Impact of oxaliplatin and trastuzumab combination therapy on tumor markers and T lymphocyte subsets for advanced gastric cancer

BACKGROUND Advanced gastric cancer(AGC)remains a challenging malignancy with poor prognosis.The combination of oxaliplatin and trastuzumab has shown promising results in AGC treatment.This study aimed to investigate the effects of oxaliplatin and trastuzumab combination therapy on serum tumor markers and T lymphocyte subsets in patients with AGC and to explore their potential as predictive biomarkers for treatment response.AIM To investigate the impact of oxaliplatin and trastuzumab combination therapy on serum markers and T cell subsets in patients with AGC.METHODS This prospective study enrolled 60 patients with AGC.All patients received oxaliplatin(130 mg/m^(2),every 3 weeks)and trastuzumab(8 mg/kg loading dose,followed by 6 mg/kg every 3 weeks)for six cycles.Serum carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA),cancer antigen 19-9(CA19-9),and cancer antigen 72-4(CA72-4)were measured before and after treatment.T-lymphocyte subsets,including CD3+,CD4+,CD8+,and CD4+/CD8+ratios,were also evaluated.The clinical response was assessed using the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1.RESULTS After six cycles of treatment,the CEA,CA19-9,and CA72-4 serum levels significantly decreased compared to baseline levels(P<0.001).The percentages of CD3+and CD4+T lymphocytes increased significantly(P<0.05),whereas the percentage of CD8+T lymphocytes decreased(P<0.05).The CD4+/CD8+ratio also significantly increased after treatment(P<0.05).Patients with a higher decrease in serum tumor markers(≥50%reduction)and a higher increase in CD4+/CD8+ratio(≥1.5-fold)showed better clinical response rates(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Oxaliplatin and trastuzumab combination therapy effectively reduced serum tumor marker levels and modulated T lymphocyte subsets in patients with AGC.Combination therapy not only has a direct antitumor effect,but also enhances the immune response in patients with AGC.Serum tumor markers and T lymphocyte subsets may serve as potential predictive biomarkers for treatment response in patients with AGC receiving combination therapy.

Tumor recurrence and survival prognosis in patients with advanced gastric cancer after radical resection with radiotherapy and chemotherapy

BACKGROUND Advanced gastric cancer is a common malignancy that is often diagnosed at an advanced stage and is still at risk of recurrence after radical surgical treatment.Chemoradiotherapy,as one of the important treatment methods for gastric cancer,is of great significance for improving the survival rate of patients.However,the tumor recurrence and survival prognosis of gastric cancer patients after radio-therapy and chemotherapy are still uncertain.AIM To analyze the tumor recurrence after radical radiotherapy and chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer and provide more in-depth guidance for clinicians.METHODS A retrospective analysis was performed on 171 patients with gastric cancer who received postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy in our hospital from 2021 to 2023.The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the recurrence rate and survival rate;the log-rank method was used to analyze the single-factor prognosis;and the Cox model was used to analyze the prognosis associated with multiple factors.RESULTS The median follow-up time of the whole group was 63 months,and the follow-up rate was 93.6%.Stage Ⅱ and Ⅲ patients accounted for 31.0%and 66.7%,respec-tively.The incidences of Grade 3 and above acute gastrointestinal reactions and hematological adverse reactions were 8.8%and 9.9%,respectively.A total of 166 patients completed the entire chemoradiotherapy regimen,during which no adverse reaction-related deaths occurred.In terms of the recurrence pattern,17 patients had local recurrence,29 patients had distant metastasis,and 12 patients had peritoneal implantation metastasis.The 1-year,3-year,and 5-year overall survival(OS)rates were 83.7%,66.3%,and 60.0%,respectively.The 1-year,3-year,and 5-year disease-free survival rates were 75.5%,62.7%,and 56.5%,respectively.Multivariate analysis revealed that T stage,peripheral nerve invasion,and the lymph node metastasis rate(LNR)were independent prognostic factors for OS.CONCLUSION Postoperative intensity-modulated radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy for gastric cancer treatment is well tolerated and has acceptable adverse effects,which is beneficial for local tumor control and can improve the long-term survival of patients.The LNR was an independent prognostic factor for OS.For patients with a high risk of local recurrence,postoperative adjuvant chemoradiation should be considered.

Role of Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor-2 in Ovarian Tumor Migration and Invasion

Objective: To elucidate the relation between human tissue factor pathwayinhibitor-2 (TFPI-2) expression and ovarian tumor migration and invasion. Methods: Human TFPI-2expression vector pBos-Cite-neo/TFPI-2 was transfected into ovarian tumor cells line A2780- Afterthe transfected cells were selected by G418, transfected and nontransfected cells were screened forTFPI-2 mRNA and protein by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotanalysis, respectively. The number of transfected or nontransfected cells passing through membraneof Boyden chamber was counted as the basis assessing tumor cells migratory and invasive behaviors.Results: Expression of mRNA and protein of TFPI-2 was detectable in transfected cells. In invasionassay, the number of TFPI-2-expressing cells to traverse a Matrigel-coated membrane was obviouslydecreased compared with that of nonexpressing cells (59.3±6.5 vs 109.7±5.5, P 【 0.01); While inmigration assay, no significant difference through a noncoated membrane was observed amongtransfected and nontransfected cells (114.7±8.6 vs 127.3±7.1, P 】 0.05). Conclusion: Expression ofTFPI-2 may strongly inhibit the invasive ability of ovarian tumor cells in vitro, but has no effecton the migratory ability which provides an experimental basis for genotherapy of human ovariantumor.

Aneuploidy of chromosome 8 in circulating tumor cells correlates with prognosis in patients with advanced gastric cancer

Objective： Previous work indicated that aneuploidy of chromosome 8 in circulating tumor cells（CTCs）correlated with therapeutic efficacy for advanced gastric cancer（AGC） patients. In this follow-up study performed on the same population of AGC patients, we investigated whether and how aneuploidy of chromosome 8 in CTCs correlates with patients＇ clinical prognosis.Methods： The prospective study was performed on 31 patients with newly diagnosed AGC. Previously established integrated subtraction enrichment（SE） and immunostaining-fluorescence in situ hybridization（i FISH）platform was applied to identify, enumerate and characterize CTCs. Quantification of CTCs and analysis of their aneuploidy of chromosome 8 were performed on patients before and after therapy.Results： CTCs were measured in 93.5% of AGC patients, and two CTC subtypes with diverse threshold values were identified, multiploid CTCs with the threshold of ≥2 per 7.5 m L and multiploid plus triploid CTCs with the threshold of ≥4, which were found to significantly correlate with poor progression-free survival（PFS） and overall survival（OS）. In particular, patients with ≥10% increased multiploid CTCs after an initial 6 weeks of therapy had poor PFS and OS, whereas improved PFS and OS were observed on those who had ≥10% decreased multiploid CTCs. After adjusting for clinically significant factors, ≥10% increased post-therapy multiploid CTCs was the only independent predictor of PFS and OS.Conclusions： Aneuploidy of CTCs correlates with prognosis of AGC patients. Quantitative comparison monitoring multiploid CTCs before and after therapy may help predict improved or inferior prognosis and chemoresistance.

Usefulness of human epididymis protein 4 in predicting cytoreductive surgical outcomes for advanced ovarian tubal and peritoneal carcinoma

Objective： Human epididymis protein 4（HE4） is a promising biomarker of epithelial ovarian cancer（EOC）. But its role in assessing the primary optimal debulking（OD） of EOC remains unknown. The purpose of this study is to elucidate the ability of preoperative HE4 in predicting the primary cytoreductive outcomes in advanced EOC, tubal or peritoneal carcinoma.Methods： We reviewed the records of 90 patients with advanced ovarian, tubal or peritoneal carcinoma who underwent primary cytoreduction at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Peking University People＇s Hospital between November 2005 and October 2010. Preoperative serum HE4 and CA125 levels were detected with EIA kit. A receiver operating characteristic（ROC） curve was used to determine the most useful HE4 cut-off value. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify significant preoperative clinical characteristics to predict optimal primary cytoreduction.Results： OD was achieved in 47.7%（43/48） of patients. The median preoperative HE4 level for patients with OD vs. suboptimal debulking was 423 and 820 pmol/L, respectively（P〈0.001）. The areas under the ROC curve for HE4 and CA125 were 0.716 and 0.599, respectively（P=0.080）. The most useful HE4 cut-off value was 473 pmol/L. Suboptimal cytoreduction was obtained in 66.7%（38/57） of cases with HE4 ≥473 pmol/L compared with only 27.3%（9/33） of cases with HE4 〈473 pmol/L. At this threshold, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value（PPV） and negative predictive value（NPV） for diagnosing suboptimal debulking were 81%, 56%, 67%, and 73%, respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed that the patients with HE4 ≥473 pmol/L were less likely to achieve OD（odds ratio =5.044, P=0.002）.Conclusions： Preoperative serum HE4 may be helpful to predict whether optimal cytoreductive surgery could be obtained or whether extended cytoreduction would be needed by an interdisciplinary team.

DIFFERENTIATION BETWEEN MALIGNANT AND BENIGN OVARIAN TUMORS BY MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING

Objective To determine the magnetic resonance （MR） imaging findings of an ovarian mass which are most predictive of malignancy and assess the value of intravenous gadolinium administration in the characterization of an ovarian mass. Methods Totally 74 consecutive patients with a clinically or sonographicaUy indeterminate adnexal mass underwent MR imaging, of whom 59 had subsequent surgical resection of 70 adnexal masses. These 59 patients formed the study population. MR imaging studies were prospectively and independently reviewed by a senior and a junior radiologist. The senior radiologist also reevaluated the studies in a blind fashion after a minimum 6 months interval. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of contrast-enhanced and unenhanced MR im- aging were evaluated Results The most predictive MR imaging findings for malignancy were presence of vegetations in a cystic lesinn and presence of necrosis in a solid lesion. The odds ratio was even higher when the ancillary finding of peritoneal metastasis or ascites was present. Contrast media contributed significantly to lesinn characterization. Total 70 ovarian masses were detected by contrast-enhanced MR imaging including 37 malignant ovarian masses and 33 benign ovarian masses with 87% （61/70）accuracy, 86% （32/37）sensitivity, 88% （29/33）specificity, 89% （32/36）positive predictive value, and 85% （29/34） negative predictive value, whereas 70 ovarian masses were detected by unenhanced MR imaging with 74% （52/70） accuracy, 73 % （27/37） sensitivity, 76 % （ 25/33 ） specificity, 77% （27/35） positive predictive value, and 71% （ 25/35 ） negative predictive value. There were significant differences in accuracy （ P 〈 0. 01 ）, sensitivity （ P 〈0. 01 ）, specificity （ P 〈0. 01 ） between contrast-enhanced and unenhanced MR imaging. Conclusion Contrast-enhanced MR imaging is highly accurate in detection and characterization of complex adnexal masses.

Detection of Laminin in Serum and Ascites from Patients with Epithelial Ovarian Tumor

The change in serum laminin (LN) level and its clinical significance in epithelial ovarian tumor were investigated. The LN levels in serum and ascites samples from 69 patients with epithelial ovarian tumor and 42 cases as control group before and after operation were analyzed by radioimmunoassay. The results showed that the serum LN levels in the patients with malignant tumors (157.85 ±14.37 ng/ml) were significantly higher than that in the control group (125.14 ±7.03 ng/ml) and in the patients with benign tumors (128.36±8.75 ng/ml)(both P <0.01) before operation. The serum LN levels in the malignant group were decreased significantly after operation as compared with those before operation ( P <0.05). The serum LN levels in low differentiated tumors was higher than those in moderate differentiated tumors and high differentiated tumors ( P <0.05). The LN levels in ascites (172.94±15.26 ng/ml) was significantly higher than in serum (161.34±6.59 ng/ml)( P <0.05) in malignant tumors. The serum LN levels in the patients with lymph node metastasis (165.41±19.91 ng/ml) was obviously higher than those without lymph node metastasis (152.35±10.34 ng/ml)( P <0.05). It was concluded that LN levels in serum and acistes were remarkably increased in malignant epithelial ovarian tumors, suggesting that LN might be one of important diameters reflecting tumor biological characteristics.

Vorolanib,an oral VEGFR/PDGFR dual tyrosine kinase inhibitor for treatment of patients with advanced solid tumors:An open-label,phaseⅠdose escalation and dose expansion trial

Objective:This study evaluated the safety and preliminary efficacy of vorolanib,a novel tyrosine kinase inhibitor,for treatment of patients with advanced solid tumors.Methods:During dose escalation,patients received increasing doses of oral vorolanib(50-250 mg once daily)in cycles of four weeks for up to one year.During dose expansion,patients received recommended doses(100 and 200 mg)in 4-week cycles.The primary endpoint was to determine the safety and maximum tolerated dose and/or the recommended phase II dose(RP2 D).The severity and type of adverse drug reactions(ADRs)were assessed using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.0.The second endpoint was preliminary efficacy in terms of objective response and progression-free survival(PFS).Results:No dose-limiting toxicity occurred during dose escalation(50-250 mg).Five(26.3%)patients in the escalation cohort(n=19)and 12(48.0%)in the expansion cohort(n=25)experienced grade 3 ADRs.The most common ADRs were hair color changes,fatigue,portal hypertension,hypertriglyceridemia,and proteinuria.During dose expansion,the patients treated with 200 mg and 100 mg(once daily)showed an objective response rate of 22.2%and 5.9%,respectively;the disease control rate was 88.9%and 73.3%,respectively;the median PFS was9.9[95%confidence interval(95%CI):7.4-not reached]months and 3.8(95%CI:1.9-not reached)months,respectively.Conclusions:Oral vorolanib at a dose of 200 mg(once daily)exhibited an acceptable safety profile and favorable clinical benefit for patients with advanced solid tumors.The RP2 D for vorolanib was determined to be 200 mg as a daily regimen.

CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF SMALL OVARIAN TUMOR IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN

Objective： To investigate the clinical symptom, ultrasonographic scan finding, serum CA125 value, histopathological type and treatment of small ovarian tumor （〈5 cm） in postmenopausal women. Methods： Retrospective analysis was carried out for 52 clinical materials of ovarian tumor cases in women more than one year after menopausal between Jan 1997 and Dec 2004. The largest diameter of the ovarian mass is less than 5 cm. Results： There were 11 ovarian cancers and 1 borderline ovarian tumor among 52 small ovarian tumors （23.1%）. 10 ovarian cancers were epithelial neoplasms and 2 were sex cord-stromal tumors, and 8 cases were in late stage according to FIGO staging system （33.3%）. Compared with benign tumor, there is no significant difference in the onset age, interval after menopausal and duration of history. The main clinical feature is abdominal symptoms, such as abdominal pain and distension in the malignant cases. The patients with benign tumors often showed the ovarian mass during the annual screening or admitted into hospital for other causes. The ultrasonography finding and serum CA125 level showed much difference between benign and malignant cases. Unilocular smooth-walled ovarian cysts mostly were found in benign tumor and the CA125 values were always less than 35 U/ml; but the solid or complex sonographic structures （multilocular, or with a papillary projections on the wall） often indicated a high risk of cancer, especially there was ascites in the pelvic cavity. Serum CA125 level in many cancer cases was elevated （〉35 U/ml）, over 300 U/ml in more than half of the patients. Surgery is still the first choice to treat ovarian cancer, and chemotherapy would be an auxiliary method. Till now, 3 ovarian cancer patients died of complications of cancer and 2 cases had recurrence. Conclusion： Small ovarian tumor in postmenopausal women has a comparatively low malignant occurrence but more in later stage. Many are epithelial carcinoma. If there is complex or parenchymal sonographic structure accompanied with a high serum CA125 level, operation should be considered, while it can be followed up when the ultrasound shows a smooth cyst with normal CA125 value.

Selecting the best strategy of treatment in newly diagnosed advanced-stage ovarian cancer patients

Although it is assumed that the combination of chemotherapy and radical surgery should be indicated in all newly diagnosed advanced-stage ovarian cancer patients, one of the main raised questions is how to select the best strategy of initial treatment in this group of patients, neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by interval debulking surgery or primary debulking surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. The selection criteria to offer one strategy over the other as well as a stepwise patient selection for initial treatment are described. Selecting the best strategy of treatment in newly diagnosed advanced stage ovarian cancer patients is a multifactorial and multidisciplinary decision. Several factors should be taken into consideration:(1) the disease factor, related to the extension and localization of the disease as well as tumor biology;(2) the patient factor, associated with patient age, poor performance status, and co-morbidities; and(3) institutional infrastructure factor, related to the lack of prolonged operative time, an appropriate surgical armamentarium, as well as well-equipped intensive care units with well-trained personnel.

Construction of Human ScFv Phage Display Library against Ovarian Tumor

In order to construct a single chain fragment variable （ScFv） phage display library against ovarian tumor, by using RT-PCR, the human heavy chain variable region genes （VH） and light chain variable region genes （VL） were amplified from lymphocytes of ovarian tumor patients and subsequently assembled into ScFv genes by SOE. The resulting ScFv genes were electrotransformed into E. coli TG1 and amplified with the co-infection of helper phage M13KO7 to obtain phage display library. The capacity and titer of the resulting library were detected. The phage antibody library with a capacity of approximately 3 × 10^9 cfu/μg was obtained. After amplification with helper phage, the titer of antibody library reached 5 μ 10^12 cfu/mL. Human ScFv library against ovarian tumor was constructed successfully, which laid a foundation for the screening of ovarian tumor specific ScFv for the radioimmunoimaging diagnosis of ovarian tumor.

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.

Autophagy plays a protective role in advanced glycation end products-induced apoptosis of chondrocytes via regulation of tumor necrosis factor-α,nuclear factor-κ B and reactive oxygen species

Objective: To study the adverse effects of advanced glycation end products(AGEs) on chondrocytes and the role of autophagy in this process. Methods: Chondrocytes were harvested from the human articular cartilage tissues in surgery. AGEs were administered during chondrocytes culture. The rapamycin was used to induce autophagy. The cell viability was determined by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide(MTT) assay.The expression of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and nuclear factor-κ B(NF-κ B) was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The reactive oxygen species(ROS) production and apoptosis of the chondrocytes were determined by fluorescent probe and flow cytometer, respectively. Results: The chondrocytes viability was significantly reduced after 12 h incubation with AGEs(P<0.01)). In contrast, rapamycin pretreatment increased the chondrocytes viability through autophagy. AGEs increased TNF-α and NF-κ B mRNA expression of chondrocytes and autophagy receded or proceeded the change. AGEs increased intracellular ROS accumulation and autophagy reversed the change. AGEs accelerated chondrocytes apoptosis and autophagy suspended apoptosis. Conclusions: Accumulation of AGEs may have an adverse role for chondrocytes by increasing TNF-α and NF-κB expression, ROS accumulation and apoptosis; meanwhile, autophagy ameliorates the AGEsinduced adverse effects.

Taking Care of Her: A Pilot Feasibility Study of a Caregiver Intervention for Women with Advanced Stage Ovarian Cancer

The purpose of this study is to examine the feasibility and short-term impact of a fully manualized, telephone-delivered intervention for spouse caregivers, Taking Care of Her (TCH). A total of 12 study participants from the Pacific NW were enrolled whose wife was diagnosed with Stage III ovarian cancer within 8 months. Feasibility was confirmed by rates of recruitment and retention;the quality of delivery of the intervention by telephone;and through data obtained on program acceptability during follow up exit interviews. Outcomes from the within-group analysis revealed improvements on standardized measures of spouses’ and patients’ depressed mood and anxiety;marital communication about the cancer;caregivers’ skills and confidence to manage the emotional toll of the illness on themselves and wives;and wives’ positive appraisal of spousal support. Study results suggest that the TCH Program has the potential to positively affect both spouse caregiver and patients’ adjustment to recently diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer. Telephone delivery holds promise for sustainability. A future clinical trial with a larger study sample is warranted.

Retrospective research of neoadjuvant therapy on tumordownstaging,post-operative complications,and prognosis in locally advanced rectal cancer

BACKGROUND Neoadjuvant therapy(NAT)is becoming increasingly important in locally advanced rectal cancer.Hence,such research has become a problem.AIM To evaluate the downstaging effect of NAT,its impact on postoperative complications and its prognosis with different medical regimens.METHODS Seventy-seven cases from Shanghai Ruijin Hospital affiliated with Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine were retrospectively collected and divided into the neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy(NRCT)group and the neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NCT)group.The differences between the two groups in tumor regression,postoperative complications,rectal function,disease-free survival,and overall survival were compared using theχ2 test and Kaplan-Meier analysis.RESULTS Baseline data showed no statistical differences between the two groups,whereas the NRCT group had a higher rate of T4(30/55 vs 5/22,P<0.05)than the NCT groups.Twelve cases were evaluated as complete responders,and 15 cases were evaluated as tumor regression grade 0.Except for the reduction rate of T stage(NRCT 37/55 vs NCT 9/22,P<0.05),there was no difference in effectiveness between the two groups.Preoperative radiation was not a risk factor for poor reaction or anastomotic leakage.No significant difference in postoperative complications and disease-free survival between the two groups was observed,although the NRCT group might have better long-term overall survival.CONCLUSION NAT can cause tumor downstaging preoperatively or even complete remission of the primary tumor.Radiochemotherapy could lead to better T downstaging and promising overall survival without more complications.

Value of ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging combined with tumor markers in the diagnosis of ovarian tumors

BACKGROUND Compare the diagnostic performance of ultrasound(US),magnetic resonance imaging(MRI),and serum tumor markers alone or in combination for detecting ovarian tumors.AIM To investigate the diagnostic value of US,MRI combined with tumor markers in ovarian tumors.METHODS The data of 110 patients with ovarian tumors,confirmed by surgery and pathology,were collected in our hospital from February 2018 to May 2023.The dataset included 60 cases of benign tumors and 50 cases of malignant tumors.Prior to surgery,all patients underwent preoperative US and MRI examinations,as well as serum tumor marker tests[carbohydrate antigen 125(CA125),human epididymis protein 4(HE4)].The aim of the study was to compare the diagnostic performance of these three methods individually and in combination for ovarian tumors.RESULTS This study found statistically significant differences in the ultrasonic imaging characteristics between benign and malignant tumors.These differences include echo characteristics,presence or absence of a capsule,blood flow resistance index,clear tumor shape,and blood flow signal display rate(P<0.05).The apparent diffusion coefficient values of the solid and cystic parts in benign tumors were found to be higher compared to malignant tumors(P<0.05).Additionally,the time-intensity curve image features of benign and malignant tumors showed significant statistical differences(P<0.05).The levels of serum CA125 and HE4 in benign tumors were lower than those in malignant tumors(P<0.05).The combined use of US,MRI,and tumor markers in the diagnosis of ovarian tumors demonstrates higher accuracy,sensitivity,and specificity compared to using each method individually(P<0.05).CONCLUSION US,MRI,and tumor markers each have their own advantages and disadvantages when it comes to diagnosing ovarian tumors.However,by combining these three methods,we can significantly enhance the accuracy of ovarian tumor diagnosis,enabling early detection and identification of the tumor’s nature,and providing valuable guidance for clinical treatment.

TREATMENT OF 23 PATIENTS WITH ADVANCED GASTRIC CANCER BY INTRAVENOUSLY TRANSFER OF AUTOLOGOUS TUMOR-INFILTRATING LYMPHOCYTES COMBINED WITH rIL-2

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL)isolated from metastatic lymph nodes in patients with nonoperable advanced gastric cancer were induced to become LAK-like cytotoxic activrty of TIL after in vitro culture with rlL-2.Twenty-three patients with advanced gastric cancer were treated by intravenously transfer of autologous TIL combined with rlL-2. The tumor forus disappeared (complete remission, CR) in 3 patients (13. 0%) and significantly decreased (partial remission, PR) in 5 patients (21. 7%). Fifteen patients did not respond to the treatment. The amount of soluable IL-2 receptor in serum was significantly decreased after treatment, the cytotoxicity of NK cells and OT test were significantly increased. No significant difference in CD4/CD8 was found between before and after treatment. No serious side effect was obseved in the treatment.

Clinical significance of serum vascular endothelial growth factor in advanced malignant tumors

Objective： To elucidate the clinical significance of serum vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） level in pa- tients with advanced cancer. Methods： Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to determine the serum VEGF concentration in 40 patients with advanced cancer [non-small cell rung cancer （NSCLC）, esophageal cancer （EC） and nasopharyngeal carcinoma （NPC）] before and after chemotherapy and 10 healthy volunteers as control group. Results： The serum VEGF concentrations in 40 cases of advanced cancer patients were significantly higher than those of 10 healthy control cases [（477.07 ± 374.10 ） pg/mL vs （139.09 ± 133.41 ） pg/mL; P = 0.016]. The serum VEGF concentrations in patients with NSCLC, EC and NPC were （518.53 _± 378.99） pg/mL, （399.21 ± 393.69） pg/mL and （500.68 ± 348.48） pg/mL, respectively. The differences were all statistically significant as compared with healthy control group （P values were 0.011,0.044 and 0.019, respectively）. The serum VEGF concentrations of the patients in response to chemotherapy was significantly lower than those of the same patients before they undergoing chemotherapy [（400.41 ± 332.84） pg/mL vs （777.10 ± 666.01） pg/mL; P = 0.034]. Conclusion： The serum VEGF level might be a novel and promising tumor marker of advanced malignancies and a predictor of disease progression, prognosis and therapeutic efficacy,

THE MODIFIED RADIOIMMUNOASSAY OF SERUM INHIBIN AND ITS VALUE IN MONITORING OVARIAN TUMOR

Objectives and Methods: A modified radioimmunoassay (RIA) of serum inhibin (INH) was developed and applied to measure serum INH contents in 39 fertile and 16 postmenopausal women. Thirty-three cases of ovarian tumors, including granulosa cell tumors and other kinds of ovarian tumors, were monitored by serum INH RIA. Results: The mean value of serum INH contents in follicular, peri-ovulatory and mid-luteal phases of fertile women were 9.48±7.10 pg/ml (2.04～18.53pg/ml), 19.04±9.73 pg/ml (3.49～33.26 pg/ml) and 131.13±110.81 pg/ml (3.49～ 341.10 pg/ml), respectively. Serum INH concentration was negatively correlated with serum FSH concentration, (rs=?0.483,P<0.01). Serum IHN contents were less than 3.6 pg/ml in normal postmenopausal women. The mean value of serum INH contents in ovarian granulosa cell tumor, thecoma, mucinous cystadenocarcinoma and malignant teratoma cases were significantly higher than that of other ovarian tumors, (P<0.01). Serum INH contents were elevated in ovarian granulosa cell tumor, thecoma, mucinous cystadenocaricinoma and endometrioid carcinoma cases with serum CA-125 values in normal range before operation, but serum INH contents decreased to normal range within one week after operation. And consecutive serum INH RIA could be a valuable tool in monitoring for therapeutic effect. Conclusion: Modified INH RIA was of convenient, time-saving and quantitative characteristics, especially with its high sensitivity (<1 pg/ml). There was a regular change of serum INH concentrations during menstrual cycle. INH could inhibit the synthesis and secretion of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). INH would become a valuable marker for ovarian tumor. INH RIA combined with the measurement of serum CA-125 would be helpful to the early diagnosis, treatment and follow-up for ovarian cancer.

MUTATIONAL SCREEN AT THE OEYTS-JEGHERS (LKB1) LOCUS IN SPORDIC COLON AND OVARIAN TUMORS

Objective: To screen LKB1 mutation in sporadic colon and ovarian tumors. Methods: Using PCR-SSCP analysis, 72 colon cancer, 45 ovarian cancer, 14 granulosa cell tumor were screened for LKB1 mutation. Results: no mutation was in sporadic colon and ovarian adenocarcinomas. Two mutations were detected in one of the granulosa cell tumors: a mis-sense mutation affecting the putative start codon (ATG→ACG, MIT); and a silent change in erxon 7 (CTT→CTA, leucine). Conclusion: LKB1 mutations in sporadic colon and ovarian cancers are rare event and LKB1 is not the target gene lost on chromosome 19p13.3 in ovarian cancers.