BACKGROUNDThe preclinical experiments and several clinical studies showed icotinib, an oral epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in Chinese patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who failed previous chemotherapy. We performed a retrospective study of the efficacy and safety of icotinib monotherapy in a different and more recent sample of Chinese patients.

METHODSThe clinical data of 149 patients with advanced NSCLC who were admitted to Zhejiang Cancer Hospital from August 1, 2011 to July 31, 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were given icotinib treatment after the failure of previous chemotherapy. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted based on the Kaplan Meier method and Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTSThe objective response rate was 33/149 and disease control rate was 105/149. No complete response occurred. Median progression free survival (PFS) with icotinib treatment was 5.03 months (95% CI: 3.51 to 6.55). Median overall survival was 12.3 months (95% CI: 10.68 to 13.92). Multivariate analysis showed that the mutation of EGFR and one regimen of prior chemotherapy were significantly associated with longer PFS. At least one drug related adverse event was observed in 65.8% (98/149) of patients, but mostly grade 1 or 2 and reversible and none grade 4 toxicity.

CONCLUSIONSIcotinib monotherapy is an effective and well tolerated regimen for Chinese patients with NSCLC after the failure of chemotherapy. It is a promising agent and further study with icotinib in properly conducted trials with larger patient samples and other ethnic groups is warranted.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antineoplastic Agents ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; drug therapy ; Crown Ethers ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Quinazolines ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Retrospective Studies

【Objective】 To establish an efficient digital PCR method for Babesia detection, so as to provide data reference for the follow-up studies and the evaluation of blood supply safety in China. 【Methods】 18S rRNA conservative gene sequence of Babesia spp. was downloaded from Genbank, and primers were designed according to the common part of the sequence to establish a highly sensitive and absolutely quantitative digital PCR detection method for Babesia detection. A total of 1000 red blood cell samples collected from voluntary blood donors in Mudanjiang City from July 19, 2016 to August 24, 2016 were detected using this new digital PCR method. 【Results】 The established digital PCR method for Babesia detection showed a good repeatability and could steadily detect the mono-copied nuclear acid. The positive rate was 0.2%(2/1 000)by this method. The two blood donors were further confirmed positive by Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA), and preliminarily judged as asymptomatic infection. 【Discussion】 The digital PCR method for Babesia detection established in this study has high sensitivity and stability, and the its application on blood screening is conductive to reduce the threats of asymptomatic infection to blood safety

【Objective】 To establish an indirect ELISA method for detecting IgG, IgM and IgA antibodies against Hepatitis E virus (HEV). 【Methods】 Tn-5 cells were infected with recombinant HEV baculovirus, and HEV-like particles (VLP) were collected and purified for coating antigen. The reaction conditions and methodology of indirect ELISA method were established and evaluated. The prevalence of HEV antibody among blood donors in Xishuangbanna were detected. 【Results】 The collected and purified VLP showed HEV antigenicity. The positive rates of anti-HEV IgG, IgM and IgA in blood donors in Xishuangbanna Prefecture were 18%(90/500), 5.6%(28/500) and 2.6%(13/500), respectively. The recent HEV infection rate was 1.8 % (9/500), and the seroprevalence of hepatitis E was 19.8% (99/500). Of the 13 anti-HEV IgA positive samples, 2 were both anti-HEV IgG and IgM negative. 【Conclusion】 HEV antibody positive is common among blood donors in Xishuangbanna, some of which are recent infections, posing a threat to the safety of blood transfusion. HEV IgA antibody indirect ELISA combined with human HEV IgM antibody detection can improve the detection rate of recent HEV infection.