Progress in regulatory T cells and hepatocellular carcinoma / 中南大学学报(医学版)

As a functionally unique subset of T cells, regulatory T cells (Treg) suppress tumor immune responses effectively through a variety of mechanisms and play an important role in tumorigenesis and tumor progression. There is growing evidence to suggest that Treg participates in the formation and development of hepatic tumor, especially the HCC. Elucidation of the mechanisms for involvement of Treg in HCC progression may provide new ideas for liver cancer therapy through a point of view regarding immunology.

Clinical efficacy of autologous dendritic cells and cytokine-induced killer cells combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization in the treatment of moderate- and advanced hepatocellular carcinoma / 实用医学杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of autologous dendritic cells and cytokine-induced killer cells (DC/CIK) combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in the treatment of moderate and advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods Sixty patients with moderste and advanced HCC were randomly divided into two groups: the experimental group (n = 32), in which the treatment of DC/CIK combined with TACE was used, and the control group (n=28), in which TACE treatment was used only. The parameters of tumor size , serum alpha-fetoprotein , survival rate , the median survival time and quality of life , were detected in patients of the two groups before and after corresponding therapy . Results ( 1 ) After receiving corresponding treatments, the efficient rates of DC/CIK combined with TACE and TACE only were 87.50% and 64.29%, respectively, with significant difference;(2) The level of serum AFP decreased in the two groups after corresponding treatment, with no significant difference; (3) The 6-month survival rate was 96.88%and 92.85%, and the 1-year survival rate was 84.38%and 64.29%, the 2-year survival rate was 65.63%and 42.86%in the experimental group and in the control group, respectively. And the median survival time was 21 months and 17 months in the experimental group and the control group, respectively, with no significant difference; (4) The quality of life was improved significantly in the DC/CIK combined with TACE group after treatment. Conclusions Administration of DC and CIK combined with TACE can prolong the survival time, increase the survival rate and especially improve the life quality of HCC patients. It is a promising approach for the treatment of patients with moderate and advanced HCC.

Effect of calcium ionophore A23187 plus IFN-γ on dendritic cells derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cells / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the effect of calcium ionophore (CI) A23187 plus IFN-γ on dendritic cells (DC) from healthy human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC).@*METHODS@#PBMNC from healthy donors were treated with GM-CSF plus IL-4, A23187, and A23187 plus IFN-γ, respectively. After culture for 72 h, the change of cellular morphology was observed under light microscope and electron microscope. Surface markers on DC were analyzed by flow cytometry. MTT colorimetry was used to detect the proliferation of allogeneic T cells. Plasma concentrations of IL-12 and IFN-γ were measured by ELISA.@*RESULTS@#PBMNC treated with A23187 plus IFN-γ for 72 h presented DC with typical morphology effectively. The surface markers CD40, CD83, and CD86 were obviously increased in group A23187 plus IFN-γ (P<0.01), but decreased in CD1a (P<0.01). In addition, it evidently stimulated the proliferation of allogeneic T cells. The levels of IL-12 and IFN-γ were significantly increased compared with other groups (P<0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#A23187 plus IFN-γ can effectively enhance marked transformation of PBMNC into DC.

A Comparative Study of Latanoprost and Timolol in Treating Patients With Glaucoma or Ocular Hypertension / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE： To confirm the efficacy and safety of latanoprost in treating glaucoma.METHODS： In a double blind， randomized control clinical trial， we compared the efficacy and adverse drug reactions of once daily topically applied 0.005％ latanoprost with those of twice daily 0.5％ timolol for 12 weeks in patients with open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.RESULTS： The study included 46 patients（22 pts.randomized to latanoprost treatment， 24 pts.to timolol） ， 46 patients remained at the end of the study.Comparing with baseline diurnal intraocular pressure（IOP） ， the IOP reduction（mean±standard deviation） achieved with latanoprost（7.86±2.39） mmHg， （31.1％， P<0.001），and timolol（6.24±2.58）mmHg （24.9%，P<0.001），the difference between the two groups（1.62mmHg） being significant（P<0.01）. Two patients treated with latanoprost had foreign body sensation. No other ocular and systemic adverse reactions related to the two drugs were found. CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrated that 0.005% latanoprost applied once daily is well tolerated and more effective in reducing IOP than 0.5% timolol applied twice daily. Thus, latanoprost has the potential for becoming one of the ideal antiglaucoma drugs.