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Summary Introduction. Research in NSCLC biomarker field and application of new methods is essential as it is promising strategy to reduce cancer mortality. Aim of the study. The aim of the study was to develop new approach for lung cancer biomarker research and introduce novel method into surgical practice, verifying method’s safety and evaluate intraoperative and postoperative complications. Materials and methods. 50 patients with early stage NSCLC undergoing lobectomy were randomized into two groups - experimental (n = 25) and control group (n = 25). In experimental group at the time of thoracotomy and resection of the lung, paired blood samples were obtained from the lobar pulmonary vein draining lung segment containing tumor and from the peripheral vein which represents the systemic circulation. Safety of the procedure and its influence on surgery was evaluated. Results. New approach for lung cancer biomarker research was developed. Injuries of major anatomical structures as pulmonary blood vessels, bronchi, trachea and pericardium due to blood sample collection were not observed. There was no difference in hospital stay and chest tube drainage duration. There were no perioperative deaths in both groups. Morbidity rate in experimental group was similar to control group. Conclusions. Application of new method for developing multimodal lung cancer model is safe and does not increase the risk of intraoperative and postoperative complications.

Purpose The MAGE-A3 protein is expressed in approximately 35% of patients with resectable non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Several immunization approaches against the MAGE-A3 antigen have shown few, but often long-lasting, clinical responses in patients with metastatic melanoma. Patients and Methods A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled phase II study was performed assessing clinical activity, immunologic response, and safety following immunization with recombinant MAGE-A3 protein combined with an immunostimulant (13 doses over 27 months) in completely resected MAGE-A3–positive stage IB to II NSCLC. The primary end point was disease-free interval (DFI). Results Patients were randomly assigned to either MAGE-A3 immunotherapeutic (n = 122) or placebo (n = 60). After a median postresection period of 44 months, recurrence was observed in 35% of patients in the MAGE-A3 arm and 43% in the placebo arm. No statistically significant improvement in DFI (hazard ratio [HR], 0.75, 95% CI, 0.46 to 1.23; two-sided P = .254), disease-free survival (DFS; HR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.48 to 1.21; P = .248), or overall survival (HR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.47 to 1.40; P = .454) was observed. Corresponding analysis after a median of 70 months of follow-up revealed a similar trend for DFI and DFS. All patients receiving the active treatment showed a humoral immune response to the MAGE-A3 antigen, although no correlation was observed with outcome. No significant toxicity was observed. Conclusion In this early development study with a limited number of patients, postoperative MAGE-A3 immunization proved to be feasible with minimal toxicity. These results are being investigated further in a large phase III study.

35 ROLE OF CXCL4 CHEMOKINE IN ANGIOGENIC ACTIVITY OF NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER (NSCLC) A. Spaks1, D. Isajeva2, I. Spaka3, A. Pirtnieks1, I. Jaunalksne4, J. Grusina-Ujumaza1, J. Basko1, I. Taivans2, D. Krievins5 1Thoracic Surgery, Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital, Riga, Latvia, 2Pathology, University of Latvia, Riga, Latvia, 3Biology, Riga Stradins University, Riga, Latvia, 4Clinical Immunology, Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital, Riga, Latvia, 5Surgery, University of Latvia, Riga, Latvia