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Limited information is available about the impact of cardiovascular comorbidities (CVC) on the postoperative course of patients undergoing pulmonary metastasectomy (PM). In this study, we aim to compare the postoperative morbidity, mortality, and the long-term survival of patients with and without CVC undergoing PM.A retrospective monocentric study was conducted including 760 patients who underwent PM in curative intention. Patients were divided into two groups depending on the presence of CVC.The data from 164 patients with CVC (21.6%) and 596 patients without CVC (78.4%) were investigated. In both groups, zero in-hospital-mortality and limited 30-day mortality was detected. Postoperative complications occurred more often in patients with CVC (N=47, 28.7%Resection of pulmonary metastases can be performed safely in selected patients with stable CVC. The presence of CVC in patients undergoing PM is associated with reduced overall survival compared to patients without CVC in the long term follow up. However, a prolonged 5-year survival rate of 68% could be achieved.

Objectives: The oncological equivalence of anatomical segmentectomy for early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is still controversial. Primary aim of this study was survival outcomes in combination with improved quality of life after segmentectomy compared with lobectomy in patients with pathological stage Ia NSCLC (up to 2 cm, 7th edition) Materials and Methods: We conducted a prospective, randomized, multicenter phase III trial to confirm the non-inferiority of segmentectomy to lobectomy in regard to prognosis (trial No. DRKS00004897). Patients were randomized to undergo either segmentectomy or lobectomy and followed up for 5-years survival and tumor recurrence. The 5-year hazard ratio comparing lobectomy with segmentectomy was required to remain above 0.5. Results: Between October 2013 and June 2016, 108 patients with verified or suspected NSCLC up to 2 cm diameter were enrolled; 54 were assigned to lobectomy and 54 (1 drop-out) to segmentectomy. In-hospital and 90 days mortality was 0% in both groups. Overall survival at 5 years was 86.52% in the lobectomy compared to 78.21% in the segmentectomy group (HR = 0.61, (95% CI 0.23–1.66), p-value of non-inferiority test, p-ni = 0.687). Disease free survival was 77.29% for the lobectomy and 77.96% for the segmentectomy patients (HR = 1.50, (95% CI 0.60–3.76), p-ni = 0.019). At a median follow-up of 5 years, no differences were noted in either the locoregional or distant recurrent disease in both groups (9.4% vs 7.4%, p-ni = 0.506). Conclusion: Overall survival, locoregional and distant recurrences was not significantly difference for patients undergoing either segmentectomy or lobectomy for stage Ia NSCLC. The targeted non-inferiority of segmentectomy to lobectomy could not be proven for primary endpoint overall survival, but was significant for the secondary endpoint of disease free survival.

Zusammenfassung Hintergrund Die COVID-19-Pandemie hatte, neben der offensichtlichen Bedeutung als eigenständige Erkrankung, einen schwerwiegenden Einfluss auf alle Aspekte der medizinischen Versorgung. In der onkologischen Chirurgie mussten Operationen verschoben werden oder es kam zu verzögerten Diagnosen onkologischer Erkrankungen, was neben der Sorge um unzureichende Ressourcen auch in der Unsicherheit bezüglich der perioperativen Risiken begründet lag. In dieser Studie untersuchen wir die Sicherheit der Durchführung onkologischer thoraxchirurgischer Eingriffe während der COVID-19-Pandemie. Patienten und Methoden Es wurden retrospektiv die Ergebnisse der thoraxchirurgischen Operationen bei onkologischen Patienten am Universitätsklinikum Freiburg während der 1., 2. und 3. Welle der COVID-19-Pandemie (vom 01.01. bis 30.04.2020 sowie vom 01.01. bis 30.04.2021) untersucht. Als Kontrollgruppe wurden die im gleichen Zeitraum vor der Pandemie (2018 und 2019) durchgeführten Operationen gewählt. Der primäre Endpunkt war das Auftreten postoperativer Komplikationen. Ergebnisse 236 Operationen in der Pandemiekohorte und 227 Operationen in der Kontrollkohorte wurden in die Studie eingeschlossen. Es gab keinen Unterschied in der Inzidenzrate von postoperativen Minor-Komplikationen (16,1% vs. 18,5%, p = 0,5395) oder Major-Komplikationen (12,2% vs. 10,13%, p = 0,5563) zwischen der Pandemiekohorte und der Kontrollkohorte. Es zeigte sich kein erhöhtes Risiko für postoperative pulmonale Komplikationen in der Pandemiekohorte (Odds Ratio = 1,193, 95%-KI= 0,6515–2,203, p = 0,8232). Eine COVID-19-Infektion nach der Operation trat bei 5 Patienten der Pandemiekohorte auf (2,29%). Die postoperative Motilität innerhalb von 30 Tagen waren vergleichbar zwischen der Pandemiekohorte und der Kontrollkohorte (2 (0,85%) vs. 1 (0,44%), p > 0,9999). Es gab keine COVID-19-infektionsbedingte Mortalität. Schlussfolgerung Die Durchführung von onkologischen thoraxchirurgischen Operationen während der COVID-19-Pandemie ist, unter Einhaltung der entsprechenden Sicherheitsmaßnahmen, sicher und weder mit einer erhöhten Komplikationsrate noch einer erhöhten Mortalität verbunden.

Analysis of solely bone marrow aspirates

MAGE expression in NSCLC

Supplementary figures and table legend

Purpose: Quantitative measurement of minimal residual disease predicting recurrence in individual cancer patients is available only in very few indications, such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia, but is still missing in most solid tumors, including non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Experimental Design: MAGE-A expression levels in blood and bone marrow determined as calibrator-normalized relative ratios by quantitative multimarker real-time RT-PCR for transcript amplification of MAGE-A1, -A2, -A3/6, -A4, -A10, and -A12 in 94 patients with completely resected NSCLC were correlated with survival in a clinical study.Results: Patients with MAGE-A expression levels ≥0.2 in at least one sample of bone marrow or blood at tumor surgery had a significantly reduced overall (P = 0.007), cancer-free (P = 0.002), and distant metastasis–free survival (P < 0.001) versus patients below 0.2 in all samples without significant difference in locoregional recurrence–free survival. The corresponding HRs (≥0.2 vs. Conclusions: MAGE-A expression in blood or bone marrow at tumor surgery is an independent predictor of survival in resected NSCLC. The reliable prediction of distant metastasis in individual patients with a statistically proven impact on overall survival may help to refine patient selection for adjuvant therapy urgently needed, especially in the clinical management of elderly patients. Clin Cancer Res; 23(5); 1213–9. ©2016 AACR.

Detailed description of method and study protocol

Background Diaphragm plication remains the only effective treatment for diaphragm paralysis. Robot-assisted thoracoscopic (RATS) diaphragm plication combines advantages of open and thoracoscopic techniques. We present our experiences focussing on lung-function improvement and surgical outcome. Methods In this single-center retrospective study with comparative analysis, perioperative data of all patients who underwent RATS or thoracoscopic (VATS) diaphragm plication between 2015 and 2022 at our institution were assessed. Functional outcome was analysed with pre- and postoperative pulmonary function tests in sitting and supine position. Results We included 43 diaphragm plications, of which 31 were performed via RATS. Morbidity in the RATS- and VATS-cohort were 13 and 8%, respectively (p = 0.64), without any major complication (Clavien-Dindo ≥ III, 0%). Surgical time for RATS diaphragm plication was reduced drastically with a median operating time for the first 16 patients of 136 min (range 84–185) and 84 min (range 56–122) for the most recent 15 patients (p p p = 0.0009) in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) when sitting and 9% (SD 8, p p = 0.0001) for FEV1 when in supine position. Conclusion RATS diaphragm plication is a very safe and feasible approach, yielding good results in improving patients’ pulmonary function. Further studies are required to elucidate possible advantages over VATS or open approaches. Graphical abstract

ZusammenfassungDas Leitsymptom des erworbenen einseitigen Zwerchfellhochstands ist die Atemnot, die typischerweise im Liegen, beim Bücken und beim Schwimmen verstärkt auftritt. Die Ätiologie ist vielfältig, wobei die idiopathische Genese und die Zwerchfellparese nach Schädigung des N. phrenicus, bspw. bei (kardio-)thorakalen Eingriffen, die häufigsten Ursachen darstellen. Trotz vielfältiger Behandlungsansätze ist die operative Zwerchfellraffung die aktuell einzige effektive Therapie. Ziel der Operation ist die Wiederherstellung der Spannung des Zwerchfells, wodurch die Atemmechanik verbessert, das Ausdehnungsvolumen erhöht und eine mögliche Kompression von basal durch abdominelle Organe verringert wird. Hierfür stehen verschiedene Operationstechniken mit verschiedenen Zugangswegen zur Verfügung. Die roboterassistierte thorakoskopische Zwerchfellraffung verbindet die Vorteile eines minimalinvasiven Zugangs mit einer hervorragenden Darstellung des Situs und einem großen Handlungsspielraum für den Operateur. Diese Operationsmethode ist sehr sicher, vergleichsweise einfach zu erlernen und geht mit deutlichen funktionalen Verbesserungen einher.

Objectives Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intrathoracic chemotherapy (HITOC) is effective on survival for patients with pleural metastatic thymic tumours. Methods Multicentre, retrospective analysis of patients with stage IVa thymic tumours treated with surgical resection and HITOC. Primary end-point was overall survival, secondary end-points were recurrence-/progression-free survival and morbidity/mortality. Results A total of n = 58 patients (thymoma n = 42, thymic carcinoma n = 15, atypical carcinoid of the thymus n = 1) were included, who had primary pleural metastases (n = 50; 86%) or pleural recurrence (n = 8; 14%). Lung-preserving resection (n = 56; 97%) was the preferred approach. Macroscopically complete tumour resection was achieved in n = 49 patients (85%). HITOC was performed with cisplatin alone (n = 38; 66%) or in combination with doxorubicin (n = 20; 34%). Almost half of the patients (n = 28; 48%) received high-dose cisplatin > 125 mg/m2 body surface area. Surgical revision was required in eight (14%) patients. In-hospital mortality rate was 2%. During follow-up tumour recurrence/progression was evident in n = 31 (53%) patients. Median follow-up time was 59 months. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 95%, 83%, and 77%, respectively. Recurrence/progression free survival rates were 89%, 54%, and 44%, respectively. Patients with thymoma had significantly better survival compared to patients with thymic carcinoma (p-value ≤0.001). Conclusions Promising survival rates in patients with pleural metastatic stage IVa in thymoma (94%) and even in thymic carcinoma (41%) were achieved. Surgical resection and HITOC is safe and effective for treatment of patients with pleural metastatic thymic tumours stage IVa. Clinical registration number DRKS-ID DRKS00015012

Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has demonstrated great potential as a noninvasive biomarker to assess minimal residual disease (MRD) and profile tumor genotypes in patients with non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, little is known about its dynamics during and after tumor resection, or its potential for predicting clinical outcomes. Here, we applied a targeted‐capture high‐throughput sequencing approach to profile ctDNA at various disease milestones and assessed its predictive value in patients with early‐stage and locally advanced NSCLC. We prospectively enrolled 33 consecutive patients with stage IA to IIIB NSCLC undergoing curative‐intent tumor resection (median follow‐up: 26.2 months). From 21 patients, we serially collected 96 plasma samples before surgery, during surgery, 1–2 weeks postsurgery, and during follow‐up. Deep next‐generation sequencing using unique molecular identifiers was performed to identify and quantify tumor‐specific mutations in ctDNA. Twelve patients (57%) had detectable mutations in ctDNA before tumor resection. Both ctDNA detection rates and ctDNA concentrations were significantly higher in plasma obtained during surgery compared with presurgical specimens (57% versus 19% ctDNA detection rate, and 12.47 versus 6.64 ng·mL−1, respectively). Four patients (19%) remained ctDNA‐positive at 1–2 weeks after surgery, with all of them (100%) experiencing disease progression at later time points. In contrast, only 4 out of 12 ctDNA‐negative patients (33%) after surgery experienced relapse during follow‐up. Positive ctDNA in early postoperative plasma samples was associated with shorter progression‐free survival (P = 0.013) and overall survival (P = 0.004). Our findings suggest that, in early‐stage and locally advanced NSCLC, intraoperative plasma sampling results in high ctDNA detection rates and that ctDNA positivity early after resection identifies patients at risk for relapse., ctDNA profiling in plasma revealed higher levels and detection rates of ctDNA during tumor resection as compared to pretreatment time points in patients with early‐stage or locally advanced NSCLC. Moreover, patients testing positive for ctDNA immediately after tumor resection had worse clinical outcomes than patients with undetectable ctDNA. Our research highlights the role of ctDNA assessment for guiding treatment in patients with respectable NSCLC.

Metastatic small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is not curable. While SCLC is initially sensitive to chemotherapy, remissions are short-lived. The relapse is induced by chemotherapy-selected tumor stem cells, which express the AC133 epitope of the CD133 stem cell marker. We studied the effectiveness of AC133-specific CAR T cells post-chemotherapy using human primary SCLC and an orthotopic xenograft mouse model. AC133-specific CAR T cells migrated to SCLC tumor lesions, reduced the tumor burden, and prolonged survival in a humanized orthotopic SCLC model, but were not able to entirely eliminate tumors. We identified CD73 and PD-L1 as immune-escape mechanisms and combined PD-1-inhibition and CD73-inhibition with CAR T cell treatment. This triple-immunotherapy induced cures in 25% of the mice, without signs of graft-versus-host disease or bone marrow failure. AC133+ cancer stem cells and PD-L1+CD73+ myeloid cells were detectable in primary human SCLC tissues, suggesting that patients may benefit from the triple-immunotherapy. We conclude that the combination of AC133-specific CAR T cells, anti-PD-1-antibody and CD73-inhibitor specifically eliminates chemo-resistant tumor stem cells, overcomes SCLC-mediated T cell inhibition, and might induce long-term complete remission in an otherwise incurable disease.

Background Thromboembolism (TE) after lung transplantation (LTX) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study is to analyze the incidence and outcome of venous and arterial thromboembolic complications and to identify independent risk factors. Patients and methods We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 221 patients who underwent LTX at our institution between 2002 and 2021. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS and GraphPad software. Results 74 LTX recipients (33%) developed TE. The 30-days incidence and 12-months incidence were 12% and 23%, respectively. Nearly half of the patients (48%) developed pulmonary embolism, 10% ischemic stroke. Arterial hypertension (p = 0.006), a body mass index (BMI) > 30 (p = 0.006) and diabetes mellitus (p = 0.041) were independent predictors for TE. Moreover, a BMI of > 25 at the time of transplantation was associated with an increased risk for TE (43% vs. 32%, p = 0.035). At the time of LTX, 65% of the patients were older than 55 years. An age > 55 years also correlated with the incidence of TE (p = 0.037) and these patients had reduced overall post-transplant survival when the event occurred within the first postoperative year (59% vs. 72%, p = 0.028). Conclusions The incidence of TE after LTX is high, especially in lung transplant recipients with a BMI > 25 and an age > 55 years as well as cardiovascular risk factors closely associated with the metabolic syndrome. As these patients comprise a growing recipient fraction, intensified research should focus on the risks and benefits of regular screening or a prolonged TE prophylaxis in these patients. Trial registration number DKRS: 00021501.

Background To date, many studies investigated results and prognostic factors of pulmonary metastasectomy (PM) in renal cell cancer (RCC). However, reports concerning repeated resection for patients with recurrent pulmonary metastases (RPM) are limited. In this study, we analyzed safety, efficacy, and prognostic factors for survival after PM focusing on RPM for RCC. Patients and Methods Clinical, operative, and follow-up data of patients who underwent PM or RPM for RCC in our institution were retrospectively collected and correlated with each other from January 2005 to December 2019. Results Altogether 154 oncological pulmonary resections in curative intention as PM or RPM were performed in 82 and 26 patients. Postoperative complications were similar in both groups (n = 22 [26.8%] vs. 4 [15.4%], p = 0.2). Zero mortality was documented up to the 30th postoperative day. RPM was not associated with decreased 5-year-survival compared with PM (66.2 vs. 57,9%, p = 0.5). Patients who underwent RPM for recurrent lung metastases had a better overall survival in comparison with the other treatments including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and best supportive care (p = 0.04). In the multivariate analysis, disease-free survival was identified as an independent prognostic factor for survival (hazard ratio: 0.969, 0.941–0.999, p = 0.04). Conclusion RPM is a safe and feasible procedure. The resection of recurrent lung metastases shows to prolong survival in comparison with the other therapeutic options for selected patients with RCC.

Tracheomalacia in straight back syndrome results from chronic compression of the trachea and the mainstem bronchi mainly because of decreased mediastinal diameter. The mainstay of correction is the increase of mediastinal space and the restoration of the tracheal lumen and stability. Owing to the great variability of the manifestation of this disease, individualized approaches are required. We describe our approach in a 36-year-old woman with straight back syndrome associated severe tracheobronchomalacia with reconstruction of the proximal aorta, brachiocephalic artery, sternoplasty, and anterior tracheopexy, which resulted in successful treatment of the condition.

ZusammenfassungAnhand der Daten der DRG-Statistik wurde untersucht, wie sich die Versorgungssituation bei der chirurgischen Behandlung des Lungenkarzinoms in Deutschland darstellt und ob ein möglicher Zusammenhang zwischen Behandlungsvolumen und Hospitalletalität besteht. Ausgewertet wurden alle Behandlungsfälle der Jahre 2005 bis 2015 mit der Hauptdiagnose Lungenkarzinom (ICD C34) und den Prozeduren (OPS-Schlüssel 5-323–5-328) für anatomische Lungenresektionen. Die Behandlungsfälle wurden Krankenhausgruppen zugeordnet, definiert nach der Anzahl der durchgeführten Eingriffe pro Jahr. Die Gesamtzahl der anatomischen Lungenresektionen bei der Diagnose Lungenkarzinom stieg um 24 % von 9376 Resektionen in 2005 auf 11614 in 2015. Im Jahr 2015 wurden 57 % der anatomischen Lungenresektionen bei Patienten mit Lungenkarzinom in 47 High-Volume-Kliniken (Kliniken mit ≥ 75 Resektionen/Jahr) durchgeführt, die restlichen 43 % der Resektionen verteilen sich auf 271 Kliniken, die jeweils weniger als 75 Resektionen pro Jahr durchführen. In Krankenhäusern, in denen weniger als 25 dieser Eingriffe pro Jahr vorgenommen werden, ist die Krankenhausletalität mit 5,7 % (Mittelwert bezogen auf die Gesamtzahl der Eingriffe 2005 – 2015) fast doppelt so hoch wie in großen Zentren mit ≥ 75 Resektionen pro Jahr (Mittelwert 2005 – 2015: 3,0 %). Zusammenfassend bestätigt die vorliegende Auswertung der DRG-Statistik die traditionelle Konzentration der Lungenkrebsbehandlungen in Deutschland auf relativ wenige Kliniken mit großen Fallzahlen. Darüber hinaus konnte hier erstmals aktuell und flächendeckend für Deutschland ein Zusammenhang zwischen dem Behandlungsvolumen der Krankenhäuser und der Hospitalletalität nach chirurgischen Lungenkarzinombehandlungen belegt werden.

The COVID-19 pandemic led to a major disturbance in the health care system. Many elective operations were postponed, including surgical oncology cases. Besides the need to contain hospital resources, this was also due to concerns about the safety to perform surgery during the pandemic and the impact of perioperative infections on postoperative outcomes. In this study we investigate the safety of surgery for thoracic malignancies during the COVID-19 pandemic.We retrospectively analysed the outcome of surgery for thoracic malignancies during the first, second and third waves of the COVID-19 pandemic (from 01.01. to 30.04.2020 and from 01.01. to 30.04.2021). As a control group we included the patients who received thoracic oncology surgeries during the same period in the last 2 years before the onset of the pandemic. The primary outcome was the rate of postoperative complications.236 operations were included in the pandemic group and 227 operations in the control group. There was no statistically significant difference in the rate of postoperative minor complications (16.1% vs. 18.5%, p = 0.5395) or major complications (12.2% vs. 10.13 %, p = 0.5563). The risk to develop postoperative pulmonary complications was not higher in the pandemic group (odds ratio 1.193, 95% CI 0.6515-2.203, p = 0.8232). There were 5 cases with COVID-19 infection after the operation in the pandemic group. There was no difference in the rate of postoperative mortalities (2 (0.85%) vs. 1 (0.44%), p 0.9999) There was no COVID-19 related mortality.Maintaining oncologic thoracic surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic is safe, feasible and not associated with increased risks of postoperative complications or mortalities.Die COVID-19-Pandemie hatte, neben der offensichtlichen Bedeutung als eigenständige Erkrankung, einen schwerwiegenden Einfluss auf alle Aspekte der medizinischen Versorgung. In der onkologischen Chirurgie mussten Operationen verschoben werden oder es kam zu verzögerten Diagnosen onkologischer Erkrankungen, was neben der Sorge um unzureichende Ressourcen auch in der Unsicherheit bezüglich der perioperativen Risiken begründet lag. In dieser Studie untersuchen wir die Sicherheit der Durchführung onkologischer thoraxchirurgischer Eingriffe während der COVID-19-Pandemie.Es wurden retrospektiv die Ergebnisse der thoraxchirurgischen Operationen bei onkologischen Patienten am Universitätsklinikum Freiburg während der 1., 2. und 3. Welle der COVID-19-Pandemie (vom 01.01. bis 30.04.2020 sowie vom 01.01. bis 30.04.2021) untersucht. Als Kontrollgruppe wurden die im gleichen Zeitraum vor der Pandemie (2018 und 2019) durchgeführten Operationen gewählt. Der primäre Endpunkt war das Auftreten postoperativer Komplikationen.236 Operationen in der Pandemiekohorte und 227 Operationen in der Kontrollkohorte wurden in die Studie eingeschlossen. Es gab keinen Unterschied in der Inzidenzrate von postoperativen Minor-Komplikationen (16,1% vs. 18,5%, p = 0,5395) oder Major-Komplikationen (12,2% vs. 10,13%, p = 0,5563) zwischen der Pandemiekohorte und der Kontrollkohorte. Es zeigte sich kein erhöhtes Risiko für postoperative pulmonale Komplikationen in der Pandemiekohorte (Odds Ratio = 1,193, 95%-KI= 0,6515–2,203, p = 0,8232). Eine COVID-19-Infektion nach der Operation trat bei 5 Patienten der Pandemiekohorte auf (2,29%). Die postoperative Motilität innerhalb von 30 Tagen waren vergleichbar zwischen der Pandemiekohorte und der Kontrollkohorte (2 (0,85%) vs. 1 (0,44%), p 0,9999). Es gab keine COVID-19-infektionsbedingte Mortalität.Die Durchführung von onkologischen thoraxchirurgischen Operationen während der COVID-19-Pandemie ist, unter Einhaltung der entsprechenden Sicherheitsmaßnahmen, sicher und weder mit einer erhöhten Komplikationsrate noch einer erhöhten Mortalität verbunden.

Mycoplasma hominis is a rarely identified cause of respiratory infection that can cause significant morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. It is often missed due to the difficult detection of the organism with routine laboratory methods. We present the case of a 63-year-old male with a history of lymphoma who was transferred to our hospital with recurrent right-sided empyema and lung abscess in the right lower lobe. Advanced microbiological analysis finally revealed infection with M hominis. Despite appropriate antibiotic treatment, prolonged drainage as well as repeated surgery, which eventually resulted in right lower bilobectomy, were necessary for clinical improvement of our patient. Infection with M hominis may be more prevalent than previously indicated and can cause severe morbidity and mortality in thoracic surgery patients. Due to the diagnostic challenge, the appropriate antimicrobial treatment is often delayed. Inherent resistance to macrolides and inactivity of cell wall-active agents potentially complicate empiric antibiotic therapy. A review of the currently available literature enables a better understanding of the diagnostic difficulties and importance of this infection.

For early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) retrospective data of functionally compromised patients undergoing segmentectomy showed equal outcomes for perioperative complications and quality of life (QoL) compared with lobectomy patients. However no prospectively randomized data comparing patients eligible for both procedures are available.We conducted a prospective, randomized, multicenter phase III trial and investigated perioperative complications and QoL in patients with NSCLC stage IA (7th edition) undergoing segmentectomy versus lobectomy. The EORTC Questionnaire Core-30 (QLQ C-30) supplemented by thirteen-item lung cancer-specific module (LC13) was assessed before surgery, at discharge, 6 weeks, 3, 6 and 12 months post-surgery.108 patients with verified or suspected NSCLC up to 2 cm diameter were enrolled, whereby 54 were assigned to lobectomy and 54 to segmentectomy. Due to nodal disease, tumor size and surgical reasons estimated during the operation, eight patients of the segmentectomy group received a lobectomy. In hospital and 90 days mortality was 0% in both groups. Perioperative complications were observed in 6 (11.3%) patients after segmentectomy and in 8 patients (14.8%) after lobectomy (p = 0.563), while the 90-day morbidity were 17% and 25.9% (9 and 14 patients), respectively (p = 0.452). Twelve months after surgery, there was a significant deterioration to the baselines of physical (p 0.001) and cognitive functioning (p = 0.025), dyspnea (p 0.001) and fatigue (p = 0.003) in the lobectomy group. Dyspnea showed a faster recovery in the segmentectomy compared to lobectomy group with statistical significance (p = 0.016 after 12 months).In patients with early-stage NSCLC, segmentectomy is associated with a statistically not significant lower perioperative morbidity and appears to provide a superior recovery in QoL compared with lobectomy patients.

Background: Surgery is seldom used for palliation in advanced lung cancer and the published data on this issue are very limited. We aimed to assess the results of palliative lung resections and identify criteria to guide surgical therapy in this situation. Methods: This is a retrospective single-institution analysis of patients with palliative intended lung cancer resection. Survival analysis was performed by Kaplan-Meier method, log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards regression at a statistical significance level of P=0.05. Results: Forty-eight patients received palliative intended lung resections (31 lobectomies, 4 bilobectomies, 13 pneumonectomies) with acceptable rates of severe complications (Clavien-Dindo >IIIa 29%) and 30-day mortality (4%). The most frequent indications were infection and hemoptysis. The median survival for the entire group was 12 months (95% CI: 6.9–17.1 months). Due to unexpectedly favorable histopathologic tumor stage, a switch to curative treatment in 17 completely resected patients resulted in a 2-year survival rate of 46%. In a subgroup of 20 patients with favorable prognostic factors as identified by uni- and multivariable analysis, a median survival of 26 months was observed. Conclusions: In well selected patients with lung cancer, resection in palliative intent can offer symptom relief and even a survival benefit with acceptable morbidity and low mortality. Prognostic factors were identified and can be used to guide operative treatment. Due to the low specificity of CT and FDG-PET/CT in the presence of inflammation or centrally located lung tumors, a large proportion of patients with lung resection in palliative intent experience a down-staging and frequently also a switch from palliative to curative treatment with additional survival benefit. Factors like expected complete resection, a squamous cell type and the ability to receive adjuvant therapy are useful to support the decision to perform palliative tumor resection.

Zusammenfassung Hintergrund Die hypertherme intrathorakale Chemotherapie (HITOC) wird bereits seit einigen Jahren in mehreren thoraxchirurgischen Kliniken angewendet. Diese Expertenempfehlung soll nun basierend auf der klinischen Erfahrung und der vorhandenen Literatur grundlegende Empfehlungen für eine standardisierte Durchführung der HITOC liefern. Material und Methode Im Zeitraum von Oktober bis Dezember 2018 wurden Empfehlungen zur Anwendung der HITOC in Deutschland durch eine Gruppe von Experten aus 5 thoraxchirurgischen Kliniken erarbeitet. Die Auswahl der Experten mit den meisten Operationen mit HITOC erfolgte anhand einer deutschlandweiten HITOC-Umfrage aus dem Jahr 2017. Die Empfehlungen basieren auf den klinischen Erfahrungen sowie wissenschaftlichen Arbeiten bzw. Daten der einzelnen Kliniken und einer aktuellen Literaturrecherche zur HITOC. Ergebnis Die Empfehlungen wurden durch alle 5 teilnehmenden Kliniken in einer Konsensusumfrage bewertet. Hieraus ergaben sich 6 Schwerpunkte mit insgesamt 17 Empfehlungen. Bei jeder Empfehlung wurde eine Konsensstärke in Prozent berechnet. Eine 100%ige Konsensstärke wurde bei der Nomenklatur (HITOC), der technischen Durchführung, dem Chemotherapeutikum, dem perioperativen Management, den Schutzmaßnahmen und den Indikationen erreicht. Als Basis-Chemotherapeutikum für die HITOC wird von allen Experten Cisplatin empfohlen, da hier die meisten klinischen Erfahrungen und Daten vorliegen. Die Dosierung von Cisplatin wird in mg/m2 Körperoberfläche (KOF) angegeben und sollte zwischen 150 und 175 mg/m2 KOF betragen. Die zusätzliche Angabe des Perfusionsvolumens (ca. 4 – 5 l) scheint für den intrathorakalen Konzentrationsgradienten eine Rolle zu spielen und sollte mit beachtet werden. Schlussfolgerung Diese Expertenempfehlungen zeigen eine standardisierte und einheitliche Durchführung der HITOC. Hierdurch sollen postoperative Komplikationen durch die HITOC vermindert und eine bessere Vergleichbarkeit der Ergebnisse ermöglicht werden.

ZusammenfassungDie postoperative Nachblutung nach thoraxchirurgischen Eingriffen ist eine seltene, aber mit einer hohen Mortalität verknüpfte Komplikation. In der Literatur wird die Häufigkeit mit 0,6 – 2% bzw. 3 – 4,6% angegeben bei einer Mortalität von 5,1 bis zu 17,8%. Bei leichten Blutungen kann der Abfluss über die Thoraxdrainagen, Substitution von Gerinnungsprodukten (Fresh frozen Plasma, Tranexamsäure) und die Transfusion von Erythrozytenkonzentraten (EK) ausreichend sein, um diese zu kontrollieren. Bei ausgeprägten Blutungen ist jedoch meist eine Rethorakotomie erforderlich. Die Ursache der Nachblutung liegt meist in einem Bronchial- oder Interkostalgefäß (21 und 16%) oder an der Thoraxwand bei ausgedehnter Pleurolyse (10,5%). Die Pulmonalarterie oder -vene war nur in 16% Ursache der Blutung und in den meisten Fällen (37%) konnte keine aktive Blutungsquelle mehr identifiziert werden. Einen günstigen Effekt auf das postoperative Outcome nach Nachblutung scheint die rasche Revisionsoperation zu haben.

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/about/our-business/policies/article-withdrawal). This article has been retracted at the request of the Editor-in-Chief. Following the publication of the above article, the Editor was notified that an error occurred in which all images were published with incorrect versions. The Editor has taken the decision that the manuscript is no longer acceptable in its current form, nor with a corrigendum, as the extensive changes to the figures and publication would lead to ambiguity for our readers. We have therefore made the decision to retract this manuscript from Cancer Letters with the possibility of resubmission and republication of the manuscript in its corrected form after peer review.

Metastatic small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is not curable. While SCLC is initially sensitive to chemotherapy, remissions are short-lived. The relapse is induced by chemotherapy-selected tumor stem cells, which express the AC133 epitope of the CD133 stem cell marker. We studied the effectiveness of AC133-specific CAR T cells post-chemotherapy using human primary SCLC and an orthotopic xenograft mouse model. AC133-specific CAR T cells migrated to SCLC tumor lesions, reduced the tumor burden, and prolonged survival in a humanized orthotopic SCLC model, but were not able to entirely eliminate tumors. We identified CD73 and PD-L1 as immune-escape mechanisms and combined PD-1-inhibition and CD73-inhibition with CAR T cell treatment. This triple-immunotherapy induced cures in 25% of the mice, without signs of graft-versus-host disease or bone marrow failure. AC133