ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate the biological significance of CerbB-2 expression in nasopharyn-geal carcinoma. Methods: The expression of CerbB-2 was detected in 90 nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissues and 22 nasopharyngitis tissues by SP immunohistochemical method. The relationship between CerbB-2 ex-pression and clinicopathological characteristics of nasopharyngeal carcinoma was investigated. Results: The positive expression rate of CerbB-2 protein was 65.56% in nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissues, and 31.82% in nasopharyngitis tissues, with a significant difference (P<0.05). The ratio of expression was 81.0% in patients of N_2 and N_3 lymth node stage, significantly different from that in patients of N_0 and N_1 lymph node stage (52.1%, P<0.05). The expression of CerbB-2 gene was not correlated with age, gender, clinical stage, T stage and distant metastasis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (P>0.05). Conclusion: There is a high expression of CerbB-2 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissues, which might be an important event in the pathogenesis and progression of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of the combination of gemcitabine and carboplatin in the treatment of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-one patients with locally advanced (stage IIIB) or metastatic (stage IV) NSCLC were enrolled into the study. The patients received gemcitabine 1 000 mg/m² on days l, 8 and 15, and carboplatin AUC 5 on day 1, with 28 days as a cycle. Each patient received at least two cycles.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 41 patients, 2 cases got complete response, 18 got partial response, 15 had stable disease, and 6 had progressive disease, with an overall response rate of 48.8%. The response rate was 55.6% (10/18) in the initial patients, and 43.5% (10/23) in the retreated patients (P > 0.05). The median survival duration was 11.8 months. The 1-year survival rate was 49%. There were 29 patients whose KPS score increased. The main toxicities were leukopenia (incidence of 34.1% for grade III+IV) and thrombocytopenia (incidence of 29.3% for grade III+IV).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The combination of gemcitabine and carboplatin is a feasible, well-tolerated and active scheme in either first-line or second-line treatment of advanced NSCLC.</p>
ABSTRACT
<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>To explore the significance of lung biopsy through CT-guided percutaneous paracentesis in the diagnosis of space-occupying lesions of the lung.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-five patients with space occupying lesions of the lung underwent lung biopsy through CT-guided percutaneous paracentesis and DLTRA-CUT 16G, 18G or 20G soft-tissue-cutting biopsy needles and PICKER IQ computerized tomograph were used.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 35 patients, 26 were confirmed by pathological examination to suffer from primary malignant tumor, 1 from metastatic carcinoma, 3 from tuberculosis and 3 from inflammatory pseudotumor. No definite diagnosis was made in two patients. The diagnostic rate was 94.3%. After operation, minor pneumothorax occurred in 5 cases and traces of blood in sputum in 2 cases, however, they didn't need any treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Lung biopsy through CT-guided percutaneous paracentesis is a safe and practical technique and may be widely used in hospitals if conditions permit.</p>