Efficacy of 5-Fluorouracil and High-Concentration Cisplatin Suspended in Lipiodol by Short-Term Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Portal Vein Tumor Thrombosis

Background: Since advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is potentially fatal, and patients’ quality of life (QOL) often deteriorates during their treatment, improving the prognosis and QOL of patients given chemotherapy is very important. In addition, cost-effective treatments are highly desirable when chemotherapy must be given repeatedly. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and usefulness of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and high-concentration cisplatin by short-term hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (3-day FPL) in advanced HCC patients. Methods: Thirty patients with unresectable advanced HCC were enrolled. The patients underwent hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy via the implanted port system with 5-FU on days 1 - 3 and a fine-powder formulation of cisplatin in suspended pre-warmed lipiodol on day 2 every 4 to 10 weeks. Tumor response was assessed one month later with CT. Results: All patients had evidence of portal vein invasion (Vp2-4). Four patients achieved a complete response (CR), 8 patients achieved a partial response (PR), and 7 patients had stable disease (SD). The median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 198 days and 452 days, respectively. The OS was significantly longer in the successful disease control group (CR, PR, and SD) than in the progressive disease group (P < 0.005). Conclusions: Three-day FPL was effective and tolerable in advanced HCC patients due to its shorter time of administration than conventional FP therapy. Therefore, repetitive 3-day FPL appears useful and contributes to improving the prognosis and QOL of patients with advanced HCC. In addition, this protocol is a cost-effective treatment.

Prognostic factors in resectable cholangiocarcinoma patients: Carcinoembryonic antigen, lymph node, surgical margin and chemotherapy

AIM: To evaluate outcomes in resectable cholangiocarcinoma patients and to determine prognostic factors. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted among newly-diagnosed cholangiocarcinoma patients from January 2009 to December 2011 who underwent curative resection in Srinakarind Hospital (a 1000-bed university hospital). Two hundred and sixty-three cholangiocarcinoma patients with good performance were enrolled. These patients had pathological reports with clear margins or microscopic margins. Prognostic factors which included clinical factors, serum liver function test as well as serum tumor makers at presentation,tumor data, and receiving adjuvant chemotherapy were determined by uniand multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The median overall survival time was 17 mo (95%CI: 13.2-20.7); and 1-, 2-, and 3year survival rates were 65.5%, 45.2% and 35.4%. Serum albumin levels, serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels, staging classifications by American Joint Committee on cancer, pathological tumor staging, lymph node metastases, tumor grading, surgical margin status, and if adjuvant chemotherapy was administered, were shown to be significant prognostic factors of resectable cholangiocarcinoma by univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis, however, established that only abnormal serum CEA [hazard ratio (HR) 1.68; P = 0.027] and lymph node metastases (HR 2.27; P = 0.007) were significantly associated with a decrease in overall survival, while adjuvant chemotherapy (HR 0.71; P = 0.067) and surgical margin negative (HR 0.72; P = 0.094) tended to improve survival time. CONCLUSION: Serum CEA and lymph node metastases which were associated with advanced stage tumors become strong negative prognostic factors in cholangiocarcinoma.

Metastatic appendiceal cancer treated with Yttrium 90 radioembolization and systemic chemotherapy:A case report

BACKGROUND Primary appendiceal cancers are rare,and they generally present with liver and/or peritoneal metastases.Currently there are no guidelines to treat metastatic appendiceal cancer,and hence they are treated as metastatic colorectal cancer.Combining Yttrium 90(Y-90)radioembolization(RE)with systemic chemotherapy early in the treatment of right sided colon cancers has been shown to improve survival.Based on this data,a combination of systemic chemotherapy and Y-90 RE was used to treat a case of metastatic appendiceal cancer.CASE SUMMARY A 76-year-old male presented to the emergency room with progressive right lower quadrant pain.A Computed Tomography of the abdomen and pelvis was performed which showed acute appendicitis and contained perforation.Urgent laparoscopic appendectomy was then followed by histological analysis,which was significant for appendiceal adenocarcinoma.After complete workup he underwent right hemicolectomy and lymph node dissection.He received adjuvant chemotherapy as the local lymph nodes were positive.Follow-up imaging was significant for liver metastasis.Due to rapid growth of the liver lesions and new peritoneal nodules,the patient was treated with a combination of Y-90 RE and folinic acid,fluorouracil,and irinotecan with bevacizumab and not microwave ablation as previously planned.Follow up imaging demonstrated complete response of the liver lesions.At 12-mo follow-up,the patient continued to enjoy good quality of life with no recurrent disease.CONCLUSION Utilization of Y-90 RE concomitantly with systemic chemotherapy early in the treatment of appendiceal cancer may provide improved control of this otherwise aggressive cancer.

Treatment of Interstitial Peumopathy by Fei Tong Oral Liquid in the Malignant Tumor Patients after Radio-and/or Chemotherapy

Fei Tong Kou Fu Ye (肺通口服液 Fei Tong Oral Liquid) was used to treat 30 cases of interstitial pneumopathy after radio- and/or chemotherapy.In comparison with the control group (15 cases) treated with hormones,the therapeutic effects in improving dyspnea,cough,respiratory rate,cyanosis,findings in X-films and CT examination,partial pressure of oxygen in artery,FVC and VC were found significantly better (P<0.05).The total effective rate obtained was 83.33%.

Conversion of Unresectable to Resectable Liver Metastases from Colorectal Carcinoma Using Hepatic Arterial Chronomodulated Chemotherapy: A Case Report and Short Literature Review

Background: The regional chronomodulated hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) is an effective regimen for the treatment of patients with unresectable liver metastases from colorectal cancer, especially for the conversion into resectability. Aim: To demonstrate that chronomodulated HAI triplet chemotherapy according to OPTILIV protocol is well tolerated and displayed high antitumor activity in this heavily-pretreated patient. Case Presentation: A 54 years old patient from Russia was treated for a tumor in the ascending colon presented with 13 hepatic metastases ranging from 0.3 to 2.7 cm in diameter. He underwent a laparoscopic right hemicolectomy, 12 cycles of FOLFIRINOX combined to bevacizumab for the last 5 cycles, resulting in a partial response according to CT scan. It was decided to perform a two-stage hepatectomy at Paul Brousse hospital: left partial hepatectomy allowed the excision of 9 lesions. Radio frequency ablation was performed in 2 nodular lesions. Afterwards, the patient received 5 cycles of chronomodulated triplet chemotherapy into the hepatic artery, according to the OPTILIV protocol design, yet without cetuximab, because of the KRAS mutation in the liver metastases, with a partial re-sponse. The patient could then undergo the second stage of the planned right hepatectomy, which turned out to be an R0 resection followed by receiving three courses of chronomodulated HAIC. Disease progression was documented after 3 months. Chronomodulated FOLFIRI chemotherapy was re-started intravenously, in combination with Aflibercept and it was associated with further disease progression. The genetic analysis of our patient’s cancer revealed a high level of MSI. The patient was included in the Phase 2 CheckMate-142 trial and received nivolumab 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks within 3 months. Treatment was discontinued due to ineffectiveness. Then the patient underwent radiotherapy geared towards reduction of pain. Afterwards, the patient died from the disease progression 2 years after the beginning of treatment. Conclusion: In this article, the authors report a clinical case with chronomodulated HAIC as rescue therapy in a heavily pretreated patient with metastatic colorectal cancer, allowing to achieve an objective response despite prior progression on FOLFIRINOX (the same triplet chemo by IV route). This strategy permitted to overcome drug resistance and to perform further complete resection of the liver me-tastases with prolonged patient survival. Thus, chronomodulated HAI is useful in patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancer and de-serves to be further assessed prospectively in clinical trials chemotherapy.

Complete response of gallbladder cancer treated with gemcitabine and cisplatin chemotherapy combined with durvalumab:A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND Gallbladder cancer(GBC)is the most common and aggressive subtype of biliary tract cancer(BTC)and has a poor prognosis.A newly developed regimen of gemcitabine,cisplatin,and durvalumab shows promise for the treatment of advanced BTC.However,the efficacy of this treatment for GBC remains unclear.CASE SUMMARY In this report,we present a case in which the triple-drug regimen exhibited marked effectiveness in treating locally advanced GBC,thus leading to a long-term survival benefit.A 68-year-old man was diagnosed with locally advanced GBC,which rendered him ineligible for curative surgery.Following three cycles of therapy,a partial response was observed.After one year of combined therapy,a clinical complete response was successfully achieved.Subsequent maintenance therapy with durvalumab monotherapy resulted in a disease-free survival of 9 months for the patient.The patient experienced tolerable toxicities of reversible grade 2 nausea and fatigue.Tolerable adverse events were observed in the patient throughout the entirety of the treatment.CONCLUSION The combination of gemcitabine and cisplatin chemotherapy with durvalumab was proven to be an effective treatment approach for advanced GBC,with manageable adverse events.Further research is warranted to substantiate the effectiveness of the combined regimen in the context of GBC.

Effects of Shenqi Xiangyi granules in advanced gastric cancer chemotherapy

BACKGROUND Owing to the absence of specific symptoms in early-stage gastric cancer,most patients are diagnosed at intermediate or advanced stages.As a result,treatment often shifts from surgery to other therapies,with chemotherapy and targeted therapies being the primary options for advanced gastric cancer treatment.A total of 116 patients with advanced gastric cancer,admitted from January 2021 to December 2023,were selected and divided into two groups of 58 each using the random number table method.The control group received FOLFOX4 chemothe-rapy(oxaliplatin+calcium+folinate+5-fluorouracil)combined with intravenous sindilizumab.The observation group received the same treatment as the control group,supplemented by oral administration of Senqi Shiyiwei granules.Both groups underwent treatment cycles of 3 weeks,with a minimum of two cycles.The therapeutic efficacy,immune mechanisms,and treatment-related toxicity and side effects were compared between the groups.The objective remission rate in the observation group(55.17%)was higher than that of the control group(36.21%)(P<0.05).After two treatment cycle,CD3+,CD4+,and CD4+/CD8+levels were higher in the observation group compared to the control group,while CD8+,regulatory T cells,and natural killer cells were lower(P<0.05).Additionally,the incidence of leukopenia,nausea,and vomiting was lower in observed group(P<0.05).No significant differences were observed in the incidence of other adverse reactions(P>0.05).CONCLUSION Adjuvant therapy with Shenqixian granules may enhance the efficacy of simudizumab combined with FOLFOX4 chemotherapy in advanced gastric cancer and the immune function by increasing immune cell counts,making it a valuable option in clinical treatment.

Advancing treatment strategies:Insights from network meta-analysis of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

This study examines the pivotal findings of the network meta-analysis of Zhou et al,which evaluated the efficacy of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy and combination therapies for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).This meta-analysis suggests that therapeutic combinations have greater efficacy than do standard treatments.The article highlights the key insights that have the potential to shift current clinical practice and enhance outcomes for patients with advanced HCC.Additionally,this article discusses further research that can be conducted to optimize these treatments and achieve personalized care for patients with HCC.

Induction chemotherapy with docetaxel,cisplatin and fluorouracil followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy for unresectable sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma: Two cases of report

BACKGROUND Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma(SNUC) is a rare aggressive tumor that is often unresectable. Optimal treatment for patients with unresectable,locally advanced SNUC(LA-SNUC) has not been established,and the patient outcome remains poor. We report two cases of unresectable LA-SNUC in which induction chemotherapy with docetaxel,cisplatin and fluorouracil(TPF) followed by radiotherapy with concurrent cisplatin(CCRT),a standard treatment option for locally advanced head and neck cancer,demonstrated promising outcomes.CASE SUMMARY A 39-year-old man presented with tearing and pain in the right eye. A biopsy of the tumor invading the sinonasal cavities,right orbit and cranial base confirmed the diagnosis of LA-SNUC. Induction TPF chemotherapy induced remarkable tumor shrinkage and rapidly improved the symptoms. He subsequently received CCRT and achieved complete remission of the disease. The other case is a 21-year-old man who presented with worsening vision. The unresectable tumor involving the nasal septum and cranial base was pathologically diagnosed as SNUC. TPF chemotherapy followed by CCRT yielded complete remission of the disease with preserved visual function. Both patients have been disease-free for44 mo.CONCLUSION Induction TPF chemotherapy followed by CCRT may remarkably improve the outcomes in LA-SNUC patients.

Effects of Yiqi Gu Ben Decoction combined with DC chemotherapy on serum tumor markers, inflammatory factors and immune function in patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Objective: To investigate the effects of Yiqi Gu decoction combined with DC chemotherapy on serum tumor markers, inflammatory factors and immune function in patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Methods: A total of 95 patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer were selected as the research objects, according to the random data table they were divided into control group (n=48) and observation group (n=47), patients in the control group were given DC chemotherapy, On the basis of this treatment, the patients in the observation group were given Yiqi Gu decoction treatment, Comparison of the levels of serum tumor markers [antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9)], inflammatory factor [C reactive protein (CRP) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)] and immune function (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+/CD8+)Results: Before treatment, there were no significant difference in the levels of CEA, CA19-9, CRP, TNF-α, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+/CD8+ between the two groups;After treatment, the CEA, CA19-9, CRP, TNF-α, CD8+ levels of two groups were significantly lower than those in the same group before treatment, and the decreased range in observation group was significantly higher than the control group, moreover the levels after treatment were obviously lower than control group;After treatment, the levels of CD3+, CD4+, CD4+/CD8+ in the observation group were (64.72±5.25)% , (39.51±5.14)% and (1.35±0.27), which were significantly higher than the same group before treatment, and significantly higher than the control group [(58.57±5.09)%, (31.34±5.06)%, (1.14±0.33)], differences were statistically significant. Conclusion: DC chemotherapy combined with Yiqi Guben Decoction in the treatment of locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer, can effectively reduce the serum tumor marker levels, decrease inflammatory stress, improve immune function, has an important clinical value.

Transarterial embolization and low-dose continuous hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy with oxaliplatin and raltitrexed for hepatocellular carcinoma with major portal vein tumor thrombus

AIM To determine the efficacy and safety of transarterial embolization and low-dose continuous hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy with oxaliplatin and raltitrexed in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) with major portal vein tumor thrombus(MPVTT).METHODS eighty-six patients with MPVTT accepted routine embolization. The catheter was kept in the hepatic artery and oxaliplatin(50 mg in 250 m L of glucose) was infused by pump for 4 h,followed by raltitrexed(2 mg in 100 m L of 0.9% saline) infusion by pump for the next 1 h. The efficacy and safety were evaluated afterthe transarterial chemoembolization(TACe).RESULTS Full or partial embolization was achieved in 86 cases,where all the cases received low dose continuous hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy. Complete responses(CRs),partial responses(PRs),stable disease(SD),and disease progression(PD) for intrahepatic disease were observed in 0,45,20,and 21 patients,respectively. The 1-,2-and 3-year overall survival rates of the 86 patients were 40.7%,22.1%,and 8.1% respectively,and the median survival time was 8.7 mo. Complication was limited. CONCLUSION TACE with low dose continuous hepatic arterial infusion of oxaliplatin and raltitrexed could be an option in MPVTT patient; it was shown to be effective in patients with advanced HCC with MPVTT with less toxicity.

Sorafenib plus hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy with oxaliplatin versus sorafenib alone for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective:To compare the efficacy of sorafenib plus hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy(HAIC)with oxaliplatin to that of sorafenib alone in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods:This was a retrospective,single-center trial.Between April 3,2017 and July 2,2018,104 patients with Child-Pugh A and advanced HCC received either 400 mg of sorafenib orally twice daily plus HAIC with oxaliplatin(oxaliplatin 85 mg/m^2,every 3 weeks via repetitive catheterization)(n=46,soraOXA group)or 400 mg of only sorafenib orally twice daily(n=58,sorafenib group).Overall survival,progression-free survival,objective response rate,and treatment-related adverse events were compared.Results:The median overall survival was 9.37 months(95%CI,7.05-11.68)in the soraOXA group versus 4.8 months(95%CI,2.98-6.62)in the sorafenib group(HR 0.46[95%CI,0.29-0.72];P<0.001).The soraOXA group also showed a higher objective response rate(16[34.8%]vs 1[1.7%];P<0.001)and a longer progressionfree survival rate(5.5 months[95%CI,2.32-8.68]vs 2.4 months[95%CI,1.65-3.15],HR 0.54[95%CI,0.36-0.81],P=0.003)than the sorafenib group.There was no significant difference in the overall incidence of any grade adverse events,grade 3/4 adverse events,serious adverse events,or incidence of treatment termination due to adverse events between the two groups.Conclusion:Compared with sorafenib alone,sorafenib plus HAIC with oxaliplatin showed favorable treatment outcomes in patients with advanced HCC.The merits of this approach need to be established with a prospective trial.

Long-term survival of more than 3 years among patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer treated with chemotherapy

AIM: To evaluate the prognostic factors of long-term survival of more than 3 years in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the records of 474 patients with advanced ⅢB/Ⅳ NSCLC who received chemotherapy as initial treatment between September 2002 and March 2007.RESULTS: The median survival time(MST) was 12.5 mo and the 3 year and 5 year survival rates were 14.6% and 5.3%, respectively. Long-term survival of more than 3 and 5 years was observed in 65 and 16 patients, respectively. The MST for the 65 patients was61.5 mo(range, 60.1-81.0 mo). In the 474 patients, a good performance status(PS), female sex, non-smoking status and adenocarcinoma histology were significantly associated with a favorable outcome. Furthermore, female sex, a good PS, non-smoking status and adenocarcinoma histology were significantly correlated with longterm survival of more than 3 years and most of these patients(89.2%, 58/65) received epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors as any line treatment. Survival analysis of long-term survivors showed that a PS of 0 was an independent prognostic factor for predicting favorable outcomes. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that a good PS and adenocarcinoma histology play an important role in long-term survival of more than 3 years. A PS of 0 was an independent prognostic factor for predicting favorable outcomes in patients with advanced NSCLC who survived for more than 3 years.

Cardiac involvement in disseminated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma,successful management with chemotherapy dose reduction guided by cardiac imaging: A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND Secondary cardiac involvement by lymphoma has received limited attention in the medical literature, despite its grave prognosis. Although chemotherapy improves patients' survival, a subgroup of treated patients dies suddenly due to myocardial rupture following chemotherapy initiation. Reducing the initial chemotherapy dose with dose escalation to standard doses may be effective in minimizing this risk but the data are limited. We report on the successful management of a patient with disseminated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma(DLBCL) involving the heart using such approach.CASE SUMMARY An 18-year-old male presented to our hospital with six months history of progressive dyspnea, orthopnea and cough. On physical examination, the patient was found to have a plethoric and mildly edematous face, fixed elevation of the right internal jugular vein, suggestive of superior vena cava obstruction, and a pelvic mass. Investigations during admission including a thoracoabdominal computed tomography(CT) scan with CT guided biopsy of the pelvic mass,echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging led to the diagnosis of disseminated DLBCL with cardiac involvement. The patients were successfully treated with chemotherapy dose reduction followed by dose escalation to standard doses, under the guidance of cardiac imaging. The patient completed chemotherapy and underwent a successful bone marrow transplant. He is currently in remission and has a normal left ventricular function.CONCLUSION Imaging-guided chemotherapy dosing may minimize the risk of myocardial rupture in cardiac lymphoma. Data are limited. Management should be individualized.

Relationship between ERCC1 (C8092A) single nucleotide polymorphism and efficacy/toxicity of platinum based chemotherapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients

To assses the effect of single nucleotide polymorphism of excision repair cross-complementation group 1 C8092A on the clinical outcome and toxicity in advanced stage non-small cell lung cancer patients receiving first line platinum based chemotherapy.MethodsThis article is a review of the current research on single nucleotide polymorphism and its effect on treatment outcome and toxicity of advanced stage lung cancer.Conclusion The observations indicate that more advanced studies and trials on C8092A SNPs are needed so as to assess if it could be used as a potential biomarker in the future.

Is Takotsubo syndrome in patients receiving chemotherapy drug-specific?

In commenting on a case report of a 55-year-old man who suffered Takotsubo syndrome(TTS), in the setting of receiving chemotherapy with cytarabine and daunorubicin for acute myeloid leukemia, the author expresses his views that TTS in the setting of chemotherapy for malignancies may not be chemotherapeutic drug-specific(like in the chemotherapeutic drug induced-cardiomyopathy), but may be due to the emotional and physical stresses resulting from the realization of having diagnosed with a malignancy, and the diagnostic testing, and therapeutic management which follows.

Neurotoxicity of cancer chemotherapy

There is accumulating clinical evidence that chemotherapeutic agents induce neurological side effects, including memory deficits and mood disorders, in cancer patients who have undergone chemotherapeutic treatments. This review focuses on chemotherapy-induced neurodegeneration and hippocampal dysfunctions and related mechanisms as measured by in vivo and in vitro approaches. These investigations are helpful in determining how best to further explore the causa mechanisms of chemotherapy-induced neurological side effects and in providing direction for the future development of novel optimized chemotherapeutic agents.

Ability of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells to repair chemotherapy-induced premature ovarian failure

BACKGROUND Premature ovarian insufficiency(POI)and premature ovarian failure(POF)have become one of the major problems threatening women of childbearing age.Studies have shown that stem cells transplanted from bone marrow,umbilical cord,peripheral blood and amniotic fluid can migrate and proliferate to the ovary,promote ovarian function repair,increase the number of follicles and granulosa cells at all levels of ovary,improve endocrine function,and can differentiate into oocytes in specific ovarian environment to restore fertility to some extent.AIM To study the ability of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells(hUCMSCs)to repair ovarian injury after chemotherapy.METHODS A total of 110 female BALB/c mice(aged 7-8 wk old)with body masses of 16.0-20.0 g were selected.The mice were fed until 12 wk of age,and cyclophosphamide was administered by intraperitoneal injection for 14 consecutive days to induce premature ovarian failure in mice.Seventy-five mice with estrous cycle disorder were screened and randomly divided into 3 groups according to their body weight:model group,positive control group and hUCMSC group,and each group had 25 mice.Another 25 mice were used as negative controls.The mice in the hUCMSC group were injected with hUCMSCs in the tail vein,and the mice in the positive control group were given an oestradiol valerate solution and a medroxyprogesterone acetate solution in the tail vein.On the 1^st,15^th,30^th,45^th,and 60^th days after intravenous administration,vaginal smears were made to monitor the estrous cycles of the mice.The ovaries were weighed,and pathological sections were made to observe the morphology of the follicles;blood samples were collected to monitor the concentration of sex hormones(oestradiol and follicle-stimulating hormone).RESULTS The estrous cycles of the model group mice were disrupted throughout the experiment.Mice in the hUCMSC group and the positive control group resumed normal estrous cycles.The ovarian weight of the model group mice continued to decline.The ovarian weight of the hUCMSC group mice and the positive control group mice decreased first and then gradually increased,and the ovarian weight of the hUCMSC group mice was heavier than that of the positive control group mice.The difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Compared with the negative control group,the model group experienced a decrease in oestradiol and an increase in follicle-stimulating hormone,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the hUCMSC and positive control groups experienced a slight increase in oestradiol and a decrease in follicle-stimulating hormone;the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The pathological examination revealed that the mouse ovaries from the model group were atrophied,the volume was reduced,the cortical and medullary structures were disordered,the number of follicles at all stages was significantly reduced,the number of atretic follicles increased,the number of primordial follicles and corpus luteum significantly decreased,and the corpus luteum had an irregular shape.Compared with those of the model group,the lesions of the hUCMSC and positive control groups significantly improved.CONCLUSION hUCMSCs can repair ovarian tissue damaged by chemotherapy to a certain extent,can improve the degree of apoptosis in ovarian tissue,and can improve the endocrine function of mouse ovaries.

Controlling Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting with Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists in Patients on AC-Based Chemotherapy—Are We There Yet?

Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) are distressing side effects of chemotherapy. Neurokinin-1 receptor antagonists (NK1-RAs) have been incorporated in the contemporary management of CINV. However, clinical studies on NK1-RAs have shown mixed results in reducing CINV risk. Most studies focused on the use of aprepitant (APR) and casopitant (CAS) in breast cancer patients receiving AC-type (doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide) chemotherapy. In this study, we compared the study design and clinical efficacies of these NK1-RAs in reducing CINV risk. Among the selected eight studies, 4 APR Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs), 2 APR Observational Studies (OSs) and 2 CAS RCTs were identified. Patient-related characteristics such as the proportion of females (60.0% - 100.0%), age (46.5 - 59.5 years), histories of motion (5.6% - 47.0% in NK1-RA arms) and morning sicknesses (14.2% - 45.0% in NK1-RA arms) and types of antiemetic regimens;as well as chemotherapy-related characteristics such as the proportion of patients on AC chemotherapy (15.0% - 100.0%) varied greatly. In terms of efficacies, both APR and CAS improved overall CR and vomiting in majority of the studies. None of the studies, however, demonstrated that NK1-RA could provide adequate nausea control. To conclude, NK1-RAs are effective in improving vomiting and overall CR, but not useful in controlling nausea or attaining CC, the ideal CINV endpoint. A shift in paradigm is needed for future CINV research. As healthcare providers continue to strive for optimum CINV control in their patients, we hope this review can help them make better informed clinical decisions.

Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Gastric Cancer with Peritoneal Carcinomatosis: Is HIPEC the Only Answer?

Gastric cancer with peritoneal carcinomatosis is notorious for its dismal prognosis. While the pathophysiology of peritoneal dissemination is still controversial, the rapid downhill course is universal. Patients usually suffer abdominal distension, intestinal obstruction and various complications before they succumb after a median of 3 - 6 months. Although not adopted in most international treatment guidelines, intraperitoneal chemotherapy has growing evidence compared with conventional systemic chemotherapy for the treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis. Cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy is well-established for clinical benefit but is technically demanding with substantial treatment-related morbidities and mortality. On the other hand, normothermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in the form of bidirectional neoadjuvant treatment is promising with various newer chemotherapeutic agents. Regardless of the treatment technique applied, the essential element of success is meticulous patient selection and availability of expertise. Future direction is along the line of personalized treatment with the application of translational science.