Screening for lung cancer with chest radiographs.

JAMA. 2011 Nov 2;306(17):1916-8

Authors: Sox HC

PMID: 22031727 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Facco et al demonstrated elevated levels of T helper 17 (Th17) cells in the peripheral blood and in the bronchoalveolar lavage of patients with active sarcoidosis; increased expression of interleukin 17 (IL-17) and IL-23R in lung and lymph node specimens was also noted.1 These results suggest a role for the IL-23/Th17 inflammatory axis in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis.

Crohn's disease (CD) is a severe inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Many components of the IL-23 pathway (IL23R, IL12B, STAT3, JAK2, TYK2) are true IBD susceptibility genes, suggesting a crucial role for this pathway in maintaining intestinal immune homeostasis.2

We recently reported the development of multisystem sarcoidosis in two CD patients who had received maintenance therapy with natalizumab, a selective adhesion molecule inhibitor that prevents lymphocyte migration to the gut.3 We hypothesised that natalizumab may have contributed to the development of the disease by allowing dysregulated...

We read with interest the recent article ‘Genome-wide association studies in lung disease’ by Artigas et al.1 While we agree that a greater understanding of the biological pathways underlying disease development and progression (susceptibility) will be a major outcome from these genetic epidemiological studies, we suggest other benefits may also stem from this research.

The genetics of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer represent unique models for the genetics of lung disease because they result in the main from a ‘single’ measurable and preventable environmental exposure (cigarette smoking). That we can stratify for smoking exposure in these genetic association studies is critical to disease gene discovery and study design, as many of the underlying ‘susceptibility genes’ only become clinically evident (ie, expressed as disease) after several decades of daily smoking exposure. In studies of lung cancer, where cases and controls are carefully stratified by smoking...

[Anticancer drugs under pressure].

Rev Med Suisse. 2011 Sep 14;7(308):1761-6

Authors: Ben Aïssa A, George AC, El M'Rabet FZ, Mach N, Dietrich PY, Pechère-Bertschi A

Abstract
Angiogenesis inhibitor drugs, targeting VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) are used increasingly in oncology for a wide range of advanced cancers (colorectal cancer, lung cancer, renal cell cancer,...). Generally, they are well tolerated but cardiovascular and renal side effects may appear. The most frequent complications are hypertension and proteinuria which, very often, remain asymptomatic. Therefore, they have to be searched for systematically before and during the treatment. Sometimes, anti-hypertensive medication is needed. We are just beginning to understand the pathophysiological mechanisms of antiangiogenic therapies. Only a multidisciplinary approach will improve our knowledge of those target agents and allow a better management of the cancer patient.

PMID: 21954818 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]