Objective: To investigate the expression of CD24 gene in human malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) cells and tissues, and evaluate its relationship with clinicopathological characteristics and clinical prognosis of MPM patients. Methods: In February 2021, UALCAN database was used to analyze the correlation between CD24 gene expression and clinicopathological characteristics in 87 cases of MPM patients. The TIMER 2.0 platform was used to explore the relationship between the expression of CD24 in MPM and tumor immune infiltrating cells. cBioportal online tool was used to analyze the correlation between CD24 and MPM tumor marker gene expression. RT-qPCR was used to analyze the expressions of CD24 gene in human normal pleural mesothelial cell lines LP9 and MPM cell lines NCI-H28 (epithelial type), NCI-H2052 (sarcoma type), and NCI-H2452 (biphasic mixed type). RT-qPCR was performed to detect the expressions of CD24 gene in 18 cases of MPM tissues and matched normal pleural tissues. The expression difference of CD24 protein in normal mesothelial tissue and MPM tissue was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. A Kaplan-Meier model was constructed to explore the influence of CD24 gene expression on the prognosis of MPM patients, and Cox regression analysis of prognostic factors in MPM patients was performed. Results: The CD24 gene expression without TP53 mutation MPM patients was significantly higher than that of patients in TP53 mutation (P<0.05). The expression of CD24 gene in MPM was positively correlated with B cells (r(s)=0.37, P<0.001). The expression of CD24 gene had a positive correlation with the expressions of thrombospondin 2 (THBS2) (r(s)=0.26, P<0.05), and had a negative correlation with the expression of epidermal growth factor containing fibulin like extracellular matrix protein 1 (EFEMP1), mesothelin (MSLN) and calbindin 2 (CALB2) (r(s)=-0.31, -0.52, -0.43, P<0.05). RT-qPCR showed that the expression level of CD24 gene in MPM cells (NCI-H28, NCI-H2052 and NCI-H2452) was significantly higher than that in normal pleural mesothelial LP9 cells. The expression level of CD24 gene in MPM tissues was significantly higher than that in matched normal pleural tissues (P<0.05). Immunohistochemistry showed that the expressions of CD24 protein in epithelial and sarcoma MPM tissues were higher than those of matched normal pleural tissues. Compared with low expression of CD24 gene, MPM patients with high expression of CD24 gene had lower overall survival (HR=2.100, 95%CI: 1.336-3.424, P<0.05) and disease-free survival (HR=1.800, 95%CI: 1.026-2.625, P<0.05). Cox multivariate analysis showed that compared with the biphasic mixed type, the epithelial type was a protective factor for the prognosis of MPM patients (HR=0.321, 95%CI: 0.172-0.623, P<0.001). Compared with low expression of CD24 gene, high expression of CD24 gene was an independent risk factor for the prognosis of MPM patients (HR=2.412, 95%CI: 1.291-4.492, P=0.006) . Conclusion: CD24 gene and protein are highly expressed in MPM tissues, and the high expression of CD24 gene suggests poor prognosis in MPM patients.
Humans ; Mesothelioma, Malignant ; Mesothelioma/diagnosis* ; Lung Neoplasms/genetics* ; Pleural Neoplasms/diagnosis* ; Prognosis ; Biomarkers, Tumor/analysis* ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins ; CD24 Antigen/genetics*

BACKGROUND: Thyroid function abnormality (TFA) is one of the common adverse reactions in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with immunotherapy, but the risk factors of TFA and its relationship with efficacy are not completely clear. The purpose of this study was to explore the risk factors of TFA and its relationship with efficacy in patients with advanced NSCLC after immunotherapy. METHODS: The general clinical data of 200 patients with advanced NSCLC in The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from July 1, 2019 to June 31, 2021 were collected and analyzed retrospectively. χ² test and multivariate Logistic regression were used to explore the risk factors of TFA. Kaplan-Meier curve was drawn and Log-rank test was used for comparison between groups. Univariate and multivariate Cox analysis was used to explore the efficacy factors. RESULTS: A total of 86 (43.0%) patients developed TFA. Logistic regression analysis showed that Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG PS), pleural effusion and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) were factors influencing TFA (P<0.05). Compared with normal thyroid function group, the median progression-free survival (PFS) of patients in the TFA group was significantly longer (19.0 months vs 6.3 months, P<0.001), and the objective response rate (ORR) (65.1% vs 28.9%, P=0.020) and disease control rate (DCR) (100.0% vs 92.1%, P=0.020) of the TFA group were better than those of the normal thyroid function group. Cox regression analysis showed that ECOG PS, LDH, cytokeratin 19 fragment (CYFRA21-1) and TFA were factors influencing prognosis (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS ECOG PS, pleural effusion and LDH may be risk factors affecting the occurrence of TFA and TFA may be a predictor of the efficacy of immunotherapy. Patients with advanced NSCLC who have TFA after immunotherapy may obtain better efficacy.
Humans ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Thyroid Gland ; Lung Neoplasms/therapy* ; Immunotherapy/adverse effects* ; Pleural Effusion

Humans ; Pleura/pathology* ; Solitary Fibrous Tumor, Pleural/pathology* ; Adenocarcinoma of Lung ; Lung Neoplasms ; Pleural Neoplasms/pathology*

Humans ; Mesothelioma/pathology* ; Mesothelioma, Malignant ; Pleural Neoplasms/diagnosis* ; Pleural Effusion, Malignant ; Pleural Effusion/pathology*

Malignant mesothelioma is a highly malignant disease that most often occurs in the pleural cavity, followed by the peritoneum and pericardium. Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPM) accounts for 10%-15% of all mesothelioma. The most important risk factor for MPM is exposure to asbestos. MPM has no specific clinical symptoms, imaging and histopathology are critical for the diagnosis. There are currently no generally accepted guidelines for curative treatment of MPM. The patient mainly presented with abdominal pain, abdominal distension and discomfort. Due to extensive omentum metastasis, no further surgical treatment was performed. Pemetrexed combined with cisplatin chemotherapy was given for 2 cycles, and the patient is still alive.
Humans ; Mesothelioma, Malignant/drug therapy* ; Mesothelioma/diagnosis* ; Pemetrexed/therapeutic use* ; Cisplatin/therapeutic use* ; Peritoneal Neoplasms/diagnosis* ; Pleural Neoplasms ; Lung Neoplasms/drug therapy*

Humans ; Mesothelioma, Malignant/diagnosis* ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Adenocarcinoma/pathology* ; Mesothelioma/pathology* ; Lung Neoplasms/pathology* ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; Pleural Neoplasms/diagnosis* ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins

Background: The etiology of pleural effusion remains unclear in nearly 20% of cases. One way to diagnose malignancy is by doing pleural fluid cytology. There are factors that influence the yield of pleural fluid cytology and one of them is appropriate and timely fixation of samples. Currently, there is no local consensus regarding the timing with which the specimen should be fixed. Objective: The study aims to compare the yield of malignancy between early fixation versus usual fixation of pleural fluid samples, meaning there is no set time for fixation to be done. Methodology: The study employed a prospective cross-sectional research design. All patients with pleural effusion who fulfilled the criteria set by the study were included. Two sets of pleural fluid samples were collected amounting to 20cc each. First sample was assigned as Bottle #1 and placed immediately with fixative while the second sample was assigned as Bottle #2. Bottle #2 underwent routine fixation which follows no fixed or standard time of fixation. The time difference between the fixation of two sample groups greatly varied with Bottle #1 fixed immediately right after collection while Bottle#2 depends on the time it will be processed by the laboratory personnel. Both samples were submitted for cell block and cell cytology reading. Results: Characteristics of the 55 patients included in the study showed age group range from 41 to 65 years of age, with 27 male and 28 female patients. Only one third had history of smoking. There were 21.82% who had family history of cancer and with and suspicious mass on chest radiograph. Out of 55 patients, 29 patients had history of previous diagnosis of cancer, 23 had recurrent pleural effusion, and 28 had chest radiograph with suspicious nodules. Based on gross appearance, there were 20 serous and 21 sanguineous pleural fluid noted. Mean cell count was high (1,115.50 ± 741.02) with lymphocytic predominance (82.56 ± 24.46). Elevated protein concentration (5,388.25 ± 8,230.46) and LDH (484.17 ± 248.72) were noted. Glucose (8.78 ± 6.68 mmol/L) was low. There were 21 patients who had high WBC, 24 with high protein and 16 with elevated LDH. There were 3 patients who were positive for AFB and none for KOH. Comparative analysis showed that the pleural fluid samples assigned to the routinely fixed group which were handed to the nurse after thoracentesis, then forwarded to the laboratory through a ward laboratory aide or patient watcherfor fixation with with 95% alcoholby thelaboratory personnel significantly had a longer duration of 406.62 minutes as compared to immediately fixed at 12.27 minutes (P<0.01). For diagnosis of malignancy, significantly more cases were diagnosed in the immediately fixed group with 36.36% cases versus 18.18% (p=0.016). Conclusion Among patients with suspected malignant pleural effusions, early fixation of pleural fluid samples resulted in higher histopathology yields as compared to those fixed after going through the routine fixation.
Pleural Effusion, Malignant

Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase ; Humans ; Lung/pathology* ; Lung Neoplasms/pathology* ; Mesothelioma/surgery* ; Mesothelioma, Malignant ; Pleural Neoplasms/surgery*

Humans ; Pericardium/pathology* ; Pleura/pathology* ; Pleural Neoplasms/pathology* ; Thoracic Neoplasms/pathology* ; World Health Organization

BACKGROUND: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a highly aggressive disease arising from pleural mesothelial cells. Advanced pleural mesothelioma has a poor prognosis, with a median survival of no more than 15 months. First line standard chemotherapy regimen recommended is Pemetrexed based chemotherapy regimen, with or without bevacizumab. There is no consensus on whether patients who have received first-line standard chemotherapy can benefit from pemetrexed maintenance chemotherapy. The study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of pemetrexed maintenance therapy (PMT) after treatment with a pemetrexed and platinum regimen for patients with MPM. METHODS: A total of 40 MPM patients were collected from Cancer Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from January 2013 to January 2018, eligible patients were unresectable MPM, without disease progression following 4 to 6 cycles of pemetrexed and platinum, including pemetrexed maintenance therapy group (22 cases) and observation group (18 cases). The last follow-up was conducted in January 2020. The primary endpoint were progression free survival (PFS), and the secondary end points were overall survival (OS), the efficacy, adverse reactions of PMT. RESULTS: The median PFS in the PMT arm was longer than that in the observation arm (8.5 mon vs 3 mon, P=0.008), but there was no significant difference in median OS (26.4 mon vs 15.7 mon, P=0.177). Objective response rate (ORR) of two group were 22.7% and 0%, respectively. The grade 3-4 toxicity in PMT group included grade 4 neutropenia in 1 patient (4.5%), grade 3 neutropenia in 1 patient (4.5%), grade 4 anemia in 1 patient (4.5%) and grade 3 nausea and anorexia in 1 patient (4.5%). CONCLUSIONS Pemetrexed maintenance therapy following initial pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy improve PFS in patients with MPM, and is well tolerated.
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/adverse effects* ; Cisplatin/therapeutic use* ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Mesothelioma/drug therapy* ; Mesothelioma, Malignant ; Neutropenia ; Pemetrexed/therapeutic use* ; Platinum/therapeutic use* ; Pleural Neoplasms/drug therapy*