Hongfeng Gou

Expressions of COX-2 and VEGF-C in gastric cancer: correlations with lymphangiogenesis and prognostic implications

BackgroundCyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) has recently been considered to promote lymphangiogenesis by up-regulating vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) in breast and lung cancer. However, the impact of COX-2 on lymphangiogenesis of gastric cancer remains unclear. This study aims to test the expression of COX-2 and VEGF-C in human gastric cancer, and to analyze the correlation with lymphatic vessel density (LVD), clinicopathologic features and survival prognosis.MethodsUsing immunohistochemistry, COX-2, VEGF-C and level of LVD were analyzed in 56 R0-resected primary gastric adenocarcinomas, while paracancerous normal mucosal tissues were also collected as control from 25 concurrent patients. The relationships among COX-2 and VEGF-C expression, LVD, and clinicopathologic parameters were analyzed. The correlations of COX-2, VEGF-C and level of LVD with patient prognosis were also evaluated by univariate tests and multivariate Cox regression.ResultsThe expression rates of COX-2 and VEGF-C were 69.64% and 55.36%, respectively, in gastric carcinoma. Peritumoral LVD was significantly higher than that in both normal and intratumoral tissue (P < 0.05). It was significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis and invasion depth (P = 0.003, P = 0.05). VEGF-C was significantly associated with peritumoral LVD (r = 0.308, P = 0.021). However, COX-2 was not correlated with VEGF-C (r = 0.110, P = 0.419) or LVD (r = 0.042, P = 0.758). Univariate analysis showed that survival time was impaired by higher COX-2 expression and higher peritumoral LVD. Multivariate survival analysis showed that age, COX-2 expression and peritumoral LVD were independent prognostic factors.ConclusionsAlthough COX-2 expression was associated with survival time, it was not correlated with VEGF-C and peritumoral LVD. Our data did not show that overexpression of COX-2 promotes tumor lymphangiogenesis through an up-regulation of VEGF-C expression in gastric carcinoma. Age, COX-2 and peritumoral LVD were independent prognostic factors for human gastric carcinoma.

Clinical prognostic analysis of 116 patients with primary intestinal non-Hodgkin lymphoma

The gastrointestinal tract is the most common extranodal invasion site of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Primary gastrointestinal NHL is often discussed together in most survival analyses. Primary intestinal NHL is significantly different from primary gastric NHL with regard to clinical features, pathological subtype, treatment, and prognosis. In this article, we analyzed clinical and pathological characteristics of primary intestinal NHL, and we also explored prognostic factors for primary intestinal NHL. A retrospective analysis was carried out on clinical data from 116 cases of confirmed primary intestinal NHL. The Kaplan–Meier method was used for the survival analysis. A Cox model was used for a multivariate analysis. In 116 patients with primary intestinal NHL, 79 patients were men (68.1%) and 37 patients were women (31.9%). In the cases used in this study, 68 were B-cell NHL and 48 were T-cell NHL. The age, incidence of intestinal obstruction, B symptom and performance status (PS) were closely related with pathological subtype. One-year and two-year survival rates were 76.7 and 58.3%, respectively. The log-rank univariate analysis showed male patients, PS score greater than or equal to two, hypoproteinemia, intestinal perforation, T-cell type, late stage (III/IV), no radical surgery, and no chemotherapy had relatively poor prognoses. Cox multivariate analysis shown that gender (95.0% CI 0.218–0.721), pathological subtype (95.0% CI 1.484–4.179), and radical surgery (95.0% CI 0.110–0.394) were independent prognostic risk factor for primary intestinal NHL. Male patients, T-cell intestinal lymphoma, and no radical surgery had rapid clinical processes and poor prognoses.

Chemo-immunotherapy with oxaliplatin and interleukin-7 inhibits colon cancer metastasis in mice.

Combination of immunotherapy and chemotherapy has shown promise for cancer. Interleukin-7 (IL-7) can potentially enhance immune responses against tumor, while oxaliplatin (OXP), a platinum-based drug, can promote a favorable immune microenvironment and stimulate anticancer immune responses. We evaluated the anti-tumor activity of IL-7 combining OXP against a murine colon carcinoma in vitro and in vivo and studied the tumor immune microenvironment to investigate whether the combined treatment affects on the local immune cell populations. Utilizing lung and abdomen metastasis models by inoculation of CT26 mice colon cancer cells, we evaluated the anti-tumor efficacy of combining IL-7 and OXP in mice models. Tumor immune microenvironment was evaluated by flow cytometric analysis and immunohistochemical staining. Our study showed that the in vivo administration of IL-7 combined with OXP markedly inhibited the growth of tumors in lung and abdomen metastasis models of colon cancer. IL-7 alone had no effect on tumor growth in mice and IL-7 did not alter cell sensitivity to OXP in culture. The antitumor effect of combining IL-7 and OXP correlated with a marked increase in the number of tumor-infiltrating activated CD8+ T cells and a marked decrease in the number of regulatory T (Treg) cells in spleen. Our data suggest that OXP plus IL-7 treatment inhibits tumor cell growth by immunoregulation rather than direct cytotoxicity. Our findings justify further evaluation of combining IL-7 and chemotherapy as a novel experimental cancer therapy.

A case of penile squamous cell carcinoma treated with a combination of antiepidermal growth factor receptor antibody and chemotherapy.

Our previous study showed that the features of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-RAS signaling in penile squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) suggested potential benefits of anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for penile SCC. Here, we report, for the first time, a combination of nimotuzumab (an EGFR mAb) with chemotherapy that resulted in a partial response in a 44-year-old patient with penile SCC, who developed bilateral inguinal node metastasis after primary partial penile amputation. The literature of case reports of anti-EGFR mAbs in penile SCC was also reviewed.

Adjuvant intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with concurrent paclitaxel and cisplatin in cervical cancer patients with high risk factors: A phase II trial

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the safety and efficacy of adjuvant intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with concurrent paclitaxel and cisplatin (TP) in early stage cervical cancer patients with high risk factors after radical hysterectomy. METHODS Patients who underwent radical hysterectomy for FIGO stage IB-IIA cervical cancer and had high risk factors for recurrence were recruited. One cycle of TP was delivered before and after concurrent chemoradiotherapy, respectively. Concurrent chemoradiotherapy began 21 days after the start of the initial cycle of the chemotherapy with two cycles of TP delivered on day 1 and day 29 of radiotherapy. Primary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS), with toxicities, local-regional control (LC) and distant failure (DF) rate as secondary endpoints. RESULTS Between 2008 and 2012, 67 patients were evaluable. The 2 and 4-year RFS rates were 98.2% and 92.9%. Corresponding OS rates were 100%, and 98.0%, respectively. The 4-year LC and DF rates were 98.0% and 5.2%, respectively. Grade 3-4 acute leucopenia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia occurred in 25.4%, 11.9% and 1.5% of patients, respectively. There were 89.6% and 59.7% patients experienced acute vomiting and diarrhea, but only 6.0% and 6.0% patients were grade 3, respectively. No case of chronic toxicity exceeded grade 2. CONCLUSION Adjuvant concurrent IMRT with paclitaxel plus cisplatin are safe and effective in early stage cervical cancer patients with high risk factors for recurrence following radical hysterectomy.

Clinical Characteristics of Patients With Solitary Pulmonary Mass After Radical Treatment for Primary Cancers: Pulmonary Metastasis or Second Primary Lung Cancer?

We identified clinical characteristics of 30 pulmonary metastasis (PM) patients and 29 second primary lung cancer (SPLC) patients with feature of solitary pulmonary mass (SPM) after radical treatment of prior cancers. 6.7% and 44.8% patients presented with centrally located SPM and the median event-free durations were 33 and 72 months in PM and SPLC groups, respectively. PM was more likely to be found in prior cancers with stage III. In conclusion, the location of SPM, the event-free duration and the prior tumor staging were important features for differentiating SPLC from PM among patients with SPM after prior cancers.

Clinical analysis of sarcomatoid carcinoma of the lung

BACKGROUND Sarcomatoid carcinoma (SC) is a rare malignant cancer with mixed tumor and sarcomatoid tissues. The aim of this study is to investigate the clinical manifestations and pathological findings of sarcomatoid carcinoma of the lung. METHODS Data including clinical manifestations, pathological findings, treatment were retrospectively analysed from fourteen patients with lung sarcomatoid carcinoma confirmed by pathology and follow-up was carried out. RESULTS Mean age at onset was 62 years old and gender ratios (M/F) in these patients was 6:1. The clinical manifestations of lung sarcomatoid carcinoma were similar to that of other types of lung cancer while there were characteristic findings on the enhancement CT scan. Bronchofiberscopy was not a reliable examination for final diagnosis. Cells with endothelial phenotype could be detected by immunohistochemical method. CONCLUSIONS The final diagnosis of this disease depends on histopathological observation, while the diagnosis may be missed among patients without surgical intervention. Immunohistochemical examination is helpful for diagnosis and differential diagnosis. The therapeutic strategy is coincident with that for non-small cell lung cancer.

A randomized study of small bore catheter thoracostomy closed drainage versus conventional pleural aspiration in the treatment of malignant pleural effusions

BACKGROUND Malignant pleural effusions commonly occur in patients with advanced cancer. Treatment is often palliative, such as pleural aspiration or tube thoracostomy with large bore chest tube. Tube thoracostomy with large bore chest tube can cause significant discomfort of patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of small bore catheter for drainage and administration of sclerosing agent in the treatment of malignant pleural effusions. METHODS Sixty patients with malignant pleural effusions were randomly assigned to small bore catheter thoracostomy closed drainage group or conventional pleural aspiration group. Cisplatin and interleukin-2 were infused into the thoracic cavity in eligible patients after drainage. Responses were evaluated 30 days later. RESULTS Overall response rate (complete response plus partial response) was 80.00% in small bore catheter thoracostomy closed drainage group and 36.67% in conventional pleural aspiration group respectively (P < 0.01). And the side effects in small bore catheter thoracostomy closed drainage group were obviously less than that in conventional pleural aspiration group. CONCLUSIONS Small bore intercostal catheter for drainage and administration of sclerosing agent is a valid and safe option for malignant pleural effusions.

[A randomized clinical trial of chemotherapy combined with oxaliplatin and cisplatin plus navelbine in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer].

BACKGROUND Cisplatin plus navelbine (NO) is a standard combination chemotherapy regimen for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but severe toxicities due to cisplatin often influence the quality of life in the patients, such as nausea and vomiting. The aims of this study are to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of combined chemotherapy of oxaliplatin and cisplatin plus navelbine in treatment of advanced NSCLC. METHODS A total of 168 patients were randomly divided into NO group (n=83) and NP group (n=85). RESULTS The overall response rate was 38.6% in NO group and 40.0% in NP group respectively. 1-year survival rate was 33.7% in NO group and 31.8% in NP group. There was no significant difference in response rate and 1-year survival between the two groups (P > 0.05). The major side effects were myelosuppression, nausea/vomiting and neurotoxicity in the two groups. Incidences of leukopenia and nausea/vomiting were significantly lower in NO group than those in NP group (P < 0.05), but neurotoxicity in NO group was more obvious than that in NP group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The efficacy and 1-year survival of combined chemotherapy of oxaliplatin and cisplatin plus navelbine are similar in the treatment of advanced NSCLC. However, the side effects of oxaliplatin plus navelbine are lower except for neurotoxicity.

Total neoadjuvant treatment (CAPOX plus radiotherapy) for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer with high risk factors: A phase 2 trial

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE To evaluate the safety and efficacy of Total neoadjuvant treatment (TNT) in patients with rectal cancer with high risk factors. METHODS AND MATERIALS We did this phase 2 trial in patients who were diagnosed with stage II-III rectal cancer with at least one of the high risk factors. Three cycles of induction CAPOX were followed by pelvic radiotherapy of 50.4 Gy/28 fractions and two cycles of concurrent CAPOX. Three cycles of consolidation CAPOX were delivered after radiotherapy. Primary endpoints were pathological complete response (pCR) and R0 resection. RESULTS Fifty patients were enrolled and 47 patients were evaluable. A total of 34 patients (72.3%) completed 6 to 8 cycles of chemotherapy and 46 patients (98%) completed the planned radiotherapy. 17 patients (36%) achieved a pCR or clinical complete response (cCR). Three cCR patients (6.4%) refused the operation and selected a watch-and-wait approach. The most common grade 3 or worse adverse events were leucopenia (10.6%) and radiation dermatitis (6.4%). The major surgical complications included pelvic abscesses/infection in 2 patients (4.3%), anastomotic leakage and hemorrhage in1 patient (2.2%), respectively, which were all addressed with conservative management. CONCLUSIONS TNT is effective and safe in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer with high risk factors. Long-term efficacies of TNT need to be further evaluated. This trial is registered with Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, number ChiCTR-OIN-17012284.