A randomized study of aprepitant, ondansetron and dexamethasone for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in Chinese breast cancer patients receiving moderately emetogenic chemotherapy.

Objectives: This is a single center, randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study to evaluate the NK(1)-receptor antagonist, aprepitant, in Chinese breast cancer patients. The primary objective was to compare the efficacy of aprepitant-based antiemetic regimen and standard antiemetic regimen for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in patients who received moderately emetogenic chemotherapy. The secondary objective was to compare the patient-reported quality of life in these two groups of patients.

Bronchial artery embolisation can be equally safe and effective in the management of chronic recurrent haemoptysis.

Objective: To examine the efficacy and safety of bronchial artery embolisation in patients with acute major haemoptysis and those with chronic recurrent haemoptysis.

Design: Retrospective review of clinical records.

Setting: Regional hospital, Hong Kong.

Genotype-specific genomic markers associated with primary hepatomas, based on complete genomic sequencing of hepatitis B virus.

We aimed to identify genomic markers in hepatitis B virus (HBV) that are associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development by comparing the complete genomic sequences of HBVs among patients with HCC and those without. One hundred patients with HBV-related HCC and 100 age-matched HBV-infected non-HCC patients (controls) were studied. HBV DNA from serum was directly sequenced to study the whole viral genome.

Transarterial ethanol ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma with lipiodol ethanol mixture: phase II study.

Purpose: This prospective trial aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of transarterial ethanol ablation (TEA) of intrahepatic lesions of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with a Lipiodol-ethanol mixture.

Materials And Methods: Seventy-seven patients were recruited and 164 lesions (mean size, 5.2 cm +/- 3.

High viral load and hepatitis B virus subgenotype ce are associated with increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Purpose: We aimed to investigate the impact of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA and HBV genotypes/subgenotypes on the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Patients And Methods: A prospective cohort of patients infected with chronic HBV in a surveillance program for HCC since 1997 was studied. Ultrasound and alpha-fetoprotein evaluation were regularly performed to detect HCC.

Genetic polymorphisms and plasma levels of transforming growth factor-beta(1) in Chinese patients with tuberculosis in Hong Kong.

Susceptibility to tuberculosis (TB) may be affected by host genetic factors. Elevated levels of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta(1)) were found in plasma of patients with active TB compared with those of healthy contacts. To investigate the association of TGF-beta(1) gene polymorphisms (C-509T and T869C) and plasma levels with the risk of TB in Hong Kong Chinese adults, a case-control study was carried out on 174 active TB patients and 174 healthy controls matched for age, gender and smoking.

Increased inducible nitric oxide synthase in lung carcinoma of smokers.

Background: Cigarette smoking is well known to play an important role in the development of lung cancer. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) can either promote or inhibit cell proliferation and growth, which makes its role in the development of malignant tumors controversial. The relation between cigarette smoking and iNOS in human lung cancer is unknown.

A comparison of three transarterial lipiodol-based formulations for hepatocellular carcinoma: in vivo biodistribution study in humans.

This study aimed to evaluate and compare the biodistribution properties of three transarterial Lipiodol-based therapeutic regimens in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this prospective study with 13 patients randomly allocated to one of three study groups, each of the patients received transcatheter intra-arterial administration into a solitary HCC with one of three different Lipiodol-based formulations: Lipiodol-ethanol mixture (LEM; Group A), Lipiodol alone (Group B), and Lipiodol and gelatin pledgets (Group C). With the use of radioactive iodine-131-labeled Lipiodol, each group was assessed for (1) pattern of Lipiodol accumulation in the lungs within the first 2 weeks as evaluated by single-photon emission computed tomography and (2) decomposition of Lipiodol formulation within the first 2 weeks as evaluated by radioactivity detected in peripheral blood and urine.

A multicenter phase II trial of 3-aminopyridine-2-carboxaldehyde thiosemicarbazone (3-AP, Triapine) and gemcitabine in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer with pharmacokinetic evaluation using peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Background: We tested the hypothesis that 3-aminopyridine-2-carboxaldehyde thiosemicarbazone (3-AP, Triapine) may enhance response to re-treatment with gemcitabine by enhancing intracellular uptake of gemcitabine in a phase II study.

Method: Patients who had prior exposure to gemcitabine as a first-line treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were given weekly infusions of 3-AP and gemcitabine for 3 weeks followed by 1 week of rest, repeated every 28 days. Plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were collected to evaluate the effect of 3-AP on pharmacokinetics and intracellular uptake of gemcitabine.

Sequential chemotherapy with combination irinotecan and cisplatin followed by docetaxel for treatment-naïve patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: Sequential administration of platinum-based doublet therapy and then a taxane may reduce the risk of drug resistance and, therefore, improve treatment outcome. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of sequential administration of irinotecan and cisplatin and then docetaxel in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods: Eligible patients received irinotecan in 60-mg/m2 infusions for 30 to 60 minutes on days 1, 8, and 15, and cisplatin in 75-mg/m2 infusions for 60 minutes on day 1 every 28 days for four cycles (IC).

A phase II study of patients with metastatic or locoregionally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma and evaluation of plasma Epstein-Barr virus DNA as a biomarker of efficacy.

Background: The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is commonly overexpressed in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and gefitinib inhibits NPC growth in vitro.

Method: Patients who progressed after prior platinum-based chemotherapy for recurrent NPC were given gefitinib orally at 500 mg/day at a 28-day cycle. Plasma Epstein-Barr virus (pEBV) DNA levels were obtained at specific intervals.

Microphthalmos associated with Dartmouth combination chemotherapy in pregnancy: a case report.

Background: Use of Dartmouth combination chemotherapy in pregnancy is scarcely reported, with only 1 report of its use in the late second and third trimesters and no report of its use in the first trimester.

Case: This is the first reported case in which the Dartmouth combination chemotherapy regimen was inadvertently used in a pregnant woman during the first and second trimesters for treatment of metastatic melanoma. The infant was found to have isolated microphthalmos and severe hypermetropia at 1 year of age.

Effects of patupilone (epothilone B; EPO906), a novel chemotherapeutic agent, in hepatocellular carcinoma: an in vitro study.

Purpose: In this study, the cytotoxic effects of patupilone (epothilone B; EPO906) were assessed in a panel of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines, and were compared with doxorubicin and the microtubule-stabilizing taxanes.

Methods: The following HCC cell lines were used: PLC/PRF/5, HepG2, Hep3B, SNU-387, SNU-398, SNU-423, SNU-449, and SNU-475. Cells were treated with various concentrations of patupilone, paclitaxel, docetaxel, or doxorubicin for 72 h; 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC(50)) were determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide assay.

The epidermal growth factor receptor intron1 (CA) n microsatellite polymorphism is a potential predictor of treatment outcome in patients with advanced lung cancer treated with Gefitinib.

The goal of our study was to assess the association between R497K and intron1 (CA) n repeat genetic polymorphisms of the EGF (epidermal growth factor) receptor and the clinical outcome of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer treated with EGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor. We determined the genotypes for R497K and intron1 (CA) n repeat genetic polymorphisms of 70 Chinese patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Genetic polymorphisms were correlated with the clinical outcome of treatment with EGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

Hepatitis B viral load predicts survival of HCC patients undergoing systemic chemotherapy.

Unlabelled: HCC is a common cause of morbidity and mortality. For patients who are not candidates for curative surgery, systemic chemotherapy is one of the standard treatments. In parts of China and the Far East, over 80% of HCC patients have chronic HBV infection.

KDR expression is associated with the stage and cigarette smoking of the patients with lung cancer.

Purpose: Kinase insert domain-containing receptor (KDR) is one of the molecular targets used in cancer therapy. We studied the KDR expression characteristics and the relationship with the clinical parameters of the patients with lung cancer, to give the basic evidence and clue for tailoring therapy.

Methods: Reverse transcriptase and real-time PCR were used to evaluate the KDR mRNA expression levels in 222 tissue samples (106 tumor tissues, 106 matched normal tissues obtained from the same patients with lung cancer, and 10 normal lung specimens from individuals without lung cancer).

Epidermal growth factor receptor mutations and their correlation with gefitinib therapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: a meta-analysis based on updated individual patient data from six medical centers in mainland China.

Background: Convincing data on epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations in Chinese patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain limited. We investigated the relevance of demographic characteristics and EGFR mutations, correlations between the efficacy of gefitinib and EGFR mutations in NSCLC, and to identify individuals who would likely benefit from gefitinib.

Methods: We conducted a meta-analysis based on updated individual patient data from six medical centers in mainland China.

MET amplification leads to gefitinib resistance in lung cancer by activating ERBB3 signaling.

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) kinase inhibitors gefitinib and erlotinib are effective treatments for lung cancers with EGFR activating mutations, but these tumors invariably develop drug resistance. Here, we describe a gefitinib-sensitive lung cancer cell line that developed resistance to gefitinib as a result of focal amplification of the MET proto-oncogene. inhibition of MET signaling in these cells restored their sensitivity to gefitinib.

Phase II trial of gemcitabine-carboplatin-paclitaxel as neoadjuvant chemotherapy for operable non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: The aim of this single-arm phase II study was to evaluate the efficacy, feasibility, and safety of the gemcitabine-carboplatin-paclitaxel combination as neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with operable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods: Patients with stage IB, II, or IIIA NSCLC were given three cycles of chemotherapy followed by tumor resection. Each 21-day cycle consisted of gemcitabine 1000 mg/m on days 1 and 8, carboplatin AUC 5 on day 1, and paclitaxel 175 mg/m on day 1.

A memetic algorithm for multiple-drug cancer chemotherapy schedule optimization.

This correspondence introduces a multidrug cancer chemotherapy model to simulate the possible response of the tumor cells under drug administration. We formulate the model as an optimal control problem. The algorithm in this correspondence optimizes the multidrug cancer chemotherapy schedule.

A double-blind placebo-controlled randomized study of Chinese herbal medicine as complementary therapy for reduction of chemotherapy-induced toxicity.

Background: Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) is a common complementary therapy used by patients with cancer for reduction of chemotherapy-induced toxic effects. This study applied the highest standard of clinical trial methodology to examine the role of CHM in reducing chemotherapy-induced toxicity, while maintaining a tailored approach to therapy.

Patients And Methods: Patients with early-stage breast or colon cancer who required postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy were eligible for the study.

Apoptosis induced by troglitazone is both peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma- and ERK-dependent in human non-small lung cancer cells.

The role of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma) in cell differentiation, cell-cycle arrest, and apoptosis has attracted increasing attention. We have recently demonstrated that PPARgamma ligands-troglitazone (TGZ) induced apoptosis in lung cancer cells. In this report, we further studied the role of ERK1/2 in lung cancer cells treated by TGZ.

The clinical value of autofluorescence bronchoscopy for the diagnosis of lung cancer.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of autofluorescence bronchoscopy (AFB) in the routine work-up of lung cancer. Consecutive patients with atypical or suspicious cells in sputum or bronchial aspirate, no localising abnormality on chest radiography and nondiagnostic white-light bronchoscopic (WLB) results were recruited. WLB and AFB were performed sequentially during the same session.

A novel evolutionary drug scheduling model in cancer chemotherapy.

In this paper, we introduce a modified optimal control model of drug scheduling in cancer chemotherapy and a new adaptive elitist-population-based genetic algorithm (AEGA) to solve it. Working closely with an oncologist, we first modify the existing model, because its equation for the cumulative drug toxicity is inconsistent with medical knowledge and clinical experience. To explore multiple efficient drug scheduling policies, we propose a novel variable representation--a cycle-wise representation, and modify the elitist genetic search operators in the AEGA.