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Introduction: The expression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) is usually increased in inflammation and cancer. This study examines the expression of COX-2 in the lung of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with lung cancer., Methods: We studied 44 male patients with bronchial cancer (27 squamous carcinoma and 17 adenocarcinoma). Samples were obtained from the pulmonary parenchyma, from the bronchial mucosa adjacent to the tumor and from the tumor itself. Lung tissue specimens from 14 patients with pneumothorax were used as control. The mRNA and the COX-1 and COX-2 proteins were assessed by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively., Results: COX-1 and COX-2 mRNA levels were significantly higher in the lung parenchyma of COPD patients than in the control subjects. COX-2 mRNA levels were also higher in the lung parenchyma than in both tumor and airway tissue samples procured from COPD patients. There were no differences in the COX-2 mRNA levels between squamous carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. In contrast, COX-2 protein levels were significantly higher in tumors than in lung parenchyma and airways. COX-2 protein levels were higher in adenocarcinoma compared with squamous carcinoma., Conclusion: This study shows that in COPD, the pathway of cyclooxygenase is activated and associated with an increase in the expression of COX-2 in lung tumors. These observations suggest that COX-2 is possibly involved in the association between COPD and cancer., (Copyright © 2011 SEPAR. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.)

Sixty-six cases of multiple primary lung cancers were classified into 18 synchronous cancers and 48 metachronous cancers. They all occurred in tobacco-smoking men. The first group were symptomatic in 66% of cases, the second were symptomatic in 40% of cases. Six synchronous locations were unilateral and 12 were bilateral; 19 metachronous locations were ipsilateral and 29 were contralateral. Two cases had a third metachronous cancer. The resections of both tumours were performed in 11 out of 18 cases of synchronous cancers and 15 out of 48 cases of metachronous cancers. There were 2 deaths related to metachronous cancers. No patient with synchronous cancers survived 5 years after resection. One third of patients survived 5 years after resection of a metachronous cancer. Synchronous cancers represent an advanced stage. Metachronous cancers are diagnosed too late.

A 58-year-old man diagnosed as having acanthosis nigricans symmetrically distributed on the face, neck, hands, navel and external genitals, was admitted to our department for further investigation of abnormal chest films. Bronchoscopy revealed squamous cell carcinoma of left S6 and solitary bronchial papilloma of left S3. After left pneumonectomy, facial hyperpigmentation improved slightly. About half of the reported cases of acanthosis nigricans are accompanied by various kinds of malignant neoplasms, mostly adenocarcinomas of the digestive system. The association with squamous cell carcinoma of the lung in our case appears to be unique. Only 16 cases of solitary bronchial papilloma, including our case which had the smallest diameter of 2 mm, have been reported in Japan. While it is suggested that malignant neoplasms contribute to abnormal epidermal growth such as acanthosis nigricans, a causal relationship between squamous cell carcinoma of the lung and bronchial papilloma cannot be established.

The purpose of these studies was to determine whether the orthotopic implantation of the Lewis lung tumor favors tumorigenicity and production of metastasis as compared with implantation at an ectopic site. Different numbers of viable cells were implanted subcutaneously (footpad), intrabronchially, or intrathoracically into groups of syngeneic mice. Tumorigenicity, production of distant metastases and survival were recorded. Tumor cells implanted subcutaneously produced fast-growing local tumors and numerous spontaneous lung metastases. Tumor cells implanted intrabronchially produced slow-growing tumors that did not produce distant metastasis. Since radiolabeled cells implanted into different sites exhibited similar patterns of survival, the differences in behavior of 3LL cells in the skin or lung were due to other factors. We conclude that for the Lewis lung carcinoma, orthotopic implantation does not favor increased tumorigenicity and metastatic potential.

The histology of the bronchial specimens derived from 104 patients with an established invasive bronchial squamous cell carcinoma was assessed with special reference to the detection of the morphological manifestations of human papilloma virus (HPV) recently described in the uterine cervix, i.e., three different types of condylomatous lesions (papillomatous, flat and endophytic). Histological lesions fulfilling the criteria of papillomatous condyloma were found in 6 cases, those of endophytic condyloma in 4 cases, and lesions identical to flat type condyloma of the uterine cervix were encountered in 26 cases (25%). The role of HPV in the development of these lesions and their relationship to squamous cell carcinogenesis was discussed, and a concept hypothesizing the development of bronchial squamous cell carcinoma is outlined.