[Efficacy and adverse effets of nimotuzumab plus palitaxel liposome and carboplatin in the treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of nimotuzumab combined with palitaxel liposome and carboplatin (LP) regimen for treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and to observe the changes of tumor markers and toxicities in the treatment. METHODS Forty-one patients with advanced NSCLC were randomly divided into 2 groups: 21 patients in the observation group were treated with nimotuzumab (200 mg per week for 6 weeks), palitaxel liposome 160 mg/m2 and carboplatin (AUC = 6). 20 patients in the control group were given LP regimen. Each group completed two cycles of chemotherapy. The level of tumor markers (CEA, CYFR21-1 and NSE) and toxicities were checked at one week before and after the treatment. Thoracic CT examinations were taken before treatment and at the fourth week and eighth week after treatment. RESULTS: In the observation group, there were 2 cases of CR, 7 cases of PR, 9 cases of SD and 3 cases of PD. The objective response rate (RR) was 42. 9% in the observation group. In the control group, there were 1 case of CR, 6 cases of PR, 8 cases of SD and 5 cases of PD, with a RR of 35.0% in this group. There was no significant difference in the RR between the two groups (P = 0.751). The time to progression (TIP) was 6. 9 months in the observation group and 5. 7 months in the control group, with a significant difference (P = 0.027). The levels of NSE decreased significantly in both groups and showed a significant difference (P = 0.039). The levels of CEA and CYFRA21 in both groups were decreased after treatment, but did not show a significant difference before and after treatment, respectively. Except 3 cases had I-II skin toxicities on the faces in the observation group, there was no significant difference in toxicities between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Nimotuzmab combined with LP regimen shows a synergistic effect, can increase the efficacy and prolong TFP in advanced NSCLC patients. The toxicities are mild and tolerable.

[rh-endostatin in combination with docetaxel and carboplatin as adjuvant treatment for non-small lung cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of Endosteal(TM) (rh-endostatin, YH-16) combined with docetaxel and carboplatin (TP) regimen for the adjuvant treatment of non-small lung cancer (NSCLC) and its impact on circulating blood markers. METHODS: 36 patients with stage Ib-IIIa postoperative NSCLC, were randomly divided into the treatment group, Endosteal(TM) plus TP regimen, and the control group, TP regimen only, respectively. DFS and toxicities of patients were observed. The numbers of CEC and the levels of tumor marker CEA, NSE and CYFR21-1 were measured. RESULTS: The numbers of CEC and the levels of CEA, NSE and CYFR21-1 decreased after treatment. There were significant differences in CEC and NSE between treatment group and control group after four cycles of treatment, respectively (P = 0.016 and 0.013). Disease-free survival time (DFS) was longer in treatment group than control group but without significant difference. CEC was significantly increased in recurrent and metastasis cases and decreased after effective treatment. CONCLUSION: Endosteal(TM) combined with TP regimen seem to be superior to TP alone in some short term index for the treatment of postoperative NSCLC even though long-term survival is still anticipated. CEC, as a biomarker, may be useful in predicting the efficacy of the such synergistic treatment.

Changes of activated circulating endothelial cells and survivin in patients with non-small cell lung cancer after antiangiogenesis therapy.

BACKGROUND: Although antiangiogenesis therapy plays an important role in anti-neoplastic treatment with its recognized efficacy and slight adverse effect, there is no prospective clinical trial to define ideal markers for predicting efficacy of antiangiogenic therapy. This study was undertaken to investigate the changes of activated circulating endothelial cells (aCECs) and survivin after anti-angiogenesis therapy and their significance in predicting the efficacy of the therapy. METHODS: Patients of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with chemotherapy with or without Endostar were observed. The amount of activated CECs was detected by flow cytometry, and the expression of survivin mRNA was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: After treatment, the amount of activated CECs decreased significantly in clinical benefit cases (P = 0.021 in chemotherapy alone, P = 0.001 in chemotherapy plus Endostar), increased in disease progressive cases (P = 0.015 in chemotherapy alone, but P = 0.293 in chemotherapy with Endotatar). After therapy, the expression of survivin mRNA decreased in clinical benefit cases (P = 0.001) and increased in disease progressive cases (P = 0.018). A positive correlation was found between activated CECs and survivin in the chemotherapy group pre- and post-therapy (P = 0.001 and 0.021, respectively), but only in the chemotherapy with Endostar group pre-therapy (P = 0.030) rather than post-therapy. A positive correlation was found between the decreased activated CECs after therapy and time to progression (TTP) (r = 0.322, P = 0.012); a negative correlation was found between the amount of survivin mRNA in serum post-therapy and TTP (r = -0.291, P = 0.048). CONCLUSIONS: Activated CECs and survivin may be ideal markers forecasting efficacy and prognosis of NSCLC. The former can reflect more sensitively antiangiogenic efficacy and the latter is more sensitive to shrinkage or swelling of tumors. Their combination can evaluate more accurately the efficacy of antiangiogenic therapy of NSCLC.