[Treatment of EGFRIs-related Skin Adverse Reactions by Zhiyang Pingfu Lotion].

Objective To observe the curative effect of Zhiyang Pingfu Lotion (ZPL) for its ex- ternal application in treatment of epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFRIs)-related acneiform rash, cutaneous pruritus , xerosis cutis , and nail changes , as well as to evaluate its safety and patients' satisfaction. Methods Recruited were 201 patients with confirmed pathological diagnosis, who had acne- iform rash after using EGFRIs. They were assigned to the treatment group (131 cases) and the control group (70 cases) by random digit table. Patients in the treatment group were externally applied with self- formulated ZPL based on principles of Western medical standards, while those in the control group were externally applied with blank drugs plus conventional Western medicine standard. The therapeutic course for all was 14 days. Changes in rash degree, cutaneous pruritus, xerosis cutis, and nails were observed in both groups before and after treatment. Blood routines as well as liver and kidney function tests were performed in both groups before and after treatment. Follow-up visit was also conducted during progression-free survival (PFS). Results A total of 185 patients finished this clinical trial. Ten dropped out in the treatment group and 6 in the control group. The effective rates of rash degree, cutaneous pruritus, xerosis cutis, and nail changes were 90.1 % (109/121 ), 57.9% (70/121 ), 57. 9% (70/121 ), and 16. 5% (20/121) in the treatment group, respectively. They were 14. 1% (9/64), 6. 3% (4/64), 1. 6% (1164), and 0 (0/64) in the control group, respectively. Significant difference existed in all these indices between the two groups (X² = 105. 1022, 51. 3312, 59. 1777; P <0. 05). No serious drug-related adverse events occurred during clinical observation, with relatively better safety. The satisfaction was 95. 40% (125/131) in the treatment group and 57. 1 % (40/70) in the control group. No statistical difference in PFS was observed between the two groups (X² = 2. 006, P > 0. 05). Conclusions ZPL had significantly curative effect in treatment of EGFRIs-related skin adverse reactions, with no obvious adverse reactions. Howev- er, more randomized control trials are needed to verify these findings.

Detection of circulating tumour cells in gastric and hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review was conducted to summarize the use of circulating tumour cell (CTC) detection as a prognostic indicator in gastric cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: Databases (MEDLINE®, EMBASE®, SCOPUS, Web of Science, Conference Proceedings Citation Index-Science, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, ClinicalTrials.gov) were searched to identify studies that reported the detection of CTCs in patients with gastric cancer or HCC. RESULTS: Fifteen studies in patients with gastric cancer and 10 studies in patients with HCC, with a total of 793 and 577 patients, respectively, met the specific inclusion criteria for further analysis. Heterogeneity and potential bias among the studies prevented any statistical analysis. CONCLUSION: Several methodological techniques have allowed the detection of CTCs in patients with gastric cancer or HCC, but the studies identified in this report generally reported on small cohorts and there was heterogeneity and potential bias in the studies. This highlights the need for large systematic multicentre clinical trials to confirm the potential prognostic benefit of detecting CTCs in patients with cancer.