Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is difficult to measure radiographically due to the nonradial and variable pattern of growth and response to therapy. Inaccurate and inconsistent tumor measurements often compromise results from clinical trials that are dependent on identifying response rate and progression-free survival.

In this article, we sought to provide a practical guide through the Southwest Oncology Group on how to measure MPM by the updated RECIST version 1.1 and by modified RECIST. We hope that these steps will provide a simple means by which computed tomography measurements can be consistently performed, minimizing intra- and interobserver variability. With this consistency, we may be able to better estimate the prognosis and response to therapy. With greater utilization, we will be able to better understand the biology of MPM.

Introduction: Computed tomography (CT)-guided lung biopsy is occasionally used for the lesions that were diagnosed as nonmalignant by transbronchial examination despite the fact that other clinical data suggested those as malignant. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the outcomes of CT fluoroscopy-guided cutting needle biopsy of lung lesions after transbronchial examination resulting in negative diagnosis.

Patients and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the outcomes of CT fluoroscopy-guided lung biopsy for 351 lesions (mean size, 2.8 cm) that were found to be nonmalignant by transbronchial examination. Diagnostic yield, including sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of malignancy, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy were calculated. Various variables were analyzed to determine the factors for diagnostic failure.

Results: The biopsy result was nondiagnostic, true-positive, true-negative, false-positive, or false-negative for 2, 262, 70, 0, or 17 lesions, respectively. Thus, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy of CT fluoroscopy-guided cutting needle biopsy was found to be 93% (262/281), 100% (70/70), 100% (262/262), 80% (70/87), and 94% (332/351), respectively. There was no significant risk factor for diagnostic failure.

Conclusion: Computed tomography fluoroscopy-guided cutting needle lung biopsy is a useful technique to correct or confirm negative diagnosis by transbronchial examination.

We report a new use of acetylated dendrimer-entrapped gold nanoparticles (Au DENPs) for in vitro and in vivo computed tomography (CT) imaging of cancer cells. In this study, Au DENPs prepared using amine-terminated generation 5 poly(amidoamine) dendrimers were subjected to an acetylation reaction to neutralize the positive surface potential.

The acetylated Au DENPs were used for both in vitro and in vivo CT imaging of a human lung adencarcinoma cell line (SPC-A1 cells). Micro-CT images show that SPC-A1 cells can be detected under X-ray after incubation with the acetylated Au DENPs in vitro and the xenograft tumor model can be imaged after both intratumoral and intraperitoneal administration of the particles. Transmission electron microscopy data further confirm that the acetylated Au DENPs are able to be uptaken dominantly in the lysosomes of the cells. Combined morphological observation of cells after hematoxylin and eosin staining, MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay of cell viability, and flow cytometric analysis of cell cycle show that the acetylated Au DENPs do not appreciably affect the cell morphology, viability, and cell cycle, indicating their good biocompatibility at the given concentration range.

Findings from this study suggest that the developed acetylated Au DENPs have a great potential to be used for CT imaging of cancer cells.

Asthma and obesity continue to have a significant effect on public health. It is widely accepted that obesity may be an independent risk factor for asthma and affect asthma severity and quality of life (QOL).