BackgroundSputum cell‐free DNA (cfDNA) is a valuable surrogate sample for assessing EGFR‐sensitizing mutations in patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma. Detecting EGFR exon 20 p.T790 M (p.T790 M) is much more challenging due to its limited availability in tumor tissues. Exploring sputum cfDNA as an alternative for liquid‐based sample type in detecting p.T790 M requires potential improvement in clinical practice.MethodsA total of 34 patients with EGFR‐sensitive mutation‐positive lung adenocarcinoma and acquired resistance to the first generation of epidermal growth factor receptor‐tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR‐TKIs) were enrolled. The sputum samples, and paired tumors and/or plasma samples were tested for p.T790 M mutation and concordance of p.T790 M status among the three sample types was analyzed.ResultsThe overall concordance rate of p.T790 M mutation between sputum cfDNA and tumor tissue samples was 85.7%, with a sensitivity of 66.7% and a specificity of 100%. The sensitivity for detecting p.T790 M in sputum cfDNA was 100%, 66.7%, and 0% in the three sputum groups of malignant, satisfactory but no malignant cells, and unsatisfactory, respectively. The combined results of plasma cfDNA testing and sputum cfDNA testing further increased the sensitivity to 100% for p.T790 M detection in satisfactory but no malignant cells sputum group.ConclusionThese findings revealed that cfDNA from malignant or satisfied but no malignant cells sputum is considered suitable for detecting p.T790 M mutation in patients with acquired resistance to first or second‐generation EGFR‐TKIs. The sputum cytological pathological evaluation‐guided sputum cfDNA testing assists in significantly improving the sensitivity of p.T790 M detection, bringing significant value for the maximal application of third‐generation EGFR‐TKIs in second‐line treatment.

Background The detection rate of bilateral multiple pulmonary nodules (BMPNs) is increasing due to widespread use of chest computed tomography (CT) screening. However, there is no consensus on the treatment options for BMPNs and whether simultaneous bilateral pulmonary resection is safe remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of simultaneous bilateral pulmonary resection for BMPNs. Methods A total of 16 consecutive patients with BMPNs who underwent simultaneous bilateral pulmonary resection in Beijing Hospital from June 2013 to July 2020 were enrolled in this study. Clinical characteristics, imaging and pathological features, and perioperative outcomes were retrospectively reviewed. Results There were 10 males and six females included in the study with a mean age of 61.9 (range: 39–78) years. A total of 35 nodules were resected in 16 patients including 12 patients with bilateral primary lung cancer, three patients with primary lung cancer on one side and a benign nodule on the contralateral side, and one patient with bilateral benign nodules. All patients underwent bilateral pulmonary resection via single‐utility port video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Nine, four, two, and one patients underwent lobectomy with contralateral segmentectomy or wedge resection, segmentectomy with contralateral wedge resection, bilateral segmentectomy and bilateral wedge resection, respectively. All operations were accomplished successfully without intraoperative blood transfusion, conversion to thoracotomy, major complication and postoperative 90‐day death. The mean operation time was 220.1 ± 65.6 minutes, median thoracic drainage duration was four days (range: 2–8 days), mean pleural drainage was 1387.5 ± 694.7 mL, and median postoperative hospital stay was seven days (range: 5–18 days). There were three cases (18.8%) of minor complications, including one case of pulmonary air leakage, one case of atrial fibrillation, and one case of poor healing of surgical site. A total of 50% (8/16) of the patients had severe postoperative pain and required additional analgesia. Conclusions For selected patients, simultaneous bilateral pulmonary resection via single‐utility port VATS is a safe and feasible minimally invasive procedure for BMPNs. Adequate postoperative analgesia via a multimodal analgesia strategy should be used to prevent postoperative pain. Key points Significant findings of the study The incidence of major complication after minimally invasive bilateral pulmonary resection is low for patients with good pulmonary function, but there is a relatively high incidence of minor complications and pain at the surgical site. Adequate postoperative analgesia via multimodal analgesia strategy should be used to prevent postoperative pain. What this study adds For the treatment of bilateral multiple pulmonary nodules, simultaneous bilateral pulmonary resection via single‐utility port video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery is safe and feasible for selected patients.

ObjectivesTo evaluate the oncological prognosis and neurological outcomes for patients with thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) after thymectomy.MethodsConsecutive patients with TETs who underwent thymectomy at Beijing Hospital from January 2011 to December 2018 were retrospectively enrolled into the study. Clinical, pathological, and perioperative data was collected. Patients were followed‐up by telephone interview and outpatient records. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 19.0.ResultsA total of 215 patients (115 men and 100 women) were included in this study of which 133 patients (61.9%) had TETs associated with myasthenia gravis (MG), and 82 patients (38.1%) had thymic tumors without MG. A total of 194 (90.2%) patients were successfully followed‐up. The median follow‐up period was 42 months. The five‐year overall survival (OS) rate was 88.6%. MG was the first cause of death for patients with MG (6/10). Prognosis in MG patients was similar to those without MG. Multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that TNM stage III + IV was an independent risk factor for OS. Incomplete resection and younger age were risk factors for tumor recurrence. For patients with MG, the cumulative complete stable remission (CSR) rate increased with the postoperative follow‐up period, and the five‐year CSR rate was 44.7%. Univariate Cox analysis indicated that age, preoperative MG duration and preoperative medication might correlate with CSR. Multivariate Cox analysis only indicated older age as a negative factor of achieving CSR.ConclusionsMG had little influence on OS and tumor recurrence of thymic tumors. The new TNM staging system was an independent prognostic factor. Incomplete resection and younger age were risk factors for tumor recurrence. Older age was a negative factor of achieving CSR for thymoma patients with MG after extended thymectomy.Key pointsSignificant findings of the studyMG was not a prognostic factor for thymic tumors. The new TNM staging system was useful for prediction of prognosis. Incomplete resection and younger age were risk factors for tumor recurrence. Older age led to a lower probability of achieving CSR for thymomatous MG.What this study addsThis study had a relatively large sample size of patients with thymic epithelial tumors in a single center. We evaluated not only the oncological prognosis, but also neurological outcomes after thymectomy, which was a more comprehensive assessment of surgical effect for thymic epithelial tumors.

Background Radiotherapy is an effective therapeutic approach widely used clinically in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but radioresistance remains a major challenge. New and effective radiosensitizing approaches are thus urgently needed. The activation of DNA‐sensing cyclic GMP‐AMP synthase (cGAS)‐stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway has become an attractive therapeutic target, but the relationship between activation of cGAS‐STING pathway and radiosensitization of NSCLC cells remains unknown. Methods Considering low expression of cGAS‐STING pathway genes in NSCLC, including STING, we used an activator (STING agonist, dimeric amidobenzimidazole [diABZI]) of cGAS‐STING pathway and increased activation factor (DNA double strand breaks) of cGAS‐STING pathway to respectively reinforce the activation of cGAS‐STING pathway in NSCLC cells. We then investigated the effect of increased activation of cGAS‐STING pathway on the proliferation of H460 and A549 cells by CCK‐8 and colony formation assays, and revealed the underlying mechanism. Results We found that both diABZI and the increased DNA double strand breaks could sensitize NSCLC cells to irradiation. Mechanically, our results showed that the increased activation of cGAS‐STING pathway enhanced radiosensitivity by promoting apoptosis in NSCLC cells. Conclusion Taken together, we concluded that diABZI could be used as a radiosensitizer in NSCLC cells, and targeting the activation of cGAS‐STING pathway has a potential to be a new approach for NSCLC radiosensitizing.

Objective The purpose of this study was to introduce a new feasible and effective intraoperative localization technique for small peripheral pulmonary nodules in hybrid operating room. Methods Between June 2020 and June 2021, the intraoperative localization was performed in 27 patients for 35 small pulmonary nodules at our institution. The procedure was undergone under thoracoscopic observation. After making the VATS ports, a titanium clip was clipped at the visceral pleura as near the pulmonary nodule as possible to be a marker for the nodule. VATS resection was performed next. Results A total of 27 patients were included in this study, including 6 males and 21 females. The median age was 58 years (range 34–78 years). All surgeries were performed by two-port VATS. A total of 35 pulmonary nodules underwent intraoperative localization. The mean diameter of nodules was 10.6 ± 3.7 mm. The distance of nodules to visceral pleura was 8.3 ± 8.7 mm. The mean localization time was 23.3 ± 3.3 min. The median time of C-arm scanning was 3 (range 2–4) times. The median times for clipping were 2 (range 1–3) times. All the nodules were localized successfully and resected precisely. No VATS were converted to thoracotomy. There were no complications related to localization procedures. Conclusions This new intraoperative localization technique was feasible, safe and effective. And also the intraoperative procedure could avoid extra suffering for patients.