ABSTRACT
Objective · To investigate antiemetic effect of aprepitant for moderately chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in patients with gastrointestinal cancer. Methods · From 2014 July to 2015 August, 130 cases of gastrointestinal cancer patients were collected in Ruijin Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, who received moderate emetogenic risk of chemotherapy for at least four courses. One hundred and nine patients were treated with aprepitant, palonosetron and dexamethasone on day 1, and aprepitant and dexamethasone on day 2 and 3. Twenty-one patients only received aprepitant and dexamethasone on day 1 and dexamethasone on day 2 and 3 in the first course of chemotherapy. During subsequent courses of chemotherapy they received aprepitant and treated in the same way as 109 patients. MASCC antiemetic tool (MAT) was used to evaluate the intensity of nausea. The primary endpoint was complete response (CR, no emesis and use of no rescue antiemetics) during the overall study phase (0-120 h after chemotherapy) at the second course. The secondary endpoint was complete protection (CP, CR plus no significant nausea) during the overall, acute (0-24 h), and delayed (24-120 h) phases at the second course. Results · The CR rates were 90.0%, 94.6% and 90.8% of patients in the overall, acute and delayed phases, respectively. The corresponding CP rates were 83.8%, 87.8% and 84.6 %, respectively. The CR rate increased from 42.9% to 57.1% during acute phase and increased from 9.5% to 90.5% during delayed phase for 21 patients after treatment with aprepitant. The main adverse reactions include constipation, anorexia and hiccups. Conclusion · Aprepitant combined with palonosetron and dexamethasone can effectively prevent moderately chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in patients with gastrointestinal cancer. Aprepitant therapy can effectively maintain antiemetic effect in patients with many chemotherapy courses.
ABSTRACT
Purpose:To study whether immune factors are involved in the occurrence of immune thrombocytopenia in some malignancy. Methods:Platelet associated antibodies and immune function were examined in 30 cases of malignancy with thrombocytopenia in our hospital. Results:Platelet associated antibodies(pAIgG,pAIgA,pAIgM)increased significantly in 11 of 30 patients with malignancy,especially those with metastatic adenocarcinoma and in the middle or advanced stage. Bleeding is common in these patients. After being treated with corticosteroid, immunosuppressive drugs or immunoglobulin,the platelet count of the patients increased and the bleeding syndrome improved. Conclusions:Thrombocytopenia in malignancy is partly due to the abnormal immune reaction of the patients.
ABSTRACT
Objective To study the characteristics of clinical and laboratory findings in patients with adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH)independent macronodular adrenocortical hyperplasia(AIMAH).Methods The clinical and laboratory findings of 7 cases of AIMAH admitted between 1997 and 2005 were reviewed retrospectively.Results 5 of the 7 patients showed typical clinical features of Cushing's syndrome,including moon face,central obesity,hypertension,etc.A part of patients had hypokalemia(43%)and secondary diabetes mellitus(71%).There was lowering of plasma ACTH levels,and an increased cortisol secretion or disturbance in or circadian rhythm.In 6 patients,a low dose or high dose of dexamethasone suppression tests failed to suppress cortisol secretion.CT scan showed bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia.Pituitary MR imaging for pituitary was negative in 6 patients.Unilateral total adrenalectomy was performed in 2 cases.4 cases were treated by bilateral adrenalectomy.One patient died of stroke before operation.5 cases received glucocorticoid replacement therapy after operation.Pathologic examination showed diffuse yellow or brown nodules measuring 0.3 cm～7.0 cm in diameter in all the specimems of 6 patients who undement operation.There was no recurrence in all the patients ofter surgery during the follow-up period.No Nelson syndrome occurred in these 6 patients postoperatively.Conclusion AIMAH is a rare cause of Cushing's syndrome with unique clinical,CT image and pathological findings.Bilateral adrenalectomy in one stage or in stages,or unlateral adremectomy is indicated on the basis of clinical and CT findings.