Arsenic trioxide-eluting Callispheres beads is more effective and equally tolerant compared with arsenic trioxide/lipiodol emulsion in the transcatheter arterial chemoembolization treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma patients.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) using CalliSpheres beads loading with arsenic trioxide (ATO) (CBATO) in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighty-six unresectable HCC patients about to receive TACE with CBATO or conventional TACE (cTACE) with ATO were consecutively enrolled and divided into CBATO group (N=38) or cTACE group (N=48), respectively. Treatment response at 3 months (M3) and 6 months (M6) after the first treatment, and the progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were evaluated. Also, the biochemical indexes were documented before treatment, at 7 days, M3, and M6 after the first treatment. RESULTS: The 3-month complete response (CR), overall response rate (ORR), and the 6-month CR, ORR, as well as the disease control rate (DCR) were increased in CBATO group compared with the cTACE group. Also, the TACE with CBATO was an independent predicting factor for lower stable disease+ progressive disease (non-ORR). Besides, PFS and OS were longer in CBATO group compared with cTACE group. Referring to biochemical indexes (including liver function indexes, kidney function indexes, and blood routine indexes), no difference between the two groups was found. As for adverse events, the prevalence of nausea and vomiting was decreased, while the prevalence of other adverse events were similar in CBATO group compared to cTACE group. CONCLUSIONS: TACE with CBATO is more effective and equally tolerant compared with cTACE in treating unresectable HCC patients.

The role of frontal neurons in pain and acupuncture analgesia.

To study the role of frontal neurons in pain and acupuncture analgesia, experiments were carried out on 4 monkeys (Macaca mulatta) during performing two tasks, the Heat Discrimination Response GO/NO-GO Task (Task I) and the Heat Delayed Discrimination GO/NO-GO Task (Task II). After a criterion of 90% of correct performances over three successive days had been reached, activity of single neurons was recorded from the frontal cortex. Of 276 Task I-related neurons, 211 responded to noxious and/or innocuous heat stimuli. Of 73 Task II-related neurons, 59 responded to noxious and/or innocuous heat stimuli. During acupuncture, the nociceptive reaction time for lever release to avoid painful stimuli was increased, the percentage of correct performances was lowered, and the neuronal responses to noxious and/or innocuous stimuli were suppressed. These neurons were mainly located in a circumscribed area medial to the superior ramus of the arcuate sulcus in frontal cortex, including the prefrontal and premotor areas. It is suggested that neurons in this area may be related to the discrimination of noxious and innocuous stimuli. The suppression of the activity of these neurons during acupuncture may be involved in the whole mechanism of acupuncture to facilitate the production of analgesia.