.3 vs. 8.0). States in the top 90th percentile, such as West Virginia, Kentucky, Vermont, Ohio, and Rhode Island, had nearly triple the AAMRs compared to states in the lower 10th percentile, including Utah, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and Hawaii.

Conclusions

From 1999 to 2020, mortality rates for adults aged ≥45 years with concurrent lung cancer and CIHD declined. The highest AAMRs were observed among men, NH Whites, individuals residing in the Midwest, and non-metropolitan populations. This highlights the need for a more comprehensive and tailored approach to managing these patients moving forward.

Hypoxia-inducible factor and cellular senescence in pulmonary aging and disease

Cellular senescence and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) signaling are crucial in pulmonary aging and age-related lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and lung cancer. HIF plays a pivotal role in cellular adaptation to hypoxia, regulating processes like angiogenesis, metabolism, and inflammation. Meanwhile, cellular senescence leads to irreversible cell cycle arrest, triggering the senescence-associated secretory phenotype which contributes to chronic inflammation, tissue remodeling, and fibrosis. Dysregulation of these pathways accelerates lung aging and disease progression by promoting oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and epigenetic alterations. Recent studies indicate that HIF and senescence interact at multiple levels, where HIF can both induce and suppress senescence, depending on cellular conditions. While transient HIF activation supports tissue repair and stress resistance, chronic dysregulation exacerbates pulmonary pathologies. Furthermore, emerging evidence suggests that targeting HIF and senescence pathways could offer new therapeutic strategies to mitigate age-related lung diseases. This review explores the intricate crosstalk between these mechanisms, shedding light on how their interplay influences pulmonary aging and disease progression. Additionally, we discuss potential interventions, including senolytic therapies and HIF modulators, that could enhance lung health and longevity.

Virtual perspectives of sanguinarine on cancer prevention and treatment through molecular dynamic study

Cancer prevention involves resisting cancer development at initial stages, retarding angiogenesis and initiating cancer cell apoptosis. Through the use of virtual screening, binding free energy calculations, and molecular dynamics simulations, we were able to identify compounds with potential anticancer activity."During the virtual screening process, compounds with promising drug-like properties were chosen using the Lipinski rule of five, and their binding affinities were evaluated by docking studies. In-silico activity of six different phytochemicals against established cancer specific proteins (NF-kB, p53, VEGF, BAX/BCl-2, TNF-alpha) were performed out of which p53, VEGF, BCl-2 has shown significant results. Sanguinarine has shown good docking score of -9.0 with VEGF and - 8.8 with Bcl-2 receptor and has been selected for molecular dynamics simulation. The results of Molecular Dynamics Simulations (MD) studies showed that RMSD and RMSF values of sanguinarine within an acceptable global minima (3-5.5 Å) for p53, VEGF, BAX/BCl-2. The computational models employed in this study produced important insights into the molecular mechanisms via which Sanguinarine prevents cancer by acting against p53, VEGF, and BCl-2 and by blocking the angiogenic, apoptotic, and proliferative pathways involved in the formation of cancer. The results suggest that the pharmacological activity of the selected phytomolecule (sanguinarine) is a promising avenue for cancer prevention.

Graphical Abstract

α5-nAChR/NETO2 contributed to chronic stress-promoted lung adenocarcinoma progression

BACKGROUND

α5-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α5-nAChR) participates in chronic stress-promoted lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) progression. Neuropilin and tolloid-like 2 (NETO2) contributes to fear expression and extinction, which is related to tumorigenesis. CHRNA5 (encoding α5-nAChR) gene profiling revealed a reduction in NETO2 expression following CHRNA5 knockdown. Nevertheless, the connection between α5-nAChR and NETO2 in LUAD progression induced by chronic stress remains unclear.

METHODS

RNA-Seq and bioinformatics database were used for analyzing the expression as well as correlation of α5-nAChR, together with NETO2 in LUAD. α5-nAChR and NETO2 expression were detected using immunohistochemistry in LUAD tissue microarrays, chronic restraint stress (CRS) and chronic unpredictable stress (CUMS) mice tissues. In lung adenocarcinoma A549 and H1299 cells, the expression of α5-nAChR, NETO2, p-CAMKII, p-STAT3 and vimentin induced by acetylcholine/nicotine was examined by western blot. The interaction of α5-nAChR with NETO2 in lung adenocarcinoma cells was detected by Co-immunoprecipitation assay and modeled using molecular docking. EdU assay and colony formation assay were conducted to evaluate cell proliferation, while wound healing assay as well as transwell assay assessed the migration and invasion of lung adenocarcinoma cells.

RESULTS

α5-nAChR expression was related to NETO2 expression, low survival rate, staging as well as smoking status in LUAD dataset as well as tissue microarrays. The correlation between α5-nAChR and NETO2 was validated in nude mice xenograft tissues. α5-nAChR as well as NETO2 expression correlated in CRS and CUMS mice tissues. In vitro, acetylcholine/nicotine mediated NETO2, p-CAMKII, p-STAT3 and vimentin expression via α5-nAChR. α5-nAChR interacted with NETO2 as well as CAMKII in LUAD cells. α5-nAChR/NETO2 signaling contributed to LUAD cell proliferation, migration and invasion.

CONCLUSIONS

The above results uncover a new chronic stress-promoted LUAD signaling pathway: α5-nAChR/NETO2 axis contributes to chronic stress-promoted LUAD cell proliferation, migration and invasion.

Progression to invasive carcinoma: cellular activities and immune-related pathways define the lepidic and acinar subtypes of lung adenocarcinoma

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most frequent subtype of thoracic malignancy, which is itself the largest contributor to cancer mortality. The lepidic subtype is a non-invasive tumour morphology, whereas the acinar subtype represents one of the invasive morphologies. This study investigates the transition from a non-invasive to an invasive subtype in the context of LUAD. Patients with pathologically confirmed mixed subtype LUAD consented to analysis of RNA sequencing data extracted from each subtype area separately. The study included 17 patients with tumours found to exhibit a lepidic-acinar transition. Eighty-seven genes were found to be differentially expressed between the lepidic and acinar subtypes, with 44 genes significantly upregulated in lepidic samples ​and 43 genes significantly upregulated in acinar samples. Gene Ontology analysis showed that many of the genes upregulated in the acinar subtype were related to immune response, whereas for the lepidic subtype, genes responsible for cellular activities were upregulated. Immune deconvolution analysis showed that there was a significantly higher proportion of M1 macrophages and total B cells in acinar areas. Immunohistochemistry showed that B cells were mainly localised to tertiary lymphoid structures in the tumour area. This is the first study to investigate the molecular features of mixed subtype lepidic-acinar transitional tumours. Immunological dynamics are presumed to be involved in this transition from lepidic to acinar subtype. Further research should be conducted to elucidate the progression of disease from non-invasive to invasive morphologies.

Programmed cell death-ligand 1 expression and CD8 positive tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte density in non-small cell lung carcinoma and its association with histopathological grading

Non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), comprising 85% of lung cancers, remains a leading cause of cancer mortality despite advances in treatment. Immunotherapy, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis, has revolutionized therapy, though outcomes vary. This study aimed to explore the association between PD-L1 expression, CD8 tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) density, and histopathological grading in NSCLC. Our retrospective, single-centered cohort comprised 64 biopsy samples of NSCLC. PD-L1 and CD8 TILs density was assessed through immunohistochemistry. We also classified the tumors into four groups based on the PD-L1 and CD8-positive TIL statuses and evaluated their association with clinicopathological parameters. Male subjects were the predominant population in the study group (86%), with a mean age of 60 years. Most of the cases were smokers/ex-smokers (70.3%). Among 64 cases, PD-L1 positivity was observed in 62.5%, correlating with poorly differentiated tumors (grade 3) (p=0.03), suggesting its association with poor prognosis. Among PD-L1 positive cases, 55% had high expression and 45% had low expression. CD8 TIL density was low in 62.5% of cases and showed no significant correlation with clinical variables. Combined analysis revealed that 42.19% of cases were PD-L1+/CD8 low, a phenotype indicative of immune evasion and aggressive tumor behavior. Overall, our results emphasize that while PD-L1 immunohistochemistry remains a critical tool for identifying candidates for immunotherapy, it is not a standalone predictor of treatment response. Integrating CD8 TIL density provides additional prognostic information, potentially guiding more personalized treatment strategies.

Lung Cancer Therapy: The Role of Personalized Medicine

Lung cancer is the deadliest cancer worldwide, exhibiting the highest incidence rate among all cancer types. Poor outcomes often characterize this cancer as it is commonly diagnosed in advanced stages due to its unspecific symptoms. After diagnosis, the therapeutic choice is a crucial stage that profoundly affects patients' survival. Treatment choices for lung cancer must be made carefully, acknowledging the histological type and genetic characteristics of the tumor. Non-small cell lung cancer, the most common and complex type, has a high mutational burden, making next-generation sequencing (NGS) essential for identifying specific mutations and guiding treatment. With several approved targeted therapies already available, this approach highlights the critical role of personalized medicine in lung cancer care. Despite the current therapeutic pipeline, research trying to develop new tailored drugs considering individual patient characteristics has evolved over the years. This article aims to outline the current therapeutic approach for each type of lung cancer and present the latest insights into emerging therapies, highlighting the role of personalized medicine in enhancing treatment outcomes and improving patients' quality of life.

HOXA9 methylation is not associated with survival in Brazilian patients with lung adenocarcinoma

Homeobox A9 promoter methylation (HOXA9) has been reported as a biomarker for early lung adenocarcinoma patients' prognosis. We aim to evaluate its prognostic value, regardless of disease stage. Using droplet digital PCR, we measured HOXA9 methylation in a cohort comprising 161 Brazilian patients. Low HOXA9 methylation was associated with higher cancer-specific survival but showed no significance after adjustment for clinical covariates. While low HOXA9 methylation was associated with earlier stages, no survival association was observed in this subset of patients. Overall, HOXA9 promoter methylation is not an independent prognostic biomarker of cancer-specific survival in Brazilian lung adenocarcinomas patients.

Current Development of Therapeutic Vaccines in Lung Cancer

Cancer vaccines have a potential to change the current landscape of immunotherapy research and development. They target and neutralize specific tumor cells by utilizing the body's own immune system which offers a promising modality in treating various cancers including lung cancer. Historically, prior vaccination approaches specifically towards lung cancer have posed several challenges but also potential with early phase I/II trials showing improved overall survival. With better understanding of the body's immune system as well as advancements in vaccine development, the use of vaccines to target lung cancer cells in both non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC) has shown promise but also challenges in the setting of advanced stage cancers, tumor resistance mechanisms, immune evasion, and tumor heterogeneity. The proposed solution is to enroll patients in the early stages of the disease, rather than waiting until progression occurs. Additionally, future efforts will focus on the targeted identification of specific and novel tumor neo-antigens. This review offers discussion and analysis of both completed and ongoing trials utilizing different strategies for vaccine development in relation to treating lung cancer as well as current challenges faced.

LncRNA MSTO2P affects the proliferation, invasion and migration of non-small cell lung cancer by regulating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway

This study aimed to investigate the regulatory effects of the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) MISATO family member 2 (MSTO2P) on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell viability, invasion, and migration, as well as the underlying mechanism. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to analyze the expression levels of MSTO2P. The effects of MSTO2P on cell viability, invasion, and migration were assessed using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), Transwell invasion, and wound healing assays in A549 and H1229 cells. A human phospho-kinase array kit was employed to identify potential phosphorylated kinases or signaling nodes affected by MSTO2P. The interaction between MSTO2P and β-catenin was evaluated using RNA pull-down and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays. A xenograft tumor mouse model was established to evaluate tumor growth. The results demonstrated that MSTO2P expression was elevated in NSCLC tissues and cells compared to normal counterparts. Silencing MSTO2P inhibited the viability, invasion, and migration of A549 and H1229 cells. MSTO2P interacted with β-catenin, thereby activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Overexpression of MSTO2P or β-catenin promoted the viability, invasion, and migration of A549 and H1229 cells, effects that were reversed by treatment with XAV-939. In vivo studies showed that silencing MSTO2P suppressed tumor growth. In conclusion, MSTO2P promoted NSCLC cell viability, invasion, and migration by regulating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, suggesting that MSTO2P may be a potential therapeutic target for NSCLC.

Prognostic value of blood eosinophils for predicting survival and treatment outcomes in people with non-small cell lung cancer

OBJECTIVES

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (prognosis). The objectives are as follows: To assess the prognostic value of measuring pretreatment baseline blood eosinophil levels in adults receiving systemic treatment for any stage of non-small cell lung cancer.

Molecular mechanism of genetic, epigenetic, and metabolic alteration in lung cancer

Lung cancer, a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, is primarily linked to smoking, tobacco use, air pollution, and exposure to hazardous chemicals. Genetic alterations, particularly in oncogenes like RAS, EGFR, MYC, BRAF, HER, and P13K, can lead to metabolic changes in cancer cells. These cells often rely on glycolysis for energy production, even in the presence of oxygen, a phenomenon known as aerobic glycolysis. This metabolic shift, along with other alterations, contributes to cancer cell growth and survival. To develop effective therapies, it's crucial to understand the genetic and metabolic changes that drive lung cancer. This review aims to identify specific genes associated with these metabolic alterations and screen phytochemicals for their potential to target these genes. By targeting both genetic and metabolic pathways, we hope to develop innovative therapeutic approaches to combat lung cancer.