A B S T R A C T PurposeLung squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most prevalent type of lung cancer. Currently, no targeted therapeutics are approved for treatment of this cancer, largely because of a lack of systematic understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of the disease. To identify therapeutic targets and perform comparative analyses of lung SCC, we probed somatic genome alterations of lung SCC by using samples from Korean patients. Patients and MethodsWe performed whole-exome sequencing of DNA from 104 lung SCC samples from Korean patients and matched normal DNA. In addition, copy-number analysis and transcriptome analysis were conducted for a subset of these samples. Clinical association with cancer-specific somatic alterations was investigated. ResultsThis cancer cohort is characterized by a high mutational burden with an average of 261 somatic exonic mutations per tumor and a mutational spectrum showing a signature of exposure to cigarette smoke. Seven genes demonstrated statistical enrichment for mutation: TP53, RB1, PTEN, NFE2L2, KEAP1, MLL2, and PIK3CA). Comparative analysis between Korean and North American lung SCC samples demonstrated a similar spectrum of alterations in these two populations in contrast to the differences seen in lung adenocarcinoma. We also uncovered recurrent occurrence of therapeutically actionable FGFR3-TACC3 fusion in lung SCC. ConclusionThese findings provide new steps toward the identification of genomic target candidates for precision medicine in lung SCC, a disease with significant unmet medical needs.

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BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the differences in clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes between older and younger tuberculosis (TB) patients in Korea.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 271 younger (20–64 years old at diagnosis) and 199 older (≥65 years) TB patients who had been newly diagnosed and treated at Chonnam National University Hospital from May 2008 to August 2010.ResultsDyspnea and comorbid medical conditions were more frequent and positive TB culture rates were higher in older TB patients. In chest computed tomography (CT) scans of pulmonary TB patients, older patients were less likely to have micronodules (<7 mm in diameter), nodules (<30 mm in diameter), masses (>30 mm in diameter), and cavities compared with younger patients, but were more likely to have consolidations. Incidence of adverse drug reactions did not differ between the two groups, except for severe gastrointestinal disorders. There were no significant differences in favorable treatment outcomes between younger and older TB patients (97% vs. 94%, respectively; p = 0.251).ConclusionsOlder TB patients had more frequent dyspnea and less frequent active TB findings on chest CT. Treatment success and adverse drug reaction rates were similar in older and younger TB patients.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence, risk factors, and survival of lung cancer in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Methods: IPF with lung cancer from tertiary hospitals consisted of 1685 patients who had been diagnosed between 2003 and 2007. We reviewed their medical records retrospectively to evaluate the prevalence, risk factors and prognosis of lung cancer in IPF patients. Results: Among all patients with IPF, 114 cases (6.8%) had lung cancer with IPF. The incidence of lung cancer in patients with IPF was 1.03 persons per 100 person-year (25 patients/2408 years). Most cases of lung cancer (73/114, 68.9%) were located in IPF-associated areas; the lung cancer typically developed in peripheral and lower lobe areas. The study revealed that forced vital capacity (% predicted) at the initial diagnosis and development of lung cancer were independent prognostic factors in patients with IPF. Conclusions: Lung cancer in patients with IPF was significantly related with the IPF prognosis. An active evaluation should be performed in patients with IPF to detect lung cancer early.

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