Brachytherapy: An emblematic example of extreme hypofractionated regimen

In order to provide more convenient irradiation regimens for patient comfort, radiation facility organization and health expenses, new hypofractionated protocols have been evaluated. Moderately (dose/fraction: 2.3 to 3 Gy), then ultra (dose/fraction: 5.2 to 6.1 Gy) hypofractionated irradiations were first validated. The current question is: is it possible to go forward using extreme hypofractionated regimens (EHR) based on 1 to 3 fractions. Different irradiation techniques are under investigation. However, brachytherapy remains the smartest way to deliver a high dose in a small volume. We report prospective and retrospective study results which evaluated EHR for breast and prostate brachytherapy. While oncological outcome and toxicity profile appear extremely encouraging for low-risk breast cancer after a 1 to 4 fractions (6.25 to 20 Gy/fraction), the use of a single fraction of 19 to 23 Gy appears debatable for prostate cancer. Brachytherapy represents an emblematic example of EHR but longer follow-up and more mature results are awaited in order to specify the right indications and refine the EQD2 calculation method including new biological and technical factors.     

康莱特注射液联合紫杉醇治疗晚期恶性胸腺瘤的疗效观察

目的:比较康莱特注射液联合紫杉醇及紫杉醇单纯化疗治疗晚期恶性胸腺瘤的不良反应和疗效。方法:2013年8月至2017年12月，经病理学和免疫组化确诊为恶性胸腺瘤并在我院肿瘤中心进行姑息性化疗的患者68例。康莱特注射液联合化疗为观察组（37例）；单纯化疗为对照组（31例）。28天为一周期，共化疗4周期。结果:两组患者均无人发生过敏反应。观察组可有效减轻患者化疗不良反应:恶性、呕吐、四肢麻木、关节肌肉酸痛和白细胞下降(P＜0.05)，可以有效减轻患者胸闷症状和全身疼痛(P＜0.05)，在肿瘤控制方面，康莱特联合化疗的疗效较单纯化疗稍好，但均未见有统计学差异(P＞0.05)。结论:康莱特注射液联合紫杉醇治疗晚期胸腺瘤，具有减轻患者疼痛、减轻化疗不良反应，从而提高患者化疗依从性的作用，值得临床进一步推广和研究。     

注射用盐酸柔红霉素的质量评价

目的 按照国家计划抽验要求，评价国内不同企业生产的注射用盐酸柔红霉素的质量。方法 按国家标准检验与探索性研究相结合，对抽验样品进行检验，对检验结果进行统计分析。结果 共抽取样品17批次，按国家标准检验合格率100.0%。探索性研究对主要杂质的来源与结构进行了研究；建立溶液的澄清度检查方法；对包材相容性及稳定性进行了考察。结论 目前国内注射用盐酸柔红霉素总体质量较好；现行标准有待进一步提高，建议现行标准修订有关物质检查方法，增加特定杂质的控制，增加溶液的澄清度检查；建议企业优化生产工艺，以提高产品质量。     

TQA数据趋势与TomoTherapy输出稳定性的联系

目的:探讨TomoTherapy QualityAssurance（TQA）数据趋势与螺旋断层放疗（Helical Tomotherapy，HT）系统输出的 联系。方法:回顾性分析了本院HT系统近3年内TQA各个模块的参数和数据趋势，探讨其与HT系统的静态输出剂量和 输出能量（D20/D10）变化的相关性。结果:楔形阶梯静态模块的z轴偏移参数与HT的静态输出剂量的相关性最强（r=0.883, P<0.01）。基本剂量测定模块的出口检测器平整度值对能量变化最敏感（r=0.902），其次是楔形阶梯静态模块的能量差异 （r=0.897）和楔形阶梯螺旋模块的能量差异（r=0.852），灵敏度分别为2.3×10-4、3.1×10-4和5.7×10-4。结论:TQA有助于用户 追踪HT输出剂量和能量变化，及早进行必要的机器维护或剂量校准。     

Factors affecting compliance to intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy in Indian patients with retinal vein occlusion,age-related macular degeneration,and diabetic macular edema

Purpose:To evaluate the rate of compliance and the reasons for loss to follow-up in Indian patients with diabetic macular edema (DME), age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and retinal vein occlusion (RVO) being treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy.Methods:This was a retrospective single-center study. Patients with DME, AMD, or RVO were eligible if they initiated anti-VEGF therapy between January 2013 and December 2017. Patients'' data were obtained from hospital electronic records, including the number of injections received, visits, details of follow-up, missed appointments, and reasons for loss to follow-up (>365 days).Results:A total of 648 patients were eligible for the study, of which 334 (51.54%) patients were lost to follow-up. Overall, 343 (64.96%) were males and the overall mean (SD) age was 66.40 (7.44) years. A total of 376 (58.0%) patients had a history of diabetes and 364 (56.2%) patients had a history of hypertension. Further, 127 (38.0), 112 (33.5), and 95 (28.4) had DME, AMD, and RVO, respectively and were lost to follow-up. The most commonly reported reason for loss to follow-up was “non-affordability” (n = 120; 41.1%) followed by “no improvement in vision” (n = 83; 28.4%). “No improvement in vision” (42.2%) and “non-affordability” (37.5%) were higher among patients with DME. No association was found in gender- and treatment-wise distribution of reasons for loss to follow-up.Conclusion:The results showed that around half of the patients with DME, AMD, and RVO were lost to follow-up to intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy, and the most common factors were “non-affordability” and “no improvement in vision.”     

Matrine,oxymatrine, and compound Kushen injection from the roots of Sophora flavescens: an overview of their anticancer activities

In the present review, we updated current information on the chemistry, contents, and anticancer properties of matrine (MT), oxymatrine (OMT), and compound Kushen injection (CKI). The anticancer properties were focused on lung, breast, and liver cancer cells because they are most susceptible. Sources of information were from Google, Google Scholar, PubMed, PubMed Central, Science Direct, PubChem, J-Stage, Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). Reference was also made on botanical websites, such as Flora of China and World Flora Online. MT and OMT are dominant quinolizidine alkaloids from the roots of Sophora flavescens (Kushen) of the family Fabaceae. Against lung, breast, and liver cancer cells, MT and OMT inhibit cell proliferation; induce cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and autophagy; restrict angiogenesis; and inhibit cell metastasis, invasion, and migration. The processes involve various molecular targets and signaling pathways. CKI is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) composed of root extracts of S. flavescens and Smilax glabra (Baituling) of the family Smilacaceae. With MT and OMT as major components, CKI has been approved for the treatment of cancer in China more than 20 years ago. In recent years, systematic reviews and meta-analysis have been undertaken to evaluate the anticancer effects of CKI. When CKI is used alone and in combination with chemotherapy of western medicine, there is much to be learned concerning their interactions besides their individual and integrated efficacy. Some perspectives of MT, OMT, and CKI are discussed, and their suggestions for future research are provided.