ABSTRACT
Although new chemotherapeutic drugs have been applied constantly, their efficacy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is still not satisfactory. In recent years, epidemiological investigations have shown that lung cancer may be induced by chronic Chlamydia pneumoniae (Cpn) infection, since stable high titers of Cpn antibodies, especially IgA, are a hallmark of chronic infections. Azithromycin is commonly used for the treatment of Cpn infections; however, there are only few reports regarding the application of azithromycin (A) combined with paclitaxel and cisplatin (TP) for advanced NSCLC. Considering that patients with NSCLC have a higher rate of Cpn infection, we proposed to employ azithromycin for Cpn infection in chemotherapy for advanced NSCLC. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of azithromycin on chemotherapy for NSCLC. A total of 86 patients with stage III-IV NSCLC were randomly divided into TP and ATP groups; the characteristics of patients in the two groups showed no significant differences. The TP group was treated with paclitaxel and cisplatin, and the ATP group was treated with azithromycin combined with TP for at least 4 weeks, followed by evaluation and comparison of efficacy, side effects and patients' quality of life before and after chemotherapy between the two groups. Testing for Cpn infection revealed a significant difference in the case number before and after therapy in the ATP group (P < 0.01) compared with the TP group (P > 0.05), and a statistical difference was observed (P < 0.01) between the ATP and TP groups after treatment. The changes in quality of life of patients after two different chemotherapy regimens were statistically significant (P < 0.05), but there was a significant difference in only cognitive function after treatment. The changes in symptom scores of patients after the two different chemotherapy regimens were statistically significant (P < 0.05), but there was a significant difference in only shortness of breath and cough after treatment. Kaplan-Meier estimate was utilized to describe the survival function of patients in the two groups. The median survival time was 12.0 months for the TP group and 13.0 months for the ATP group. One-year survival rates of the TP and ATP groups were 45.0 and 75.0%, respectively, which were significantly different (P < 0.05). Our study of azithromycin+paclitaxe l+cisplatin on stage III-IV NSCLC patients achieved favorable results in terms of side effects and overall survival.
Subject(s)
Azithromycin/administration & dosage , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/drug therapy , Chlamydia Infections/drug therapy , Cisplatin/administration & dosage , Paclitaxel/administration & dosage , Adult , Aged , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/administration & dosage , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/complications , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/pathology , Chlamydia Infections/complications , Chlamydia Infections/pathology , Chlamydophila pneumoniae/drug effects , Chlamydophila pneumoniae/pathogenicity , Female , Humans , Kaplan-Meier Estimate , Male , Middle Aged , Neoplasm Staging , Quality of LifeABSTRACT
This study was conducted to investigate whether a single dose of nebulized budesonide effectively decreased airway inflammation as demonstrated by exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) levels. A single dose of nebulized budesonide, but not nebulized terbutaline, rapidly decreased eNO levels in 6 hours. The decrease in eNO levels induced by nebulized budesonide was correlated to an increase in peak expiratory flow rate.
Subject(s)
Asthma/drug therapy , Bronchodilator Agents/therapeutic use , Budesonide/therapeutic use , Nitric Oxide/metabolism , Terbutaline/pharmacology , Adolescent , Blood Pressure/drug effects , Bronchodilator Agents/administration & dosage , Budesonide/administration & dosage , Case-Control Studies , Child , Female , Humans , Male , Nebulizers and Vaporizers , Peak Expiratory Flow Rate/drug effects , Terbutaline/administration & dosageABSTRACT
In 1995 Alendronate was approved by the FDA for the treatment of Post-Menopause Osteoporosis. Their use for the preventive treatment on Osteopenic patients is approved in 1996. Calcium is a very important element in the treatment of Osteoporosis, because it is the only one that acts in the mineralization phase. It is well known that the first line to stop the loss of DMO in Post-Menopausic women are Estrogens. If we add TRH to the therapy, the effects of Alendronate will raise significantly. The first group (A) of 32 patients received Alendronate, Calcium and TRH. In the second group (B), there were 35 patients and they received Alendronate and Calcium. The groups were statistically compared and selected. In both groups the lumbar column was more affected than the hips. The use of TRH associated with Alendronate for the lumbar column significantly raised the percentage of change of DMO in 24 months. The change percentage was of 9% of DMO for group A and 5.25% for group B, giving a significant difference of 3.75% of DMO. For the hips the use of TRH associated with Alendronate did not have any difference in raise between both groups. In the next twelve months there was a change of 3.2% of DMO more in group A than in group B. In 24 months the change of DMO in the hips was of 7.95% in group A and 4.75% for group B. The TRH decrease the vasomotor symptoms, and improves the hormonal levels (FSH and Estradiol) keeping their benefits effective (Cardioprotectors, Neuroprotectors, etc.) but it potentiates the decrease of the bone reabsorption shown by the Alendronate. This significantly increases the change of percentage of DMO, obtaining densiometrics and clinical improvements in less time than using only Alendronate and Calcium. Also decreases the price of the treatment and the risk of fracture in less time, offering in that way a better quality of life to our patients
Subject(s)
Animals , Alendronate/therapeutic use , Calcium/therapeutic use , Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal/drug therapy , Estrogen Replacement TherapyABSTRACT
In 1995 Alendronate was approved by the FDA for the treatment of Post-Menopause Osteoporosis. Their use for the preventive treatment on Osteopenic patients is approved in 1996. Calcium is a very important element in the treatment of Osteoporosis, because it is the only one that acts in the mineralization phase. It is well known that the first line to stop the loss of DMO in Post-Menopausic women are Estrogens. If we add TRH to the therapy, the effects of Alendronate will raise significantly. The first group (A) of 32 patients received Alendronate, Calcium and TRH. In the second group (B), there were 35 patients and they received Alendronate and Calcium. The groups were statistically compared and selected. In both groups the lumbar column was more affected than the hips. The use of TRH associated with Alendronate for the lumbar column significantly raised the percentage of change of DMO in 24 months. The change percentage was of 9% of DMO for group A and 5.25% for group B, giving a significant difference of 3.75% of DMO. For the hips the use of TRH associated with Alendronate did not have any difference in raise between both groups. In the next twelve months there was a change of 3.2% of DMO more in group A than in group B. In 24 months the change of DMO in the hips was of 7.95% in group A and 4.75% for group B. The TRH decrease the vasomotor symptoms, and improves the hormonal levels (FSH and Estradiol) keeping their benefits effective (Cardioprotectors, Neuroprotectors, etc.) but it potentiates the decrease of the bone reabsorption shown by the Alendronate. This significantly increases the change of percentage of DMO, obtaining densiometrics and clinical improvements in less time than using only Alendronate and Calcium. Also decreases the price of the treatment and the risk of fracture in less time, offering in that way a better quality of life to our patients.