New research offers better understanding of respiratory inflammation associated with lung cancer

Around half of all lung cancer patients with metastatic disease develop a malignant pleural effusion (MPE) ' a painful and debilitating condition that severely reduces their quality of life. An estimated annual two million patients worldwide develop MPE and existing treatment options remain unsatisfactory. Research presented by Greek scientist, Georgios Stathopoulos, at the 19th Annual Congress of the European Respiratory Society (ERS) indicates that, in future, it may be possible to develop medication that would suppress the production of MPE and treat or even prevent the accumulation of MPE in the pleural cavity, thus avoiding distress for patients and the need for invasive treatments. It also gives further insight into the pathophysiologic mechanisms of MPE in cancer and in lung cancer in particular.

Dr Stathopoulos is the winner of this year's Vignola Award on Innovation in Pneumology, a 20,000 euro ($29,000) grant awarded by the Italy-based Chiesi Foundation to scientists for innovative research in the area of respiratory diseases.

Dr Stathopoulos carried out his research in the Department of Critical Care and Pulmonary Services of the School of Medicine at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece. He is currently undertaking further research on the topic during a Visiting Assistant Professorship of Research at the Division of Allergy, Pulmonary, and Critical Care Medicine of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, USA. 'The European Respiratory Society chose Dr Stathopoulos after reviewing his publication in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute,' said Prof. Jorrit Gerritsen, President of the European Respiratory Society. 'This research is an excellent example of an innovative solution to a condition which causes great distress to patients. The Maurizio Vignola Award is designed to encourage just such an approach. Now, more than ever, we need awards like this to move scientific knowledge further.'