Sequential Cytokine-Induced Killer Cell Immunotherapy Enhances the Efficacy of the Gemcitabine Plus Cisplatin Chemotherapy Regimen for Metastatic Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.

In this study, we investigated the efficacy of sequential cytokine-induced killer cell (CIK) immunotherapy with gemcitabine plus cisplatin (GC) regimen chemotherapy in metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients. Between September 2006 and April 2010, 222 NPC patients with distant metastasis after radiotherapy completion were retrospectively analyzed: 112 patients received 4-6 cycles of GC chemotherapy at 4-week intervals, followed by at least 4 cycles of CIK immunotherapy at 2-week intervals (GC+CIK group); the remaining 110 patients received 4-6 cycles of GC chemotherapy alone (GC group). The evaluation of long-term efficacy showed that the progression-free survival (PFS) rate was significantly higher in the GC+CIK group (log-rank test; p = 0.

Proposal of a clinical typing system and generation of a prognostic model in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma from Southern China.

Purpose: To propose a novel clinical typing classification focusing on the distinct progression patterns of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), to supplement our knowledge of the clinical-biological behavior, to provide useful knowledge for treatment planning, and to contribute to basic research in NPC.

Methods: 632 consecutive patients were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed according to the novel typing system. We considered that NPC can be divided into 5 types as follows: limited (L), ascending (A), descending (D) ascending- descending (mixed) (AD), and distant metastasis types (M).

Translation and validation of the Chinese version of the Quality OF Life Radiation Therapy Instrument and the Head & Neck Module (QOL-RTI/H&N).

Background: To translate and validate the Chinese version of the Quality Of Life Radiation Therapy Instrument and the Head & Neck Module (QOL-RTI/H&N), a disease-specific scale to measure quality of life (QOL) for patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) who received radiotherapy.

Methods: The QOL-RTI/H&N was translated and validated according to the standard process: a translation and back-translation procedure, pilot testing and a validation study. HNC patients were enrolled from the Cancer Center of Sun Yat-sen University and assessed using the QOL-RTI/H&N, QLQ-C30 and QLQ-H&N35.

[Imaging and clinical features of nasopharyngeal adenoid cystic carcinoma].

Objective: To analyze the spreading patterns nasopharyngeal carcinoma and nasopharyngeal adenoid cystic carcinoma.

Methods: Eighteen pathologically confirmed consecutive cases of adenoid cystic carcinomas (ACC) and 182 cases of untreated nasopharyngeal carcinomas (NPC) were reviewed.

Results: Compared with NPC, ACC had higher rates of T4 disease (14.

Cognitive and neuropsychiatric impairment in cerebral radionecrosis patients after radiotherapy of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Background: We sought to characterize the cognitive function and neuropsychiatric symptoms in cerebral radionecrosis (CRN) patients who have received conformal radiation for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Methods: A total of 40 patients treated with radiotherapy (RT) that developed CRN (RT + CRN), 40 patients treated with radiotherapy that did not have CRN (RT-No-CRN), and 36 newly diagnosed untreated nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients (No-RT) were recruited. The cognitive function and neuropsychiatric symptoms were evaluated with Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA), the mini-mental state examination (MMSE), activity of daily living scale (ADL), neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI), Hamilton depression scale (HAMD) and Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA).

Serologic biomarkers of Epstein-Barr virus correlate with TNM classification according to the seventh edition of the UICC/AJCC staging system for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

This study aimed to investigate the association between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-related biomarkers and TNM classification according to the seventh edition of AJCC/UICC staging system for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Serum VCA-IgA and EA-IgA titers and plasma EBV-DNA load were quantified at baseline in 779 patients; the rates of positivity and titers/load were compared by TNM classification. The VCA-IgA-positive rate was significantly associated with advanced N classification and stage; the EA-IgA-positive rate with advanced T and N classifications and stage; the EBV-DNA-positive rate with advanced T, N and M classifications and stage.

Prognostic value of tumor volume for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with concurrent chemotherapy and intensity-modulated radiotherapy.

Purpose: We aimed to analyze prognostic factors in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) treated with concurrent chemotherapy and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT); in addition, we aimed to elucidate the value of primary gross tumor volume (GTVp) in predicting prognosis of patients.

Methods: Between February 2001 and December 2008, 321 patients with NPC treated with concurrent chemotherapy and IMRT were analyzed retrospectively. GTVp was calculated from treatment planning computed tomography scans.

Correlation between nasopharyngeal carcinoma tumor volume and the 2002 International Union Against Cancer tumor classification system.

Background: The correlation between primary tumor volume and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) UICC 2002 T classification, N classification and distant metastasis after radiation therapy was discussed to provide further evidence for the inclusion of tumor volume into the TNM classification staging system.

Methods: Between February 2001 and December 2008, 666 patients with NPC treated with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) were analyzed retrospectively. Primary gross tumor volume was calculated from treatment planning computed tomography scans.

Analysis of risk factors for retropharyngeal lymph node metastasis in carcinoma of the hypopharynx.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence of retropharyngeal lymph node (RPLN) metastasis and to explore the associated risk factors using CT and MRI, to direct clinical radiotherapy in hypopharyngeal carcinoma (HPC).

Methods: The CT and MRI images of 218 patients with pathologically confirmed HPC were analyzed retrospectively. The chi-square test and logistic regression were used for statistical analysis.

Using CT or MRI to assess locoregional spread to determine the radiotherapy target of hypopharyngeal carcinoma.

Aim: To identify the locoregional extension of hypopharyngeal carcinoma (HPC), particularly the invasion of the nasopharynx and skull base, and metastasis of level VI and retropharyngeal lymph node (RPLN) by investigating computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) images; together with the radiotherapy target of HPC.

Methods: CT and MR images of 186 patients with pathologically confirmed HPC between Aug 2000 and Dec 2010 were analyzed retrospectively. We used the χ(2) test and logistic regression to analyze local invasion and regional spread and to determine their relationships.

Prognostic significance of tumor volume in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma undergoing intensity-modulated radiation therapy.

Background: This study was undertaken to analyze the correlation between primary gross tumor volume (GTVp) and prognosis in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) undergoing intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT).

Methods: Between February 2001 and December 2006, 305 patients with NPC treated with IMRT were analyzed retrospectively. GTVp was calculated from treatment planning CT scans.

Prognostic value of soluble MICA levels in the serum of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

Serum levels of soluble MHC class I-related chain A (sMICA) are related with the prognosis of various types of cancer; however, few studies on the prognostic value of sMICA in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have been reported. In this study, we retrospectively investigated the relationship between sMICA levels and clinical features of advanced HCC, and we assessed the prognostic value of sMICA in advanced HCC. Furthermore, the relationship of serum sMICA levels and natural killer group 2, member D (NKG2D) expression on natural killer (NK) cells was also evaluated.

PI3K/Akt signaling pathway-induced heme oxygenase-1 upregulation mediates the adaptive cytoprotection of hydrogen peroxide preconditioning against oxidative injury in PC12 cells.

Both the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) create a survival signal against oxidative stress-induced injuries. Although we have demonstrated that hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) preconditioning confers adaptive cytoprotection against oxidative stress-induced injury in PC12 cells, it remains unknown whether these defense systems are involved in the protective effect of H2O2 preconditioning. In the current study, PC12 cells were preconditioned with 100 µM H2O2 for 90 min, followed by 24 h recovery and subsequent exposure to 300 µM H2O2 for further 12 h.

Sequential chemoradiotherapy with gemcitabine and cisplatin for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

We investigated a new chemoradiotherapy (CRT) regimen for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). A total of 240 patients were randomly assigned to three different CRT regimens: sequential CRT [1 cycle chemotherapy + Phase I radiotherapy (RT) + 1 cycle chemotherapy + Phase II RT + 2 cycles chemotherapy] with a cisplatin-gemcitabine (GC) regimen (800 mg/m(2) gemcitabine on Days 1 and 8 and 20 mg/m(2) cisplatin on Days 1-5, every 4 weeks) (sGC-RT); sequential chemoradiotherapy with a cisplatin-fluorouracil (PF) regimen (20 mg/m(2) DDP and 500 mg/m(2) 5-FU on Days 1-5, every 4 weeks) (sPF-RT) and cisplatin-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy plus adjuvant PF chemotherapy (Con-RT + PF). The complete response rate was higher in the sGC + RT group than in the other two groups (98.

Primary nasopharyngeal adenocarcinoma: a review.

Primary nasopharyngeal adenocarcinoma (NAC) accounts for approximately 0.5% of all nasopharyngeal cancer. The diagnosis, staging and treatment of NAC has not been well described.

Quality of life and radiotherapy complications of Chinese nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients at different 3DCRT.

Purpose: the study aimed to compare the quality of life (QOL) and radiotherapy complications among Chinese nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients at different 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) stages adjusting for other variables.

Methods: 511 NPC patients at different 3DCRT stages were enrolled. They were interviewed regarding SF-36, complications and socio-demographic variables and cancer- or treatment- related variables.

Autologous cytokine-induced killer cell transfusion in combination with gemcitabine plus cisplatin regimen chemotherapy for metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

In this study, we evaluate the efficacy of autologous cytokine-induced killer cells (CIK) transfusion used in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin (GC) chemotherapy to treat nasopharyngeal carcinoma in patients with distant metastasis after radiotherapy. From September 2007 to August 2008, 60 patients with distant metastasis after radiotherapy were followed up and were randomly divided into 2 groups. The 30 patients in the GC+CIK group were treated with adoptive autologous CIK cell transfusion in combination with GC chemotherapy; the 30 patients in the GC group were treated with chemotherapy alone.

Interaction between ROS and p38MAPK contributes to chemical hypoxia-induced injuries in PC12 cells.

The present study investigated whether there is an interaction between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) during chemical hypoxia-induced injury in PC12 cells. The results of the present study showed that cobalt chloride (CoCl₂), a chemical hypoxia agent, markedly induced ROS generation and phosphorylation of p38MAPK, as well as neuronal injuries. N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a ROS scavenger, blocked CoCl₂-induced phosphorylation of p38MAPK.

Surgery alone provides long-term survival rates comparable to those of surgery plus postoperative radiotherapy for patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma of the palate.

We compared the outcomes and rates of survival provided by surgery alone and surgery combined with postoperative radiotherapy for patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma of the palate (ACP), a rare, low-grade malignant tumor arising within the salivary glands. Fifty-eight patients with ACP were included in this retrospective study. ACP at stages T(1), T(2), T(3,) and T(4) was found in 11, 32, 5, and 10 patients, respectively.

Long-term survival of induction chemotherapy plus surgery and postoperative radiotherapy in patients with stage IV hypopharyngeal cancer.

This study was conducted to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and tolerability of induction chemotherapy plus surgery and postoperative radiotherapy in patients with stage IV hypopharyngeal cancer. The patients received two to three cycles of induction chemotherapy before surgery, with cisplatin (100 mg/m(2)) by rapid intravenous (i.v.

Analysis of cervical and retropharyngeal lymph node metastases in the patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.

Background And Objective: Hypopharyngeal carcinoma has a high risk for early regional lymphatic dissemination. However, reports about regional lymph node metastases, especially retropharyngeal lymph node metastases, are rare. This research explored the spread of hypopharyngeal carcinoma, especially metastases of the retropharyngeal lymph nodes by studying computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images.

[Target volume including the nasopharynx for radiotherapy of hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: whether or not].

Background And Objective: There is controversy in whether the nasopharynx should be included in target volume for radiotherapy of hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. This study was to analyze the necessity of radiotherapy including the nasopharynx for patients with hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Methods: Clinical data of 196 patients with hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma treated in Cancer Center of Sun Yat-sen University from May 1994 to August 2006 were analyzed.

Item selection in the development of quality of life scale for nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients.

Background And Objective: At present, the quality of life (QOL) of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients is assessed with the QOL scales for cancer patients or head and neck cancer patients (QLQ-C30, QLQ-H&N35, and so on), and SF-36 scale, but they are not specific scales for NPC patients. The specific scale for NPC patients (Scale of Quality of Life for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma, SQOL-NPC) has not been updated. This study was to develop a QOL scale (Quality of Life for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma, QOL-NPC) for NPC patients in China.

Complications of high intensity focused ultrasound in patients with recurrent and metastatic abdominal tumors.

Aim: To analyze the local and systemic complications of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for patients with recurrent and metastatic abdominal tumors.

Methods: From Aug 2001 to Aug 2004, 17 patients with recurrent and metastatic abdominal tumors were enrolled in this study. Real-time sonography was taken, and vital signs, liver and kidney function, skin burns, local reactions, and systemic effects were observed and recorded before, during, and after HIFU.

[Phase I study of CM-Na combined with concurrent radiochemotherapy for advanced esophageal carcinoma].

Background & Objective: Although concurrent radiochemotherapy is recommended as the standard treatment for advanced esophageal carcinoma, the local failure still reaches up to 44%-54%. This study aimed to explore maximum tolerance dose (MTD) of sodium glycididazole(CM-Na) in the combined planning as the recommended dose for phase II study.

Methods: Twenty-two patients with pathologically confirmed esophageal squamous carcinoma of stage III-IV were recruited according to the inclusion criteria.