Cost-effectiveness analysis of different rescue therapies in patients with lamivudine-resistant chronic hepatitis B in China.

Background: Several rescue therapies have been used in patients with lamivudine (LAM)-resistant chronic hepatitis B (CHB); however, the economic outcome of these therapies is unclear. The object of the current analysis was to evaluate the lifetime cost-effectiveness of rescue therapies among patients with LAM-resistant CHB.

Methods: A Markov model was developed to simulate the clinical course of patients with LAM-resistant CHB.

Subgroup economic analysis for glioblastoma in a health resource-limited setting.

Background: The aim of this research was to evaluate the economic outcomes of radiotherapy (RT), temozolomide (TMZ) and nitrosourea (NT) strategies for glioblastoma patients with different prognostic factors.

Methodology/principal Findings: A Markov model was developed to track monthly patient transitions. Transition probabilities and utilities were derived primarily from published reports.

Economic evaluation of first-line treatments for metastatic renal cell carcinoma: a cost-effectiveness analysis in a health resource-limited setting.

Background: To estimate, from the perspective of the Chinese healthcare system, the economic outcomes of five different first-line strategies among patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC).

Methods And Findings: A decision-analytic model was developed to simulate the lifetime disease course associated with renal cell carcinoma. The health and economic outcomes of five first-line strategies (interferon-alfa, interleukin-2, interleukin-2 plus interferon-alfa, sunitinib and bevacizumab plus interferon-alfa) were estimated and assessed by indirect comparison.

Costs of trastuzumab in combination with chemotherapy for HER2-positive advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer: an economic evaluation in the Chinese context.

Background: Adding trastuzumab to a conventional regimen of chemotherapy can improve survival in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancer, but the economic impact of this practice is unknown.

Objective: The purpose of this cost-effectiveness analysis was to estimate the effects of adding trastuzumab to standard chemotherapy in patients with HER2-positive advanced gastric or GEJ cancer on health and economic outcomes in China.

Methods: A Markov model was developed to simulate the clinical course of typical patients with HER2-positive advanced gastric or GEJ cancer.

Cost-effectiveness of adding rh-endostatin to first-line chemotherapy in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer in China.

Background: Adding rh-endostatin to standard platinum-based chemotherapy may significantly improve progression-free and overall survival in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but the cost-effectiveness of this practice is unclear.

Objective: The purpose of this cost-effectiveness analysis was to estimate the effects of adding rh-endostatin to standard chemotherapy in patients with advanced NSCLC on health and economic outcomes in China.

Methods: A semi-Markov model was constructed to track 3-week patient transitions between 3 health states: progression-free survival, progressed survival, and death.

Cost-effectiveness of nucleoside analog therapy for hepatitis B in China: a Markov analysis.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the economic consequences of nucleoside analog therapy for hepatitis B treatment in China.

Methods: A cost-utility analysis of treatments for HBeAg-positive and HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB) was conducted using a Markov model, in which patients' yearly transitions between different health states were tracked. Patients were tracked as they moved between the following health states: CHB, HBeAg seroconversion (HBeAg-positive CHB patients can have this special health state), virologic resistance, virologic response, compensated cirrhosis, decompensated cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, liver transplantation, and death.

Silencing CX3CR1 production modulates the interaction between dendritic and endothelial cells.

CX3CR1, an important chemokine receptor in dendritic cells (DCs), is linked to the progression of atherosclerotic plaques. However, the mechanism(s) determining the role of CX3CR1 in atherosclerosis have not been clearly elucidated. In this study, we developed DCs from monocytes of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats in the presence of recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and recombinant human interleukin-4 (IL-4).

Old biliverdin reductase: links to insulin resistance and may be a novel therapeutic target.

Insulin resistance has been assigned a pivotal role in the pathological progression associated with type 2 diabetes and other chronic metabolic diseases. However, the molecular mechanism involved in this progression is still incompletely understood, and there are still no effective approaches to scavenge it. Many biological molecules, such as ROS, IRS-1, PI3K, have been identified involving in the causes of insulin resistance.

Phase I safety and pharmacokinetic study of magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate after single and multiple intravenous doses in chinese healthy volunteers.

The safety and pharmacokinetics of magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate were assessed in healthy Chinese volunteers. In the single-dose format of this pharmacokinetic study, 100-, 200-, and 300-mg doses of magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate were given by intravenous infusion. The results indicated that the plasma levels were directly proportional to the administered dose, with the mean C(max) and AUC(0-72) ranging from approximately 28.