Objective To evaluate long-term efficacy of microwave hyperthermia combined with chemoradiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) with cervical lymph node metastasis. Methods A total of 154 patients with stage N2 or N3 NPC ('92 staging system) were randomized into two groups:microwave hyperthermia combined with chemoradiotherapy (Group A, 76 cases) and chemoradiotherapy alone (Group B, 78 cases). Both of the two groups received 1 -2 cycles of chemotherapy of cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil, followed by conventional radiotherapy of 70 - 78 Gy in 35 - 39 fraction to the nasopharynx and 68 -72 Gy in 34 - 36 fractions to the neck. Group A received microwave hyperthermia to the metastatic cervical nodes at the beginning of radiotherapy. The hyperthermia was given as 45 min every time, twice a week for 8 - 14 times totally. Results The 5-year complete response rates of cervical lymph nodes in group A and B were 97% and 77% (x2 = 14. 24,P<0. 01). The distant metastasis rates in the two groups were 37% and 44% (x2 = 0. 73, P > 0. 05). The disease-free survival rates were 51% and 21% (x2 = 15.91, P <0. 01). The 5-year overall survival rates were 59% and 41%, respectively (x2 = 5.09, P < 0. 05).Conclusions For patients with stage N2 or N3 NPC, microwave hyperthermia combined with chemoradiotherapy can improve the complete response, disease-free survival and overall survival.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Akt3 gene knockout on neuropathic pain behaviors induced by chronic constriction injury of sciatic nerve (CCI).MethodsExperiment was divided into two groups:Akt3 knockout group (Akt3-/-,n =12),wild type group (WT,n =12 ).Randomly numbered,the right sciatic nerve of mice were received the operation of chronic constriction injury.Paw withdrawal mechanical threshold (PWMT)and paw withdrawal thermal latency (PWTL) were tested on day 1 before operation and day 1,3,5,7,10,14,17,21 afterCCI.ResultsThe basic values of PWMT(right:(1.09±0.20)g,(1.17±0.22)g;left:(1.17±0.15)g,(1.22±0.23)g,P＞0.05) andPWTL(right:(6.18±1.11)s,(6.20±1.25)s;left:(5.82±0.91)s,(5.92± 1.71 ) s,P ＞ 0.05 ) had no statistically significant differences between two groups.On day 1 after operation,compared with basic values,the PWMT and PWTL of the right paw in both Akt3-/- group and WT group decreased significantly (P ＜ 0.05 ),and at least lasted up to day 21.The PWMT( 3d:(0.42 ± 0.22 ) g,(0.72 ± 0.36) g ; 17d:(0.29 ±0.15)g,(0.49 ±0.19) g;21d:(0.27 ±0.18)g,(0.56 ±0.15)g,P＜0.05) and PWTL(5d:(2.43 ±0.68)s,(3.13±0.52)s;17d:(2.43±1.26)s,(3.84±1.29)s ;21d:(2.14±1.23)s,(4.07±1.26)s,P＜0.05 ) of the right paw in Akt3-/- group was significantly lower than those in WT group.The PWMT and PWTL of the left paw in Akt3-/- group and WT group had no obvious differences (P ＞ 0.05 ). However.compared to left paw,the PWMT and PWTL of the right paw of the two groups were obviously lower (P ＜ 0.05 ).ConclusionThe neuropathic pain induced by CCI increased in Akt3 gene knockout mice.

Objective To explore the effect of pre-treatment of subcutaneous injection of ketamine on remifentanil induced hyperalgesia and K+/Cl-cotransporter 2,KCC2) expression on spinal cord of rats.Methods60 male adult SD rats were randomly divided into five groups(n=12 in each group):control group (group C),the incision group(group I),the incision plus remifentanil group(group I+R),the incision plus ketamine group(group I+K) and the incision plus remifentanil and ketamine group(group I+R+K).Mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) was evaluated at 24 hours before incision(T0),2 hours,6 hours,24 hours and 48 hours after incision(T1~T4).The lumbar spinal cords of rats were taken out at T4 time point and the KCC2 detected was detected by immunofluorescence analysis and western blot analysis.ResultsCompared with group C(T1(14.5±1.7)g,T2(14.2±1.1)g,T3(13.9±1.8)g,T4(14.2±1.1)g),MWT of other groups at T1 (I(5.6±0.8)g,I+R(3.2±1.0)g,I+K(6.8±1.7)g,I+R+K(5.1±1.6)g),T2 (I(6.9±1.0)g,I+R(4.3±1.2)g,I+K(8.0±1.4)g,I+R+K(6.2±1.5)g),T3 (I(7.6±0.9)g,I+R(5.4±1.1)g,I+K(10.3±1.2)g,I+R+K(7.1±1.1)g),T4 (I(8.9±1.1)g,I+R(7.5±1.4)g,I+K(11.3±1.2)g,I+R+K(8.3±1.2)g)and the expression of KCC2 at T4 decreased (P<0.05).Compared with group I(T1(5.6±0.8)g,T2(6.9±1.0)g,T3(7.6±0.9)g,T4(8.9±1.1)g),MWT of group I+R (T1(3.2±1.0)g,T2(4.3±1.2)g,T3(5.4±1.1)g,T4(7.5±1.4)g) decreased at all time points after incision (T1~T4)(P<0.05) and the expression of KCC2 at T4 decreased significantly (P<0.05).Compared with group I(T1(5.6±0.8)g,T2(6.9±1.0)g,T3(7.6±0.9)g,T4(8.9±1.1)g),MWT of group I+K (T1(6.8±1.7)g,T2(8.0±1.4)g,T3(10.3±1.2)g,T4(11.3±1.2)g) increased at all time points after incision (T1~T4)(P<0.05) and the expression of KCC2 at T4 increased (P<0.05).Compared with group I+R(T1(3.2±1.0)g,T2(4.3±1.2)g,T3(5.4±1.1)g,T4(7.5±1.4)g),MWT of group I+R+K (T1(5.1±1.6)g,T2(6.2±1.5)g,T3(7.1±1.1)g,T4(8.3±1.2)g) increased at all time points after incision (T1~T4)(P<0.05) and the expression of KCC2 at T4 increased (P<0.05).ConclusionPre-treatment of subcutaneous injection of ketamine can reduce the hyperalgesia of rats induced by remifentanil and reduce the inhibition of KCC2 expression on dorsal horn of spinal cord.

Objective To investigate the effects of Aktl gene knockout on pain behavior induced by chronic constriction injury model of sciatic nerve (CCI).Methods C57BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into Akt1 knockout group (KO group,n=12),wild type group(WT group,n=12).All mice were made model of CCI in the right sciatic nerve.Each mouse received tests of the paw withdrawal mechanical threshold (PWMT) and the paw withdrawal thermal latency(PWTL) at the times of 1d before and 1 d,3 d,5 d,7 d,10 d,14 d,17 d,21 d after surgery.Results For both KO group and WT group,the basic values of PMWT(right(0.89±0.15)g,(0.87±0.15)g; left(0.97±0.19) g,(1.05±0.14) g,P＞0.05) and PWTL(right (7.64±0.71) s,(7.56±0.68) s ;left: (7.67±0.6) s,(7.64±0.64) s,P＞0.05) showed no significantly statistical difference.Compared with WT group and the basic value,PWMT and PWTL were significantly decreased after surgery in KO group (P＜0.05).The PWMT and P WTL of the left paw in KO group and WT group had no obvious statistical difference (P＞0.05).However,the PWMT and PWTL of the right paw significantly decreased in the two groups compared with left paw.Conclusion h aggravates the neuropathic pain induced by CCI in mice when the Akt1 gene was knocked out.

Objective To investigate the effects of repeated intrathecal cyclic AMP response elementbinding protein (CREB) antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) on the expression of NR2A in spinal cord in mice with neuropathic pain produced by chronic constrictive injury of the sciatic nerve (CCI).Methods Forty C57BL/6 male mice in which intrathecal catheter was successfully implanted were randomly divided into 4 groups ( n =10 each):normal saline group (group NS),CREB sense ODN group (group S),CREB missense ODN group (group M),and CREB antisense ODN group (group A).In groups NS,S,M and A,normal saline 5μl,sense ODN 5 μg/5 μl,missense ODN 5 μg/5 μl and antisense ODN 5 μg/5 μl were injected intrathecally once a day for 6 days,starting from the 1st day after CCI,respectively.Paw withdrawal mechanical threshold (PWMT) and paw withdrawal thermal latency (PWTL) were measured on day 1 before CCI and on day 1,3,5 and 7 after CCI.Five mice from each group were sacrificed on day 7 and 14 after CCI and the lumbar segment of the spinal cord (L3-5 )was removed for determination of NR2A expression using Western blot and RT-PCR.Results Compared with the baseline value,no significant change was found in PWMT and PWTL on day 1-7 after CCI in group A ( P ＞0.05),while PWMT and PWTL were significantly decreased on day 1-7 after CCI in groups NS,S and M (P ＜0.05).Compared with groups NS,S and M,the expression of NR2A mRNA and protein was significantly downregulated on day 7 and 14 after CCI in group A ( P ＜ 0.05).The expression of NR2A mRNA and protein was significantly up-regulated on day 14 after CCI compared with that on day 7 after CCI in all the groups.Conclusion Intrathecal CREB antisense ODN during the development of neuropathic pain can attenuate neuropathic pain and inhibition of the expression of NR2A in mouse spinal cord may be involved in the mechanism.

ObjectiveTo investigate the role of Akt/glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) signaling pathway in neuropathic pain in mice.MethodsThirty-six male C57BL/6 mice,aged 7-8 months,weighing 20-25 g,were randomly divided into 2 groups:sham operation group (group.S,n =9) and chronic constrictive injury (CCI) group (n =27).CCI was produced by placing loosely constrictive ligatures around the common sciatic nerve.Six animals were taken from each group and paw withdrawal threshold to mechanical stimulation (PWMT)and paw withdrawal latency to thermal stimuli (PWTL) were measured on day 1 before operation and on day 1,3,5,7,10,14,17 and 21 after CCI.Three mice were sacrificed on day 3 after CCI in group S and on day 1,3,5,7,10,14 and 21 after CCI in group CCI.The L3-5 segment of the spinal cord was removed for determination of the expression of Akt,phospho-Akt and phospho-GSK-3β by Western blot.Results Compared with group S,PWMT was significantly decreased and PWTL was significantly shortened on day 1-21 after CCI,the expression of Akt was significantly up-regulated on day 7-21 after CCI,and the expression of phospho-Akt and phospho-GSK-3βwas significantly up-regulated on day 1-21 after CCI in group CCI ( P ＜ 0.05).ConclusionAkt/GSK-3β signaling pathway is involved in the development and maintenance of neuropathic pain in mice.

ObjectiveTo prospectively investigate the impact of short-time response on survival of concurrent chemotherapy and thoracic three-dimensional radiotherapy (CCTTRT) for stage Ⅳ non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods From Jan.2003 to Oct.2010,201 patients with pathologically or cytologically proven stage Ⅳ NSCLC were included.All patients received platinum-based chemotherapy.Of the 167 patients eligible for analysis,the median number of chemotherapy were 4 cycles.The median dose for planning target volume (PTV) of thoracic primary tumor was 63 Gy.Response was scored according to WHO criteria. Survival was calculated by Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the Logrank. Cox regression model were used to examine the effect of response on overall survival.ResultsThe follow-up rate of 201 patients was 97.5％.with 201,170 and 134 patients finished ＜ 1,1 -2 and ≥3 years' follow-up.For the 167 patients eligible for analysis,the CR,PR,NC and PD rate of primary tumor was 5.4％,65.9％,21.0％ and 7.7％,respectively.The effective group ( CR + PR) and ineffective group ( NC + PD) was 71.3％ and 28.7％,respectively.The median survival time (MST) for patients with CR,PR,NC and PD was 22.6,13.4,8.8 and 4.8 months,respectively ( χ2 =44.79,P =0.000).The MST for effective and ineffective group was 13.9 and 7.6 months,respectively in the whole group ( χ2 =8.3 0,P =0.004 ),12.1months and 7.3 months in those treated with 2 - 3 cycles chemotherapy ( χ2 =7.71,P =0.007 ),and 13.9months and 7.9 months in those treated with 2 -5 cycles chemotherapy and radiation dose to PTV ≥36 Gy ( χ2 =4.00,P =0.045 ).No significant MST difference was detected between patients of effective group and ineffective group treated with 4 -5 cycles chemotherapy ( χ2 =0.67,P =0.413),or those treated with 4 -5 cycles of chemotherapy and radiation dose to primary lesion ≥36 Gy (χ2 =0.00,P =0.956).Multivariate analysis showed that 4-5 cycles of chemotherapy and CR and PR achieved in primary tumor (β =0.182,P=0.041 ) were independent favorable factors for survival. Conclusion CCTTRT can improve local control,and prolong the survival time for Stage Ⅳ NSCLC.

Objective To prospectively evaluate the survival of different metastasis organs with concurrent chemotherapy and thoracic three-dimensional radiotherapy (CCTTRT) for stage Ⅳ non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Methods Two hundred and one patients of stage Ⅳ NSCLC were enrolled from January,2003 to July,2010.Of the 182 patients eligible for analysis,The number of patients with single-organ metastasis or multiple-organ metastasis was 107 and 75,respectively.Patients were treated by platinum-based chemotherapy,the median number of cycle was 4.The median dose to planning target volume of primary tumor (DTPTv) was 63 Gy.Survival was calculated by Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the Logrank.Results The follow-up rate of 201 patients was 97.5％.with 201,170 and 134 patients finished ＜ 1,1 -2 and ≥3 years'follow up.Of 182 patients,the 1-,2-,and 3-year overall survival (OS) rate and median survival time (MST) was 41.0％,17.0％,10.0％ and 10.5 months,respectively ;with single-organ metastasis and multi-organ metastasis were 50％,20％,14％ and 13 months and 29％,12％,0％ and 8.5 months ( x2 =10.10,P =0.001 ),respectively; compared with multi-organ metastasis,the 1-,2-,and 3-year OS arte and MST of patients with bone,lung metastasis only was 58％,25％,16％ and 14 months (x2 =10.42,P=0.001 ) and 49％,21％,21％ and 11 months (x2 =6.39,P=0.011 ) respectively;patients with brain metastasis only did not show advantage of survival comparing with patients with multi-organ metastasis (49％,8％,0％ and 12 months and 29％,12％,0％ and 8 months,respectively;x2 =0.71,P =0.401 ) ;the 1-,2-,and 3-year OS rate and MST was 63％,23％,19％ and 15 months and 42％,15％,0％ and 10 months,respectively for patients with single-organ metastasis and multi-organ metastasis patients who accepted 4 - 5 cycles of chemotherapy ( x2 =6.47,P =0.011 ) ; for patients under the same metastasis and 4 - 5 cycles of chemotherapy,no matter whether single-organ or multiple-organ metastases,the 1 -,2-,3-year OS rate and MST of patients with enough radiotherapy on DTPTV ≥63 Gy were better than patients without enough radiotherapy ( DTPTV ＜ 63 Gy ) ( 71％,25 ％,25％ and 16.8 months and 33％,17％,0％ and 10.5 months,respectively;x2 ＝4.73,P =0.030 ;54％,21％,0％ and 14.3 months and 29％,10％,0％ and 7.6 months,respectively,x2 =8.16,P =0.004).The MST of liver metastases was 6 months,there was significantly difference when comparing with non liver matastasis ( x2 =17.21,P =0.000).Conclusions It is very important to treat stage Ⅳ NSCLC with CCTTRT,especially patients with single-organ metastasis.Liver metastases is a unfavorable prognostic factor.

Objective To investigate the effects of intrathecally cyclic AMP response element-binding protein(CREB) antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) on neuropathic pain behaviors.Methods Using mouse model of neuropathic pain induced by chronic constriction injury of sciatic nerve (CCI),24 male C57BL/6 mice successfully received intrathecal catheter implantation and without motor dysfunction were randomly divided into 4groups(n=6):Saline group(NS),CREB sense ODN group(S),CREB missense ODN group(M),CREB antisense ODN group(A).Mice in NS,S,M and A were intrathecally treated with Saline 5μ l,Sense ODN 5μg/5μl,Missense ODN 5μg/5μl and Antisense ODN 5μg/Sμl once daily on day 1 ～6 after CCI respectively.Paw withdrawal mechanical threshold (PWMT) and paw withdrawal thermal latency(PWTL) were tested on day 1 before CCI and day 1,3,5,7,10,14,17,21 after CC(I).Results Mice in A group maintained the pain thresholds in the baseline and lasted at least 7 days after CCI ( 7 d,PWMT:( 0.81 ± 0.20 ) g vs ( 1.00 ± 0.19 ) g,P ＞ 0.05 ;PWTL:(5.96 ± 0.69) s vs (6.93 ± 1.08 ) s,P ＞ 0.05 ).The withdrawal thresholds in the ipsilateral hind paws of the mouse were significantly lower than baseline in A group on day 10 after CCI( 10 d,PWMT:(0.56 ±0.19)g vs (1.00±0.19)g,P＜0.05; PWTL:(3.93 ±0.28)s vs (6.93 ± 1.08)s,P＜0.05).Compared with NS group ( 10 d,PWMT:(0.56 ±0.19)g vs (0.37 ±0.08)g,P＜0.05; PWTL:(3.93 ±0.28)s vs (3.14 ±0.45)s,P＜0.05),S group,M group,the withdrawal thresholds of A group was significantly elevated on day 10 after CCI.These effects lasted up to at least day 21 after CCI.Conclusion Intrathecally treated with CREB antisense ODN in the development of neuropathic pain induced by CCI completely improved pain behaviors during the course of injection,and the effects of relief pain lasted at least 15d after no injection.