Influence of R-CHOP Therapy on Immune System Restoration in Patients with B-Cell Lymphoma.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the immunosuppressive effect of R-CHOP in patients with B-cell lymphoma at 2 years. METHODS: Parameters of humoral and cell-mediated immunity were assessed in 89 patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma or follicular lymphoma before and after 6-8 cycles of R-CHOP-14 or R-CHOP-21 regimen. RESULTS: Data on pre- and posttreatment serum IgG (sIgG) levels were available for all 89 patients, while the corresponding data on serum CD20+, CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ lymphocyte counts were available in only 43. Median sIgG levels significantly decreased from 1,221 mg/dl (baseline) to 733 mg/dl (after chemotherapy) (p < 0.001). Although CD20+ and CD4+ cell counts decreased (p < 0.001), no significant effect of chemotherapy on CD3+ and CD8+ cell counts was observed. CD20+ cell counts were restored to baseline levels at the 12-month follow-up. sIgG levels and CD4+ cell counts were not completely restored at 24 months, indicating a sustained immunosuppressive effect of R-CHOP in these patients. The incidence of infections over the 2-year period was 16.3-23.6%. CONCLUSION: The immunosuppressive effect of R-CHOP in newly diagnosed cases of B-cell lymphoma tends to persist for >2 years, although sIgG levels were restored more quickly than CD4+ cell counts.

Evaluation of a method for calculating carboplatin dosage in DeVIC ± R therapy (combination therapy of dexamethasone, etoposide, ifosfamide and carboplatin with or without rituximab) as a salvage therapy in patients with relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

PURPOSE: Several studies have evaluated the utility of extrapolating the Calvert formula in calculating carboplatin (CBDCA) dosages in solid tumours; however, data regarding haematological cancers are less. Therefore, we conducted a preliminary study of the utility of extrapolating the Calvert formula in calculating CBDCA dosages for DeVIC ± R therapy. METHODS: A retrospective study on 57 non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients who had received DeVIC ± R therapy was conducted. The area under the curve (AUC) of CBDCA was back-calculated from actual dosages using the Calvert formula. Patients were divided into two groups according to an AUC ≥ 4 or an AUC < 4, respectively. The Revised Response Criteria of the International Working Group and CTCAE version 4.0 were used for assessing the treatment efficacy and adverse events, respectively. RESULTS: The use of AUC instead of body surface area had greater utility in calculating CBDCA dosage, with a response rate of greater than 50 % in patients receiving DeVIC ± R therapy with an AUC ≥ 4 for CBDCA. The response rate of the AUC ≥ 4 group was significantly higher than that of the AUC < 4 group. Decreased platelet and neutrophil counts of grade ≥3 occurred at higher rates in the AUC ≥ 4 group. CONCLUSION: The extrapolation of the Calvert formula has utility in calculating the CBDCA dosage for DeVIC ± R therapy, and therapeutic efficacy was increased by maintaining the AUC of CBDCA at ≥4.

Sex-related differences in SLIGRL-induced pruritus in mice.

AIMS: Pruritus is a common symptom of skin diseases, and is associated with impaired sleep quality and a considerable reduction in the patient's quality of life. Recently, it was reported that there are sex-specific differences in scratching behavior in chronic pruritus patients. Namely, female chronic pruritus patients scratch more and have significantly more scratch lesions than male patients. However, few animal studies have examined sex-related differences in scratching behavior. Thus, the present work investigated sex-related differences in animal pruritus using pruritogens, which are often used to create experimental animal models of itching. MAIN METHODS: Acute pruritus was induced in ICR mice by a single intradermal injection of histamine, 4-methylhistamine, serotonin, compound 48/80, substance P (SP), or the proteinase-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2)-activating peptide SLIGRL-NH2. Chronic pruritus was induced by 5 weeks of the repeated application of 2,4,6-trinitro-1-chlorobenzene (TNCB) to BALB/c mice. KEY FINDINGS: Female mice showed significantly higher scratching counts in SLIGRL-NH2-induced pruritus than male mice. Conversely, there was no obvious sex-related difference in scratching behavior for the other pruritogens examined. SIGNIFICANCE: These results indicate that sex-related differences may exist in the pruritogen-responsive neurons that transmit the itch signal induced by SLIGRL-NH2, but not by histamine or 5-HT.

Topical royal jelly alleviates symptoms of pruritus in a murine model of allergic contact dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Royal jelly is widely used as a health tonic, especially in Asia. Royal jelly is commonly used in cosmetics as well as in dietary supplements and beverages. Little is known, however, about the pharmacologic efficacy of topical royal jelly. Therefore, we investigated the antipruritic activity of topical royal jelly on chronic pruritus in experimental allergic contact dermatitis in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HAIRLESS MICE (HOS: HR-1), with chronic allergic contact dermatitis induced by 5 weeks of repeated application of 2,4,6-trinitro-1-chlorobenzene (TNCB) to the entire back skin were treated topically with royal jelly (0.01% or 1%) for 5 weeks after sensitization with TNCB. The effects of royal jelly on pruritus and inflammation were evaluated by measurement of scratching behavior and skin inflammation score, respectively. RESULTS: Repeated application of TNCB to the back skin of mice elicited frequent scratching behavior immediately and 24h after challenge. Topical royal jelly (0.01% or 1%) and betamethasone (0.01%) significantly ameliorated this chronic pruritus throughout the experimental period. The level of nerve growth factor mRNA in back skin was increased in the mice with dermatitis and reduced by betamethasone, but not by royal jelly. CONCLUSION: The inhibitory effect of royal jelly on chronic pruritus may occur through different mechanisms from those of betamethasone. Topical application of royal jelly, as used in cosmetics, might be beneficial for the alleviation of chronic pruritus.