Interaction between the BDNF rs11030101 genotype and job stress on cognitive empathy.

Background: Empathy refers to an individual's ability to experience the emotional and cognitive processes of another person during social interactions. Although many studies have examined the effects of genetic variation on emotional empathy, little is currently known about whether genetic factors may influence cognitive empathy. This study investigated the relationship between BDNF rs11030101 genotype, job stress, and empathy, especially cognitive empathy, in a Chinese Han population.

The Efficacy and Safety of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Combined With Thymosin in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Harboring Active Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutations.

Objective: To explore the efficacy and safety of EGFR-TKI combined with thymosin therapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients harboring active EGFR mutations.

Methods: Patients confirmed as advanced NSCLC with active EGFR mutations were recruited from August 2008 to July 2018 retrospectively. Patients treated with EGFR-TKI were classified as the EGFR-TKI group.

Concurrent EGFR-TKI and Thoracic Radiotherapy as First-Line Treatment for Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Harboring EGFR Active Mutations.

Lessons Learned: This single-arm, phase II study shows that concurrent EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor plus thoracic radiotherapy as the first-line treatment for stage IV non-small cell lung cancer harboring EGFR active mutations provides long-term control for the primary lung lesion, and 1-year progression-free survival (PFS) rate and median PFS are numerically higher than those of the erlotinib monotherapy.Serious adverse events are acceptable, although grade >3 radiation pneumonitis occurred in 20% of patients.

Background: Studies show effective local control by EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) combined with radiotherapy at metastatic sites in advanced lung cancer harboring EGFR active mutations.

Clinical benefits of Livin peptide-loaded DCs/CIKs combined with chemotherapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Previous studies showed that Livin, a member of inhibitors of apoptosis protein (IAP), played an important role in drug and radiation resistance. When the expression of Livin was blocked, the sensitivity to both chemotherapy and radiotherapy was improved in lung cancer cells. A total of 79 patients diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were enrolled into the current study from Jan 2012 to Apr 2016.

Novel treatment strategies for patients with HER2-positive breast cancer who do not benefit from current targeted therapy drugs.

Human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 positive breast cancer (HER2 BC) is characterized by a high rate of metastasis and drug resistance. The advent of targeted therapy drugs greatly improves the prognosis of HER2 BC patients. However, drug resistance or severe side effects have limited the application of targeted therapy drugs.

Plasma miRNAs in predicting radiosensitivity in non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: Radioresistance of thoracic radiotherapy is a major bottleneck in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Until now, there have been no effective biomarkers to predict the radiosensitivity.

Purposes: Based on miRNA profile screened from NSCLC cell lines with different radiosensitivity, this study was conducted to explore the correlation between plasma miRNAs and radiotherapy response in NSCLC patients, and to identify biomarkers of the radiosensitivity in NSCLC.

Clinical benefit from EGFR-TKI plus ginsenoside Rg3 in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer harboring EGFR active mutation.

Purpose: Acquired resistance is a bottleneck that restricts the efficacy of epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) for lung cancer. Ginsenoside Rg3 is an antiangiogenic agent which can down-regulate the expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and EGFR. Combination of EGFR-TKI and ginsenoside Rg3 may be a promising strategy to delay acquired resistance.

Feasibility study of DCs/CIKs combined with thoracic radiotherapy for patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer.

Background: The combination of dendritic cells (DCs) and cytokine-induced killer cells (CIKs) can induce the anti-tumor immune response and radiotherapy may promote the activity. We aimed to explore the feasibility of DCs/CIKs combined with thoracic radiotherapy (TRT) for patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Method: In this study, patients with unresectable stage III/IV NSCLC and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) of 0-2 and previously receiving two or more cycles of platinum-based doublet chemotherapy without disease progression received TRT plus DCs/CIKs or TRT alone until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

IGFBP7 functions as a potential lymphangiogenesis inducer in non-small cell lung carcinoma.

Lymphangiogenesis is not only involved in the processes of embryonic development, tissue repair and chronic inflammation, but also in tumor lymphatic metastasis. Metastatic tumor cells spreading through lymphatic vessels occur in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), with regional lymph node metastasis often being the most important prognostic factor for carcinoma patients. Recent research has identified a range of lymphangiogenic growth factors that could conceivably play a great role in promoting tumor lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic metastasis.

Aspirin inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced COX-2 expression and PGE2 production in porcine alveolar macrophages by modulating protein kinase C and protein tyrosine phosphatase activity.

Aspirin has been demonstrated to be effective in inhibiting COX-2 and PGE(2) in Alveolar macrophages (AMs). However, the mechanisms have not been fully understood. In the present study, we found that pretreatment with aspirin inhibited LPS-induced COX-2 and PGE(2) upregulation, IκBα degradation, NFκB activation and the increase of PKC activity, but elevated LPS-induced the decrease of PTP activity.

Efficacy and safety of endostar® combined with chemotherapy in patients with advanced soft tissue sarcomas.

Background: Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are a heterogeneous group of tumors, and approximately 40-50% of patients with STS develop metastatic disease. The median overall survival of those patients was 12 months and their 5-year survival rate was 8%. Therefore, study on more effective treatment, especially the targeting therapies, is urgently needed.

CCND1 G870A polymorphism interaction with cigarette smoking increases lung cancer risk: meta-analyses based on 5008 cases and 5214 controls.

Evidence indicates CCND1 G870A polymorphisms as a risk factor for a number of cancers. Increasing studies have been conducted on the association of CCND1 G870A polymorphism with lung cancer risk. However, the results were controversial.

Inhibitory effect of endostatin combined with paclitaxel-cisplatin on breast cancer in xenograft-bearing mice.

In the present study, we aimed to investigate the tumor-inhibiting effects of recombinant human endostatin (rhES) combined with paclitaxel-cisplatin (TP regimen) on human breast cancer in xenograft-bearing nude mice. A total of 24 mice bearing human breast cancer xenografts were administered both rhES and TP, TP alone, rhES alone or saline. The tumor growth inhibition was observed.

Role of inhibitor of apoptosis protein Livin in radiation resistance in nonsmall cell lung cancer.

Objective: The objective of the present study was to explore the role of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) Livin in radioresistance in nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods: Lung adenocarcinoma cell lines A549 and SPC-A1 were used for this study. Using the technique of molecular cloning and gene transfection, two Livin isoforms, Livinα and β, respectively, were expressed in A549 cells with the purpose of exploring the role of Livin in radiation resistance of A549 cells.

IL-17 is associated with poor prognosis and promotes angiogenesis via stimulating VEGF production of cancer cells in colorectal carcinoma.

IL-17, which exerts strong pro-inflammatory effects, has emerged as an important mediator in inflammation-associated cancer. However, the characteristics of IL-17-producing cells, the relevance of IL-17 to clinical parameters and its function in the development and progression of colorectal carcinoma still remain to be explored. In the present study, we first found the levels of IL-17 producing cells were significantly increased in the tumor regions of samples from colorectal carcinoma patients compared with non-tumor regions.

Microarray-based analysis of microRNA expression in breast cancer stem cells.

Background: This study aimed to determine the miRNA profile in breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) and to explore the functions of characteristic BCSC miRNAs.

Methods: We isolated ESA+CD44+CD24-/low BCSCs from MCF-7 cells using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). A human breast cancer xenograft assay was performed to validate the stem cell properties of the isolated cells, and microarray analysis was performed to screen for BCSC-related miRNAs.

Neutralization of complement regulatory proteins CD55 and CD59 augments therapeutic effect of herceptin against lung carcinoma cells.

Human monoclonal anti-Her2/neu antibody (herceptin, also named trastuzumab) failed in the treatment of lung cancer when in combination with two chemotherapy agents gemcitabine and cisplatin, despite of its clinical benefit in women with Her2 positive breast cancer. The capacity of herceptin to activate human complement and complement-dependent cytotoxicity against tumor cells was investigated in a study of tumor immunotherapy. We found that the expression of membrane complement regulatory proteins (mCRPs), CD55 and CD59 on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells was closely correlated with histological types, prognosis and preoperational adjutant chemotherapy of the disease.

MicroRNA expression profile of bronchioalveolar stem cells from mouse lung.

Increasing evidence has suggested that bronchioalveolar stem cell (BASC) is the progenitor cells of lung cancer stem cells. However, the mechanisms by which self-renewal of BSACs is controlled and how BASCs turn into cancer stem cells still remains to be unknown. In the present study, we successfully isolated bronchioalveolar stem cells (BASCs) from mouse lung using FACS.

[Immunological efficiency of DNA vaccine targeting dendritic cells against tumor].

Aim: To construct the DNA vaccine containing ovalbumin (OVA) and Fc fusion gene targeting dentritic cells (DCs) and evaluate its anti-tumor efficiency in an E.G7-OVA-bearing tumor model.

Methods: Constructed OVA-Fc-pcDNA3.

The co-transfection of p16(INK4a) and p14(ARF) genes into human lung cancer cell line A549 and the effects on cell growth and chemosensitivity.

Two functionally and structurally different proteins, p16(INK4a) and p14(ARF), encoded by the gene INK4a/ARF located at 9p21 are cyclin-dependent kinase (cdk) inhibitors and important cell cycle regulators. More and more evidences have been accumulated to show that the exogenous p16(INK4a) or p14(ARF) can inhibit the cell growth and/or induce the apoptosis. But it is still unclear if they can play positive role when combine with the conventional chemotherapy in cancer treatment.

Administration of MIP-3alpha gene to the tumor following radiation therapy boosts anti-tumor immunity in a murine model of lung carcinoma.

Dendritic cells (DC), the most potent antigen presenting cells (APC), have been shown able to process apoptotic tumor cells and necrotic tumor cells for antigen presentation. Apoptosis and necrosis are the two common final pathways through which the tumors are killed by chemotherapy or radiation therapy. The tumor cells receiving radiation often produce the "danger signal" cytokines such as TNF-alpha and IL-1.

Cisplatin-controlled p53 gene therapy for human non-small cell lung cancer xenografts in athymic nude mice via the CArG elements.

Cisplatin, a commonly used chemotherapeutic agent, causes tumor cell death by producing DNA damage and generating reactive oxygen intermediates, which have been reported to activate the early growth response-1 (Egr-1) promoter through specific cis-acting sequences, termed CArG elements. The aim of this study was to construct an adenoviral vector containing CArG elements cloned upstream of the cDNA for human wt-p53, and to observe the effect of this vector on human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) xenografts in athymic nude mice when combined with cisplatin treatment. The adenoviral vector AdEgr-p53 was generated by inserting CArG elements upstream of human wt-p53 cDNA.