Peripheral blood levels of bone marrow-derived EPCs are significantly increased in patients with NSCLC and correlate with response to chemotherapy. EPCs may offer a possible biomarker for efficient of treatment and prognosis.

No abstract

The options for lung cancer treatment have increased due to the development of immune checkpoint inhibitors, but there has been no report of inoperable cases whereby the treatment effects rendered the case operable, an operation was subsequently performed, and histological assessment of the surgical specimen was carried out. Here, we report a 67‐year‐old man who was given pembrolizumab for T3N0 lung squamous cell carcinoma suspected of pericardial infiltration and judged inoperable. Treatment effect was evaluated after four courses. Computed tomography indicated a partial response, and operability was feasible. Therefore, thoracoscopic left upper lobectomy was performed after six courses of pembrolizumab, and histological assessment of the treatment effect was determined to be Ef 3, a complete response. The postoperative course was uneventful and he was discharged on the third postoperative day. We encountered a case that could be surgically treated after pembrolizumab administration. This treatment was safe and effective for advanced lung cancer.

No abstract

Pasteurella multocida (P. multocida) infection develops in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are used for the treatment of COPD. Herein, we report a case of empyema caused by P. multocida in a patient using ICS for COPD. A 79-year-old man with COPD presented with general fatigue. He was treated with triple therapy including ICS. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed encapsulated pleural effusion in the left chest. We initiated antibiotics, sulbactam sodium/ampicillin sodium (3 g × 4), and thoracic drainage. His pleural effusion culture turned out positive and P. multocida was detected. The patient was diagnosed with empyema caused by P. multocida. The triple therapy combination, including ICS, was changed to a double therapy combination without ICS. The subsequent progress was relatively good, and on the 49th day of hospitalization, the patient was discharged. The onset of P. multocida infection may be associated with ICS use, which may best be avoided in a patient with COPD who is at risk of P. multocida infection.