Aim To investigate the effect of matrine on cytoskeletonof K562 cells. Methods Micropipette aspiration technique was adoptedto investigate the viscoelasticity of K562 cells, while the different ex-pression of cytoskeletal protein gene was analyzed by DNA microar-ray. Results In matrine-treated K562 cells, the viscoelastic propertiesKI, K2 and were decreased significantly from 726 ± 215 to 432 ±67,433 ±119 to 242±31, 72±38 to 50±15 respectively, and the geneexpression of prefoldin and ezrin was much stronger than that of controlcells. Conclusion The strueture and function can be changed in ma-trine-treated K562 cells.

Objective To examine the efficacy and safety of 125Iseed implantation for treating neuroblastoma (NB) in animal models.Methods A total of 45 nude mice models of neuroblastoma were constructed and divided into the 125Igroup.control group.and blank group at 15 mice per group.The long and short diameters of the tumor were measured every 3 days.and the tumor inhibition rate was calculated every 9 days.Apoptotic and proliferative protein expression levels in tumor tissue and peritumoral tissue.as well as endocrine markers and bone marrow of the nude mice.were analyzed.The independent sample t test was used to compare the mean scores.and ANOVA was used for comparison between multiple groups.Results Tumor volume inhibition rate was significantly higher in the 125Igroup than in the control group and blank group on days 9.18.and 27(all P<0.05).Caspase-3 expression in tumor tissues was significantly higher in the 125Igroup than in the control group and blank group (all P<0.05).whereas proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression was significantly lower in the 125Igroup than in the control group and blank group (all P<0.05).There was no significant difference in Caspase-3 and PCNA expression between the control group and blank group (all P>0.05).In addition.no significant difference in the expression of Caspase-3 and PCNA in peritumoral tissue was observed between the 125Igroup.control group.and blank group (all P>0.05).Cell apoptosis in tumor tissue was significantly lower in the blank group and control group than in the 125Igroup (all P<0.05).while there was no significant difference between the blank group and the control group (P>0.05).There was no significant difference in endocrine markers between the three groups (P>0.05).There was no significant bone marrow suppression in the 125Igroup.and this observation was similar to those in the control group and blank group (all P>0.05).Conclusions 125Iseeds have significant toxicity to NB.125Iseed implantation is safe in nude mice with NB within the therapeutic doses.

AIM: To investigate the role of the insulin secretion as well as insulin sensitivity in the onset and development of the type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: This study included 38 normal glucose tolerance(NGT) subjects without family history of diabetes, 32 NGT and 36 impaired glucose tolerance(IGT) subjects who were the first-degree relatives of type 2 diabetes, and 35 newly-diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients. ? cell function and insulin sensitivity were examined by using oral glucose-insulin release test (OG-IRT) with SIM reflecting insulin sensitivity and intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) with AIR3-5 reflecting the first-phase insulin secretion function. AIR3-5 was calculated as the average incremental plasma insulin concentration from the third to the fifth minute after the glucose bolus. AIR3-5 and SIM were compared among the four groups. RESULTS : From NGT, IGT to type 2 diabetes, there was a decreasing tendency of the level of AIR3-5 and SIM, with NGT the highest, IGT the medium and T2DM the lowest. The level of the AIR3-5 in the subjects of NGT who were first - degree relatives of type 2 diabetes were lower than those of NGT without family history of diabetes( P 0.05) . CONCLUSION: Insulin secretion dysfunction may be the primary factor in the onset of type 2 diabetes. Along with the developing of IGT and type 2 diabetes, the insulin secretion and sensitivity decrease.

BACKGROUNDMultimodality treatment is the milestone of improving the prognosis of patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC). The aim of this study is to retrospectively review the prognostic factors for SCLC.

METHODSFrom January 1999 to June 2005, clinical data were collected from 253 patients who had a good performance status (PS=0-1) and underwent multimodality therapy (chemotherapy+radiotherapy±surgery), and the prognostic factors were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier and COX multivariate proportional hazards model.

RESULTSWith a median follow-up of 23.2 months (3-85 months), 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rate was 77.9%, 33.8% and 23.3% respectively, and 88.3%, 40.2%, 31.2% in LD patients, 62.9%, 22.0% and 8.8% in ED patients, respectively. Median survival time (MST) of all the patients was 23 months (95% CI: 19-27 months). Univariate analysis indicated that gender (P=0.0395), stage (P= 0.0000 ), LDH (P=0.0000), operation (P=0.0029), weight loss (P=0.0000) and the efficacy of first-line chemotherapy (P=0.0000) significantly influenced survival in SCLC. Multivariate analysis suggested that gender (P=0.019), LDH (P=0.000), operation (P=0.024) and weight loss (P=0.006) were the independent prognostic factors of survival.

CONCLUSIONSGender, LDH, operation, and weight loss are the important prognostic factors for patients with SCLC who have a good PS and undergo multimodality treatment.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the expression of fatty acid synthase (FAS) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODSFAS was examined by immunohistochemical S-P technique in 175 specimens of NSCLC patients. Multiple clinical factors were analyzed according to their relation with expression of FAS.

RESULTSThe overall FAS expression rate was 31.4% (55/175). The expression of FAS in the non-adenocarcinoma patients was significantly higher than that of adenocarcinoma patients (38.4% vs 22.4%, P = 0.036). Higher FAS expression was also detected in patients who had vascular invasion or bone metastasis than those without (75.0% vs 29.3%, P = 0.02 and 46.9% vs 28.0%, P = 0.037). But, there was no significant difference between FAS and other clinical factors such as age, sex, smoking index, tumor size, stage, degree of differentiation, lymphatic metastasis, local recurrence or distant metastasis. Although there was no significant difference in the survival rates of FAS positive and negative patients (P = 0.066), the survival rate of FAS positive stage I patients was lower than that of negative ones (P = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONFatty acid synthase in the specimens of non-small cell lung cancer patients has no correlation with most clinical factors, except that, in early lesions, it may signify poor prognosis.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; diagnosis ; enzymology ; metabolism ; mortality ; Fatty Acid Synthases ; biosynthesis ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; enzymology ; metabolism ; mortality ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Survival Rate

BACKGROUNDGefitinib, an orally active epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI), has shown targeted antitumor activity in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and tolerance of gefitinib on brain metastasis in patients with NSCLC.

METHODSThe clinical characteristics, response to treatment and outcome of survival were retrospectively reviewed in eighteen NSCLC patients with brain metastasis. All these patients received gefitinib of 250mg/d after brain metastasis was diagnosed. They would discontinued the targeted treatment because of disease progression or other reasons. Twelve of them received intracranial irradiation (group A), while the other six patients didn't (group B).

RESULTSThe overall response rate and disease controlled rate of gefitinib for brain lesions were 27.8% and 88.9% respectively (one complete remission, 4 partial remission, 11 stable disease, 2 progressive disease). No correlation among gender, smoking status, intracranial irradiation and the response of gefitinib was observed. There was no survival difference between the two groups (P=0.192), with the median follow-up time of 6 months (range 1-24 months). Rash and diarrhea were the most common adverse events.

CONCLUSIONSGefitinib is active in patients with brain metastasis from NSCLC. It is feasible to conduct randomized clinical trials to demonstrate the role of targeted treatment for NSCLC patients with metastatic brain lesions.

BACKGROUNDChemotherapy is the main treatment measure of advanced non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC).The aim of this study is to explore the efficacy,toxicity,time to disease progression(TTP) and overall survival under the combined chemotherapy with gemcitabine(GEM) plus cisplatin(DDP) in the treatment of advanced NSCLC.

METHODSRetrospective review was conducted on 79 chemotherapy-naive cases of advanced NSCLC treated with GEM and DDP from October 1999 to November 2005.Among 79 patients,51 were male and 28 female;the median age was 53 years old(ranged from 21 to 74);there were 17 cases of squamous cell carcinoma,53 cases of adenocarcinoma,3 cases of large cell carcinoma,1 case of adeno-sqamous cell carcinoma,5 unidentified cases;there were 26 cases in IIIB stage and 53 cases in IV stage according to AJCC 1997 standard.All patients received GEM 800-1250 mg/m² on days 1 and 8 and DDP 75-80 mg/m² on day 1 or 30 mg/m² for three days by intravenous administration,with 21 days as one cycle.Each patient received 2-4 cycles chemotherapy.

RESULTSThe total clinical reponse rate(complete and partial response) was 31.6%,and clinical benefit rate(complete and partial response and stable disease) was 73.4%.1-year survival rate was 64.9%,2-year survival rate was 32%.After median follow-up of 2.33 years,median TTP was 5.06 months.The main toxicities were nausea,vomitting and hematological toxicities.The rates of grade III to IV leukopenia and thrombocytopenia were 25.4% and 31.6% respectively.Other toxicities were slight and tolerable.

CONCLUSIONSCombined chemotherapy with GEM plus DDP as first-line treatment to advanced NSCLC is an effective and feasible regimen,which is one of the standard regimens.For old patients,this regimen is a good choice.The fit dosage of GEM for Chinese is 1000 mg/m².

BACKGROUNDTo evaluate the efficacy and side effects of weekly administration of gemcitabine combined with docetaxel in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

METHODSTwenty-six patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer, with or without prior chemotherapy, were entered into this study. Gemcitabine and docetaxel were administrated weekly for 3 consecutive weeks, followed by 1 week rest. Gemcitabine was given as 800-1 200 mg/m² by intravenous infusion on days 1, 8, 15; while docetaxel was 35 mg/m² intravenously on the same days as gemcitabine. The efficacy including response rate and median survival duration and toxicity were observed.

RESULTSOf the 26 patients, one achieved complete response (CR), and 6 achieved partial response (PR), with an overall response rate of 27%. The median survival duration was 9.5 months and 1-year survival rate was 38% (10/26). The main toxicities were neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. One patient died from allergic shock.

CONCLUSIONSThe combination of docetaxel and gemcitabine is effective and well-tolerated in the treatment of advanced NSCLC.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of combined modality treatment and determine the prognostic factors for small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

METHODSFrom January 1974 to December 1995, 1260 patients with SCLC treated were retrospectively evaluated, with limited lesions in 732 patients, extensive lesions in 500 and stage unrecorded in 28. 553 patients were alloted into chemotherapy + radiotherapy (C + R) group, 355 into C + R + C group, 97 into R + C group, 126 into C group, 64 into R group and 65 into surgery (S + C + R) group. Patients with limited lesions received 2 - 4 cycles of chemotherapy including COMC, COMP, COMVP and CE-CAP. Radiotherapy was given to a dose of 40 - 70 Gy/4 - 7 w. Radiation portals for patients with limited lesions encompassed the primary tumor, hilar lymphatic drainage areas, partial mediastinum and bilateral supraclavicular regions. Patients with extensive lesions mainly received chemotherapy with or without palliative irradiation.

RESULTSThe overall CR and PR rates were 26.7% and 52.3%. Local recurrence and distant metastasis rates were 58.8% and 61.5%. The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 50.2%, 14.7% and 11.7%, with median survival time of 12 months. The era, sex, age, tumor stage and treatment modality were all significant prognostic factors by both uni-variate and multi-variate analyses (P < 0.05). The result of S + C + R rated the best among these modalities and the result of C + R + C was superior to C + R, though the difference of which was not significant.

CONCLUSIONSurgical resection should be considered as one part of comprehensive therapy for small cell lung cancer patients with limited lesions whenever possible. On top of routine chemotherapy early administration of radiotherapy is advisable.

Adult ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; Carcinoma, Small Cell ; mortality ; therapy ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; mortality ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiotherapy ; Survival Rate ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDGensing Rg3 is an active component from ginseng. The aim of this study is to observe the clinical anticancer effect of Rg3 in combination with chemotherapy regimen NP (vinorelbine+cisplatin) in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODSStage III-IV NSCLC patients confirmed by pathology or cytology all received vinorelbine plus cisplatin for at least two cycles, and were randomized into two groups: patients in arm A also received placebo twice a day, while patients in arm B received two tablets of Rg3 twice a day for at least two months. The endpoints of the study were the efficacy, survival and tolerance of patients.

RESULTSFrom July 2000 to May 2002, 115 patients were enrolled into the trial. The patients' characteristics were well balanced in the two groups. Sex of patients: male, 79; female 36. Types of pathology: adenocarcinoma, 71; squamous cell carcinoma, 29; adenosquamous carcinoma, 8; others, 7. TNM stage: stage III, 45; stage IV, 70. Prior chemotherapy: with, 17; without, 98. Prior radiotherapy: with, 15; without, 100. Prior surgical treatment: with, 23; without, 92. Nine patients discontinued from the trial due to severe adverse effects (5) and other reasons (4), so there were 106 patients evaluable for clinical efficacy. The response rate was 14.5% (8/55) in arm A, and 33.3% (17/51) in arm B (P=0.011). The survival time in arm A was 9.7 months (mean) and 8.0 months (median), and 15.3 months (mean) and 10.0 months (median) in arm B (P=0.0088).

CONCLUSIONSPreliminary results show improvements in response rate and survival time (median and mean) in Rg3 arm compared with placebo arm. It is worthy to confirm the results in further clinical trials.