Investigation of quality of life in patients with lung cancer by the EORTC QLQ-C30(V3.0) Chinese version

Objective To explore quality of life(QOL) and its influencing factors in patients with lung cancer.Methods A QOL questionnaire(European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer [EORTC] Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 [QLQ-C30] Chinese version) was used with 138 patients with lung cancer participating in the study. A statistical description of the general characteristics of the patients with lung cancer was performed. The patients' QLQ-C30 scores were compared with the reference value for each dimension. To analyze the influence of QOL in different genders, age groups, and cancer stages, ttests and rank sum tests were used to compare the differences in QOL using a 5% significance level. Results The QLQ-C30 function scores in PF(physical functioning), EF(emotional functioning), SF(social functioning), and GH(global functioning), and symptom scales in NV(nausea and vomiting), DY(dyspnea), SL(insomnia), and FI(financial difficulties) were significantly different(P < 0.05) in comparison to the reference values. Female patients were worse than males(P < 0.05) in EF, NV, and DI(diarrhea). The later the stage of lung cancer, the worse the quality of life became; the functional scales in RF(role functioning), EF, CF, SF, and GH, and symptom scales in PA(pain), AP(appetite), and SL differences were statistically significant(P < 0.05). Conclusion This study aids understanding of the status of the quality of life of Chinese patients with cancer and might be useful for clinical work, theory research, and health policymakers.

Progress of transformational therapy in colorectal liver metastases

Colorectal cancer liver metastases （CLM） treatment is very important given the high incidence of colorectal cancer with liver metastases, which are primarily treated by surgical resection. Transformational therapy such as systemic chemotherapy, hepatic arterial infusion （HAl）, portal vein embolization （PVE）, ablation therapy, and targeted therapy, should be applied to CLM patients who are unable to undergo immediate surgery to improve patients＇ survival and quality of life.

Preliminary research on dendritic cells loaded with resistant breast cancer antigens in breast cancer-bearing nude mice

Objective The aim of the study was to investigate the inhibitory effects of dendritic cells （DCs） loaded with resistant breast cancer antigens on breast cancer in nude mice. Methods A single-cell suspension was prepared from a primary breast cancer and chemotherapeutic drugs were screened using the ATP-PCA susceptibility testing system. Cancer cells were treated with 1/10 × IC50, 1/5 × IC50, 1/2 × IC50, 1 × IC50, and 2 × IC50 medium until their growth became steady in the 2 ×IC50 medium, Peripheral b{ood mononuclear cells （PBMCs） were obtained from the peripheral blood of patients with leukapheresis. The obtained adherent ceils were induced by granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor （GM-CSF） and interleukin-4 （IL-4） to generate DCs, which carried resistant strain cell lysis compounds or non-treated cancer cell lysis compounds. The former mature DCs carried resistant breast tumor antigens. A breast tumor-bearing nude mouse model was established with these resistant strains and the mice were randomly divided in three groups. The mice in the treatment group were injected with DCs loaded with resistant breast cancer antigens. The control group consisted of mice injected with DCs loaded with primary tumor cell antigens and the blank group consisted of mice injected with the same volume of normal saline. Changes in the cancers were observed. Results After treatment with the effector cells, the cancer volume and weight were significantly different to those before treatment in every group of mice （P 〈 0.05）. The tumor volume in the blank group was the largest （3.362 ± 0.068 cm^3） and the tumor weight was 637.50 ± 59.398 mg. Compared to the blank group, the tumor volume in the experimental group was the smallest （1.273 ±0.071 cm^3） and the tumor weight was 206.81 ±32.711 mg. Conclusion DCs loaded with resistant breast cancer antigens demonstrated a significant inhibition effect on the cancers of breast tumor-bearing nude mice.

Damage to Wistar rat livers after hypo-fractionated radiation and oxaliplatin

Objective The purpose of this study was to clarify whether hypo-fractionated radiation therapy combined with oxaliplatin can aggravate liver damage, in order to determine its safety for clinical application. Methods Eighty Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups： the control group, the chemotherapy treatment group, the radiation treatment group, and the concurrent chemoradiotherapy group. The rats＇ liver tissues were then collected for histological evaluation at the first, second, fourth, sixth, and eight week after irradiation. The tissues were histologically evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin staining, and immunohis-tochemistry to analyze the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax. Results Histological examination revealed swollen hepatocellular cells in the experimental groups, with visible liver degeneration and necrosis. Alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels were significantly different between the groups （F = 85.869 and 214.663; P 〈 0.001）. The intra-group expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax were also significantly different between each time point （F = 6.047 and 43.344; P 〈 0.05）. Bax expression was significantly different between each group （F = 8.122; P 〈 0.05）, although no inter-group differences were observed for Bol-2 expression （F = 0.808; P 〉 0.05）. Conclusion Chemoradiotherapy may aggravate liver injury, possible via overexpression of Bcl-2 and reduced expression of Bax. Therefore, this treatment should be used carefully in the clinic.

Value of whole body diffusion weighted imaging in diagnostic and therapeutic evaluation of malignant lymphoma

Objective:The aim was to evaluate the role of whole body diffusion weighted imaging(WB-DWI) of magnetic resonance in the diagnosis and efficacy evaluation of malignant lymphoma.Methods:The clinical manifestation of whole body diffusion weighted imaging of 47 patients with malignant lymphoma being pathologically proved were carried on by retrospective analysis and to compare with 10 healthy volunteers.There were 8 cases of Hodgkin's lymphoma(HD) patients,of which WB-DWI examination of 5 cases were carried out before and after treatment and 3 cases were done after treatment.There were 39 cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma(NHL) patients,of which WB-DWI examination in 19 cases were acted before treatment,11 cases were done before and after treatment and 9 cases done after treatment.In apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC) diagram the ADC values of lymph nodes in patients with malignant lymphoma and healthy volunteers were measured respectively,among 16 patients the ADC values of parts of lymph node being consistent with the initial inspection were determined again and compared the values before and after,and compared with healthy volunteers.Results:Whole body magnetic resonance diffusion weighted imaging(MR-DWI) showed more sensitive to lymphoma,and 372 lymph nodes greater than 1 cm were detected with MR-DWI.Before treatment,mean ADC value of 35 patients with malignant lymphoma was(0.86 ± 0.21) × 10-3 mm2/s,of which an average ADC values of 28 cases after treatment was(1.22 ± 0.31) × 10-3 mm2/s,before and after treatment difference of the average ADC values of patients was statistically significant(P < 0.05);the average ADC value of cervical lymph nodes of 10 healthy volunteers(1.29 ± 0.12) × 10-3 mm2/s and of 30 patients with malignant lymphoma before treatment was statistically significant(P < 0.05),and to compare with 28 patients after treatment difference of the ADC values was not statistically significant(P > 0.05).Conclusion:WB-DWI and ADC values being measured in the clinical diagnosis of malignant lymphoma,staging and evaluation of efficacy of monitoring is a fast and effective technology,with some clinical value.

Expression of PinX1 and hTERT in basal cell carcinoma and their implications

Objective This study aimed to investigate the expression and significance of PIN2/TERF1 interacting, telomerase inhibitor 1(Pin X1) and human telomerase reverse transcriptase(h TERT) in basal cell carcinoma(BCC). Methods Real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry were performed to quantify the m RNA expressions and integrated optical density(IOD), respectively, of Pin X1 and h TERT in BCC specimens(n = 30), as well as in normal skin specimens(n = 15). Results The m RNA expression level and IOD of Pin X1 in the BCC samples were both significantly lower than those in the control specimens(P < 0.05). Conversely, the m RNA expression level and IOD of h TERT in BCC were both significantly higher than that in the control samples(P < 0.05). The correlation between the expression levels of Pin X1 and h TERT showed no statistical significance(P > 0.05). Conclusion Downregulation of Pin X1 and upregulation of h TERT expression may be associated with the activation and maintenance of telomerases in the induction of BCC.

Survey of changes in dietary preferences in cancer patients in China

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in dietary preferences in cancer patients in China and to determine the need for encouraging the adherence to a sensible diet among such patients.Methods A total of 468 cancer patients were interviewed using a self-designed questionnaire focusing on changes in the intake of specific foods. Data were analyzed using SPSS 16.0. Results Most patients completely avoided roosters and carp(73.1%), condiments(51.9%), and meat of aquatic species(40.4%). All other types of the specific foods were completely avoided by different subpopulations of the patients.Conclusion In addition to focusing on disease treatment, medical professionals need to help cancer patients overcome barriers associated with the customs of avoiding specific foods encompassed by the term "fawu" and provide them with dietary guidance in order to prevent negative nutritional effects.

Dosimetric analysis of tomotherapy-based intensity-modulated radiotherapy with and without bone marrow sparing for the treatment of cervical cancer

Objective The aim of the study was to compare tomotherapy-based bone marrow-sparing intensity-mod- ulated radiotherapy （BMS-IMRT） with intensity-modulated radiotherapy （IMRT） without entering the pelvic bone marrow as a planning constraint in the treatment of cervical cancer after hysterectomy. Methods BMS-IMRT and IMRT plans were designed for a cohort of nine patients. The prescribed dose was 45 Gy in 1.8 Gy daily fractions, and 95% of the planned target volume received this dose. The doses were computed using a commercially available treatment planning system with the convolution/superposition algorithm. Plans were compared according to dose-volume histogram analysis in terms of planning target volume homogeneity and conformity indices （HI and CI） as well as organ at risk dose and volume parameters. Results BMS-IMRT had advantages over IMRT in terms of CI, but was equivalent to the latter in H1. V5, V10, V20, V30, and V40 of pelvic bone marrow in BMS-IMRT decreased by 0.06%, 17.33%, 22.19%, 13.85%, and 16.46%, respectively, compared with IMRT. Except for V30 of the small bowel and V30 and V40 of the bladder, no statistically significant differences were found between BMS-IMRT and IMRT in the small bowel, bladder, and rectum. Conclusion For cervical cancer patients receiving tomotherapy-based radiotherapy after hysterectomy, BMS-IMRT reduced pelvic bone marrow volume receiving low-dose radiation, and it may be conducive to preventing acute hematologic toxicity.

Role of inflammatory gene variants in Helicobacter pylori-related gastric cancer

Helicobacter pylori-related gastric cancer results from a chronic inflammatory process that arises from atrophic gastritis, and develops into intestinal metaplasia, hyperplasia, and eventually gastric adenocarcinoma. Although approximately half of the world＇s population is infected with Helicobacter pylori （H. pylori）, less than 3% of these infected individuals develop gastric cancer. H. pylori infection can cause both acute and chronic inflammation, and may be present for decades within its host. Inflammatory gene variants are particularly important factors that may influence a host＇s susceptibility to H. pylori-related gastric cancer. The inflammatory gene variants uncovered thus far include interleukin gene clusters, tumor necrosis fac- tor-e, Toll-like receptors （TLRs）, and inflammatory gene polymorphisms found in genome-wide association studies （GWAS）. The association between these gene variants and the risk of H. pylori-related gastric cancer will aid in our understanding of the pathogenesis of gastric cancer in order to prevent and defeat this malignancy.

Human papillomavirus-associated diseases and cancers

Human papillomaviruses(HPVs) have been detected in cervical cancer cells and skin papilloma cells, which have a variety of types, including low-risk and high-risk types. HPV genome replication requires the host cell's DNA synthesis machinery, and HPVs encode proteins that maintain differentiated epithelial cells in a replication-competent state. HPV types are tissue-specific and generally produce different types of lesions, either benign or malignant. This review examines different HPV types and their associated diseases and presents therapeutic options for the treatment of HPV-positive diseases.

OBSERVATION OF THE EFFICACY OF ACUPUNCTURE AND MOXIBUSTION IN 62 CASES OF CHRONIC COLITIS

62 patients with chronic colitis were randomly divided into two groups. Acupuncture and moxibustion at acupoints such as Tianshu (St 25), Guanyuan (Ren 4) were applied in the treatment group, and western drugs were applied in the control group. The results showed that acupuncture and moxibustion had a marked curative effective with few side effects, and therefore was readily acceptable to the patients.

FDG-PET AS A ROUTINE SURVEILLANCE TOOL IN HEAD AND NECK CARCINOMA SIX MONTHS AFTER TREATMENT

Objective To evaluate prospectively the impact of fluorodeoxyglucose-fluorine-18 positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) in the detection of recurrence, second primary cancers, and distant metastases in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) 6 months after treatment. Methods A total of 41 patients without any clinical element for recurrence, second primary cancer, or distant metastases received a whole-body FDG-PET as a routine surveillance tool 6 months after initial combined curative therapy for HNSCC. Results There were 35 negative PET results and 6 positive. One patient with abnormal FDG-PET did not have recurrent HNSCC (false positive). Five had true positive results: proven recurrence in 2 patients, second primary cancer in 2, and distant metastasis in 1. The sensitivity and specificity of FDG-PET for the diagnosis of HNSCC recurrence, second tumor, and distant metastases were 100% (5/5) and 97.2% (35/36), respectively. The positive predictive value was 83.3% (5/6). The negative predictive value was 100% (35/35). The overall accuracy was 97.6% (40/41). FDG-PET had a therapeutic impact in 5 of 41 patients (12.2%). There was no impact of FDG-PET on management in other 36 patients. Conclusion FDG-PET is useful as primary method for detecting nodal recurrence and distant metastases in HNSCC as well as second cancer in subclinical patients as it had a high effectiveness. But systematic FDG-PET performed at 6 months in patients without any clinical suspicion of local recurrence was scarcely useful.

The XIA's No. 1 Sleeping Prescription for the Treatment of Insomnia of the Deficiency Type:A Clinical Observation of 60 Cases

Objective： To evaluate the therapeutic effects and safety of the XIA＇s No.1 Sleeping Prescription for the treatment of insomnia of the deficiency type. Methods： 120 cases conformed to the diagnostic criteria of the Chinese Classification of Mental Disorders-Version 3 （CCMD-3） and were diagnosed as having insomnia of the deficiency type were divided randomly into a treatment group and a control group, 60 cases in each group. The treatment group was treated with the XIA＇s No.1 Sleeping Prescription, while the control group was given estazolam （ling） for 6 weeks. The Athens Insomnia Scale （AIS） was used to evaluate the clinical therapeutic effects, while the treatment emergent symptom scale （TESS） was used to evaluate adverse reactions. Results： The total effective rate of the treatment group （80%） was higher than that of the control group （70%）, but with no significant difference （P〉0.05）. The effective rate for long-term insomnia was 77.8% in the treatment group and 52.4% in the control group, with a significant difference between the two groups （P〈0.05）. The adverse reactions shown in the treatment group were obviously fewer and milder than those in the control group. Conclusion： The XIA＇s No. 1 Sleeping Prescription is effective for insomnia of the deficiency type and with no obvious toxic side effects.