ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: IMMUNEPOTENT CRP is a mixture of low molecular weight substances, some of which have been shown to be capable of modifying the immune response. We evaluated the response and adjuvant effect of IMMUNEPOTENT CRP on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients in a phase I clinical trial. METHODS: Twenty-four NSCLC patients were included in the study and divided into two groups. Group 1 received a conventional treatment of 5400 cGy external radiotherapy in 28 fractions and chemotherapy consisting of intravenous cisplatin (40 mg/m(2)) delivered weekly for 6 weeks. Group 2 received the conventional treatment plus IMMUNEPOTENT CRP (5 U) administered daily. We performed clinical evaluation by CT scan and radiography analysis, and determined the quality of life of the patients with the Karnofsky performance scale. A complete blood count (red and white blood cell tests), including flow cytometry analysis, blood work (alkaline phosphatase test) and a delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) skin test for PPD, Varidase and Candida were performed. RESULTS: The administration of IMMUNEPOTENT CRP induced immunomodulatory activity (increasing the total leukocytes and T-lymphocyte subpopulations CD4(+), CD8(+), CD16(+) and CD56(+), and maintaining DHT) and increased the quality of the patients' lives, suggesting immunologic protection against chemotherapeutic side-effects in NSCLC patients. DISCUSSION: Our results suggest the possibility of using IMMUNEPOTENT CRP alongside radiation and chemotherapy for maintaining the immune system and increasing the quality of life of the patients.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/therapy , Cell Extracts/administration & dosage , Immunotherapy , Leukocytes, Mononuclear/metabolism , Lung Neoplasms/therapy , Adult , Animals , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/immunology , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/pathology , Cattle , Chemotherapy, Adjuvant , Cisplatin/administration & dosage , Female , Humans , Karnofsky Performance Status , Leukocytes, Mononuclear/pathology , Lung Neoplasms/immunology , Lung Neoplasms/pathology , Male , Middle Aged , Quality of Life , RadiotherapyABSTRACT
The Philippine Council for Quality Assurance In Clinical Laboratories has conducted two National External Quality Assessment Schemes (NEQAS) in Hematology. The first survey was conducted in December 1999 and the second in August 2000, with 95 and 187 laboratories, using mostly automated analyzers, participating respectively. Control materials were distributed during a two-week period by human network, and analyzed over a six to eight week period. For the first survey, only 36 laboratories (38.0%) submitted results. Data was divided into 4 peer groups based on the manufacturer. Since most of the samples were hemolysed upon analysis, only WBC and HGB parameters were evaluated. No outliers were detected in each peer group after analysis by the 'Peer Group Mean and SDI' method. Using the clinical laboratory improvement act of 1988 proficiency testing criteria (CLIA'88), only 5 results (13.9%) were unsatisfactory for WBC, and all results were satisfactory for HGB. For the second survey, 87 laboratories (47%) responded. Data was divided into 5 peer groups. There were few incidents of sample deterioration. Although majority of the coefficient of variations were acceptable, about 23 (12.6%) participants showed abnormality in at least one parameter after analysis by the 'Peer Group Mean and SDI'. Using CLIA'88, 5 WBC (6.5%), 6 RBC (7.6%), 8 HGB (9.7%), 15 HCT (19.0%), and 7 PLT (8.0%) results were unsatisfactory. In summary, the first NEQAS study served as a pilot study. Valuable lessons were learned for the improvement of the second NEQAS. The second NEQAS study was marked by a much larger sample size and better results.
Subject(s)
Hematologic Tests/standards , Laboratories/standards , Quality Assurance, Health Care , Humans , PhilippinesABSTRACT
Since 1976, 133 patients treated by posterior fossa microvascular decompression (MVD) for trigeminal neuralgia (TN) have been followed-up prospectively to determine the incidence of recurrent TN. The follow-up period was between 6 months and 15 years, with 60 patients having been followed-up for more than 5 years. Of these patients, 71% have remained pain-free, while 29% have suffered a major or minor recurrence. Of patients who developed recurrent TN, 90% did so within 2 years of operation. No patients who were pain-free up to 5 years after operation subsequently developed recurrent TN. Recurrent TN was more likely to occur when the operative findings did not show nerve root distortion or displacement, or when the age of onset was less than 35 years.
