[Significance of Detecting the Plasma Levels of MMP-13 in Patients with Multiple Myeloma].

OBJECTIVE: To study the significance of detecting the plasma level of matrix metalloproteinase-13(MMP-13) in patients with multiple myeloma(MM) and to investigate the correlation of MMP-13 levels in MM patients with myeloma bone disease(MBD). METHODS: The plasma level of MMP-13 was quantitatively analyzed in 53 newly diagnosed MM patients and 30 healthy controls by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Imaging examination was used to determine bone damage in patients with MM. At the same time, using a dual-energy X-ray absortionmetry(DXA), the bone mineral density was examined on vertebra L2 to L4 in the anteroposterior position and the proximal left femur in 17 MM patients and 15 healthy controls. RESULTS: The plasma level of MMP-13 in MM patients was significantly higher than that in the controls(P<0.01), and the MMP-13 level in MM patients with stage III of International Staging System(ISS) was significantly higher than that in patients with stage I-II(P<0.01). The MMP-13 level in MM patients without MBD was significantly higher than that in the controls(P<0.05). According to bone disease grading, 53 patients were divided into group A(bone grade 0-2, n=18)and group B(bone grade 3-4, n=35). Compared with group A, MMP-13 level group B was enhanced significantly (P<0.01). Further analyses revealed that the level of MMP-13 negatively correlated with the bone mineral density on L2 to L4, greater trochanter and Ward's triangle(r values were -0.693, -0.575 and -0.575, respectively, P<0.05), but not correlated with left femoral neck(r= -0.339)(P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The level of MMP-13 in MM patients is significantly high, and closely relates with ISS clinical stage, degree of MBD and the bone mineral density of MM patients. MMP-13 plays an important role in the development of MBD.

Relationships among hope, coping style and social support for breast cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women, and its incidence seems to have gradually increased every year. During the treatment of breast cancer, patients suffer psychological morbidity, and hope is one important factor in maintaining psychological health. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the level of hope in Chinese women with breast cancer during chemotherapy and confirmed the relationships among hope, coping style, and social support. METHODS: One hundred and fifty-nine inpatients with breast cancer who were undergoing chemotherapy in two affiliated hospitals of Harbin Medical University were recruited and investigated. Each patient completed the Herth Hope Index (HHI), Jalowiec Coping Scale (JCS), and the social support scale made by XIAO Shui-yuan, and provided general demographic data. RESULTS: The mean hope level of the 159 patients with breast cancer was 38.62 ± 4.56. There was a statistical difference between the hope level and monthly income. Analysis of results from the Pearson test showed no relationship between the hope level and coping style; however, there were positive relationships between hope and optimism, hope and self-reliance, and hope and palliative coping styles. In contrast, negative relationships were found between hope and the fatalistic and emotional coping styles. The total score of hope and social support had significantly positive relationship for the three scales. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with breast cancer achieved high levels of hope, with the level of hope being proportional to increase in the income. During chemotherapy, patients with breast cancer had adopted many coping styles.