[Clinical Significance of EBV-DNA Copy Number in EBV Positive Lymphoma Patients].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of EBV-DNA copy number on the prognosis of patients with EBV positive lymphoma. METHODS: Clinical data of 109 patients diagnosed as EBV positive lymphoma in Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital from January 2010 to January 2020 were enrolled and analyzed retrospectively. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used for survival analysis, Log-rank was used to compare the clinical characteristics between the patients in different groups, and Cox regression was used for multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Among the 109 patients with EBV-positive lymphoma, the medium age were 56 (range 15 to 83) years old. 29 patients at Ann Arbor stage I-II while 80 patients at stage III-IV. The average value of EBV-DNA was 1 023 510 IU/ml, 7 patients were higher than the average value, while 102 patients were lower. KM survival analysis showed that OS and PFS in patients with EBV-DNA above average level were shorter than those in patients with EBV-DNA below average level (OS: P=0.048, PFS: P=0.001), EBV-DNA copy number was a factor affecting the prognosis of patients. In addition, LDH level showed positive correlation with EBV-DNA copy number (r=0.650), which was also one of the factors affecting OS (P=0.053). CONCLUSION: EBV-DNA copy number and LDH level can influence the prognosis of EBV positive lymphoma patients. Therefore, detection of EBV-DNA copy number in peripheral blood is important for evaluate the prognosis the patients.

Necroptosis as a potential therapeutic target in multiple organ dysfunction syndrome.

PURPOSE: To investigate how necroptosisis, i.e. programmed necrosis, is involved in MODS, and to examine whether Nec-1, a specific necroptosis inhibitor, ameliorates multiorgan injury in MODS. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: A model of MODS was established in six-week old SD rats using fracture trauma followed by hemorrhage. Control animals received sham surgery. Cell death form and necrosome formation were measured by fluorescence-activated cell sorting and western blotting. MODS rats were randomly assigned to receive Nec-1 or saline with pretreatment and once daily. The first end-point was 72 hours survival. Organ injury and dysfunction, inflammatory cytokine levels, and necroptotic execution protein expression were also recorded. RESULTS: Organ injury and dysfunction were significantly more severe in the MODS group than the sham group (all p<0.01). Furthermore, MODS-induced liver, lung and kidney tissue injury was characterized by necroptosis rather than apoptosis, and accompanied by necrosome formation. Compared to MODS group, Nec-1 administration significantly improved 72 hours survival (p<0.01). Nec-1 administration significantly reduced necroptosis-induced liver, lung and kidney injury and dysfunction, inhibited inflammatory cytokines production, inhibited release of necroptotic execution proteins such as high-mobility group box 1 and mixed-lineage kinase domain-like protein pseudokinase in MODS rats (all p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that necroptosis is involved the pathology of MODS. Further, a necroptotic inhibitor Nec-1 may be considered as an adjunct treatment for MODS.

[Expression and prognostic value of regulatory T cells and M2 macrophages in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma tissues].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the prognostic value of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and M2 macrophages in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) tissues. METHODS: The expression of CD163 and Foxp3 was detected by immunohistochemistry in 92 cases of DLBCL, and it was statistically analyzed whether their expressions correlate with clinical data and prognosis in patients with DLBCL. RESULTS: The density of M2 macrophage and regulatory T cells in DLBCL tumor tissues was significantly higher than that in the adjacent tissues (P = 0.02, P = 0.04). The expression of M2 macrophages was significantly positively correlated with regulatory T cells expression (r = 2.012, P < 0.05). High density of M2 or Tregs had a relationship with extranodal involvement (P < 0.05). Cox regression analysis showed that the expressions of CD163 and Foxp3 were independent prognostic factors of DLBCL (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Combined detection of the expression of CD163 and Foxp3 proteins and then evaluation of the amount of M2 macrophages and Tregs can be used to more closely predict the prognosis for DLBCL patients.

Evaluation of toxicity and single-dose pharmacokinetics of intravenous ursolic acid liposomes in healthy adult volunteers and patients with advanced solid tumors.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), dose-limiting toxicity (DLT), and pharmacokinetics of ursolic acid liposomes (UAL), as a new drug, in healthy adult volunteers and patients with advanced solid tumors. METHODS: All subjects received a single-dose of UAL (11, 22, 37, 56, 74, 98, and 130 mg/m(2)) administered as a 4-h intravenous infusion. Toxicity was assessed and plasma samples were analyzed using validated ultra-performance liquid chromatograph/tandem mass spectroscopy method. RESULTS: A total of 63 subjects including 4 patients and 35 healthy adult volunteers for toxicity study and 24 healthy adult volunteers for pharmacokinetic study were enrolled in this trial. The DLT was encountered at 74, 98, and 130 mg/m(2), and consisted of hepatotoxicity and diarrhea. Other adverse events included grade 1 nausea, grade 2 abdominal distention, grade 1 microscopic hematuria, grade 2 elevated serum sodium, grade 1 vascular stimulation, and grade 1 skin rash. The MTD was 98 mg/m(2). The single-dose pharmacokinetic parameters revealed a linear relationship between C(max), AUC(0→24 h), or AUC(0→∞) and escalated doses. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical data reported for the first time that UAL had manageable toxicities with MTD of 98 mg/m(2). The DLT were hepatotoxicity and diarrhea. Meanwhile, UAL had a linear pharmacokinetic profile. The registration number of this trial is ChiCTR-ONC-12002385.

[Prognostic factors of nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prognostic predictors of nasal NK/T cell lymphoma. METHODS: Records of 80 patients with nasal NK/T cell lymphoma were analyzed retrospectively. The correlation between clinical and haematological factors and prognosis was analyzed with univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: After treatment, 33 of 80 patients achieved complete response, the 5-year overall survival and progression free survival were 52.5% and 32.5%, respectively. In univariate analysis, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, Ann Arbor stage, local tumor invasion out of the nasal cavity, international prognostic index, complete response rate to the primary treatment, treatment model, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH),ß2-microglobulin level, globulin and white blood cell were found to be the prognostic factors. Multivariate analysis indicated that unfavorable prognostic factors included complete response rate to the primary treatment (χ(2) = 17.109, P < 0.01), LDH(χ(2) = 15.695, P < 0.01), and local tumor invasion out of the nasal cavity (χ(2) = 13.503, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Complete response rate to the primary treatment, elevated plasma LDH and tumor invasion out of the nasal cavity may be independent prognostic factors for NK/T cell lymphoma.

[Efficacy and survival status of retuximab-NCE regimen treatment in patients with relapsed or refractory B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma].

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze the efficacy and toxicity of RNCE regimen in the treatment of relapsed or refractory B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). METHODS: From January 2000 to December 2005, 46 patients with relapsed or refractory B cell NHL were treated by RNCE regimen with or without radiotherapy for the involved field. The clinical characteristics, response, toxicity and long-term survival results were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: A total of 46 patients were eligible. The complete response rate of second-line therapy was 52.17% (24/46), and the overall response rate was 82.61% (38/46). The median follow-up duration in this series was 69 months (range:6 to 102 months). The overall 1, 3, 5-year survival rate was 74.8%, 48.3%, 40.1%, respectively, with a median survival time of 30.2 months (5 to 65 months), and median progression free survival time of 10.9 months (2 to 31 months). The major toxicities were myelosuppression, GI toxicity, fatigue, fever and alopecia. CONCLUSION: Our data show that RNCE regimen treatment is effective and well tolerated in patients with relapsed or refractory B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Pharmacokinetic characteristics of vincristine sulfate liposomes in patients with advanced solid tumors.

AIM: To evaluate the single- and multiple-dose pharmacokinetics of vincristine sulfate liposomes (VSLI) in patients with advanced solid tumors. METHODS: In single-dose pharmacokinetic study, 16 patients were administered VSLI (1.5, 2.0, or 2.3 mg·m(-2)) through intravenous infusion. Another 6 patients receiving vincristine sulfate (VCR, 2.0 mg) were taken as the control. In multiple-dose pharmacokinetic study, 12 patients were administered VSLI (1.5 or 1.8 mg·m(-2)) through intravenous infusion weekly for 4 consecutive weeks. The plasma concentration of VSLI was determined using the liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. RESULTS: After intravenous infusion of the single dose of VSLI, the plasma concentrations were characterized by bi-exponential decline curves. No statistically significant differences were observed between the main pharmacokinetic parameters in the 3 dose groups. Compared with the patients receiving VCR, the patients treated with VSLI displayed an increase in the area under the plasma concentration vs time curve (AUC), and a decrease in plasma clearance rates. On the 4th cycle in the multiple-dose study, the plasma concentration of VCR in all subjects prior to the weekly administration was below the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ). The calculated pharmacokinetic parameters from the subjects in the multiple- and single-dose (1.5 mg·m(-2)) groups had no significant differences. Although the administration of liposomal VCR may significantly elevate the plasma concentration of VCR, VSLI-associated adverse events were similar to those associated with conventional VCR. CONCLUSION: VSLI exhibits a lower clearance and a higher AUC compared with conventional VCR. No accumulation was observed in patients exposed to VSLI for 4 consecutive weeks. VSLI was generally tolerated in the subjects. The phase II dose of VSLI may be recommended as 4 doses of 1.5 mg·m(-2) for treatment of patients with advanced solid tumors.

Nimotuzumab combined with gemcitabine and cisplatin as second-line chemotherapy for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of nimotuzumab combined with gemcitabine and cisplatin as second-line chemotherapy for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and to investigate the association of the status of KRAS gene mutation and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) genotype with clinical outcome. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients with advanced NSCLC were enrolled in this single center, uncontrolled pilot clinical study. All the patients developed drug resistance or disease progression after first-line chemotherapy of either a docetaxel + cisplatin regimen or a vinorelbine + cisplatin regimen and then received nimotuzumab combined with gemcitabine and cisplatin as second-line chemotherapy. Eight cases were stage IIIB and 20 were stage IV. An i.v. dosage regimen of 200 mg of nimotuzumab was given as a single dose, injected into the patient at days 1, 8 and 15; i.v. gemcitabine was injected at a dose of 1000 mg/m2 at days 1 and 8 and cisplatin (25 mg/m2 i.v.) at days 1, 2 and 3. Each patient received four or more therapeutic cycles. The efficacy and toxic reactions were evaluated, as well as time to progression and overall survival. RESULTS: In total, 28 patients with advanced NSCLC received 101 therapeutic cycles. The mean cycle number was 3.6. Median time to progression was 4.9 (2.5-6.5) months; median overall survival and 1-year survival rate were 9.8 months and 48.5%, respectively. There was one case of complete response, six cases of partial response, 11 cases of stable disease and 10 cases of progressive disease. Response rate was 25%, and clinical benefit rate was 64.3%. Major toxic reactions were bone marrow suppression and gastrointestinal reaction. Only one patient developed grade I acneiform eruption. CONCLUSION: Nimotuzumab combined with gemcitabine and cisplatin as second-line chemotherapy for advanced NSCLC was active and well-tolerated in this setting. Patients with EGFR amplification and KRAS gene wild type had a better prognosis. Prospective, randomized, controlled, large-scale clinical studies are needed to confirm the results.

[In vitro synergistic effect of bortezomib and pirarubicin on proliferation and apoptosis of T cell lymphoma cell line Hut-78 cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the in vitro effect of bortezomib (BTZ) alone and in combination with pirarubicin (THP) on the growth inhibition of human cutaneous T-cell lymphoma cell line Hut-78. METHODS: Hut-78 cells were cultured with different concentrations of BTZ or THP alone and the two drugs combination for 48 h. Cell proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis were evaluated. The cell cycle inhibitor P21 was determined by Western blot. RESULTS: BTZ or THP alone significantly inhibited the growth of Hut-78 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. In the combination groups, the inhibitory effect of BTZ followed by THP was the highest (P < 0.01). When the inhibition rate was more than 50%, the combination index analysis showed significant synergistic if treated with BTZ followed by THP or the two at the same time, but antagonistic if treated with THP followed by BTZ. With the inhibition rate increasing, only the synergistic effect of BTZ followed by THP was further increased. The apoptosis rate of BTZ followed by THP was higher than that of single agent each (P < 0.01). BTZ alone significantly increased the proportion of cells in G(2)/M phase (P < 0.01) in a dose-dependent manner and up-regulated the expression level of P21. Sequential THP notably enhanced BTZ-induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: BTZ alone effectively induces growth inhibition and apoptosis of Hut-78 cells in vitro. BTZ followed by THP can synergistically enhance this cytotoxic effect. The mechanism may be that THP enhances BTZ-induced G(2)/M arrest and P21 up-regulation.

[Nimotuzumab in combination with chemotherapy in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of nimotuzumab in combination with chemotherapy in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: The clinical data of 37 NSCLC patients who received nimotuzumab in combination with chemotherapy in Tianjin Medical University Cancer Hospital from January 2009 to October 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. Of the thirty-seven patients, 12 patients were in stage III B, 25 patients in stage IV. Twenty-four patients recived platinum-based chemotherapy in combination with nimotuzumab, 13 patients recived nonplatinum-based chemotherapy in combination with nimotuzumab. Ten patients received nimotuzumab in combination with chemotherapy as first-line regimen, 23 patients as second-line regimen, 4 patients as third-line regimen. RESULTS: Of the 37 advanced NSCLC patients who received nimotuzumab in combination with chemotherapy, the total number of chemotherapy were 137 cycles, the mean number was 3.7 cycles. One patient had complete remission (CR), 9 patients had partial remission (PR), 16 cases had stable disease (SD), and 11 patients had progressive disease (PD). The response rate (RR) was 27% and clinical benefit rate (CBR) was 70.3%. The main side effects were bone marrow suppression and gastrointestinal reactions. Grade I acneiform rash was found in one patient. CONCLUSION: The regimen of nimotuzumab in combination with chemotherapy can improve the response rate and was well tolerated in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

[Expression of Cdc7 and mcm2 as a marker for proliferation and prognosis in diffuse large B cell lymphoma].

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the expression of cell division cycle 7 (Cdc7) kinase and minichromosome maintenance protein 2 (MCM2) in diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and explore their relationship with prognosis of DLBCL patients. METHODS: Clinical data of 60 DLBCL patients treated in our hospital from 2008.1 to 2010.1 were collected. The expression levels of Cdc7 and MCM2 in peripheral blood and bone marrow were determined by real-time PCR. A statistical analysis was carried out to evaluate their association with prognosis in DLBCL patients. RESULTS: The 2-year survival rate of patients with high expression of peripheral blood Cdc7 was 38.3% and those with low expression 65.4% (P = 0.001). The 2-year survival rate of patients with high expression of bone marrow Cdc7 was 37.2% and those with low expression was 75.5% (P = 0.032). The 2-year survival rate of patients with high expression of MCM2 in peripheral blood was 44.0% and those with low expression was 68.2% (P = 0.025). The 2-year survival rate of patients with high expression of MCM2 in bone marrow was 39.0% and those with low expression was 63.4% (P = 0.007). A poor disease specific survival was observed in DLBCL patients with high level expression of Cdc7 and MCM2. CONCLUSIONS: Cdc7 and MCM2 expression can be used to assess tumor proliferation and may be useful as an additional marker in combination with conventional markers in prediction of the outcome of DLBCL patients. Moreover, the Cdc7 and MCM2 signal pathway might be useful as a new approach in the treatment of refractory DLBCL lymphoma patients.

Capecitabine combined with weekly docetaxel in Chinese patients > 65 years with anthracycline-resistant metastatic breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: There are no data on more tolerable capecitabine doses in elderly patients in Chinese population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity and safety of capecitabine combined with weekly docetaxel for the treatment of anthracycline-resistant metastatic breast cancer (MBC) in older Chinese patients. METHODS: MBC patients aged > 65 years pretreated with 1 - 5 prior chemotherapy regimens, including an anthracycline, received oral capecitabine 825 mg/m(2) twice daily, days 1 - 14, plus docetaxel 30 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 8 every 21 days. All 41 enrolled patients received at least 1 dose of treatment and were evaluable for safety; 38 received at least 2 cycles (median 4, range 2 - 8) and were evaluable for efficacy. RESULTS: The overall objective response rate was 47%, including complete responses in 8% of patients. Median time to progression was 8.9 months. Median overall survival was 17.6 months. The most common side effects were haematological and gastrointestinal toxicities and hand-foot syndrome. The only grade 3/4 adverse events were neutropenia (12%), alopecia (7%), grade 3 nausea and vomiting (2%) and grade 3 nail toxicity (2%). CONCLUSIONS: Capecitabine 825 mg/m(2) twice daily plus weekly docetaxel is active with an acceptable safety profile in Chinese women > 65 years with anthracycline-resistant MBC. Efficacy and tolerability compare favourably with previously reported trials evaluating higher capecitabine doses in combination with 3-weekly or weekly docetaxel.

[Clinical characteristics and treatment analysis of primary breast lymphoma: 49 cases report].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the morbidity, clinical characteristics, diagnosis, metastasis, treatment and prognosis of primary breast lymphoma (PBL). METHODS: From January 1960 to August 2007, 49 cases with PBL were treated among 22811 cases of breast malignancy and 7337 cases of malignant lymphoma. The clinical data of these 49 patients, included gender, age, pathologic type, breast X ray and B ultrasound examination results, involved lymph nodes and organs, treatment, survival time, were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: From 1960 to 2007, the incidence rate of PBL in Tianjin Municipality was 59/10 millions; in details, the incidence rate of PBL for every 10 years was 2/10 millions, 3/10 millions, 0, 13/10 millions and 32/10 millions, respectively. According to circle graph of age, PBL occurred frequently in female aged 30 to 59 years. Most of this group of PBL was non-Hodgkin lymphoma (48 cases). No typical characteristics was found with the examination of breast X ray, B ultrasound and frozen section pathology. Bone marrow (9 cases), lung (7 cases), meninges (4 cases) and ovary (4 cases) were frequently involved organs. The overall 5-year survival rate was 6.1% for the group. The prognosis in patients with radical mastectomy combined chemotherapy was much better than that in patient received super to local mastectomy plus chemotherapy or simple tumor resection plus chemotherapy (5-year survival rates were 21.4%, 0, 0, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: PBL is a kind of rare lymphoma with incidence increasing sharply in the past few decades. The clinical manifestation is atypical. Diagnosis of PBL should adopt histological examination. Radical mastectomy combined chemotherapy could bring better prognosis, but the prognosis is still poor.

[A multicenter randomized controlled study of temozolomide in 97 patients with malignant brain glioma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of temozolomide (TMZ) and lomustine (CCNU) in malignant brain gliomas. METHODS: In this multicenter, randomized, double-blind, positive-controlled study, patients with malignant glioma of a histological grade III/IV were randomly divided into two groups. In experiment group, TMZ capsule 150 mg/m2 was given orally on days 1 through 5 and CCNU placebo 130 mg/m2 while on day 1. In control group, CCNU capsule 130 mg/m2 was taken orally on day 1 and TMZ placebo 150 mg/m2 while on days 1 through 5. In both groups drugs were given on the first 5 days of 28 day therapeutic course. Every patient was administered at least 3 cycles continuously. RESULTS: 97 patients were enrolled in the clinical trial, 86 cases of which were evaluable for efficacy. The basic conditions of patients in both groups were comparable. After 12 weeks, the response rates in TMZ and CCNU group were 35.71% and 9.09% (P < 0.01) respectively, and the clinical benefit rates in TMZ and CCNU group were 90.48% and 75.00% (P < 0.05) respectively. No obvious improvement was showed in quality of life and neural symptoms in both groups. The common side effects of TMZ were nausea and vomiting with grade I/II. CONCLUSION: TMZ capsule can produce higher efficacy than CCNU in the treatment for refractory malignant brain glioma patients with an acceptable safety profile , indicating that TMZ could be an ideal chemotherapy selection for malignant brain glioma.