OBJECTIVES: The advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with pleural effusion have no opportunity for surgery treatment. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are the first-line drugs for these patients with EGFR-sensitive mutation. However, the disease progression and drug update during or after treatment of EGFR-TKIs bring more challenges and puzzles to clinical diagnosis and treatment, which inevitably requires archived pleural cell samples for EGFR re-examination or comparative study. Understanding the DNA quality of archived pleural fluid samples and effectively using archival data of pleural fluid cells are of great significance for tracing the origin of cases and basic medical research. This study aims to evaluate the consistency of EGFR mutant gene expression between the 2 methods, and to explore a reliable way for preserving cytological data and making full use of cytological archival data via cell HE staining smear and cell paraffin section. METHODS: A total of 57 pleural fluid cytology cases in the Department of Pathology of China Aerospace Center Hospital from October 2014 to April 2021 were selected. Tumor cells were detected by cell HE staining smears and immunohistochemical staining for TTF-1 and Napsin A in the paired cell paraffin sections. There were more than 200 tumor cells in cell HE staining smear and the proportion of tumor cells were ≥70% in matched cell paraffin sections. Patients with 2 cell smears (one for cell data retention and the other for DNA extraction) were selected as the research subjects, and 57 pleural fluid samples were enrolled. EGFR gene mutation was detected by amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction in 57 paired cell HE staining smears and cell paraffin sections. DNA concentration was 2 ng/μL. Cell HE smear was amplified side-by-side with DNA samples from paired cell paraffin sections. Result determination was according to the requirements of the reagent instructions. The external control cycle threshold (Ct) value of the No. 8 well of the samples to be tested was between 13 and 21, which was considered as successful and reliable samples. When the Ct value of EGFR gene mutation was <26, it was considered as positive; when the Ct value was between 26 and 29, it was critical positive; when the Ct value was equal or more than 29, it was negative. ΔCt value was the difference between mutant Ct value and externally controlled Ct value. The smaller the ΔCt value was, the better the quality of DNA of the detected sample was. RESULTS: Among the 57 pleural effusion samples, 42 patients were hospitalized with pleural effusion as the first symptom, accounting for 73.7% (42/57). EGFR mutation was detected in 37 samples [64.9% (37/57)]. The mutation rate for 19del was 37.8% (14/37) while for L858R was 48.6% (18/37). Females were 56.7% (21/37) of mutation cases. The mutation consistency rate of cell HE staining smear and matched cell paraffin sections was 100%. The ΔCt values of cell HE staining smears were less than those of matched cell paraffin sections. The mutation Ct values of 37 cytological samples were statistically analyzed according to the preservation periods of the years of 2014-2015, 2016-2017, 2018-2019, and 2020-2021. There were significant differences in cell paraffin section in the years of 2014-2015 and 2016-2017 compared with the years of 2018-2019 and 2020-2021, while no significant differences were found in cell HE staining smear. Statistical analysis of externally controlled Ct values of 57 cytological samples showed that there were significant differences between cell HE staining smears and cell paraffin section in the years of 2014-2015 and 2016-2017, compared with the years of 2018-2019 and 2020-2021. The mutational Ct values of 37 paired cell blocks and smears were all <26, and the externally controlled Ct values of 57 paired cell paraffin sections and HE staining smears were all between 13 and 21. CONCLUSIONS The DNA quality of cell HE smears and matched cell paraffin section met the qualified requirements. Two methods possess show an excellent consistency in detecting EGFR mutation in NSCLC pleural fluid samples. The DNA quality of cell HE staining smear is better than that of cell paraffin sections, so cell HE staining smear can be used as important supplement of the gene test source. It should be noted that the limitation of cell HE staining smears is non-reproducibility, so multiple smears of pleural fluid are recommended to be prepared for multiple tests.
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/drug therapy* ; DNA Mutational Analysis/methods* ; ErbB Receptors/genetics* ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Male ; Mutation ; Paraffin/therapeutic use* ; Pleural Effusion/genetics* ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use* ; Staining and Labeling

Lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide. Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) caused by advanced lung cancer seriously affect the patients' quality of life and prognosis. The management of MPE includes thoracentesis, pleurodesis, indwelling pleural catheters and drug perfusion in pleural cavity. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor are a group of important ligands and receptors that affect angiogenesis. They are the main factors controlling angiogenesis, and they play an important role in the formation of MPE. Bevacizumab is a recombinant humanized VEGF monoclonal antibody, competitively binding to endogenous VEGF receptor. Bevacizumab can inhibit new blood vessel formation, reduce vascular permeability, prevent pleural effusion accumulation and slow the growth of cancers. This review aims to discuss the progress of bevacizumab in the treatment of MPE caused by non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and explore the clinical application, efficacy, safety and future direction of bevacizumab.
.
Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; complications ; pathology ; Humans ; Pleural Effusion, Malignant ; drug therapy ; Pleural Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; secondary

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to systematically evaluate the efficacy and adverse effects of Lobaplatin and Cisplatin in the treatment of malignant pleural effusion. METHODS: The databases of Medline (PubMed), Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane, Wanfang, CNKI and VIP were retrieved so as to search the studies about the randomized controlled clinical trials (RCT) that compared the Lobaplatin and Cisplatin for malignant pleural effusion. The main outcome indicators include objective response rate, complete response, partial response, nephrotoxicity, chest pain, gastrointestinal reaction, myelosuppression, fever response and hepatotoxicity. Relative risk was used as the effect size, which was expressed as 95% confidence interval. The meta-analysis was performed using Stata 14.0 statistical software. RESULTS: A total of 12 RCTs and 720 MPE patients were included. The results showed that the ORR (RR=1.27, 95%CI: 1.15-1.40, P<0.001), CR (RR=1.39, 95%CI: 1.09-1.78, P=0.007), PR (RR=1.21, 95%CI: 1.02-1.42, P=0.026) in LBP thoracic perfusion chemotherapy were significantly higher than those in DDP thoracic perfusion chemotherapy. The incidence of nephrotoxicity (RR=0.31, 95%CI: 0.13-0.71, P=0.005) and gastrointestinal reactions (RR=0.44, 95%CI: 0.31-0.62, P<0.001) in the LBP group were significantly lower than those in DDP group. CONCLUSIONS Compared with DDP pleural perfusion chemotherapy, the ORR, CR and PR of LBP pleural perfusion chemotherapy for MPE are significantly better than DDP, and its nephrotoxicity and gastrointestinal reactions are remarkably lower than DDP.
Antineoplastic Agents ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Cisplatin ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Cyclobutanes ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Organoplatinum Compounds ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Pleural Effusion, Malignant ; drug therapy ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

A 65-year-old male was referred to our hospital for evaluation of a right pleural effusion. Thoracic computed tomography (CT) revealed a huge central mass with right hilar and subcarinal lymph node conglomerates. An endobronchial mass was incidentally found in the right upper lobe bronchus, and endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle biopsy of the mediastinal lymph nodes was thus also performed at the time of bronchoscopy. The two biopsies revealed squamous cell carcinoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), respectively. As the pathology of the mediastinal lymph nodes was unknown, the lung cancer could not be accurately staged. Thus, we treated the DLBCL; follow-up positron emission tomography/CT after two cycles of chemotherapy showed that the conglomerate mass had disappeared but the right upper lobe lesion remained. Lung cancer staging thus became more accurate and radical treatment could be considered. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a co-existing squamous cell carcinoma of the lung and DLBCL of the intrapulmonary lymph nodes.
Aged ; B-Lymphocytes* ; Biopsy ; Biopsy, Needle ; Bronchi ; Bronchoscopy ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Drug Therapy ; Electrons ; Epithelial Cells* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; Lung* ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphoma ; Lymphoma, B-Cell* ; Male ; Mediastinum ; Pathology ; Pleural Effusion

Spontaneous regression of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) was reported over the last century. However, there are no reports on spontaneous regression of mRCC by talc pleurodesis. A 43-year-old man who underwent left nephrectomy by RCC visited emergency room with headache and hallucination. Tumor was metastasized to brain, lung, and pleura accompanied by malignant pleural effusion. Talc pleurodesis by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery was performed to treat malignant pleural effusion. After 7 months without specific chemotherapy, pulmonary lesions of mRCC gradually regressed. We thought that this phenomenon appears as an immunologic response of talc pleurodesis. We herein present a rare case of spontaneous regression of mRCC following talc pleurodesis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of spontaneous regression in mRCC following talc pleurodesis.
Adult ; Brain ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell* ; Drug Therapy ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Hallucinations ; Headache ; Humans ; Lung ; Nephrectomy ; Pleura ; Pleural Effusion, Malignant ; Pleurodesis* ; Talc* ; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted

BACKGROUND: Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) refers to pleural effusion which arises from primary malignant tumor of pleura or other pleural metastatic tumors. Injection of elemene in chest makes good effect on the treatment of MPE, and is widely used in clinic. Adverse effects also exist, but the severe adverse effects and relevant managements are rarely reported. The aim of this study is to observe the adverse reactions induced by the treatment of malignant pleural effusion through elemene injection and to explore the solutions. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was made on 14 cases of patients receiving intra-pleural injections with elemene, and the incidence of severe adverse reactions of 7 cases were disscussed in detail. RESULTS: Most of the severe adverse reactions caused by elemene were severe chest pain, dyspnea, wheezing, clouding of consciousness and coagulopathy. CONCLUSIONS Strict screening, full preprocessing and close monitoring are necessary to prevent serious adverse reactions caused by elemene injection in the treatment of malignant pleural effusion.
Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Injections ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pleural Effusion, Malignant ; drug therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Sesquiterpenes ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Thorax

A 72-year-old male presented with respiratory discomfort. A simple chest X-ray and abdominal computed tomography showed pleural effusion and multiple lymph node enlargement. The pleural effusion was determined by thoracentesis to be chylothorax. An inguinal lymph node biopsy showed peripheral T-cell lymphoma. Following three cycles of cyclophospamide, hydroxyl doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisolone (CHOP) chemotherapy, a partial response was observed. Chylothorax is an extremely rare complication of T-cell lymphoma. We present a case of peripheral T-cell lymphoma presenting with chylothorax. We suggest that clinicians should consider chylothorax when examining patients with lymphoma who present with atypical pleural effusion.
Aged ; Biopsy ; Chylothorax* ; Doxorubicin ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphoma ; Lymphoma, T-Cell ; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral* ; Male ; Pleural Effusion ; Prednisolone ; Thoracentesis ; Thorax ; Vincristine

Multiple myeloma is a plasma cell neoplasm mainly involving the bone marrow and skeletal system. Myelomatous pleural effusion is rare, accounting for less than 1%. In cases with high adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity, with lymphocytic exudate in the pleural fluid, tuberculous pleural effusion should be differentiated first. We report herein a rare case of a unilateral pleural effusion in a patient who was undergoing chemotherapy for multiple myeloma, with an ADA level of > 100 IU/L and lymphocytic exudate in the pleural fluid. An acid fast bacillus stain and polymerase chain reaction test for tuberculosis were negative. Consequently, the patient was diagnosed with myelomatous pleural effusion with elevated ADA activity.
Adenosine Deaminase ; Bacillus ; Bone Marrow ; Drug Therapy ; Exudates and Transudates ; Humans ; Multiple Myeloma ; Neoplasms, Plasma Cell ; Pleural Effusion* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Tuberculosis

A 76 year-old female who was diagnosed with multiple myeloma (IgG, lambda) had received bortezomib, melphalan and prednisolone as first-line treatment. After completing six cycles of chemotherapy, her serum monoclonal protein level decreased from 7.28 g/dL to 0.65 g/dL, indicating a partial response. However, at the next scheduled visit she complained of slowly progressing dyspnea. On chest X-ray, newly developed pleural effusion was found, and rapidly progressing extramedullary plasmacytoma was detected in the anterior mediastinum on chest computerized tomography. However, there was no change in her serum monoclonal protein level. In Korea, extramedullary involvement is encountered in 5% of patients with multiple myeloma. However, evaluation of treatment response using solely the serum monoclonal protein level may not accurately reflect disease status in these patients.
Drug Therapy ; Dyspnea ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Mediastinum ; Melphalan ; Multiple Myeloma* ; Plasmacytoma* ; Pleural Effusion ; Prednisolone ; Thorax ; Bortezomib

A 3-year-old previously healthy boy was admitted because of a 1-week history of fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. The initial laboratory tests showed hepatic dysfunction with disseminated intravascular coagulation. There was a large amount of pleural effusion, periportal edema, minimal ascites, and splenomegaly. He was initially managed with broad spectrum antibiotics with transfusion. Despite 2 days of treatment, the fever persisted and the results of the laboratory tests had worsened. Bacterial cultures from the blood, urine, pleural effusion, and ascites were all negative. He was finally diagnosed with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) based on the diagnostic criteria. Adenovirus was detected in the initial diarrhea and nasal swab specimens using polymerase chain reaction-based method. One year after chemotherapy with dexamethasone, cyclosporine, and etoposide, he is now healthy without evidence of disease recurrence. This is the first Korean case report of adenovirus-induced HLH in a previously healthy child.
Abdominal Pain ; Adenoviridae ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Ascites ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cyclosporine ; Dexamethasone ; Diarrhea ; Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation ; Drug Therapy ; Edema ; Etoposide ; Fever ; Humans ; Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic ; Male ; Methods ; Pleural Effusion ; Recurrence ; Splenomegaly ; Vomiting