Resistance to apoptosis should not be taken as a hallmark of cancer / 癌症

In the research community, resistance to apoptosis is often considered a hallmark of cancer. However, pathologists who diagnose cancer via microscope often see the opposite. Indeed, increased apoptosis and mitosis are usually observed simultaneously in cancerous lesions. Studies have shown that increased apoptosis is associated with cancer aggressiveness and poor clinical outcome. Furthermore, overexpression of Bcl-2, an antiapoptotic protein, is linked with better survival of cancer patients. Conversely, Bax, CD95, Caspase-3, and other apoptosis-inducing proteins have been found to promote carcinogenesis. This notion of the role of apoptosis in cancer is not new; cancer cells were found to be short-lived 88 years ago. Given these observations, resistance to apoptosis should not be considered a hallmark of cancer.

Observation on therapeutic alliance with UDCA and glucocorticoids in AIH-PBC overlap syndrome / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the efficacy of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) combined with glucocorticoids in the treatment of autoimmune hepatitis-primary biliary cirrhosis (AIH-PBC) overlap syndrome.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>19 patients with AIH-PBC overlap syndrome were divided randomly into two groups: initiate combined group and initiate UDCA-monotherapy group. Biochemical responses and pathological features before and after treatment were analyzed retrospectively with student's t test, Wilcoxon rank sum test and Fisher's exact method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the initiate combination group, biochemical responses in terms of AIH features (ALT decline to normal, IgG is less than or equal to 16 g/L) and PBC features (ALP decline ≥ 40% or to normal) were achieved. In UDCA-monotherapy group, no statistical difference existed in biochemical responses before adding glucocorticoids, whereas the levels of ALT, AST, GLB and IgG decreased significantly when combined with glucocorticoids. No statistical difference of rates of biochemical responses eixted between the two groups, whereas variance could be seen in different pathological stages. Alleviation of inflammatory infiltration after therapy appeared in 3 patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Combination therapy of UDCA with glucocorticoids could be suitable for AIH-PBC overlap syndrome. Early treatment is of benefit for achieving better biochemical response and pathological improvement.</p>

A two-year follow-up study on the efficacy of ursodeoxycholic acid on primary biliary cirrhosis in different stages / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the therapeutic effect of primary biliary cirrhosis(PBC) in different stages with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>91 patients with PBC were divided into 4 periods based on levels of liver test and symptoms. Clinical manifestations, biochemical changes and pathological changes were observed for 2 years on UDCA therapy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and glutamyltranspetidase (GGT) at the second PBC period were declined by 51.9% and 67.3% respectively after a 6-month UDCA therapy. The biochemical responses were 81.25% (Paris criteria) and 93.75% (Barcelona criteria). The levels of ALP and GGT at the third PBC period were declined by 48.8% and 46.6% after 6 months of UDCA therapy, and the biochemical responses were 36.84% (Paris criteria) and 57.89% (Barcelona criteria). Symptoms like fatigue, pruritus and jaundice after UDCA therapy were better than before. Same results also appeared at the fourth period. 11 patients in different periods underwent pathological examinations before and after UDCA therapy and no progression found in the first and the second periods, however difference found in the third and the fourth periods with the lymphocyte infiltration was less than before UDCA treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Good biochemical responds appear in patients at the second, third and forth periods after UDCA therapy, in which the second period is best. Symptoms could be improved after UDCA treatment. Early UDCA therapy is benefit for slowing down the progression of liver pathology.</p>

Establishment of a human cervical carcinoma cell line HCC-0214 and its biological characteristics / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish a strain of human cervical carcinoma cell line and to provide a cervical carcinoma animal model.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The cervical carcinoma specimens incised aseptically were cultured in vitro by tissue culture methods, giving a tumor cell growth curve. Morphology of the cells was observed, with cell cycling analysis and chromosome analysis performed. The tumor markers (ER, PR, Keratine, PCNA) expressions of the cell line were detected by immuno-cytochemical technique.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A human cervical carcinoma cell line HCC-0214 (H) has been obtained by in vitro tissue culture methods. The cells have been maintained for 16 months through 131 passages, showing a stable growth with a population doubling time of 35.48 h and a tendency to pile up without contact inhibition. The ultrastructure showed typical desmosomes and numerous tonofilaments. Chromosome analysis revealed the number of chromosomes per cell varied from 35-156 with a stem-line number of 58-80 (64.8%). The morphology of chromosomes showed human tumor cell structure. The tumor markers (ER, PR, Keratine, PCNA) of the cells showed a high expression. The DNA index was 1.931 by flow cytometry (FCM). The histopathology of the transplanted tumors in nude mice was the same as the original tumor, though with none successful by serum culture.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>A human cervical carcinoma cell line HCC-0214 established by tissue culture is identical to the primary cancer cell in biological characters. After the cells have been passaged for more than 16 months continually, their characteristics are still retained. Therefore, HCC-0214 may be used as a stable cell line.</p>