Circulating immune parameters-based nomogram for predicting malignancy in laryngeal neoplasm

BACKGROUND Malignancy prediction remains important to preoperative diagnosis and postoperative follow-up in laryngeal neoplasm.AIM To evaluate the circulating immune population and develop a nomogram for prediction of malignancy in patients with laryngeal neoplasm.METHODS A primary cohort of 156 patients was divided into laryngeal benign lesion,premalignant lesion and malignant lesion groups.Peripheral blood from patients was measured by blood routine test and flow cytometry.A nomogram was developed and applied to a validation cohort containing 55 consecutive patients.RESULTS Age,gender and seven circulating immune parameters exhibited significant differences between laryngeal benign lesion and premalignant lesion.The nomogram incorporated predictors,including gender,age,smoke index,proportions of monocytes,CD8+T cells,CD4+T cells,B cells and CD4/CD8+T cell ratio.It showed good discrimination between laryngeal premalignant lesion and malignant lesion,with a C-index of 0.844 for the primary cohort.Application of this nomogram in the validation cohort(C-index,0.804)still had good discrimination and good calibration.Decision curve analysis revealed that the nomogram was clinically useful.CONCLUSION This novel nomogram,incorporating both clinical risk factors and circulating immune parameters,could be appropriately applied in preoperative individualized prediction of malignancy in patients with laryngeal neoplasm.

The Prognostic Value of Pathological and Molecular Margins Marked by p53 and eIF4E in Laryngeal Carcinoma

Objective: To study the prognostic value of the pathological margin and molecular margin marked by eIF4E and P53 protein in laryngeal carcinoma. Methods: The prognostic value of pathological and molecular margin was studied in 253 cases and 67 cases respectively, the latter were pathological negative margin chosen from the former. Immunohistochemisty was used to detect the expression of eIF4E and p53 proteins. Results: The rate of pathological, p53 and eIF4E positive margins was 20.2%, 19.4% and 32.8% respectively. The recurrent rate of those with positive margins was higher than that of negative margins, which including pathological margin (70.6% vs 35.1%, P =0.0000), p53 margin (69.2% vs 33.3%, P =0.018) and eIF4E margin (63.6% vs 28.9%, P =0.018); The survival rate of those with negative margins was higher than those with positive margins, including pathological margin (the 5-year cumulative survival rate was 37.52% and 64.37% respectively, P =0.0023), p53 margin (the 5-year cumulative survival rate was 24.62% and 75.69% respectively, P =0.0012) and eIF4E margin (the 5-year cumulative survival rate was 43.31% and 77.52% respectively, P =0.0006). Conclusion: The prognosis of those with both pathological and molecular positive margins was worse than that of the negative margins; Both the eIF4E and p53 were useful markers to pick out the poor prognostic patients from those with pathological negative margin, and the former seemed to be more potential.

Expression of Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1α and Its Relationship to Apoptosis and Proliferation in Human Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Summary: To investigate the expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) and its relationship to apoptosis and proliferation in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC), immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of HIF-1α and PCNA. Tunnel technique was used to detect in situ cell apoptosis in LSCC. Our results showed that the expression of HIF-1α was related to the clinical stages of cancer and lymph node metastasis (P<0.05). The relationship between HIF-1α and PCNA was statistically significant (P<0.05) and no relationship was found between HIF-1α and apoptosis (P>0.05) It is concluded that HIF-1α plays a role in the carcinogenesis of laryngeal carcinoma and is correlated with proliferation, but bears no relationship with the apoptosis of tumor cells in LSCC.

ANALYSIS OF C-HA-RAS GENE AMPLIFICATION AND MUTATION IN LARYNGEAL CARCINOMA

In order to study the altered molecular events during laryngeal carcinogenesis and elucidate the role of Haras oncogene amplification and mutation. we have examined their profile by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and selective oligonucleotide hybridization. We analyzed the mutational status of codon 12 of Haras in 22 laryngeal carcinomas and 10 normal tissues. and found that 7 of 22 laryngeal carcinomas contained a Ha-ras mutation at codon 12. The frequency of mutation was 32%. None of the normal tissues revealed mutation. Moreover. no amplification was found in cancers when compared to the normal. Ourfindings indicated that the activated Ha-ras gene existed in laryngeal carcinoma. and activation of the Haras gene by mutation at codon 12 might play a key role in laryngeal carcinogenesis.

Factors influencing comfort level in head and neck neoplasm patients receiving radiotherapy

Objective:To determine factors that influence comfort in head and neck neoplasm patients receiving radiotherapy.Methods:In total,200 head and neck neoplasm patients receiving radiotherapy were recruited from three tertiary first class hospitals.They were assessed by Radiotherapy Comfort Questionnaire for patients with head and neck neoplasm,Social Support Scale,and Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire.Results:The total score of comfort was 60.54±8.32.Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that number of radiation treatments,family accompaniment,educational level,resignation coping mode,complications due to diabetes,accompanying chemotherapy,and the utilization of social support significantly influenced comfort level(p<0.05).Among these,number of radiation treatments,complications due to diabetes,accompanying chemotherapy,and resignation coping were negative factors.Conclusion:Encouraging utilization of social support systems and a positive coping mode is important for increasing comfort level in head and neck neoplasm patients during radiotherapy.Nurses should pay particular attention to those patients during later stages of radiotherapy or chemotherapy,with diabetes,without family accompaniment,and with lower education level.

Studies on the interrelationship of Chinese laryngeal carcinoma and human papillomavirus

The studies described herein emphasize HPVDNA detection by applying consensus primers and multiple primers of modified polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to 124 cases of fresh tissue samples with different lesions of larynx. The consensus primers used were able to detect 9 types of HPVsDNAs ( HPV 6 , 11 , 16 , 18, 31 , 33,35, 42, and 583 , from which the positive cases were picked out for further identification of their genometypes of HPV-DNA by using multiple primers PCR. The results areas follows : (1)In the group of laryngeal carcinoma,the total positive rate of HPV infection was 49. 1 %(28/57) : 15. 8%(9/57)for HPV18, 12. 3%(7/57)for HPV16,5. 3 %(3/57) dual infection for HPV16 and HPV18 , 3. 5%(2/57) for mixed infection of HPV6/11 and HPV18 , and 12. 3%(7/57)for the other types. (2) In the cervical metastatic lymphnode group, 3 of the 14 cases (21. 4%) of cervical metastatic lymphnode showed positive HPV, among which there was 1 case of HPV16 infection , 1 case of HPV18 infection ,and 1 case of HPV16 and HPV18 dual infection, resulting in a rate at 7. 1% for the respective cases immediately above. (3) In the pecarcinomatous lesion group ,the positive rate of HPV infection tmixed infection of HPV6/11 and HPV18) was 11. 1 %(1/9). (4)In the vocal cord polypus group , the rate of positive reaction (HPV6/11) was 7.1% (1/14). (5) In the nomal laryngeal tissue group , 15 cases of normal laryngeal tissue adjacent to the carcinoma and 15 cases of normal laryngeal tissue opposite to the carcinoma were HPV-DNA negative.The results showed that the occurrence and development of laryngeal carcinoma were closely related to HPV infection. The distribution of genometypes of HPV varied in different lesions of larynx. The carcinogenic action of HPV in laryngeal carcinoma is also discussed in this paper.

Prognostic Value of Ki67 and VE6F Expression in Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

OBJECTIVE To investigate the prognostic value of measuring Ki67 and VEGF expression in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). METHODS The expression of Ki67 and VEGF in 32 LSCC tissues was studied by immunohistochemical staining. Of these cases, 5 recurred (recurrent group), 3 cases metastasized (metastatic group), 8 cases died (deceased group) and 24 cased survived (survival group) over a 3 year period of follow-up after their operation. RESULTS The expression of Ki67 and VEGF in the deceased group was higher compared to that in the survival group (P<0.01). Overexpression of Ki67 was found in the recurrent group and in the metastatic group (P< 0.05). VEGF expression was higher in the recurrent group than in the non recurrent group (P<0.05). With Cox-regression of multivariate analysis, Ki67 (RR:3.236; P=0.001), the clinical T stage (RR: 1.382; P=0.029) and metastasis in lymph nodes (RR:0.316; P=0.033) were shown to be independent prognostic factors for survival of LSCC patients. CONCLUSION Ki67 and VEGF expression is related to the prognosis of LSCC. Overexpression of the 2 markers indicated poor prognosis of the disease, a finding which might be helpful for the treatment of laryngocar-cinoma.

Clinical significance of tumor-associated macrophage infiltration in supraglottic laryngeal carcinoma

Tumor-associated macrophages(TAMs) can elicit contrasting effects on tumor progression,depending on different tumor microenvironment.This study aimed to explore the correlation between TAM infiltration and clinicopathologic characteristics,metastasis,and prognosis of supraglottic laryngeal carcinoma.TAMs in intratumoral and peritumoral regions of 84 specimens of supraglottic laryngeal carcinoma tissues were detected by immunohistochemical staining with monoclonal CD68 antibody.The density of peritumoral CD68+ TAMs in recurrence cases(9/11) and in dead cases(17/23) were significantly higher than those in non-recurrence cases(33/73) and in survival cases(25/61),with significant differences(P = 0.024 and 0.007,respectively).The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed a significant relationship between the infiltration of both intratumoral and peritumoral CD68 + TAMs and the overall survival of patients.The 5year survival rate was significantly lower in the group with a high density of intratumoral CD68+ TAMs than in the group with a low density(39.6% vs.82.5%,P < 0.05).Similarly,the 5-year survival rate was significantly lower in the group with a high density of peritumoral CD68+ TAMs than in the group with a low density(50.6% vs.73.1%,P < 0.05).Cox regression analysis revealed that T classification,distant metastasis,and intratumoral or peritumoral CD68 + TAMs were independent factors for disease-free survival,whereas T classification and intratumoral CD68 + TAMs were independent factors for overall survival.The results indicate that TAM infiltration in supraglottic laryngeal carcinoma can be used to predict metastasis and prognosis and is an independent factor for prognosis.

Study on inhibiting effect of p27 gene on growth of human laryngeal carcinoma Hep-2 cells

Objective To explore the effect of p27gene on th e growth inhibition of laryngeal car cinoma cell line Hep-2.Methods The p27cDNAwas transfected into human lary ngeal carcinoma cell line Hep-2cells with lipofectamine.The cell cycle s were observed by means of FCM assay.p27expression was detected b y dot-blot hybridization and Western blot.Results Expression of p27in Hep-2was identified by Dot blot and Western blot analyses.the growt h rate of Hep-2transfected with p27g ene was markedly suppressed.Cell cy cle analysis by flow cytometry show that the number of cells in G 0 ～G 1 phase of Hep-2cells was significant ly increased while cells in S and G 2 +M phase was decreased compared with that of the control Hep-2cells.Conclusion Transduction of p27gene into lower e xpression cancer cells can restore i ts suppressive effect on cell growth by arrest of cell cycle at G 1 phase.

Effect of DRB on the Biological Characteristics of Human Laryngeal Carcinoma Hep-2 Cell Line

In order to study the effect of 5, 6-Dichloro-l-13-D-ribofuranosyl-benzimidazole （DRB） on the biological characteristics of human laryngeal carcinoma Hep-2 cell line in vitro, Hep-2 cells cultured in vitro were treated with different concentrations of DRB. Changes in cell proliferation, apoptotic rate and invasiveness were detected by MTT assay, flow cytometry （FCM） and matrigel in vitro invasion assay, respectively. It was found that DRB inhibited the proliferation of Hep-2 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. After being treated with 0, 10, 20, 40, 80 μmmol/L DRB for 24 h, the apoptotic rate in Hep-2 cells was （0.68±0.19）%, （1.95±0.12）%, （8.51±0.26）%, （11.26±0.17）% and （14.99±0.32）%, respectively. The matrigel in vitro invasion assay revealed that DRB began to inhibit the invasion of Hep-2 cells at the concentration of 5 μmmol/L, and with the increase of DRB concentration, the inhibitory effect was enhanced. It was suggested that DRB could influence the essential biological characteristics of Hep-2 cells, inhibit Hep-2 cells proliferation, reduce invasive ability and induce apoptosis of Hep-2 cells.

EXTRACAPSULAR SPREAD IN IPSILATERAL NECK METASTASIS:AN IMPORTANT PROGNOSTIC FACTOR IN LARYNGEAL CANCER

Objective To evaluate the impact of extracapsular spread （ECS） in ipsilateral neck metastasis on prognosis and its related factors in laryngeal cancer. Methods The study included 184 patients who underwent laryngectomy and simultaneous radical or modified radical neck dissection between January 1994 and December 1997 for laryngeal cancer. All of them had a complete 5-year follow-up. We used transparent lymph node detection and continuous slicing method on all neck dissection specimens. Kaplan-Meier model was used for survival analysis and the log-rank test was used to assess significance. Reults We found pathological neck metastases in 80 patients. Among them, 26 cases （32. 5% ） had ECS in ipsilateral neck. ECS incidence increased with advanced pathological N （pN） stages （pNl 3.7%, pN2a 25.0%, pN2b 50. 0%, and pN2c 55.6% ; P =0. 001）. ECS incidence also increased with number of positive nodes （1 positive node 8.6%, 2 positive nodes 33.3%, 3 and more positive nodes 66. 7% ; P 〈0. 001 ）. Incidences of contralateral neck metastases and ipsilateral neck recurrence in patients with ECS were higher than those in patients without ECS （46.2% vs. 24. 1%, P=0.046; 34.6% vs. 7.4%, P =0.002）. The 5-year survival rate of patients with ECS was significantly lower than that of patients without ECS （23.1% vs. 57.4%, P =0. 013）. Conclution ECS is an important prognostic factor in laryngeal cancer. Patients with ECS have a higher incidence of contralateral neck metastasis, so bilateral neck dissection should be selected.

Reconstruction of laryngeal function in subtotal laryngectomy with preservation of monoarytenoid cartilage

Objective: To evaluate subtotal laryngectomy with preservation of monoarytenoid cartilage to re-construct laryngeal function in the treatment of advanced laryngeal cancer. Methods: We retrospectively re-viewed 48 patients with advanced laryngeal cancer (T3 or T4 on the primary site) treated by subtotal laryngec-tomy with preservation of monoarytenoid cartilage to reconstruct laryngeal function. Eighteen of them under-went neck dissection. Ipsilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve was preserved during this surgery. The cricoid cartilage was anastomosed to hypopharynx accordingly. Results: The overall 3- and 5-year survival rates were 81.25% (39/45) and 66% 67% (32/48), respectively. All patients had good phonation and swallowing function after surgery. Decannulation rate was 93. 75%. Conclusion: Subtotal laryngectomy with preserva-tion of monoarytenoid cartilage is satisfactory for treatment of elected advanced laryngeal cancers. The effect of this surgery is more satisfactory than that of the near-total laryngectomy (Pearson''s technic).

Clinical Significance of Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Exposure During Esophagogastric Anastomosis of the Neck

OBJECTIVE To investigate the clinical value in a comparison between intraoperative exposure and non-exposure of the recurrent laryngeal nerve （RLN） of the neck during left neck esophagogastric anastomosis following resection of carcinomas of the middle and inferior-segment esophagus. METHODS From January 2003 to April 2009, 237 patients were selected to undergo resection of esophageal squamous carcinoma via posteroexternal incision of the left chest plus gastroesophageal anastomosis at the left neck incision. The 237 cases were divided into 2 groups： 115 of the total cases were in group A （the study group）, cases of resections with neck RLN exposure. Of the patients in this group, 64 were male and 51 female, with a mean age of 49 ranging from 31 to 73 years. Another 122 cases were in group B （the control group）, cases of resections without neck RLN exposure. In this group, 51 of the patients were male and 71 female, with a mean age of 45 ranging from 33 to 75 years. In the 2 groups, there were 9 cases in total with symptoms induced by RLN injury. RESULTS Hoarseness, choking cough when drinking, and difficult expectoration were found in 1 of the cases （1/115） in group A （0.087%）, while there were 8 cases （8/122） presenting with these symptoms in group B （6.5%）. There is statistical signi.cance in the di.erences of RLN injury between the 2 groups （P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION Analysis of study cases of esophageal carcinoma resection with left-neck esophagogastric anastomosis in the 2 groups indicated that the exposure of the RLN in group A resulted in an obviously lower rate of neck RLN injury after the surgery, compared to group B, where the RLN was not exposed. Exposure can lead to the avoidance of complications induced by RLN injury, such as dysarthria and choking cough when eating. As a result, satisfactory expectoration, which would diminish the incidence of pulmonary complications, can be reached allowing the patients to recover as early as possible. The results of our study suggest that the exposure of the RLN during the left -neck esophagogastric anastomosis has signi.cant clinical value, and that this approach can be recommended with con.dence.

Postoperative chemoradiotherapy with capecitabine and oxaliplatin vs.capecitabine for pathological stage N2 rectal cancer

Objective:Several studies have been conducted on the effects and toxicity of adding oxaliplatin to fluorouracilbased or capecitabine-based chemoradiotherapy(CRT)regimens as significantly increasing the toxic response without benefit to survival.In this study,we further explored the role of these two postoperative CRT regimens in patients with pathological stage N2 rectal cancer.Methods:This study was a subgroup analysis of a randomized clinical trial.A total of 180 patients with pathological stage N2 rectal cancer were eligible,85 received capecitabine with radiotherapy(RT),and 95 received capecitabine and oxaliplatin with RT.Patients in both groups received adjuvant chemotherapy[capecitabine and oxaliplatin(XELOX);or fluorouracil,leucovorin,and oxaliplatin(FOLFOX)]after CRT.Results:At a median follow-up of 59.2[interquartile range(IQR),34.0−96.8]months,the three-year diseasefree survival(DFS)was 53.3%and 64.9%in the control group and the experimental group,respectively[hazard ratio(HR),0.63;95%confidence interval(95%CI),0.41−0.98;P=0.04].There was no significant difference between the groups in overall survival(OS)(HR,0.62;95%CI,0.37−1.05;P=0.07),the incidence of locoregional recurrence(HR,0.62;95%CI,0.24−1.64;P=0.33),the incidence of distant metastasis(HR,0.67;95%CI,0.42−1.06;P=0.09)and grade 3−4 acute toxicities(P=0.78).For patients with survival longer than 3 years,the conditional overall survival(COS)was significantly better in the experimental group(HR,0.39;95%CI,0.16−0.96;P=0.03).Conclusions:Our results indicated that adding oxaliplatin to capecitabine-based postoperative CRT is safe and effective in patients with pathological stage N2 rectal cancer.

Signal intensity changes of dentate nucleus on plain MR T1WI innasopharyngeal carcinoma patients after radiotherapy andmultiple injections of gadolinium-base contrast agent

Objective To observe changes of plain MR T1WI signal intensity of dentate nucleus in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients after radiotherapy and multiple times of intravenous injection of gadolinium-based contrast agent(GBCA).Methods Fifty patients with pathologically confirmed nasopharyngeal carcinoma and received intensity-modulated radiotherapy were retrospectively enrolled as the nasopharyngeal carcinoma group,and 50 patients with other malignant tumors and without history of brain radiotherapy were retrospectively enrolled as the control group.All patients received yearly GBCA enhanced MR examinations for the nasopharynx or the head.T1WI signal intensities of the dentate nucleus and the pons on same plane were measured based on images in the year of confirmed diagnosis(recorded as the first year)and in the second to the fifth years.T1WI signal intensity ratio of year i(ranging from 1 to 5)was calculated with values of dentate nucleus divided by values of the pons(ΔSI i),while the percentage of relative changes of year j(ranging from 2 to 5)was calculated withΔSI j compared toΔSI 1(Rchange j).The values of these two parameters were compared,and the correlation ofΔSI and GBCA injection year-time was evaluated within each group.Results No significant difference of gender,age norΔSI 1 was found between groups(all P>0.05).The second to the fifth yearΔSI and Rchange in nasopharyngeal carcinoma group were all higher than those in control group(all P<0.05).Within both groups,ΔSI was positively correlated with GBCA injection year-time(both P<0.05).Conclusion Patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma who underwent radiotherapy and multiple times of intravenous injection of GBCA tended to be found with gradually worsening GBCA deposition in dentate nucleus,for which radiotherapy might be a risk factor.

Long-term outcomes and prognostic factors for patients with esophageal cancer following radiotherapy

AIM:To evaluate long-term outcomes and prognostic factors for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(SCC) treated with three dimensional conformal radiotherapy(3D-CRT).METHODS:Between January 2005 and December 2006,153 patients(120 males,33 females) with pathologically confirmed esophageal SCC and treated with 3D-CRT in Cancer Hospital of Shantou University were included in this retrospective analysis.Median age was 60 years(range:37-84 years).The proportion of tumor location was as follows:upper thorax(including the cervical region),73(48%);middle thorax,73(48%);lower thorax,7(5%),respectively.The median radiation dose was 64 Gy(range:50-74 Gy).Fifty four cases(35%) received cisplatin-based concurrent chemotherapy.Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to determine the association between the correlative factors and prognosis.RESULTS:The five-year overall survival rate was 26.3%,with a median follow-up of 49 mo(range:3-66 mo) for patients who were still alive.On univariate analysis,lesion location,lesion length by barium esophagogram,computed tomography imaging characteristics including Y diameter(anterior-posterior,AP,extent of tumor),gross tumor volume of primary lesion(GTV-E),volume of positive lymph nodes(GTV-LN),and the total target volume(GTV-T = GTV-E + GTVLN) were prognostic for overall survival.By multivariate analysis,only the Y diameter [hazard ratio(HR) 2.219,95%CI 1.141-4.316,P = 0.019] and the GTV-T(HR 1.372,95%CI 1.044-1.803,P = 0.023) were independent prognostic factors for survival.CONCLUSION:The overall survival of esophageal carcinoma patients undergoing 3D-CRT was promising.The best predictors for survival were GTV-T and Y diameter.

Radiotherapy of double primary esophageal carcinoma

INTRODUCTIONDouble primary esophageal carcinoma is defined ashaving two loci of squamous cell cancersimultaneously or consecutively developing indifferent sites of esophagus.This rare diseaseappears mostly in the literature as case reports,reports about its treatment are even moreinfrequent.Here we present our experiences

Effect of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy on prognosis and surgery for esophageal carcinoma

AIM:To investigate the role of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in prognosis and surgery for esophageal carcinoma by a meta-analysis.METHODS:PubMed and manual searches were done to identify all published randomized controlled trials(RCTs) that compared neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy plus surgery(CRTS) with surgery alone(S) for esophageal cancer.According to the test of heterogeneity,a fi xed-effect model or a random effect model was used and the odds ratio(OR) was the principal measure of effects.RESULTS:Fourteen RCTs that included 1737 patients were selected with quality assessment ranging from A to C(Cochrane Reviewers' Handbook 4.2.2).OR(95% CI,P value),expressed as CRTS vs S(values>1 favor CRTS arm),was 1.19(0.94-1.48,P=0.28) for 1-year survival,1.33(1.07-1.65,P=0.69) for 2-year survival,1.76(1.42-2.19,P=0.11) for 3-year survival,1.41(1.06-1.87,P=0.11) for 4-year survival,1.64(1.28-2.12,P=0.40) for 5-year survival,0.82(0.39-1.73,P<0.0001) for rate of resection,1.53(1.33-2.84,P=0.007) for rate of complete resection,1.78(1.14-2.78,P=0.79) for operative mortality,1.12(0.89-2.48,P=0.503) for all treatment mortality,1.33(0.94-1.88,P=0.04) for the rate of adverse treatment,1.38(1.23-1.63,P=0.0002) for local-regional cancer recurrence,1.28(0.85-1.58,P=0.60) for distant cancer recurrence,and 1.27(0.86-1.65,P=0.19) for all cancer recurrence.A complete pathological response to chemoradiotherapy occurred in 10%-45.5% of patients.The 5-year survival benefi t was most pronounced when chemotherapy and radiotherapy were given concurrently(OR:1.45,95% CI:1.26-1.79,P=0.015) instead of sequentially(OR:0.85,95% CI:0.64-1.35,P=0.26).CONCLUSION:Compared with surgery alone,neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy can improve the long-term survival and reduce local-regional cancer recurrence.Concurrent administration of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy was superior to sequential chemoradiotherapy.

The Inhibitory Effects of Rh-endostatin(YH-16) in Combination with Radiotherapy on Lung Adenocarcinoma A549 in Mice and the Underlying Mechanisms

In order to investigate the inhibitory effects of Endostar(rh-endostatin,YH-16)in combination with radiotherapy on lung adenocarcinoma A549 in mice and the interaction mechanisms of combined therapy,the transplantation tumor models of A549 lung adenocarcinoma were established.When the largest diameter of tumor reached 1.0cm,all nude mice were randomly divided into 4 groups:Endostar group,radiotherapy group,radiotherapy plus Endostar(combined treatment)group,and control group(n=6 in each group).The largest d...

Three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy combined with FOLFOX4 chemotherapy for unresectable recurrent rectal cancer

AIM： To investigate the effect of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy （3-DCRT） in combination with FOLFOX4 chemotherapy for unresectable recurrent rectal cancer. METHODS： Forty-eight patients with unresectable recurrent rectal cancer were randomized and treated by 3-DCRT or 3-DCRT combined with FOLFOX4 chemotherapy between September 2001 and October 2003. For the patients without prior radiation history, the initial radiation was given to the whole pelvis by traditional methods with tumor dose of 40 Gy, followed by 3-DCRT for the recurrent lesions to the median total cumulative tumor dose of 60 Gy （range 56-66 Gy）; for the post-radiation recurrent patients, 3-DCRT was directly given for the recurrent lesions to the median tumor dose of 40 Gy （36-46 Gy）. For patients in the study group, two cycles chemotherapy with FOLFOX4 regimen were given concurrently with radiotherapy, with the first cycle given simultaneously with the initiation of radiation and the second cycle given in the fifth week for patients receiving conventional pelvis radiation or given in the last week of 3-DCRT for patients receiving 3-DCRT directly. Another 2-4 cycles （average 3.6 cycles） sequential FOLFOX4 regimen chemotherapy were given to the patients in the study group, beginning at 2-3 wk after chemoradiation. The outcomes of symptoms relieve, tumor response, survival and toxicity were recorded and compared between the study group and the control group. RESULTS： For the study group and the control group, the pain-alleviation rates were 95.2% and 91.3%（P〉 0.05）; the overall response rates were 56.5% and 40.0% （P〉0.05）; the 1-year and 2-year survival rates were 86.9%, 50.2% and 80.0%, 23.9%, with median survival time of 25 mo and 16 mo （P〈 0.05）; the 2-year distant metastasis rates were 39.1% and 56.0% （P= 0.054）, respectively. The side effects, except peripheral neuropathy which was relatively severer in the study group, were similar in the the two groups and well tolerated. CONCLUSION： Three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy combined with FOLFOX4 chemotherapy for unresectable recurrent rectal cancer is a feasible and effective therapeutic approach, and can reduce distant metastasis rate and improve the survival rate.