Demethylation of miR-34a upregulates expression of membrane palmitoylated proteins and promotes the apoptosis of liver cancer cells.

Background: Liver cancer is a common cancer and the main cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Liver cancer is the sixth most common cancer in the world. Although miR-34a and palmitoyl membrane palmitoylated protein (MPP2) are reportedly involved in various cell processes, their precise roles in liver cancer are still unclear.

Changes in tumour volume and motion during radiotherapy for thoracic oesophageal cancer.

Background And Purpose: Variations of target volume and position were important factors in correction of radiotherapy planning. The purpose was to investigate the changes in volume and motion of oesophageal cancer during radiotherapy using four-dimensional computed tomography (4D-CT).

Methods And Materials: In total, 109 enhanced 4D-CT data sets were acquired for 38 patients throughout treatment.

[Influence of registration based on different reference markers on the displacement of the geometry consisted of all clips in the cavity for external-beam partial breast irradiation at moderate deep inspiration breath holding].

Objective: To investigate the influence of registration based on different reference markers on the displacement of the geometry consisted of all clips in the cavity for external-beam partial breast irradiation at moderate deep inspiration breath holding assisted by active breathing control device.

Methods: Twenty-seven early stage breast cancer patients feasible for external beam partial breast irradiation (EB-PBI) were selected. The patients undertaken three-dimensional computed tomography (3DCT) simulation scan at moderate deep inspiration breath holding (mDIBH) assisted by active breathing control device, and two sets of mDIBH CT images were got and transferred to the Pinnacle 3 planning system.

Detection of interfraction displacement and volume variance during radiotherapy of primary thoracic esophageal cancer based on repeated four-dimensional CT scans.

Background: To investigate the interfraction displacement and volume variation of primary thoracic esophagus carcinoma with enhanced four-dimensional computed tomography (4DCT) scanning during fractionated radiotherapy.

Methods: 4DCT data sets were acquired at the time of treatment simulation and every ten fraction for each of 32 patients throughout treatment. Scans were registered to baseline (simulation) 4DCT scans by using bony landmarks.

Phase I/II study of induction chemotherapy plus concurrent chemotherapy and SMART-IMRT-based radiotherapy in locoregionally-advanced nasopharyngeal cancer.

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy, toxicity and tolerability of simultaneous modulated accelerated radiation therapy (SMART)-intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) plus cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) chemotherapy for patients with advanced nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC). Forty-five patients with stage II-IV NPC, determined by the American Joint Committee on Cancer system, were treated with prescribed doses of 72 Gy total to the gross tumor volume, 60 Gy to the clinical target volume and metastatic nodal station, and 54 Gy to the clinically-negative neck region. Before radiotherapy, two cycles of cisplatin (30 mg/m(2)/day on days 1-3) plus 5-FU (400 mg/m(2)/day on days 1-5) were delivered every three weeks for two cycles.

Evaluation of dosimetric variance in whole breast forward-planned intensity-modulated radiotherapy based on 4DCT and 3DCT.

This study was performed to explore and compare the dosimetric variance caused by respiratory movement in the breast during forward-planned IMRT after breast-conserving surgery. A total of 17 enrolled patients underwent the 3DCT simulation scans followed by 4DCT simulation scans during free breathing. The treatment planning constructed using the 3DCT images was copied and applied to the end expiration (EE) and end inspiration (EI) scans and the dose distributions were calculated separately.

[Evaluation of dosimetric variance in forward intensity modulated radiotherapy of the breast based on 4D CT and 3D CT during free breathing].

Objective: To explore the dosimetric variance in forward intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) based on 4D CT and 3D CT after breast conserving surgery.

Methods: Seventeen patients after breast conserving surgery underwent 3D CT simulation scans followed by respiration-synchronized 4D CT simulation scans at free breathing state. The treatment plan constructed using the end inspiration (EI) scan was then copied and applied to the end expiration (EE), and 3D scans and dose distribution were calculated separately.

[Displacement of the silver clips in surgical cavity based on four-dimensional CT images for patients undertaking external-beam partial breast irradiation after breast-conserving surgery].

Objective: To explore the displacement of the selected clips and the center of the geometry consisted of all the clips in the surgical cavity measured on the basis of four-dimensional computed tomography (4D-CT) simulation images.

Methods: Fourteen breast cancer patients after breast-conserving surgery were recruited for external beam partial-breast irradiation (EB-PBI), and received large aperture CT simulation. The 4D-CT image data sets were collected when the patient was in the free breathing state.

[Comparison of three methods to delineate internal gross target volume of the primary hepatocarcinoma based on four-dimensional CT simulation images].

Objective: To compare the position and magnitude of internal target gross volume (IGTV) of primary hepatocarcinoma delineated by three methods based on four-dimensional computed tomography (4D-CT) and to investigate the relevant factors affecting the position and magnitude.

Methods: Twenty patients with primary hepatocarcinoma after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) underwent big bore 4D-CT simulation scan of the thorax and abdomen using a real-time position management (RPM) system for simultaneous record of the respiratory signals. The CT images with respiratory signal data were reconstructed and sorted into 10 phase groups in a respiratory cycle, with 0% phase corresponding to end-inhale and 50% corresponding to end-exhale.

[Comparison of overlap ratios of the target volume in different respiratory states with active breathing control for external-beam partial breast irradiation].

Objective: To explore the overlap ratio of the target volume in different respiratory statuses of active breath control (ABC) and their differences during external-beam partial breast irradiation (EB-PBI), and from the perspective of target volume overlap to determine the influence of the ABC-assisted breathing condition on intra-fractional target movement of EB-PBI.

Methods: The patients, who received breast-conserving surgery with silver clips marked at the margins of the cavity and were suitable for EB-PBI, were immobilized on the breast bracket to undertake CT simulation assisted by ABC device, six sets of CT simulation images including two sets of image in state of moderate deep inspiration breathing control (mDIBH), two sets of images in state of free breath (FB) and two sets of images in state of deep expiration breathing control (DEBH) were obtained. The six sets of images were transferred to Pinnacle(3) treatment planning system (TPS), then automatic fusion and registration between two sets of mDIBH images, two sets of FB images, two sets of DEBH images and mDIBH image and DEBH image were achieved separately.

[Influence of active breathing control on the dose distribution in the target of forward whole-breast intensity-modulated radiotherapy after breast conserving surgery].

Objective: To explore the influence of intrafraction and interfraction target displacement on the dose distribution in the target of forward whole-breast intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) assisted by active breathing control (ABC).

Methods: Each of the selected patient who had received breast conserving surgery was immobilized and received the primary CT simulation assisted by ABC device to get five sets of CT images in three different breathing status, including free breathing (FB) (one set), moderate deep inspiration breathing hold (mDIBH)(two sets) and deep expiration breathing hold (DEBH) (2 sets). After 10 to 15 fractions of radiation, the repeated CT simulation was completed and the same five sets of CT images were obtained at FB, mDIBH, and DEBH, respectively.

[Relationship of dose-volume histogram parameters and computed tomography grading of radiation-induced lung injury in patients with non-small cell lung cancer treated by three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy].

Objective: To explore the relationship of dose-volume histogram (DVH) parameters and computed tomography grading of radiation-induced lung injury in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated by three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT).

Methods: One hundred sixty-nine patients with stage I approximately III NSCLC, treated by 3D-CRT and followed by CT scan for more than six months after 3D-CRT, were divided into grade 0 to grade 4 based on the appearance of radiation-induced lung injury on CT image defined jointly by radiotherapist and radiologist. The patients were divided into CT positive group (grade 2 to grade 4) and CT negative group (grade 0 to grade 1), then the treatment planning shown to the patients were reviewed to compare and analyze the relationship of CT grading of radiation-induced lung injury and the DVH parameter selected.