Prognostic Effect of Bisphosphonate Exposure for Patients With Diagnosed Solid Cancer: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies.

Background: Bisphosphonates are widely prescribed for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Recent epidemiological studies indicate that people with bisphosphonate use may have lower cancer risk and have improved survival. The aim of this study is to determine the association between bisphosphonate use and survival outcomes in solid cancer patients using systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed using the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases. Original articles published until April, 2018 were selected. The survival outcome measures assessed included overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS). Pooled hazard ratio (HR) and their 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were derived using a random-effects model. Results: Out of 9,742 retrieved citations, six cohort studies and two nested case-control studies satisfying the inclusion criteria were included for analyses. Bisphosphonate use was significantly associated with improved OS (HR 0.84, 95% CI 0.76-0.93), CSS (HR 0.73, 95% CI 0.58-0.90) and RFS (HR 0.72, 95% CI 0.53-0.96). The results of subgroup analyses stratified by major study characteristics were generally consistent with the main findings. For individual cancer type, we found that bisphosphonate use was significantly associated with longer OS for patients with gastroesophageal cancer (HR 0.62, 95% CI 0.40-0.98), as well as longer CSS for patients with breast cancer (HR 0.73, 95% CI 0.55-0.95). Conclusions: Current evidence indicates that bisphosphonate use is significantly associated with improved survival for patients with solid cancer. However, the prognostic effects in specific solid tumors remains to be confirmed by further large prospective cohort studies.

[Safety and efficacy of QianlieanSuppository for chronic prostatitis of damp-heat and blood-stasis syndrome: a randomized, single-blind, parallel controlled, multi-centered phase III clinical trial].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of Qianliean Suppository in the treatment of chronic prostatitis of damp-heat and blood-stasis syndrome. METHODS: We conducted a randomized, single-blind, parallel-controlled, multi-centered clinical trial among 467 subjects, who were assigned to a trial group (n = 349) and a control group (n = 118), the former treated with Qianliean Suppository anally one pill per night for 28 days and the latter given Yejuhua Suppository in the same way. The efficacy was evaluated by the TCM syndrome, NIH-CPSI, main clinical symptoms and WBC count in EPS. RESULTS: After the treatment, the total rates of recovery, excellence and effectiveness for the TCM syndrome were 4.4%, 58.0% and 90.7% respectively in the trial group, significantly higher than 0.9%, 33.1% and 70.4% in the control group (P < 0.025). Remarkable decreases were observed in the NIH-CPSI total score and the scores on pain and discomfort, voiding symptoms and quality of life in the former group compared with the latter (P < 0.025). The trial group also showed a marked alleviation of such main chronic prostatitis symptoms as urgent micturition and perineal pain and discomfort (P < 0.05), as well as an obvious improvement (55.2%) of the WBC count in EPS as compared with 32.4% in the control group (P < 0.05). No serious adverse events occurred in either of the two groups (0.56% [2/349 ] vs 0.83% [1/118]). CONCLUSIONS: Qianliean Suppository is safe and effective for the treatment of chronic prostatitis of damp-heat and blood-stasis syndrome.

[Role of gamma delta T cells in the prevention and treatment of allergic bronchial asthma by desensitization of allergen nebulization].

AIM: To explore the role of gammadeltaT cells in the pathogenesis of allergic bronchial asthma. METHODS: Forty patients with Der.p and Der f allergy and partly-controlled asthma were involved in a random study. Besides the fact that all patients were treated with same basic treatment. Patients in group A were nebulized with 5 mL normal saline while group B with specific allergen twice a week for six months. The percentage of gammadeltaT cells in peripheral blood and induced sputum and the percentage of IL-4(+) and IFN-gamma(+) gammadeltaT cells were detected by flow cytometry(FCM) before and after treatment. RESULTS: The percentage of gammadeltaT cells in group B decreased after treatment, and the percentage of IFN-gamma(+) gammadeltaT cells in both peripheral blood and induced sputum increased significantly in group B than that in group A. CONCLUSION: gammadeltaT cells, which may participate in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma, may contribute to the prevention and treatment of bronchial asthma by desensitization of allergen nebulization.

[An experimental study on airway inflammation and remodeling in a rat model of chronic bronchitis and emphysema].

OBJECTIVE: To study the pathological features of airway inflammation and remodeling in rats with chronic bronchitis (CB) and emphysema and to evaluate the protective and therapeutic effects of erythromycin (EM). METHODS: Forty-three Wistar rats were assigned to eight groups: normal control group (A group, n = 5), normal saline solution group (P group, n = 5), CB group (L group, n = 6), CB and emphysema group (S group, n = 6), low-dose EM-treatment group (E(1) group, n = 5), high-dose EM-treatment group (E(2) group, n = 6), low-dose EM-prevention group (E(10) group, n = 5) and high-dose EM-prevention group (E(20) group, n = 5). The rat model of CB and emphysema was established by intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and daily exposure to cigarette smog. After four weeks, total and differential cell counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were observed, and the pathomorphological changes in the lung were analyzed. The thickness of the smooth muscles and collagen in the bronchial wall were measured. Expression and localization of transforming growth factor beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)) were observed in the bronchi and lung tissues by immunohistochemistry. The levels of hyaluronic acid (HA) and procollagen type III (PCIII) in the serum and BALF were determined by the radioimmunoassay (RIA). RESULTS: (1) Compared with A group [(0.9 +/- 0.7) x 10(5)/ml], absolute neutrophil count in BALF from S group [(17.1 +/- 10.8) x 10(5)/ml] were significantly higher (P < 0.01). (2) Both the pathologic scores obtained from the S group (329 +/- 114) and P group (67 +/- 25), and the thickness of smooth muscles and collagen from S group [(9.6 +/- 2.6)%] and A group [(6.1 +/- 1.8)%] were statistically different (P < 0.01, P < 0.05, respectively). Expression of TGF-beta(1) in the lung of S group was significantly higher than that in A group. (3) The levels of HA [(152.5 +/- 36.3) micro g/ml] and PCIII [(40 +/- 8) micro g/ml] in serum and the levels of HA [(94 +/- 35) micro g/ml] and PCIII [(39 +/- 7) micro g/ml] in BALF in S group were higher than those in A group (P < 0.01). (4) After treatment with 100 mg/kg EM, absolute neutrophil count in BALF, the pathologic scores, the thickness of smooth muscles and collagen in the bronchi, the levels of PCIII and HA in serum and the levels of PCIII and HA in BALF were reduced to (2.1 +/- 1.4) x 10(5)/ml, 187 +/- 61, (6.0 +/- 2.3)%, (9.69 +/- 5.61) micro g/ml, (63.0 +/- 11.6) micro g/ml, (16 +/- 6) micro g/ml, (52 +/- 12) micro g/ml, respectively. Statistical analysis revealed that there were significant differences as compared to those of group S (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Many inflammatory cells especially neutrophils and alveolar macrophages might play an important role in the airway inflammation of CB and emphysema. Thickening of smooth muscles and collagen in the bronchi and the excessive depositions of extracellular matrix (ECM) constitute the fundamental pathological characteristic of airway remodeling in CB and emphysema. EM may prevent airway inflammation and remodeling to some degree.