The significant increase and dynamic changes of the myeloid-derived suppressor cells percentage with chemotherapy in advanced NSCLC patients

Purpose

To investigate the correlations between myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in the peripheral blood and cancer stage, immune function, and chemotherapy.

Methods

Percentages of MDSCs (CD11b⁺CD14^?CD33⁺ cells) and lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 94 patients with Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who were treated naïve and 30 healthy individuals were measured. Changes of the MDSCs percentage were further detected in patients with advanced NSCLC treated with systemic chemotherapy. Finally, coculture with CD8⁺ cells was developed to determine effect of MDSCs on IFN-γ secretion of T lymphocytes.

Results

MDSCs percentage of 94 patients with NSCLC was significantly higher than that of 30 healthy subjects (P < 0.05), the percentages were increased with tumor progression, in patients with stage III and IV percentages were significantly higher than those in stage I and II patients (P = 0.013). The MDSCs percentage was negatively related to percentage of CD8⁺ cells in the peripheral blood (r = ?0.354, n = 38, P = 0.029), and when they were cocultured, IFN-γ secretion of CD8⁺ cells was significantly decreased (P < 0.05). In 20 patients with advanced NSCLC who received systemic chemotherapy, nine partial remission (PR) cases got MDSCs percentage significantly decreased (P < 0.001), three stable disease (SD) cases remained invariable (P = 0.307) and eight progressive disease (PD) cases got significantly increased (P = 0.024).

Conclusion

The percentage of MDSCs in the patients was significantly higher than that of the healthy control subjects and it increased with tumor progression partially by inhibiting the CD8⁺ cell function. The dynamic changes of MDSCs percentage reflected the efficacy of systemic chemotherapy.     

低剂量脾照射对局部晚期非小细胞肺癌放疗患者免疫系统的影响(英文)

Objective: The aim of the research was to study the effects of low-dose splenic irradiation and radiotherapy on immune system of patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: Twelve cases of stage Ⅲ NSCLC in Tumor Radiotherapy Center of our hospital (the Affiliated Hospital of Medical College Qingdao University, China) were collected from July 2011 to July 2012; all patients were under 75 years old with clear pathology, measurable lesions and good personal statement. They were randomly divided into combined treatment group (D1+D2) and control group (D1). The control group (D1) only received radiotherapy to the chest; combined treatment group (D1+D2) received low-dose splenic irradiation plus conventional dose irradiation. Flow cytometry was used to detect the peripheral blood T lymphocyte immune indexes of patients before, during and after the treatment, classification by five blood cell analyzer was used to determine white blood cells, neutrophils, hemoglobin and platelet count. The radiation induced toxicity including esophagitis, pneumonia and gastrointestinal reaction was observed, as well as the dose when it happened. Results: There was no significant difference in the ratio between two groups in cells CD4+, CD8+ and CD4+/CD8+ after radiotherapy (P>0.05). There was no change in these indicators in combined treatment group after treatment (P>0.05), but it decreased in control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidences of radiation esophagitis, pneumonia, gastrointestinal reactions and bone marrow suppression between two groups (P>0.05), but the patients in combined treatment group seemed to tolerate high dose well (P<0.05). Conclusion: Low-dose splenic irradiation combined with radiotherapy to the chest can alleviate the injury degree of acute radiation induced the toxicity of locally advanced NSCLC patients, through affect the patient’s immune function.     

Clinical effects of autologous dendritic cells combined with cytokine-induced killer cells followed by chemotherapy in treating patients with advanced colorectal cancer: a prospective study

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dendritic cell and cytokine-induced killer (DC-CIK) cell-based immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy on the treatment of patients with advanced colorectal cancer. We prospectively included patients with advanced colorectal cancer and assessed the efficacy of DC-CIK cell-based immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy compared to treatment with chemotherapy alone. T cell subtypes, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and adverse events were evaluated in each group. In total, 134 patients were included in the DC-CIK group and 121 patients were included in the control group. No significant differences were observed in the percentages of CD3⁺, CD3⁺CD4⁺, CD3⁺CD8⁺, and NK cells after DC-CIK cell-based immunotherapy compared to before chemotherapy in the DC-CIK group. The median PFS and OS in the DC-CIK treatment group were 8.8 months (95 % CI 8.4–9.1) and 14.7 months (95 % CI 13.9–15.5), respectively, which were significantly improved compared to the PFS and OS in the control group. The frequencies of grade III and IV leukopenia (8.2 vs. 19.0 %, P?=?0.011), grade III and IV anemia (3.0 vs. 9.1 %, P?=?0.039), and grade III and IV thrombocytopenia (3.7 vs. 10.7 %, P?=?0.029) were significantly lower in the DC-CIK group compared to the control group. DC-CIK cell-based immunotherapy could induce an immune response against colorectal cancer and prolong PFS and OS. DC-CIK cell-based immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy had a significant benefit in terms of survival in patients with colorectal cancer compared to chemotherapy alone.     

肿瘤药敏指导下的化疗对非小细胞肺癌并恶性胸水治疗的有效性(英文)

Objective:The aim of the study was to investigate the clinical value and application of ATP based bioluminescence tumor chemosensitivity assay (ATP-TCA) in the chemotherapy for hydrothorax caused by non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods:Hydrothorax specimens from 120 NSCLC patients were analyzed by ATP-TCA and the most sensitive chemotherapeutic drugs were used in NSCLC patients (treatment group). At the same time, 56 NSCLC patients with hydrothorax were admitted in our Hospital (Department of Oncology, The No. 2 People’s Hospital of Yibin, China) and given chemotherapy without guidance of the ATP-TCA (control group). Before the third chemotherapeutic cycle, clinical outcomes were analyzed in the two groups. Results:Effective rate of hydrothorax in treatment group was 67%, while 46% in control group (P < 0.05). In refractory hydrothorax patients, they were 69% and 40% (P < 0.05), respectively. In vitro results correlated well with clinical outcomes (P < 0.01). Conclusion:Effective rate of chemotherapy for hydrothorax in NSCLC is higher in treatment group than that in control group. ATP-TCA is especially helpful for refractory hydrothorax.     

Changes of immunological parameters with administration of Japanese Kampo medicine (Juzen-Taihoto/TJ-48) in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer

Background

The prognosis of pancreatic cancer is extremely poor regardless of various combination therapies. Immunoaugumentation against tumor cells was recently A focus. We reported that the population of Foxp3⁺CD25⁺CD4⁺ regulatory T cells (Foxp3⁺Treg) was the new parameter for the estimation of host immunity and had correlation with tumor aggressiveness. Here we show the immunoaugumentation effects of Japanese Kampo medicine, Juzen-Taihoto/TJ-48, empirically considered as an immunoaugumentation drug, with investigation of Treg and other immunological parameters.

Patients and method

Peripheral Foxp3⁺ Treg populations, CD4/CD8 ratio, and CD57⁺ cells (NK cells) populations in advanced pancreatic cancer patients (n = 30, stage VI A and B according to TNM classification) were estimated after TJ-48 administration for 14 days before the anti-cancer therapy.

Results

Treg populations were significantly increased compared to healthy donors (Mann–Whitney U test, P < 0.001). Administration of Juzen-Taihoto/TJ-48 significantly decreased Treg populations (Mann–Whitney U test, P < 0.001) and increased the CD4/CD8 ratio (Mann–Whitney U test, P < 0.01), even though CD57⁺ cell populations did not change significantly.

Conclusions

Juzen-Taihoto/TJ-48 increased regulatory activities in T cells through decreasing Foxp3⁺ Treg populations in advanced pancreatic cancer patients. This effect can lead to immunoaugumentation for various combination therapies.     

Galectin-3 genetic variants are associated with platinum-based chemotherapy response and prognosis in patients with NSCLC

Aim

To explore the association between the galectin-3 genetic polymorphisms and Platinum-based chemotherapy response as well as the prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Method

Three hundred twenty patients with Stage III (A+B) or IV NSCLC were enrolled. A Platinum-based chemotherapy was given to each subjects and therapeutic effect was evaluated. The two galectin-3 genetic polymorphisms, namely, galectin-3 +191 A>C and +292 A>C, were genotyped.

Results

The polymorphic genotypes and the allele frequency of galectin-3 +191 A>C were not significantly different between responders and non-responders to chemotherapy. For galectin-3 +292 A>C, the AA genotype and A allele distribution were significantly higher in responders than in non-responders. Logistic regression analysis showed CC genotype of galectin-3 +292 presented higher risk of being non-responders compared with the AA genotype (OR?=?2.96, 95?% CI: 1.55?C5.47; P?<?0.001). The overall survival in patients with AA genotype of galectin-3 +292 were significantly longer than in those with CC genotype (25.6 vs. 19.5?months, P?=?0.013). The hazard ratio for CC genotype of galectin-3 +292 was 2.43 (95?% CI: 2.03?C3.98, compared with AA carriers, P?=?0.003).

Conclusion

The galectin-3 genetic polymorphisms of galectin-3 +292, rather than galectin-3 +191, were associated with the chemotherapy response and prognosis of NSCLC.     

新辅助化疗对Ⅱ及Ⅲ期中老年食管癌患者免疫功能的影响

Objective

We aimed to study the influence of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on immunity function in elderly patients with the stages of II and III esophageal cancer.

Methods

Thirty-seven elderly patients (age ranged from 60 to 75 years) with the stages of II and III esophageal cancer underwent 2 cycles chemotherapy preoperatively with single-drug regimen (docetaxel, 35 mg/m2 once a week, on days 1, 8 and 15, at interval of 2 weeks for one cycle). Surgery were performed three weeks later. Blood samples were drawn separately on the day of admission, 1 day before operation, 7 day and 1 month after operation, and we conducted the Flow Cytometry to detect the levels of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+,CD4+/CD8+ and NK cells.

Results

There were no significant differences in the levels of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+/CD8+ and NK cells between before and after chemotherapy (P > 0.05). On day 7 after operation, the levels of CD3+, CD4+, CD4+/CD8+ and NK cells were degraded and CD8+ increased significantly (P < 0.05). One month after operation, the levels of CD3, CD4+, CD4+/CD8 and NK cells were higher than normal, and CD8 was depressed significantly (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy has no significant impact on cellular immune function in elderly patients with the stages of II and III esophageal cancer, it is an effective and safe treatment.     

Selections of appropriate regimen of high-dose chemotherapy combined with adoptive cellular therapy with dendritic and cytokine-induced killer cells improved progression-free and overall survival in patients with metastatic breast cancer: reargument of such contentious therapeutic preferences

Background

We hypothesized that combination of dendritic cell (DC) with autologous cytokine-induced killer (CIK) immunotherapy in setting of high-dose chemotherapy (HDC) would be effective for selected metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients.

Patients and methods

Our previous work showed thiotepa could eradicate breast cancer stem cells. From 2004 to 2009, 79 patients received standard dose chemotherapy (SDC) of 75 mg/m² docetaxel and 75 mg/m² thiotepa versus 87 patients of HDC + DC/CIK: 120 mg/m² docetaxel to mobilize peripheral CD34⁺ progenitor cells, a sequence of HDC (120 mg/m² docetaxel, plus 175 mg/m² thiotepa) + DC/CIK, with or without 400 mg/m² carboplatin depending upon bone marrow function. The endpoints were response rates (RR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS).

Results

Compared with SDC, PFS and OS were improved in HDC + DC/CIK (median PFS 10.2 vs. 3.7 months, P < 0.001; median OS 33.1 vs. 15.2 months, P < 0.001). Patients of pre-menopausal, HDC as first-line treatment after metastasis, or with visceral metastasis showed prolonged PFS and OS. SDC group also achieved the similar response as previous reports.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated the novel combination of HDC with DC/CIK to be an effective choice for the selected MBC population, in which choosing appropriate chemo regimens played important roles, and also specific HDC regimen plus DC/CIK immunotherapy showed the clinical benefits compared with chemotherapy alone.     

Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as an indicator of poor prognosis in stage IV non-small cell lung cancer

Background

Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), an index of systemic inflammation, has been associated with worse survival for many types of cancer. The aim of this study is to investigate the clinical significance of the blood NLR as a prognostic factor in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.

Methods and patients

Stage IV NSCLC patients diagnosed in our institution between April 2004 and March 2009 were retrospectively reviewed. Potential prognostic factors such as histology, gender, performance status, response to chemotherapy and NLR were analyzed. NLR was assessed baseline and during chemotherapy treatment. Overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) were calculated by the Kaplan?CMeier method.

Results

A total of 171 patients were included in the study and 60 patients (35.1?%) presented a NLR ??5. Median survival for the entire cohort was 9.3?months. We found that patients with undifferentiated carcinoma and patients with NLR ??5 had a worse survival. Median PFS of patients with NLR <5 was 5.62?months and in patients with NLR ??5 was 3.25?months (p?=?0.098), and OS was 11.1 versus 5.6?months for patients with NLR<5 and NLR ??5, respectively (p?=?0.017). During the chemotherapy treatment, patients who normalized NLR after one cycle presented better outcomes (OS 8.7 vs. 4.3?months, p?=?0.001, for patients who normalized NLR and for patients who remained persistently elevated). After multivariate analysis, histology and NLR remained independent predictors of survival (p?<?0.05).

Conclusion

In our analysis, elevated NLR is a predictor of shorter survival in patients with advanced NSCLC and the variation of NLR during the first cycle of treatment predicts survival. NLR is an easily measured, reproducible test that could be considered to be incorporated in the routine practice in NSCLC patients.     

Factor associated with failure to administer subsequent treatment after progression in the first-line chemotherapy in EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer: Okayama Lung Cancer Study Group experience

Purpose

Early administration of both epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) monotherapy and cytotoxic chemotherapy is crucial for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients harboring EGFR mutations. We investigated the effect of first-line administration of these therapies on subsequent therapy in NSCLC patients.

Methods

This study enrolled 63 consecutive patients with advanced EGFR-mutant NSCLC and good performance status (PS) and who underwent first-line EGFR-TKI therapy or standard cytotoxic chemotherapy and then had progressive disease, from 2007 to 2011. The ability of each patient to receive the other therapy after first-line treatment failure was assessed.

Results

In the first-line setting, 23 and 40 patients received EGFR-TKI therapy and cytotoxic chemotherapy, respectively. At relapse, the EGFR-TKI therapy group showed more frequent PS deterioration (p = 0.042) and greater likelihood of symptomatic central nervous system (CNS) relapse (p = 0.093) compared with the cytotoxic chemotherapy group. Nine (39 %) of 23 patients initially receiving EGFR-TKI therapy could not receive standard cytotoxic therapy after progression mainly due to symptomatic CNS relapse. Only one (3 %) of 40 initially treated with cytotoxic chemotherapy failed to receive subsequent EGFR-TKI therapy (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed a correlation between the first-line therapy and the failure to switch to the other therapy after disease progression (OR 48.605, p = 0.005).

Conclusion

In this study, patients who could not receive both EGFR-TKI therapy and cytotoxic chemotherapy in the early-line setting were included more in the first-line EGFR-TKI group, suggesting a potential risk associated with missing the timing of administration of subsequent therapy. Further investigation is warranted to detect their pretreatment clinical or molecular characteristics for development of a new treatment strategy specific for such subpopulation.     

Autologous cytokine-induced killer cells combined with chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer: a randomized control study

Objective:To evaluate the ef icacy of autologous cytokine-induced kil er (CIK) cells transfusion combined with chemotherapy in patients suf ered from advanced colorectal cancer. Methods: Sixty untreate...     

Prognostic value of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes differs depending on histological type and smoking habit in completely resected non-small-cell lung cancer

BackgroundT-cell infiltration in tumors has been used as a prognostic tool in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the influence of smoking habit and histological type on tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in NSCLC remains unclear.Patients and methodsWe evaluated the prognostic significance of TILs (CD4⁺, CD8⁺, CD20⁺, and FOXP3⁺) according to histological type and smoking habit using automatic immunohistochemical staining and cell counting in 218 patients with NSCLC.ResultsIn multivariate survival analyses of clinical, pathological, and immunological factors, a high ratio of FOXP3⁺ to CD4⁺ T cells (FOXP3/CD4) [hazard ratio (HR): 4.46, P < 0.01 for overall survival (OS); HR: 1.96, P < 0.05 for recurrence-free survival (RFS)] and a low accumulation of CD20⁺ B cells (HR: 2.45, P = 0.09 for OS; HR: 2.86, P < 0.01 for RFS) were identified as worse prognostic factors in patients with adenocarcinoma (AD). In non-AD, a low number of CD8⁺ T cells were correlated with an unfavorable outcome (HR: 7.69, P < 0.01 for OS; HR: 3.57, P < 0.02 for RFS). Regarding smoking habit in AD, a high FOXP3/CD4 ratio was poorly prognostic with a smoking history (HR: 5.21, P < 0.01 for OS; HR: 2.38, P < 0.03 for RFS), whereas a low accumulation of CD20⁺ B cells (HR: 4.54, P = 0.03 for OS; HR: 2.94, P < 0.01 for RFS) was confirmed as an unfavorable factor in non-smokers with AD.ConclusionsA low number of CD8⁺ T cells in non-AD, a high FOXP3/CD4 ratio in smokers with AD, and a low number of CD20⁺ B cells in non-smokers with AD were identified as independent unfavorable prognostic factors in resected NSCLC. Evaluating the influence of histological type and smoking habit on the immunological environment may lead to the establishment of immunological diagnosis and appropriate individualized immunotherapy for NSCLC.     

中国人非小细胞肺癌表皮生长因子受体EGFR基因突变与血浆纤维蛋白原水平之间的相关性(英文)

Objective:The plasma fibrinogen levels had not only been used as an independent prognostic parameter for the patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but also as a promising biomarker for evaluating the efficacy of chemotherapy. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between the plasma fibrinogen levels and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutation and clinical-pathological characteristics of Chinese patients with NSCLC. Methods:In this retrospective study, NSCLC specimens collected from 352 patients between November 2009 and November 2011 were selected to detect EGFR gene mutation with real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In these specimens, 308 ones were also detected EGFR gene copy number with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Coagulation makers were examined prior to the operations. The association between the plasma fibrinogen levels and EGFR gene mutation and clinical-pathological characteristics were analyzed using SPSS 16.0 software. Results:The median pre-operation plasma fibrinogen level was 3.55 g/L (109/352) patients with higher plasma fibrinogen level (> 4.0 g/L). The lower plasma fibrinogen levels correlated significantly with EGFR gene mutations (P < 0.001), the similar result was seen in platelet counts (P = 0.026). A linear correlation was found between the plasma fibrinogen levels and the platelet counts in NSCLC patients (R 2 = 0.209, P < 0.001). Pre-operation plasma fibrinogen levels correlated with gender (P < 0.001), smoking status (P < 0.001), and histology (P < 0.001). There were significant link between the above clinical-pathological characteristics and EGFR gene mutations. In addition, EGFR gene mutation was correlated with FISH-positive status (P < 0.001). Moreover, both plasma fibrinogen level (P = 0.024) and the EGFR gene copy number (P = 0.040) had significant relationships with the pathological TNM stage. Conclusion:This study showed that a significant relevance between plasma fibrinogen levels and EGFR gene mutations. The plasma fibrinogen level might be as a clinical decision parameter for evaluating the efficacy of anti-EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in NSCLC. The patients of NSCLC had higher indicate have poor benefits from anti-EFGR TKIs. In addition, pre-operation plasma fibrinogen level could be used as an indepedent prognostic biomarker for the patients with NSCLC.     

Evaluation of biological pathways involved in chemotherapy response in breast cancer

Introduction

Our goal was to examine the association between biological pathways and response to chemotherapy in estrogen receptor-positive (ER⁺) and ER-negative (ER^-) breast tumors separately.

Methods

Gene set enrichment analysis including 852 predefined gene sets was applied to gene expression data from 51 ER^- and 82 ER⁺ breast tumors that were all treated with a preoperative paclitaxel, 5-fluoruracil, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide chemotherapy.

Results

Twenty-seven (53%) ER^- and 7 (9%) ER⁺ patients had pathologic complete response (pCR) to therapy. Among the ER^- tumors, a proliferation gene signature (false discovery rate [FDR] q = 0.1), the genomic grade index (FDR q = 0.044), and the E2F3 pathway signature (FDR q = 0.22, P = 0.07) were enriched in the pCR group. Among the ER⁺ tumors, the proliferation signature (FDR q = 0.001) and the genomic grade index (FDR q = 0.015) were also significantly enriched in cases with pCR. Ki67 expression, as single gene marker of proliferation, did not provide the same information as the entire proliferation signature. An ER-associated gene set (FDR q = 0.03) and a mutant p53 gene signature (FDR q = 0.0019) were enriched in ER⁺ tumors with residual cancer.

Conclusion

Proliferation- and genomic grade-related gene signatures are associated with chemotherapy sensitivity in both ER^- and ER⁺ breast tumors. Genes involved in the E2F3 pathway are associated with chemotherapy sensitivity among ER^- tumors. The mutant p53 signature and expression of ER-related genes were associated with lower sensitivity to chemotherapy in ER⁺ breast tumors only.     

The expression and clinical significance of β-catenin and colorectal cancer stem cells marker EpCAMhigh/CD44+ in colorectal cancer

Objective

The aim of the study was to explore the role of Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway in the maintenance, invasion and metastasis of colorectal cancer stem cells.

Methods

Double immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression of EpCAM^high/CD44⁺ which is regarded as the marker of colorectal cancer stem cells in 80 cases of colorectal cancer and their corresponding liver metastases. The SP method of immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of the key protein β-catenin in the Wnt pathway in these tissue. The expression and correlation of β-catenin and EpCAM^high/CD44⁺ in colorectal cancer were analyzed and their role on the biological behavior of colorectal cancer was explored.

Results

The abnormal expression of β-catenin was significantly higher in colorectal cancer than in the paraneoplastic normal intestinal mucosa [55% (44/80) vs 10% (2/20), P < 0.05]. The positive expression of EpCAM^high/CD44⁺ was significantly higher in colorectal cancer than in the paraneoplastic normal intestinal mucosa [66.25% (53/80) vs 0% (0/20), P < 0.05]. In the 80 cases of colorectal cancer, the abnormal expression of β-catenin has no correlation with gender (P = 0.079), age (P = 0.416) and the magnitude (P = 0.816) of the tumor (P > 0.05), but it was significantly correlated with degree of differentiation (P = 0.001), depth of invasion (P = 0.001), clinical stage (P = 0.000) and metastasis (P = 0.000). In the colorectal cancer, the expression of EpCAM^high/CD44⁺ cells has no correlation with gender (P = 0.934) and the magnitude (P = 0.160) of the tumor (P > 0.05), but was significantly correlated with age (P = 0.021), degree of differentiation (P = 0.013), depth of invasion (P = 0.000), clinical stage (P = 0.000) and metastasis (P = 0.000). In the corresponding liver metastases, we could also detecte EpCAM^high/CD44⁺ cells. In cases with abnormal expression of β-catenin, the positive expression rate of EpCAM^high/CD44⁺ was significantly higher than those with normal expression of β-catenin (84.1% vs 44.4%), and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The abnormal activation of Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway may prompt the abnormal proliferation of the colorectal cancer stem cells, which leads to the recurrence and metastasis of the cancer.     

空气波压力治疗仪治疗奥沙利铂神经毒性的临床观察

Objective

The aim of this study was to observe the efficacy of air wave pressure therapeutic equipment in prevention of oxaliplatin-inducted neurotoxicity.

Methods

Forty-five patients with colorectal cancer were randomly divided into treatment group and control group, treatment group were given the treatment of air wave pressure therapeutic equipment during chemotherapy with oxaliplatin, the control group were given preventive treatment, the oxaliplatin-inducted neurotoxicity was evaluated after each cycle of chemotherapy. Evaluate the chemotherapy efficacy after the third cycle and sixth cycle of chemotherapy.

Results

The treatment group have lower incidence of peripheral nerve toxicity than the control group, the difference was statistically significant (χ² = 13.93; P < 0.01). Chemotherapy effect between the 2 groups was no significant difference (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Treatment with air wave pressure therapeutic equipment can reduce the incidence of peripheral nerve toxicity during oxaliplatin chemotherapy.     

The clinical research of elemene emulsion combined with FOLFOX4 regimen in the treatment of advanced gastric carcinoma

Objective

The aim of this study was to observe the effects and adverse reactions of elemene emulsion added to the chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced gastric carcinoma (AGC).

Methods

Forty-nine patients were divided randomly into two groups, elemene emulsion group (25 cases, treated with chemotherapy and elemene emulsion) and chemotherapy group (24 cases, treated with chemotherapy only). All patients received chemotherapy. The clinical effects and adverse reactions were evaluated after four cycles.

Results

The response rate (RR) were 60% in elemene emulsion group and 41.7% in chemotherapy group respectively (P < 0.05). The median time to progression and overall survival in elemene emulsion group and in chemotherapy group were 7.1 months and 11.0 months vs 5.2 months and 9.3 months (P < 0.05). A lower rate of neutropenia, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea occurred in elemene emulsion group compared with chemotherapy group (P < 0.05), and there was significant difference in the elevation of life quality as well (48% vs 25%; P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Elemene emulsion in combination with FOLFOX4 regimen can improve the efficacy, decrease the incidence of side effects of chemotherapy and elevate the life quality and prolong the survival time in AGC.     

Prognostic significance of NSE mRNA in advanced NSCLC treated with gefitinib

Purpose

Current knowledge of the prognostic biomarkers of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with gefitinib is poor. NSE mRNA as a potential prognostic biomarker of the effectiveness of gefitinib treatment in NSCLC, especially in the Chinese population, needs to be further validated.

Patients and Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 168 advanced NSCLC patients treated with gefitinib between May 2006 and July 2010. NSE mRNA was measured using quantitative RT-PCR analysis for correlation with the clinical outcomes.

Results

We found that NSE mRNA expression was inversely correlated with sensitivity to gefitinib in NSCLC patients. Patients without elevated NSE mRNA had a more RR (CR + RR) 45.1 % than elevated 18.9 % (P = 0.0005). Moreover, the time to progression was 6.0 versus 4.2 months, respectively. Log-rank test was marginally significant (χ² = 12.11, P = 0.0007) and Cox multivariate analysis revealed that NSE mRNA (HR = 3.076; 95 % CI 1.943–4.870; P < 0.0001) was an independent prognostic factor of NSCLC patients in the Chinese population.

Conclusion

For NSCLC patients treated with gefitinib, patients without elevated NSE mRNA had a better prognosis than those with elevated NSE mRNA. Pretreatment NSE mRNA holds great potential as a prognostic biomarker in advanced NSCLC. Therefore, it is proposed that NSE mRNA should be routinely detected to screen patients who are more likely to benefit from gefitinib-based treatment.     

Dys-psychological stress effect on expressions of P53 and NFκBp65 in human ovarian carcinoma In Vivo

Objective: To investigate the dys-psychological stress effect on the growth of subcutaneous xenotransplanted tumor in nude mice bearing human epithelium ovarian carcinoma, and the influence on P53 and NFκBp65 expressions. Methods: The subcutaneous tumor xenografts were established by implanting human epithelium ovarian carcinoma tissues into nude mice and the dys-psychological stress model was established with restraint. The mice were randomized into the following four treatment groups with each group six mice respectively: tumor group (group A), normal saline intraperitoneal injection; tumor with stress group (group B), normal saline intraperitoneal injection; tumor therapy group (group C), cisplatin intraperitoneal injection; and tumor therapy with stress group (group D), cisplatin intraperitoneal injection. The expressions of P53 and NFκBp65 in tumor tissues were determined by Western blotting. Results: The expressions of P53 and NFκBp65 in each restraint group were enhanced compared with the control groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: The dys-psychological stress may induce the high expressions of P53 and NFκBp65 proteins and further promote tumor growth.     

Cytokine-induced killer cell combination with TACE in the treatment of hepatocellular cancers: a meta-analysis

Objective:The aim of the study was to evaluate the ef icacy and safety of cytokine-induced kil er (CIK) cellcombined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) therapy in the treatment of hep...