Myelodysplastic Syndrome Treated by Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine: A Case Report.

Context: Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a group of highly heterogeneous, malignant clonal diseases derived from hematopoietic stem cells. PD-1 monoclonal antibodies can have a synergistic effect with hypomethylating agents (HMAs), especially for patients with drug resistance to demethylation drugs. TCM in the treatment of MDS can improve hematological indexes, and for some patients, control the proliferation of primitive cells and delay or even block the transformation to leukemia. Objective: The study intended to examine the therapeutic effects of programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) inhibitors and azacitidine combined with the Yisuifang Thick Decoction in the treatment of MDS with older, high-risk patients. Design: The research team performed five prospective case studies. Setting: The study took place at the East Hospital affiliated with Beijing University of Chinese Medicine in Beijing, China. Participants: Participants were five older, high-risk MDS patients at the hospital who received PD-1 and azacitidine combined with Yisuifang Thick Decoction between April 2020 and June 2021. Outcome Measures: The research team measured: (1) treatment duration, (2) curative effects, (3) myelosuppression, (4) immune-related adverse reactions, (5) ending outcomes, and (6) progression-free survival (PFS). Results: The male to female ratio for the five participants was 3:2, and the median age was 69 years, with a range from 62 to 79 years. Four participants had refractory HR-MDS and one had primary MDS. The median treatment duration was 3 months, with a range from 2 to 4 months, and the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 5 months, with a range from 3 to 14 months. All participants achieved a partial response (PR) or a complete remission with incomplete count recovery (CRi) and showed improvement in serological indexes. Conclusions: Older, high-risk MDS patients generally have poor physical conditions, often accompanied by a poor karyotype prognosis and a poor prognosis for survival. Therefore, the combination of PD-1, azacytidine, and Yisuifang Thick Decoction may be an effective way to treat HR-MDS.

Effect of electro-acupuncture therapy on limb spasm and excitability of motor neurons in stroke rats / 浙江大学学报·医学版

To investigate the effect of electro-acupuncture therapy on limb spasm and excitability of motor neurons in stroke rats. Ischemic stroke model was induced with middle cerebral artery embolization in SD rats. Thirty-three modeled rats were randomly divided into model group, electro-acupuncture group, and baclofen group with 11 rats in each group, and another 10 rats were taken as sham operation group. The electro-acupuncture group and the baclofen group were treated with electro-acupuncture and baclofen tablets respectively. The model group and the sham operation group had no intervention. The neural function was evaluated with Bederson's scale and balance beam test; the muscle tension was measured with electrophysiography; the pathological changes of brain tissue was examined with HE staining; the content of glutamic acid (Glu) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in rat cerebral cortex was analyze with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method, the expression of metabotropic glutamate receptor 1a () and γ-aminobutyric acid type B receptor subunit 1 () mRNA were detected with RT-qPCR. Compared with the model group, the neurological function scores of the electro-acupuncture group and the baclofen group showed a downward trend at d7 after operation (all >0.05), and the neurological function scores of the electro-acupuncture group and the baclofen group were significantly decreased at d12 after the operation (all 0.05). Compared with the model group, the electrophysiological results of the electro-acupuncture group and baclofen group were significantly increased after operation (all <0.05). The results of HE staining showed that there was no cell edema and degeneration in the sham operation group, no pyknosis of the nucleus, and no bleeding in the interstitium. Cell edema and degeneration and mesenchymal congestion appeared in the model group. Compared with the model group, the cytoplasmic edema and degeneration and the interstitial bleeding in the electroacupuncture group and the baclofen group were reduced. Compared with sham operation group, the Glu content and the relative expression of mRNA was increased in the model group, electro-acupuncture group and baclofen group, while the GABA content and the relative expression of mRNA decreased (all <0.05). Compared with model group, the Glu content and the relative expression of mRNA in the electro-acupuncture group and baclofen group decreased, and the GABA content and relative expression of mRNA increased (all <0.05). Electro-acupuncture may improve limb spasm after stroke through regulating the expression of Glu and GABA in the cerebral cortex and the excitability of motor neurons in rats.

Retrospective effect analysis of integration of traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine in treatment of multiple myeloma / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective To find out a treatment with high remission rate,long living period,and a good quality of life for elderly patients with multiple myeloma.Methods All patients were recruited into a treatment group(treated with traditional Chinese medicine,routine chemotherapy,and thalidomide)and a comparison group(treated with traditional Chinese medicine and routine chemotherapy).Results The total effective rate of the treatment group was 71.4%,higher than the comparison group(38.5%),but showing 110 statistical difference(P=0.128＞0.05).Median survive time of two groups were 21.8 months and 12 months respectively,(P=0.001＜0.01).The survival rate of 3 years and 5 years were 28.6%,15.4%and 7.1%,0 in the two groups respectively,without significant difference(0.317,1.000,both P＞0.05).Conclusion The treatment group showed higher results in both complete remission rate(CR)and very good partial remission rate(VGPR)than the comparison group,demonstrating a better results in improving the patient's quality of life.The treatment group also had a higher value of the median survive time and the median progression-free surial time than the comparison group.The combined therapy of traditional Chinese medicine,routine chemotherapy and thalidomide is an ideal choice for both aged Patients or young MM patients who had no transplant conditions.