Stratified Cox Regression Analysis of Survival under CIMAvax^(■)EGF Vaccine

Background: The Center of Molecular Immunology (CIM) is a center in Cuba devoted to the research, development and manufacturing of biotechnological products. CIMAvax?EGF is a vaccine for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer patients (NSCL). Purpose: The aim of this work is to evaluate the effects of some potential prognostic factors on the overall survival of patients treated with CIMAvax?EGF vaccine, based on data collected in a phase II and a phase III clinical trials. Methods: The stratified Cox regression model is used to evaluate the effects of these prognostic factors, based on separate analysis for each trial, and on the combined data from both trials. Results: Patients with Performance status 0 or 1, with IV stage of tumor and male under 60 years obtain more benefit in terms of overall survival if they receive CIMAvax?EGF. Conclusions: Vaccinated group has a better performance if patients have a performance status 0 or 1, stage IV and age under 60 years. These prognostic factors influence overall survival in a positive way for those patients that received CIMAvax?EGF.

CIMAvax^(█)EGF vaccine therapy for non-small cell lung cancer:A weighted log-rank tests-based evaluation

Time-to-event has become one of the primary endpoints of many clinical trials. Comparing treatments and therapies using time-to-event (or “survival”) data requires some care, since survival differences may occur either early or late in the follow-up period, depending on various factors such as the initial potency or the duration of efficacy of the drugs. In this work, we investigate the effect of the CIMAvax?EGF vaccine therapy on the survival of patients with non-small cell lung cancer, using stratified and unstratified weighted log-rank tests. Weighted log-rank tests are designed to identify early and late survival differences between treatments. Using these tests, we conclude that the vaccine is more efficient than the standard therapy among patients less than 60 years of age.

Identification of galectin-3 as a novel potential prognostic/predictive biomarker and therapeutic target for cerebral cavernous malformation disease

cerebrovascular disease of genetic origin characterized by abnormally dilated capillaries and a wide spectrum of symptoms,including headaches,seizures,neurological deficits,and intracerebral hemorrhage.Its unpredictable clinical course and the current lack of therapies make the identification of prognostic and predictive biomarkers an imperative research challenge.1 Herein,we provide evidence that galectin-3(Gal-3),a major tissue and circulating biomarker of oxidative stress and inflammation,is significantly up-regulated both in CCM patients and experimentalmodels.Specifically,wholetranscriptome sequencing,qRT-PCR,and Western blotting studies demonstrated a significant up-regulation of Gal-3 expression levels both in surgical CCM specimens and in blood samples of CCM patients.

Association between fresh fruit consumption and the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-related hospitalization and death in Chinese adults:A prospective cohort study

Background:Existing evidence suggests that fruit consumption is a significant influencing factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD),but this is unclear in the Chinese population.We examined the association of fresh fruit consumption with the risk of COPD-related hospitalization and death in a nationwide,population-based prospective cohort from China.Methods:Between 2004 and 2008,the China Kadoorie Biobank recruited>0.5 million adults aged 30 to 79 years from ten diverse regions across China.After excluding individuals diagnosed with major chronic diseases and prevalent COPD,the prospective analysis included 421,428 participants.Cox regression was used to calculate the hazard ratios(HRs)for the association between fresh fruit consumption and risk of COPD-related hospitalization and death,with adjustment for established and potential confounders.Results:During a mean follow-up of 10.9 years,11,292 COPD hospitalization events and deaths were documented,with an overall incidence rate of 2.47/1000 person-years.Participants who consumed fresh fruit daily had a 22%lower risk of COPD-related hospitalization and death compared with non-consumers(HR=0.78,95%confidence interval[CI]:0.71-0.87).The inverse association between fresh fruit consumption and COPD-related hospitalization and death was stronger among non-current smokers and participants with normal body mass index(BMI)(18.5 kg/m^(2)≤BMI<24.0 kg/m^(2));the corresponding HRs for daily fresh fruit consumption were 0.78(95%CI:0.68-0.89)and 0.69(95%CI:0.59-0.79)compared with their counterparts,respectively.Conclusions:High-frequency fruit consumption was associated with a lower risk of COPD in Chinese adults.Increasing fruit consumption,together with cigarette cessation and weight control,should be considered in the prevention and management of COPD.

Associations of muscle mass,strength,and quality with all-cause mortality in China:a population-based cohort study

Background It remains unclear about the association of muscle mass,strength,and quality with death in the general Chinese population of diverse economical and geographical backgrounds.The present study aimed to comprehensively examine such associations across different regions in China.Methods Based on the China Kadoorie Biobank study,the present study included 23,290 participants who were aged 38 to 88 years and had no prevalent cardiovascular diseases or cancer.Muscle mass and grip strength were measured using calibrated instruments.Arm muscle quality was defined as the ratio of grip strength to arm muscle mass.Low muscle mass,grip strength,and arm muscle quality were defined as the sex-specific lowest quintiles of muscle mass index,grip strength,and arm muscle quality,respectively.Cox proportional hazards models yielded hazard ratios(HRs)and 95%confidence intervals(CIs)for risks of all-cause mortality in relation to muscle mass,strength,and quality.Results During a median follow-up of 3.98 years,739 participants died.The HR(95%CI)of all-cause mortality risk was 1.28(1.08–1.51)for low appendicular muscle mass index,1.38(1.16–1.62)for low total muscle mass index,1.68(1.41–2.00)for low grip strength,and 1.41(1.20–1.66)for low arm muscle quality in models adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics,lifestyle factors,and medical histories.Conclusion Low muscle mass,grip strength,and arm muscle quality are all associated with short-term increased risks of mortality,indicating the importance of maintaining normal muscle mass,strength,and quality for general Chinese adults.