Investigation on quality of life of hospitalized patients in China with digestive system malignancy

Background:The purpose of this study is to evaluate the quality of life(QoL)of hospitalized patients in China suffering from digestive system malignancies and to identify potential risk factors for a decrease in QoL.Methods:The European Organization for Research and Treatment Core Quality of Life questionnaire(EORTC QLQ-C30)was applied to evaluate the QoL of 23,519 patients with six digestive malignancies(esophageal cancer,gastric cancer,colorectal cancer,liver cancer,biliary tract cancer,and pancreatic cancer).A t test or analysis of variance was employed to analyze the total EORTC QLQ-C30 scale scores and domain scores of the EORTC QLQ-C30 scale among patients in different subgroups.Results:The average QoL score was 50.4±10.8.The tumor type,age,sex,and TNM stage all had an impact on QoL ratings.Colorectal cancer patients had a better total QoL score(49.3±10.3)and scores in the domains of functioning,withmilder symptoms,except for diarrhea.Patients with biliary tract cancer(54.2±12.3)and pancreatic cancer(54.2±12.3)reported a poorer QoL,significant functional impairment,and more pronounced symptoms.Patients with esophageal cancer experienced the most severe financial difficulties(35.2±27.5).Patients aged≥65 years,women,and those with TNM stage III/IV reported lower QoL.In addition,the disparities in total QoL scores and scores in specific domains were significant among patients with some types of tumors,and based on ethnicity,educational level,occupation,treatment(s)received,and place of residence.Conclusions:There is a need to focus on elderly individuals,those with low educational levels,and patients with progressivemalignant tumors and to improve routine disease monitoring and symptom management to enhance the quality of life for patients with malignancies of the digestive system.

Quality of life,self-care knowledge access,and selfcare needs in patients with colon stomas one month post-surgery in a Chinese Tumor Hospital

Objective:This descriptive cross-sectional study investigated the quality of life(QoL),selfcare knowledge access,and self-care needs of colorectal cancer patients after colostomy.Methods:A total of 142 colorectal cancer patients in the Tumor Hospital of Yunnan Province were invited to this survey one month post-colostomy.QoL of the participants was assessed using the Chinese version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument(WHOQOL-BREF).A self-prepared questionnaire was also administered to explore the sources of self-care knowledge and self-care needs of this population.Results:Response mean scores of the four domains of WHOQOL-BREF,namely,physical health,psychological health,social relations,and environmental health were 53.49,57.95,65.78 and 50.75,respectively.No significant differences were found in the gender,age,education level,and occupation type in QoL scale among the groups using the u test and ANOVA(p>0.05).However,female colostomates scored higher grades in the physical area of QoL than male patients;the participants who willingly attended the self-care courses obtained higher scores in social area than those who were not willing.Conclusion:The QoL of this population was not favorable.Self-care program can be developed in accordance with the needs and educational background of the colostomates.

Sorafenib after resection improves the outcome of BCLC stage C hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM: To evaluate whether sorafenib use after resection impacts tumor relapse and survival in Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer(BCLC) stage C hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).METHODS: This retrospective study enrolled 36 male BCLC stage C HCC patients with portal vein thrombus and Child-Pugh class A liver function. Twentyfour patients received only surgical resection(SR), and 12 patients received oral sorafenib within 30 d after surgery. The primary outcomes were time to progression(TTP)(the time from surgical resection until HCC recurrence or extrahepatic metastases) and overall survival(OS). The secondary outcome was the rate of postoperative recurrence or metastasis. TTP and OS were analyzed using Kaplan Meier curves.RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two groups in the serum levels of alpha-fetoprotein, copies of hepatitis B virus-DNA, preoperative laboratory results, degree of hepatic fibrosis, types of portal vein tumor thrombus, number of satellite lesions, tumor diameter, pathological results, volume of blood loss, volume of blood transfusion, or surgery time(all P > 0.05). Patients in the SR + sorafenib group had a significantly longer TTP(29 mo vs 22 mo, P = 0.041) and a significantly longer medianOS(37 mo vs 30 mo, P = 0.01) compared to patients in the SR group. The SR group had 18 cases(75%) of recurrence/metastasis while the SR + sorafenib group had six cases(50%) of recurrence/metastasis. A total of 19 patients died after surgery(five in the SR + sorafenib group and 14 in the SR group). The most common sorafenib-related adverse events were skin reactions, diarrhea, and hypertension, all of which were resolved with treatment.CONCLUSION: Sorafenib after SR was well-tolerated. Patients who received sorafenib after SR had better outcomes compared to patients who received only SR.

Effect of mesenchymal stem cells transplantation combining with hyperbaric oxygen therapy on rehabilitation of rat spinal cord injury

Objective:To investigate the effect of BMSCs transplantation plus hyperbaric oxygen(HBO)on repair of rat SCI.Methods:Seventy five male rats were divided randomly into five groups:sham,vehicle.BMSCs transplantation group,combination group,15 rats in each group.Every week after the SCI onset,all animals were evaluated for behavior outcome by Basso-BeattleBresnahan(BBB) score and inclined plane test.Axon recovery was examined with focal spinal cord tissue by electron microscope at 6 weeks after the SCI onset.HE staining and BrdU staining were performed to examine the BMSCs and lesion post injury.Somatosensory evoked potential(SEP) testing was performed to detect the recovery of neural conduction.Results from the behavior tests from combination group were significant higher than rats which received only transplantation or HBO treatment.Results from histopathology showed favorable recovery from combination group than other treatment groups.The number of BrdU+ in combination group were measureable more than transplantation group(P<0.05).The greatest decrease in TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6.IFN-α determined by Elisa assay in combination group were evident too.Conclusions:BMSCs transplantation can promote the functional recovery of rat hind limbs after SCI,and its combination with HBO has a synergistic effect.

Relationship between Occurrence and Progression of Lung Cancer and Nocturnal Intermittent Hypoxia, Apnea and Daytime Sleepiness

The possible relationship between lung cancer and nocturnal intermittent hypoxia,apnea and daytime sleepiness,especially the possible relationship between the occurrence and progression of lung cancer and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) was explored.Forty-five cases of primary lung cancer suitable for surgical resection at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University between January 2017 and December 2017 were recruited (lung cancer group),and there were 45 patients in the control group who had no significant differences in age,sex and other general data from lung cancer group.The analyzed covariates included general situation,snore score,the Epworth Sleeping Scale (ESS),Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI),apnea and hypopneas index (AHI),oxygen desaturation index 4 (ODk),lowest arterial oxygen saturation [LSpCh (%)],oxygen below 90% of the time [T90%(min)],the percentage of the total recorded time spend below 90% oxygen saturation (TS90%),to explore the possible relationship between lung cancer and above indicators.The participants were followed up for one year.The results showed that:(1) There was significant difference in body mass index (BMI),ESS,AHI,T90%(min),TS90%,ODh,snore score and LSpCh (%) between lung cancer group and control group (P<0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in age,gender,PSQI score,incidence of concurrent hypertension,diabetes and coronary heart disease (CHD),and smoking history between the two groups (P>0.05);(2) Patients in the lung cancer group were divided into OSAS subgroup and non- OSAS subgroup according to the international standard for the diagnosis of OSAS.There was significant difference in BMI,age,staging,incidence of concurrent hypertension and concurrent CHD,snore score,ESS score,T90%(min),TS90%,ODh and LSpCh (%) between OSAS subgroup and non-OSAS subgroup (P<0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in gender,PSQI score,incidence of concurrent diabetes,smoking history and lung cancer type between the two groups (P>0.05);(3) AHI was strongly negatively correlated with the LSpCh (%) and positively with ESS,staging,snoring score,T90%(min),TS90%,ODh and BMI (P<0.05);(4) There were 3 deaths,5 cases of recurrence,and 4 cases of metastasis in OSAS subgroup;and there was 1 death,4 cases of recurrence and 2 cases of metastasis in non-OSAS subgroup during the follow-up period of one year,respectively.There was no significant difference in mortality,recurrence rate and metastasis rate between the two subgroups,and the total rate of deterioration in OSAS subgroup was significantly increased compared to the non-OSAS subgroup (P<0.05).It was concluded that the patients with lung cancer are prone to nocturnal hypoxemia,apnea,snoring and daytime sleepiness compared to control group.The incidence of OSAS in patients with lung cancer was higher,and the difference in the hypoxemia-related indicators was statistically significant.The mortality,recurrence rate,and metastasis rate increases in lung cancer patients with OSAS during the one-year follow-up period,suggesting that OSAS may be a contributing factor to the occurrence and progression of lung cancer.

Progress in treatment of peripheral T-cell lymphoma with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

The general chemotherapy for Peripheral T-cell lymphoma(PTCL) featuring an active invasion has less curative effect and worse prognosis in comparison with that for B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma(NHL).Studies in recent years suggest that hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(HSCT) has better curative effect on the PTCL;however,it is significant to do more studies on some aspects such as the methodology,punctuality,preconditioning,and pretreatment intensity of the transplantation,which are crucial to the curative effect.

Expression of PEPT2 mRNA in the lung of rat with bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis

Objective：Pulmonary fibrosis is a common pathological phenomena in lung cancer patients after chemotherapy or radiotherapy, which is a key factor hindering to transport ion of high concentrated drug to the lung tissue, peptide trans-porter has become targets of the rational design of peptides and peptide drug. The purpose of the study is to investigate the expression of PEPT2 mRNA in the lung of rats with bleomycin （BLM）-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Methods：Fifty healthy adult Spragne-Dawley rats were randomized into five groups, the rats in BLM 7d, 14d and 28d groups were treated with a single instil ation of 5 mg/kg of BLM, to induced pulmonary fibrosis models. On days 7, 14 and 28, the animals were kil ed by exsan-guination respectively. Normal saline （NS） group were treated by NS, on days 14, the animals were kil ed by exsanguinations. Control group were untreated. The lung samples were processed for light microscopy and determined the hydroxyproline （HYP） concentration. The expression of PEPT2 mRNA were measured by RT-PCR. PEPT2 cDNA fragments were tested by dideoxy chain termination. Results：Compared with control and NS group, HYP levels increased on day 7 of BLM group, but there was no statistical significant dif erence （P〉0.05）. HYP levels markedly increased on days 14 and 28 of BLM group, there was statistical significant dif erence （P〈0.01）. The morphological study showed that col agenous fiber proliferated on days 14 and 28 of BLM group, especial y on day 28, formed pulmonary fibrosis. There were no significant changes of pulmo-nary PEPT2 mRNA expression at dif erent groups （P〉0.05）. Conclusion：The pulmonary fibrosis models of SD rats can be induced by a single instil ation of 5 mg/kg of bleomycin on 28d. There were no significant changes of PEPT2 mRNA expression in the lung of rats with bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis.

Validation and evaluation of clinical prediction systems for first and repeated transarterial chemoembolization in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: A Chinese multicenter retrospective study

BACKGROUND The treatment outcome of transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)varies greatly due to the clinical heterogeneity of the patients.Therefore,several prognostic systems have been proposed for risk stratification and candidate identification for first TACE and repeated TACE(re-TACE).AIM To investigate the correlations between prognostic systems and radiological response,compare the predictive abilities,and integrate them in sequence for outcome prediction.METHODS This nationwide multicenter retrospective cohort consisted of 1107 unresectable HCC patients in 15 Chinese tertiary hospitals from January 2010 to May 2016.The Hepatoma Arterial-embolization Prognostic(HAP)score system and its modified versions(mHAP,mHAP2 and mHAP3),as well as the six-and-twelve criteria were compared in terms of their correlations with radiological response and overall survival(OS)prediction for first TACE.The same analyses were conducted in 912 patients receiving re-TACE to evaluate the ART(assessment for re-treatment with TACE)and ABCR(alpha-fetoprotein,Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer,Child-Pugh and Response)systems for post re-TACE survival(PRTS).RESULTS All the prognostic systems were correlated with radiological response achieved by first TACE,and the six-and-twelve criteria exhibited the highest correlation(Spearman R=0.39,P=0.026)and consistency(Kappa=0.14,P=0.019),with optimal performance by area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.71[95%confidence interval(CI):0.68-0.74].With regard to the prediction of OS,the mHAP3 system identified patients with a favorable outcome with the highest concordance(C)-index of 0.60(95%CI:0.57-0.62)and the best area under the receiver operating characteristic curve at any time point during follow-up;whereas,PRTS was well-predicted by the ABCR system with a C-index of 0.61(95%CI:0.59-0.63),rather than ART.Finally,combining the mHAP3 and ABCR systems identified candidates suitable for TACE with an improved median PRTS of 36.6 mo,compared with non-candidates with a median PRTS of 20.0 mo(logrank test P<0.001).CONCLUSION Radiological response to TACE is closely associated with tumor burden,but superior prognostic prediction could be achieved with the combination of mHAP3 and ABCR in patients with unresectable liver-confined HCC.

A rare complication after radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of colorectal liver metastasis: A case report

Radiofrequency ablation(RFA)is one of the safe and effective treatments of colorectal cancer with liver metastasis,which has the advantages of minimally invasive,fewer complications,short hospitalization time and repeatable operation.A special case with advanced transverse colon carcinoma was treated by RFA in our center.All the procedures were performed,which were recommended by the guideline.An intestinal perforation occurred on the second day after the RFA,then surgeon performed emergency surgery,unfortunately,anastomotic leakage occurred on the 21st day after the operation,yet after conservative medical treatment,the patient achieved remission of symptoms and discharged from the hospital.Rare complications occurred after RFA in the treatment of colorectal cancer with liver metastasis are unpredictable,which could affect the efficacy of RFA and performance status of patients.Further investigation of the mechanism of these complications is warranted urgently,which might offer more effective methods against these rare complications.

Validity of the Chinese Version of the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) in Lung Cancer Patients

The prevalence of malnutrition is high among oncology patients in China. Although the Patient- Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) is widely recognized as an important nutritional assessment tool, it has not been validated for Chinese cancer patients. The purpose of this study was to conduct an analysis of nutrition screening and assessment data to validate the Chinese version of the PG-SGA in Chinese patients with lung cancer. This was an observational, cross-sectional study of 2,000 consecutive adult patients with lung cancer treated at several tertiary hospitals in China. Anthropometric and patient descriptive data were collected. The PG-SGA generated a score for the nutritional risk and a global rating for the nutritional status. The internal consistency, external consistency, and construct validity were evaluated, and a known-groups comparison and principal component analyses were conducted to evaluate the reliability and validity of the PG-SGA. The known-groups comparison demonstrated the ability of the PG-SGA to differentiate lung cancer patients of different nutritional and body mass index (BMI) groups. A confirmatory factor analysis supported the original four-factor structure of the PG-SGA. In terms of the internal and external consistency, the PG-SGA demonstrated intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) up to 0.987. Alternative form validity was also demonstrated between Box 4 of the PG-SGA and the Karnofsky Performance Status score, with excellent external consistency (r = 0.972, P < 0.001). The construct validity was supported, and selected questionnaire dimensions were evident in the principal component analysis. Significant Spearman correlations (P < 0.001) were demonstrated. The Chinese version of the PG-SGA demonstrated significant reliability and sufficient exploratory properties to support its validity. It seems to be a valid tool that can be used to access the nutritional status of Chinese lung cancer patients. The validity of the PG-SGA in Chinese cancer patients warrants further investigation in other cancer types.

Validity of the Chinese Version of the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) in Gastric Cancer Patients

Purpose Malnutrition is severe among gastric cancer patients in China. While the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) is a widely used nutritional assessment tool, the validation for Chinese patients with gastric cancer has not been performed yet. The aim of this research is to validate the Chinese version of the PGSGA in Chinese gastric cancer patients by conducting analyses of nutrition screening and assessment data. Methods Two thousand consecutive adult patients with gastric cancer were included in this observational, cross-sectional study in several tertiary hospitals in China. A survey was made among those patients, which included several questionnaires and some anthropometric parameters. We calculated the parameters to validate the use of PG-SGA categorizing the nutritional status of gastric cancer patients. Then we performed statistical analysis to evaluate the internal consistency, external consistency, and construct validity. Results This study verified the ability of the PG-SGA to differentiate gastric cancer patients into different nutritional groups. The confirmatory factor analysis verified the original four-factor structure of the PG-SGA. The internal and external consistency was measured by a concordance analysis which showed an intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) of 0.987. The correlations of the Box 4 score with the Karnofsky performance status score demonstrated alternative form validity with good external consistency (Pearson, r = 0.643, P < 0.001). All three anthropometric dimensions of the PG-SGA were supported by principal component analysis. Spearman correlations (P < 0.001) were significant in the majority of tests. Conclusion The Chinese version of the PG-SGA is a valid tool to access the patients’ nutritional status for Chinese gastric patients.

Malnutrition and Quality of Life in Chinese Cancer Patients: a Clinical Study of 23,994 Subjects

Background Malnutrition is common in patients with cancer,and can negatively impact their quality of life(QoL)and even survival.However,there is currently no large data available on the prevalence of malnutrition in Chinese cancer patients.This study evaluated the prevalence of malnutrition and the QoL of Chinese patients with locoregional,recurrent or metastatic cancer.Methods We conducted a nationwide observational,multi-center,hospital-based cross-sectional study within the Chinese Society of Nutritional Oncology(CSNO)Network.All of the patients were diagnosed with one of the following 18 different types of malignant tumors:lung cancer,gastric cancer,liver cancer,colorectal cancer,breast cancer,esophageal cancer,cervical cancer,endometrial cancer,nasopharyngeal carcinoma,malignant lymphoma,leukemia,pancreatic cancer,ovarian cancer,prostate cancer,bladder cancer,brain cancer,biliary tract malignant tumors or gastrointestinal stromal tumors.These patients were enrolled from 72 hospitals located in different regions of China.The patients’nutritional status was evaluated based on the body mass index(BMI),loss of bodyweight,laboratory measurements and patient generated-subjective global assessment(PG-SGA)scores.The cancer patients’physical status and QoL were assessed by the Karnofsky Performance Status(KPS)questionnaire and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer(EORTC)QLQ-C30 questionnaire,respectively.Results From December 2013 to April 2016,23,994 patients hospitalized for cancer treatment(such as surgery,chemotherapy or radiotherapy)were enrolled in the study.The patients included 12,494(52.9%)males and 11,124(47.1%)females.The mean age was 55.8±13.7 years.The proportions of patients in cancer stagesⅠ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ,Ⅳand uncertain were 11.5%,20.3%,27.5%,30.2%and 10.5%,respectively.Among the 23,994 inpatients,the proportions of patients who were underweight(BMI<18.5 kg/m2),normal(18.5 kg/m2<BMI<24 kg/m2),overweight(24 kg/m2≤BMI<28 kg/m2)and obese(BMI≥28 kg/m2)were 9.3%,59.9%,26.1%and 4.7%,respectively.A total of 18.3%(4,101/22,424)of patients had lost 5%or more of their bodyweight within the past month and 19.6%(2,463/12,538)of patients had lost 10%or more of their bodyweight within the past 6 months.According to the PG-SGA scores,26.6%of the patients were severely malnourished(score≥9),31.3%were moderately malnourished(scores 4~8).A total of 22.2%of patients had a serum albumin level lower than 35g/L.Only 8.6%(2056/23,991)of the patients had severe KPS scores(≤60).The patients with these severe KPS scores were most frequently among those with cancers of the brain(19.7%),prostate(18.0%),pancreas(15.5%)and bladder(15.0%).Based on the QLQ-C30 score,11.6%of patients had a poor QoL.The PG-SGA score and global QoL were correlated(r=-0.593,P<0.001).Conclusion The prevalence of malnutrition in patients with cancer is relatively high,and is related to a poorer QoL.The present findings should be kept in mind when assessing cancer patients,because addressing the patient’s problems in nutritional status would be expected to improve both the clinical outcomes and QoL in cancer patients with malnutrition.

Extension Protocol for the Investigation on Nutrition Status and Clinical Outcome of Patients with Common Cancers in China(INSCOC)Study:2021 update

Background Malnutrition is common in patients with cancer,and this adversely affects the survival and quality of life of patients.Chinese Society for Nutritional Oncology issued a multi-center,large-scale,long-term follow-up prospective study,the Investigation on Nutrition Status and Clinical Outcome of Patients with Common Cancers in China(INSCOC study)since 2013.This is an extension to the previous 2013-2020 study protocol.This study still sought to:①address the prognostic impact of nutritional factors and quality of life on cancer patient survival;②describe the overall and cancer-specific incidence and/or distribution of malnutrition and different measurements of patient quality of life.Methods and study design This is an observational,multi-centered,hospital-based prospective cohort study.Data collection will be performed at baseline(within 48 hours after patient admission),during the hospital stay and 30 days after hospital admission.Follow-up will be conducted for 1-20 years after enrollment.The primary outcome will be the all-cause mortality/overall survival,and secondary outcomes will be the length of hospital stay and costs of hospitalization.Study factors will include demographic characteristics,tumor characteristics,information about chronic diseases,hematological measurements(e.g.,red blood cell count,total lymphocyte counts,hemoglobin,albumin,prealbumin,creatinine,C-reactive protein,IL-6),anthropometric measurements(e.g.,height,weight,arm circumference,arm muscle circumference,triceps skinfold thickness,and waist circumference),body composition parameters,PG-SGA scores,quality of life(as indicated by the QLQ-C30 questionnaire),muscle mass(as indicated by the calf circumference),muscle strength(as indicated by the handgrip strength),muscle function(as indicated by the six-meter walking speed test)and physical status assessments(as indicated by the Karnofsky Performance Status scores).This clinical study protocol was approved by local Ethics Committees of all the participating hospitals.Written informed consent is required for each subject included.Discussion This multi-center,large-scale,long-term follow up prospective study will help improve the diagnosis of malnutrition in cancer patients and identify the risk factors associated with adverse clinical outcomes.The anticipated results of this study will highlight the need for a truly scientific appraisal of nutrition therapy in Chinese oncology populations,and finally help treat the potentially reversible elements of malnutrition in cancer patients to improve their clinical outcomes in the future.

Nutritional Assessment of Gynecological Cancer Patients in China

Background Malnutrition is common among cancer patients,but few studies have evaluated the nutritional status among gynecological cancer patients in China.This study aimed to assess the nutritional status of women with gynecological cancer using the patient-generated subjective global assessment(PG-SGA).Methods Data for gynecological cancer patients treated at 44 tertiary hospitals were retrieved from a multicenter study on tumor nutrition.The R Software was used for statistical analyses.Univariate analyses of PG-SGA scores were performed using the Chi-squared test for categorical variables and the Wilcoxon-rank sum test or Kruskal-Wallis test for continuous variables,as appropriate.The significance level was 0.05.Results Data for 1962 women with three types of gynecological cancer(cervical,uterine and ovarian cancer)were used for the data analysis.The median PG-SGA score was 4(interquartile range,IQR:1,8),the median participants’age was 51(IQR:46,59)years old,and the patients had a median BMI of 22.9(IQR:20.7,25.4).The percentages of women who had a medical co-morbidity,or had undergone any radical resection,chemotherapy,or radiotherapy were approximately 27.7%,55.4%,52.5%,and 30.2%,respectively.The levels of serum albumin and high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)were 40.1g/L(IQR:36.8,43.1)and 1.2mmol/L(IQR:1.0,1.5),respectively.The identified risk factors for malnutrition based on the PG-SGA score were age(0.05±0.01,p=0.002),BMI(-0.34±0.04,p<0.001),having a medical co-morbidity(0.95±0.33,p=0.004),receiving radiotherapy(1.52±0.31,p<0.001),the serum albumin level(-0.18±0.03,p<0.001),and the HDL-C(-1.12±0.35,p=0.001)as indicated by a linear regression analysis.Conclusions A higher PG-SGA score is positively associated with the age of the patient,having a medical co-morbidity,and receiving radiotherapy,and is negatively related to the patients’BMI and serum albumin and HDL-C levels.

Sex differences in the scored Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment in 19,528 cancer patients

Background:The scored Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment(PG-SGA)has been widely used to assess the nutritional status of cancer patients.The purpose of this study is to compare the differences in PG-SGA scores and the 7 domain scores of the PG-SGA in male and female cancer patients.Methods:This study was conducted at 72 hospitals from July 2013 to December 2018,a part of the Investigation on Nutritional Status and its Clinical Outcomes of Common Cancers.The PG-SGA was recorded to evaluate the nutritional status of patients.A total of 19,528 patients with 13 common malignancies were included in this study.Student t test and the χ^(2) test were applied to analyze the sex diferences in the 7 domain scores.The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)database was used to analyze the expression levels of symptom-related genes.Results:There were significant sex dfferences in the PG-SGA(P=0.032),notably in patients with gastric cancer(male vs female:9.09±4.86 vs 9.58±5.07,P=0.005)and esophageal cancer(9.64±4.90 vs 10.46±4.96,P=0.011)and the average total PG-SGA of female patients was slightly higher than that of male patients(7.64±4.98 vs 7.77±5.14).The differences were mainly related to the weight,eating,symptom,as well as activity and physical function scores in the stratified analysis.Possible causes of the sex differences were the rates of nausea,vomiting,dry mouth,and other symptoms,in both gastric and esophageal cancer patients.Analysis of the TCGA database suggested that most of the related genes were sex neutral,except for genes related to dysphagia in gastric cancer(VEGFC was higher in female patients,VEGFA and VEGFB higher in male patients).Conclusions:There are sex differences in the PG-SGA scores in patients with various tumor types(female patients generally had higher scores than male patients),with differences mainly in the weight,eating,symptom,as well as activity and physical function scores.The sex differences in PG-SGA scores might be due to the differences in the clinical manifestations of the disease,and further studies should be carried out to investigate other factors influencing the PG-SGA scores in cancer patients.This study provides basic data supporting the individualized nutritional treatment of cancer patients in clinical practice.

Randomized,multicenter,open-label trial of autologous cytokine-induced killer cell immunotherapy plus chemotherapy for squamous non-small-cell lung cancer:NCT01631357

Dear Editor,Cytokine-induced killer(CIK)cells have been recognized as a new type of anti-tumor effector cells.CIK cells are a mixture of T lymphocytes.Among them,CD3+/CD56+T cells,which are rare in uncultured peripheral blood,are the main effector cells.CIK cells can proliferate rapidly in vitro,with stronger antitumor activity,broader target tumor spectrum,and lower adverse effect than other reported antitumor effector cells.1 Their ease of production in vitro and antitumor potential have made them suitable candidates for cell therapy regimens in solid and hematopoietic tumor treatments.1,2 Our previous retrospective study showed that the median progression-free survival(PFS)and overall survival(OS)in untreated,advanced non-small-cell lung cancer(NSCLC)patients who received CIK cell immunotherapy plus chemotherapy(13 and 24 months,respectively)were significantly longer than in those who received chemotherapy alone(6 and 10 months,respectively).2 But so far,there is no prospective,multicenter clinical study in lung cancer.Based on our previous study,we designed this randomized,multicenter,open-label trial to further evaluate the clinical efficacy of CIK cell immunotherapy plus chemotherapy in patients with advanced squamous NSCLC(ClinicalTrials.gov number,NCT01631357).