Recent studies have attempted to uncover the role of Group 1 Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) in multiple physiological contexts, including cancer. However, the definition and precise contribution of Group 1 ILCs (constituting ILC1 and NK subsets) to metastasis is unclear due to the lack of well-defined cell markers. Here, we first identified ILC1 and NK cells in NSCLC patient blood and differentiated them based on the expression of transcription factors, T-bet and Eomes. Interestingly, Eomes downregulation in the peripheral blood NK cells of NSCLC patients positively correlated with disease progression. Additionally, we noted higher Eomes expression in NK cells (T-bet + Eomes hi) compared to ILC1s (T-bet + Eomes lo). We asked whether the decrease in Eomes was associated with the conversion of NK cells into ILC1 using Eomes as a reliable marker to differentiate ILC1s from NK cells. Utilizing a murine model of experimental metastasis, we observed an association between increase in metastasis and Eomes downregulation in NKp46 + NK1.1 + Group 1 ILCs, which was consistent to that of human NSCLC samples. Further confirmation of this trend was achieved by flow cytometry, which identified tissue-specific Eomes lo ILC1-like and Eomes hi NK-like subsets in the murine metastatic lung based on cell surface markers and adoptive transfer experiments. Next, functional characterization of these cell subsets showed reduced cytotoxicity and IFNγ production in Eomes lo ILC1s compared to Eomes hi cells, suggesting that lower Eomes levels are associated with poor cancer immunosurveillance by Group 1 ILCs. These findings provide novel insights into the regulation of Group 1 ILC subsets during metastasis, through the use of Eomes as a reliable marker to differentiate between NK and ILC1s.

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The management of massive anterior mediastinal masses (AMM) is challenging. With the burgeoning role of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support (ECMO) beyond the confines of salvage therapy, more trained clinicians are adopting it as a bridge for high-risk procedures or situations where temporary respiratory or cardiac support is required. We report our experience with using ECMO in the management of massive AMM in this case series of three patients sharing their clinical details and the lessons learned from them.

Background Primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) is a relatively common clinical entity with high incidence in the young population. Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS) bullectomy and chemical or mechanical pleurodesis are two primary modalities of treatment. There has been much debate on the ideal mode of pleurodesis, but the literature on surgical outcomes comparing VATS pleurectomy with talc pleurodesis has been inconclusive. Methods We performed a single-centre 5-year observational retrospective study of 202 patients who underwent VATS bullectomy with talc pleurodesis or parietal pleurectomy. Results There were no significant differences in the demographics, pre-operative and intra-operative characteristics in both groups. Recurrence of pneumothorax, chest tube duration and hospital stay were similar in both groups. However, talc pleurodesis had a shorter operative time compared to pleurectomy. Conclusion Our study demonstrated comparable outcomes between talc pleurodesis and pleurectomy following VATS bullectomy for patients with PSP.