Differences in CMV-Specific T-Cell Levels and Long-Term Susceptibility to CMV Infection after Kidney, Heart and Lung Transplantation

Patients after kidney, heart and lung transplantation differ in their immunosuppressive drug regimens and in susceptibility to infectious complications with cytomegalovirus (CMV). In this study, CMV-specific T-cell responses were characterized in long-term transplant recipients and associated with the frequency of infectious complications. CMV-reactive CD4 T cells from 50 healthy controls, 68 renal, 14 heart and 24 lung transplant recipients were flow cytometrically quantified by the induction of cytokines after specific stimulation. Moreover, the immunosuppressive effect of calcineurin inhibitors on specific T-cell reactivity was quantified in vitro and compared with responses in vivo. Median CMV-specific T-cell frequencies in long-term renal (1.48%; range 0.06-17.26%) and heart transplant recipients (0.90%; 0.13-12.49%) did not differ from controls (1.82%; 0.26-21.00%). In contrast, CMV-specific T-cell levels were significantly lower in lung transplant recipients (0.50%; <0.05-4.98%) and showed a significant correlation with the frequency of infectious episodes (r =-0.57, p = 0.005). The differences within the groups were associated with increasing dosages of immunosuppressive drugs, as exemplified for calcineurin inhibitors that dose dependently reduced specific T-cell reactivity in vitro. In conclusion, monitoring CMV-specific CD4 T cells may serve as a measure for long-term disease susceptibility and may contribute to an improved management of CMV complications after lung transplantation.     

COX-2与Ki-67在宫颈癌中的表达及其意义

目的:探讨环氧合酶-2(COX-2)与Ki-67在宫颈癌及正常宫颈组织的表达情况及其临床意义.方法:采用免疫组织化学法(SP法)检测COX-2与Ki-67在62例宫颈癌和20例正常宫颈组织中的表达.结果:宫颈癌组织COX-2的阳性表达与组织学类型、分化程度和淋巴转移相关(P＜0.05或P＜0.01),与临床分期无明显相关(P＞0.05);而Ki-67蛋白的阳性表达与宫颈癌的分化程度及淋巴转移有关(P＜0.05或P＜0.01),而与组织细胞学类型及临床分期无明显相关(P＞0.05).结论:COX-2与Ki-67的表达与宫颈癌的生长及转移密切相关.     

间歇性雄激素阻断治疗晚期前列腺癌效果观察

目的 评价间歇性雄激素阻断治疗晚期前列腺癌的可行性及优点.方法 选取晚期前列腺癌患者59例,随机分为2组.给予间歇性雄激素阻断治疗30例(A组),给予持续雄激素阻断治疗29例(B组),观察两组患者的疾病进展及治疗期间副反应的发生情况,比较两种方法的治疗效果.结果 A组患者平均随访26个月,B组患者平均随访27个月,两组患者疾病进展情况未见明显差异.A组患者副反应低于B组患者且能在治疗间歇期得到缓解.结论 间歇性雄激素阻断治疗方法可行,能够减少患者治疗的副反应,提高患者生活质量.     

临床路径在大肠癌手术患者中的应用

目的:研究临床路径在大肠癌手术患者中的应用效果。方法:选择广东省江门地区某三甲医院2006年7月至2007年12月间实施临床路径的大肠癌手术患者192例作为实验组,对照组选择该院2005年1月至2006年6月间未实施临床路径按常规模式实施的大肠癌手术患者174例,比较两组患者在住院日、住院费用、患者满意度等方面有无差异性。结果:实验组患者的平均住院日、住院费用等方面明显低于对照组(P<0.01),患者满意度优于对照组(P<0.01)。结论:按临床路径对大肠癌手术患者实施围手术期诊疗护理计划,可减少患者平均住院日,降低住院费用,提高医疗护理服务质量及患者满意度,为进一步扩大临床路径的临床应用范围提供实验数据。     

Influence of trastuzumab on epirubicin pharmacokinetics in metastatic breast cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Anthracycline cardiotoxicity is increased by the contemporaneous administration of trastuzumab. The mechanism by which it occurs is as yet unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether trastuzumab modifies the pharmacokinetics of epirubicin and its metabolites. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Women with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer were treated with epirubicin 75 mg/m(2) i.v. bolus followed by docetaxel 75 mg/m(2) in a 1-h infusion, every 3 weeks for six cycles, and trastuzumab (once at 4 mg/m(2), then 2 mg/m(2) weekly thereafter) in a 30-min infusion. Epirubicin pharmacokinetic data of seven patients were evaluated at the first cycle of therapy (baseline, with trastuzumab administered 24 h after epirubicin), and at the sixth cycle (i.e. 15 weeks after baseline, with trastuzumab administered immediately before epirubicin). RESULTS: No pharmacokinetic change in the parent compound epirubicin was detected. The area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC(0-24 h)) was 1230 +/- 318 [mean +/- standard deviation (SD)] at the first cycle and 1287 +/- 385 h. micro g/l at the sixth. The mean (+/-SD) maximum plasma concentration (C(max)) and the terminal elimination half-life at the first cycle (1303 +/- 490 micro g/l and 12.5 +/- 3.1 h, respectively) were similar to those obtained at the sixth cycle (1229 +/- 580 micro g/l and 11.5 +/- 2.9 h, respectively). Pharmacokinetic data of epirubicin metabolites evaluated at the first and sixth cycle of chemotherapy were superimposable without any statistical difference. CONCLUSION: Enhanced anthracycline cardiotoxicity related to trastuzumab administration was not linked to pharmacokinetic interferences with epirubicin and its metabolites.     

斯奇康联合丝裂霉素顺铂胸腔内注射治疗肺癌恶性胸水的疗效观察

目的　探讨斯奇康联合丝裂霉素、顺铂胸腔内注射治疗肺癌恶性胸水的有效性和安全性。方法　对我科1999年以来确诊为肺癌恶性胸水的 5 3例患者 ,随机分为斯奇康组 ( 2 7例 )和对照组 ( 2 6例 ) ,进行胸腔内注药 ,观察治疗的有效率、Karnofsky评分及不良反应。结果　斯奇康组与对照组治疗有效率分别为 88 8%和 5 3 9%,两组比较有显著性差异 (P <0 0 1) ;两组治疗后生存质量均有改善 ,但Karnofsky评分 70分以上治疗组为 66 7%,对照组为 3 0 8%,两组比较差异显著 (P <0 0 1) ;两组均出现不同程度的白细胞、血小板减少 ,但治疗组与对照组相比反应明显较轻 ,有显著性差异 (P <0 0 5 )。结论　斯奇康联合丝裂霉素、顺铂胸腔内注射治疗肺癌恶性胸水疗效较好 ,毒副反应较轻。     

Factors affecting early and long-term outcomes after completion pneumonectomy

Objective: To identify factors that affect operative mortality and morbidity and long-term survival after completion pneumonectomy. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of consecutive patients who underwent completion pneumonectomy at our cardiothoracic surgery department from January 1996 to December 2005. Results: We identified 69 patients, who accounted for 17.8% of all pneumonectomies during the study period; 22 had benign disease and 47 malignant disease (second primary lung cancer, n = 19; local recurrence, n = 17; or metastasis, n = 11). There were 50 males and 19 females with a mean age of 60 years (range, 29–80 years). Postoperative mortality was 12% and postoperative morbidity 41%. Factors associated with postoperative mortality included obesity (p = 0.005), coronary artery disease (p = 0.03), removal of the right lung (p = 0.02), advanced age (p = 0.02), and renal failure (p < 0.0001). Preoperative renal failure was the only significant risk factor for mortality by multivariate analysis (p = 0.036). Bronchopleural fistula developed in seven patients (10%), with risk factors being removal of the right lung (p = 0.04) and mechanical stump closure (p = 0.03). Overall survival was 65% after 3 years and 46% after 5 years. Long-term survival was not affected by the reason for completion pneumonectomy. Conclusion: Although long-term survival was acceptable, postoperative mortality and morbidity rates remained high, confirming the reputation of completion pneumonectomy as a challenging procedure. Significant comorbidities and removal of the right lung were the main risk factors for postoperative mortality. Improved patient selection and better management of preoperative renal failure may improve the postoperative outcomes of this procedure, which offers a chance for prolonged survival.