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Additional file 1: Table S1. Sequences of siRNA targeting MEF2D.

This study applied a combined cancer biomarker panel to clinically identify small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in a high-risk population.The serum levels of 4 biomarkers (progastrin-releasing peptide [ProGRP], carcinoembryonic antigen [CEA], squamous cell carcinoma antigen [SCC], and cytokeratin 19 fragment [CYFRA21-1]) were determined in 153 patients with a high risk of lung cancer (12 with a new diagnosis of SCLC, 52 with NSCLC, and 89 without lung cancer). Information about diagnosis delays was collected through interviews of all participants.Significantly higher serum levels of ProGRP (P .0001) were found among the SCLC patients versus the rest of the population. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis established the cutoff values of ProGRP, CEA, SCC, and CYFRA21-1 as 300 pg/mL, 7.3 ng/mL, 3 ng/mL, and 6.5 ng/mL, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of ProGRP in diagnosing SCLC were 75% and 100%, respectively. Among the 14 lung cancer patients with a false-negative computed tomography (CT) result, the diagnostic panel detected 8 additional cancers.This panel increased the diagnostic specificity for high-risk subjects (those with renal failure being excluded), and auxiliary to a CT scan, it increased the sensitivity for patients with lung cancer. These results might be applied to shorten the diagnosis delay at health care institutions in China.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a risk factor and important coexisting disease for lung cancer; however, the current status of management of COPD in lung cancer patients is not fully described. This study addressed this issue in a general teaching hospital in China.Medical records of hospitalized lung cancer patients in Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, between January 2006 and December 2010 were reviewed. The definition of COPD was according to the spirometric criteria of the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) document. The diagnostic rate (COPD recorded as a discharge diagnosis/spirometry-defined percentage) and conformity to GOLD treatment guidelines were investigated. The factors influencing diagnosis were analysed.During the study period, the prevalence of spirometry-defined COPD in hospitalized lung cancer patients was 21.6% (705/3263). The overall diagnostic rate of COPD was 7.1%, and the treatment conformity for stable and acute exacerbation of COPD was 27.1% and 46.8%, respectively. Respiratory physicians had a higher diagnostic rate than non-respiratory doctors (34.8% vs 2.9%, P0.001) and a better treatment conformity for acute exacerbation of COPD (63.6% vs 37.5%, P = 0.048). Patients with COPD as a discharge diagnosis had more chance to receive guideline-consistent treatment. The diagnostic rate of COPD was higher among patients with a history of smoking, respiratory diseases or symptoms.COPD is substantially underdiagnosed and undertreated in a hospitalized lung cancer population. History of smoking, respiratory diseases and symptoms promotes diagnosis. Education of COPD knowledge among patients and doctors is urgently required in this special population.