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en: A polo-like kinase inhibitor identified by computational repositioning attenuates pulmonary fibrosis.

en: These findings suggest that targeting PLK1 may be a novel therapeutic approach for pulmonary fibrosis by inhibiting lung fibroblast proliferation without affecting lung epithelial cells. In addition, while in silico screening is useful, it is essential to fully determine the biological activities of candidates by wet-lab validation studies.

en: Respiratory Research

ja: Respiratory Research


en: Immune checkpoint inhibitor-related pneumonitis with atypical radiologic features in a patient with anti-aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase antibody.

en: A man with non-small-cell lung cancer who was negative for anti-nuclear antibodies was admitted for dyspnea after immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) administration. Computed tomography (CT) showed complexed radiologic features, including subpleural and basal predominant reticular shadow with cystic structures and peribronchovascular consolidation. Although we treated him with high-dose steroid under a diagnosis of ICI-related pneumonitis, he developed acute exacerbation of pneumonitis with progressive fibrosis and volume loss. A re-evaluation identified anti-aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase antibody in the serum collected before ICI administration. This case highlights the importance of re-evaluating pre-existing autoimmune disorders in patients who develop ICI-related pneumonitis with atypical radiologic features.

en: Respiratory Medicine Case Reports

ja: Respiratory Medicine Case Reports


en: Analysis of the chemotactic factors for tumor-infiltrating fibrocytes and their prognostic significances in lung cancer.

en: Fibrocytes, which are bone marrow-derived collagen-producing cells, have been reported to be involved in pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis. Our previous study reported that tumor-infiltrating fibrocytes play a role in tumor progression and drug resistance in lung cancer. The present study therefore examined chemotactic factors for fibrocytes in tissues of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and their prognostic significance. Surgically resected tumor tissues were examined for the expression of chemotactic factors, including C-X-C motif chemokine 12 (CXCL12), CCL2, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-AA and PDGF-BB, as well as tumor-infiltrating fibrocytes by immunostaining. The chemotactic ability of fibrocytes in response to each factor was evaluated using a migration assay by counting the migrated cells microscopically, and expression of receptors for chemotactic factors were analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression of CXCL12, but not CCL2, PDGF-AA, or PDGF-BB, was associated with the number of tumor-infiltrating fibrocytes in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), but not lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSQ). In addition, patients with an increased expression of CXCL12 in LUAD but not LUSQ showed a significantly poorer prognosis compared with those with a decreased expression. However, the expression of CCL2, PDGF-AA and PDGF-BB was not correlated with the prognosis of patients with NSCLC. The number of fibrocytes was associated with a poor prognosis in LUAD. Fibrocytes derived from the peripheral blood of healthy subjects as well as patients with lung cancer expressed higher levels of CXCR4 compared with CCR2, PDGF and receptor-α and receptor-β. Overall, these results suggested that targeting tumor-infiltrating fibrocytes via the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis may be a useful strategy for controlling the progression of NSCLC, particularly LUAD.

en: Oncology Letters

ja: Oncology Letters


en: Multidisciplinary treatment of skeletal muscle metastasis from lung cancer: A case of triceps muscle metastasis of lung squamous cell cancer.

en: A 62-year-old Japanese man presented a hard and painful intramuscular mass in the right upper arm during the chemotherapy for lung squamous cell carcinoma. Initially, this mass containing fluid accumulation was treated by radiotherapy and antibiotics as a muscle metastasis suspected to be complicated with local infection. However, because the swelling and pain of his right arm did not improve, he underwent a surgical debridement of the mass. These local treatments succeeded in relieving the patient's symptoms for a while. However, after temporary remission, the recurrence tumor developed the paralysis of right radial nerve and ulnar nerve in his upper arm. Despite further combined therapy including drainage, additional radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, paralysis made his performance status deteriorated. He was eventually discontinued aggressive treatment due to worsened general condition. We herein report a case of lung cancer followed unusual course due to muscle metastasis in the triceps muscle. Because the paralysis caused by muscle metastasis can be the factor to deteriorate the performance status of patient, the combined therapy including antibiotics, debridement, radiotherapy and chemotherapy as early as possible should be considered to avoid its risk.