Effective modulation of CD4(+)CD25 (+high) regulatory T and NK cells in malignant patients by combination of interferon-α and interleukin-2.

Overinduced CD4(+)CD25(+high) regulatory T cells (Treg) and downregulated NK cells contribute to tumor-relevant immune tolerance and interfere with tumor immunity. In this study, we aimed to design a novel strategy with cytokine combination to correct the dysregulated Treg and NK cells in malignant patients. Initially, a total of 58 healthy individuals and 561 malignant patients were analyzed for their cellular immunity by flow cytometry. The average percentages of CD4(+)CD25(+high)/lymphocyte were 1.30 ± 1.19 % ([Formula: see text] ± SD) in normal adults and 3.274 ± 4.835 % in malignant patients (p < 0.001). The ratio of CD4(+)CD25(+high) to CD4(+) was 3.58 ± 3.19 % in normal adults and 6.01 ± 5.89 % to 13.50 ± 23.60 % in different kinds of malignancies (p < 0.001). Of normal adults, 15.52 % had >3 % Treg and 12.07 % had <10 % NK cells. In contrast, the Treg (>3 %) and NK (<10 %) percentages were 40.82 and 34.94 % in malignant patients, respectively. One hundred and ten patients received the immunomodulation therapy with IFN-α and/or IL-2. The overinduced Treg in 86.3 % and the reduced NK cells in 71.17 % of the patients were successfully modulated. In comparison, other lymphocyte subpopulations in most patients were much less affected by this treatment. No other treatment-relevant complications except slight pyrexia, fatigue, headache, and myalgia were observed. In conclusion, dysregulated Treg and/or NK cells were common in malignant patients. Different from any regimens ever reported, this strategy was simple and effective without severe complications and will become a basic regimen for other cancer therapies.

Radiofrequency Ablation Combined with Radioactive Seed Implantation for Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer.

The aim of this study is to investigate the value of radiofrequency ablation combined with radioactive seed implantation in nonsmall cell lung cancer treatment. 30 patients with primary nonsmall cell lung cancer were randomly divided into two groups. Group A was treated with radiofrequency ablation combined with radiation seed implantation, and group B was treated with radiofrequency ablation only. We compared the incidence of complications in the two groups and reviewed the effective percentage every 3 months. All patients were treated successfully, and there were no deaths during treatment. There were no deaths and no cases of distant organ metastasis in nine months of follow-up. There were no significant differences in treatment-related complications between the two groups. The early postoperative (three and six months) effective percentage was not significantly different (P > 0.05). After 9 months, the postoperative effective rate for group A (9/15) was significantly different from that for group B (radiofrequency ablation) (6/15) (P < 0.05). Radiofrequency ablation combined with radiation 125I seed implantation can complement each other in the treatment of nonsmall cell lung cancer.

Surgical treatment of esophageal carcinoma after distal partial gastrectomy: Case report and literature review.

The objective of the study was to highlight the significance of surgical treatment for esophageal carcinoma after distal gastrectomy and provide suitable surgical options. A patient with esophageal carcinoma and previous distal partial gastrectomy was treated by replacing the esophagus with remnant stomach and moving the spleen into the thoracic cavity. We then systematically reviewed the literature on the treatment of such conditions. Postoperative recovery went well. During the 2-year follow-up, the patient did not complain any discomfort and had no signs of metastasis or recurrence. For esophageal carcinoma patients who have undergone distal gastrectomy, surgery should remain an option. For patients whose carcinoma is in the lower part of the esophagus or who are frail but had an early diagnosis, surgery to replace the esophagus with remnant stomach and relocation of the spleen into the thoracic cavity should be considered.

[Application of partial costectomy and costophrenic angle closure to supplement high intensity focused ultrasound treatment for liver tumor].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the application of partial costectomy and costophrenic angle closure (PCCAC) and perioperative management in the treatment of liver tumor by high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). METHODS: The clinical data of 69 patients with liver tumor underwent HIFU within the recent four years were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: 92.8% of these 69 liver tumor patients had had concomitant diseases and 13.0% of them developed postoperative complications without anyone died. There was no significant postoperative dysfunctions of kidney or lung as compared with the preoperative ones (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: In the treatment of liver tumor by HIFU, PCCAC, as an auxillary means, giving few complications and little harmful effects on respiratory physiology, is highly safe.