Cross-Sectional and Prospective Association of Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D with Gut Mycobiota during Pregnancy among Women with Gestational Diabetes.

SCOPE: Little is known about the effect of blood vitamin D status on the gut mycobiota (i.e., fungi), a crucial component of the gut microbial ecosystem. The study aims to explore the association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and gut mycobiota and to investigate the link between the identified mycobial features and blood glycemic traits. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study examines the association between serum 25(OH)D levels and the gut mycobiota in the Westlake Precision Birth Cohort, which includes pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The study develops a genetic risk score (GRS) for 25(OH)D to validate the observational results. In both the prospective and cross-sectional analyses, the vitamin D is associated with gut mycobiota diversity. Specifically, the abundance of Saccharomyces is significantly lower in the vitamin D-sufficient group than in the vitamin D-deficient group. The GRS of 25(OH)D is inversely associated with the abundance of Saccharomyces. Moreover, the Saccharomyces is positively associated with blood glucose levels. CONCLUSION: Blood vitamin D status is associated with the diversity and composition of gut mycobiota in women with GDM, which may provide new insights into the mechanistic understanding of the relationship between vitamin D levels and metabolic health.

Continuous glucose monitoring-derived glycemic metrics and adverse pregnancy outcomes among women with gestational diabetes: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) has shown potential in improving maternal and neonatal outcomes in individuals with type 1/2 diabetes, but data in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is limited. We aimed to explore the relationship between CGM-derived metrics during pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes among women with GDM. Methods: We recruited 1302 pregnant women with GDM at a mean gestational age of 26.0 weeks and followed them until delivery. Participants underwent a 14-day CGM measurement upon recruitment. The primary outcome was any adverse pregnancy outcome, defined as having at least one of the outcomes: preterm birth, large-for-gestational-age (LGA) birth, fetal distress, premature rupture of membranes, and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission. The individual outcomes included in the primary outcome were considered as secondary outcomes. We conducted multivariable logistic regression to evaluate the association of CGM-derived metrics with these outcomes. Findings: Per 1-SD difference in time above range (TAR), glucose area under the curve (AUC), nighttime mean blood glucose (MBG), daytime MBG, and daily MBG was associated with higher risk of any adverse pregnancy outcome, with odds ratio: 1.22 (95% CI 1.08-1.36), 1.22 (95% CI 1.09-1.37), 1.18 (95% CI 1.05-1.32), 1.21 (95% CI 1.07-1.35), and 1.22 (95% CI 1.09-1.37), respectively. Time in range, TAR, AUC, nighttime MBG, daytime MBG, daily MBG, and mean amplitude of glucose excursions were positively associated, while time blow range was inversely associated with the risk of LGA. Additionally, higher value for TAR was associated with higher risk of NICU admission. We further summarized the potential thresholds of TAR (2.5%) and daily MBG (4.8 mmol/L) to distinguish individuals with and without any adverse pregnancy outcome. Interpretation: The CGM-derived metrics may help identify individuals at higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. These CGM biomarkers could serve as potential new intervention targets to maintain a healthy pregnancy status among women with GDM. Funding: National Key R&D Program of China, National Natural Science Foundation of China, and Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine.

Mediating Effects of Maternal Blood Triglycerides on the Relationship between Prepregnancy Body Mass Index and Fetal Macrosomia.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether the association of prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) with fetal macrosomia is mediated through maternal circulating lipid concentrations during pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: In this prospective cohort, 3011 eligible pregnant women were enrolled. Information on demographic characteristics were collected using questionnaires, and anthropometrics and laboratory tests were performed at 24 weeks of gestation and before delivery. Macrosomia was defined as birth weight ≥4000 g. Logistic regression and multivariable linear regression, adjusted for age, fetal sex, education, gestational weight gain, fasting blood glucose, gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, gestational age at delivery, delivery mode, and parity, were used to assess the mediation path between prepregnancy BMI, maternal serum lipids, and fetal macrosomia. RESULTS: A total of 2454 participants with completed records were included in the final analyses. Among the maternal circulating lipid biomarkers, only triglyceride was significantly associated with both prepregnancy BMI and fetal macrosomia risk, adjusting for potential confounders. Mediation analyses demonstrated that the direct effect of prepregnancy BMI on fetal macrosomia was 0.0085 (95% CI, 0.0003-0.018; P < .05), the indirect effect mediated through maternal serum triglycerides was 0.0016 (95% CI, 0.0007-0.0029; P < .001), and the estimated proportion of mediated effect was 15.7% (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Maternal circulating triglycerides mediate the association of prepregnancy BMI with the risk of fetal macrosomia.

Lowering effects of fish oil supplementation on proinflammatory markers in hypertension: results from a randomized controlled trial.

Reduced inflammation is one of the potential mechanisms underlying the cardioprotective efficacy of fish oil enriched with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Supplementation with fish oil has favorable effects on cardiometabolic profiles in Inner Mongolia patients with hypertension, but whether the cardiovascular benefits can be ascribed to reduced subclinical inflammation is unclear among this population. Seventy-seven middle-aged/elderly hypertensive volunteers were randomly assigned to receive either fish oil (FO, n = 38, 2 g day-1 EPA + DHA) or control corn oil (CO, n = 39) for 90 days. FA compositions in erythrocytes and C-reactive protein (CRP, mg L-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6, pg mL-1) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α, pg mL-1) concentrations in the plasma were measured before and after the 90-day supplementation, and the cardiometabolic risk was expressed as continuously distributed z-scores calculated by standardizing and then summing the individual cardiovascular risk factors. Significant reductions in the TNF-α (-1.87 ± 2.71 vs. -0.64 ± 2.62, p = 0.02) and CRP levels (-0.85 ± 2.49 vs. 0.56 ± 2.14, p = 0.01) were found in the FO group compared with the CO group, but not in the IL-6 levels (-0.66 ± 1.05 vs. -0.25 ± 0.94, p = 0.10). The decreases in the changes of TNF-α levels were positively correlated with the reductions in the cardiometabolic risk scores in the subjects supplemented with FO (r = 0.35, p = 0.02), but not in the control subjects supplemented with CO (r = 0.09, p = 0.54). FO supplementation increased the levels of EPA (p = 0.013), DHA (p = 0.040) and total n-3 FA (p = 0.035), and decreased the levels of 20:4n-6 (p = 0.041) and total n-6 FA (p = 0.011) and the ratio of n-6 to n-3 FA (p = 0.001), compared with the changes related to the CO group. The increases in the changes of erythrocyte total n-3 FA levels were inversely correlated with the concentrations of TNF-α (r = -0.34, p = 0.001) and CRP (r = -0.29, p = 0.020). The present findings suggest that fish oil supplementation may attenuate the proinflammatory reactions in hypertension, which might help promote the cardiometabolic benefits in this Inner Mongolia population.

Effects of n-3 fatty acid supplements on cardiometabolic profiles in hypertensive patients with abdominal obesity in Inner Mongolia: a randomized controlled trial.

Daily supplementation with n-3 fatty acid (FA) has been believed to be an adjunct or alternative to drug treatments to reduce blood pressure (BP) and triglyceride (TG) levels in western patients with high risk of cardiovascular disease. The BP-lowering effect of n-3 FA supplements among Chinese hypertensive patients has been reported in our previous 12-week, double-blind, randomized controlled trial (RCT), but the benefits on cardiometabolic profiles among obese Chinese populations are not well known. We therefore used the data from the previous RCT to investigate the effects of marine- and plant-derived n-3 FA supplements on cardiometabolic profiles in middle-aged and elderly Chinese hypertensive patients with abdominal obesity. In total, 108 eligible volunteers from Inner Mongolia, China were randomly assigned to three treatments for 12 weeks: fish oil (FO, n = 35, 2 g day-1 eicosapentaenoic acid + docosahexaenoic acid), flaxseed oil (FLO, n = 39, 2.5 g day-1 α-linolenic acid), and corn oil served as a control (CO, n = 34). BP, blood lipids, waist circumference (WC) and fasting glucose-insulin were measured at baseline and after 12-week intervention by using standard methods. Clustered cardiometabolic risk was expressed as a continuously distributed z-score calculated by standardizing and then summing WC, insulin, glucose, TG, HDL-cholesterol and BP values. The cardiometabolic risk scores were significantly lower in the FO group than in the CO group after the 12-week intervention (-0.41 ± 0.92 vs. 0.02 ± 0.95, p = 0.016), but not in the FLO group (-0.23 ± 1.02 vs. 0.02 ± 0.95, p = 0.109). For individual risk factors, compared with CO, FO significantly decreased LDL-cholesterol (-0.25 ± 0.78 mmol L-1vs. -0.05 ± 0.65 mmol L-1, p = 0.010), ApoB (-012 ± 0.28 mmol L-1vs. -0.03 ± 0.23 mmol L-1, p = 0.036), and WC (-1.58 ± 3.67 cm vs. -0.52 ± 3.27 cm, p = 0.031), whereas no significant difference was found between FLO and CO groups in LDL-cholesterol (p = 0.081), ApoB (p = 0.102) and WC (p = 0.093). The present findings suggest that marine n-3 FA intervention may improve the cardiometabolic traits in this Chinese hypertensive population comorbid with abdominal obesity.

Lowering Effects of n-3 Fatty Acid Supplements on Blood Pressure by Reducing Plasma Angiotensin II in Inner Mongolia Hypertensive Patients: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.

Whether n-3 fatty acid (FA) has hypotensive actions among Chinese adults remains inconclusive. Hypertensive patients from Inner Mongolia, China ( n = 126) were recruited to a double-blind, randomized controlled trial. We investigated the effects of n-3 FA supplements on blood pressure (BP, mm Hg), plasma concentrations of angiotensin II (Ang II, pg/mL), and nitric oxygen (NO, µmol/L), using fish oil ( n = 41, 4 capsules/day, equivalent to 2 g of eicosapentaenoic acid plus docosahexaenoic acid) and flaxseed oil ( n = 42, 4 capsules/day, equivalent to 2.5 g of α-linolenic acid). Comparing to the control group (corn oil, n = 43), the mean systolic BP (-4.52 ± 9.28 vs -1.51 ± 9.23, P = 0.040) and the plasma Ang II levels (-12.68 ± 10.87 vs -4.93 ± 9.08, P = 0.023) were significantly lowered in the fish oil group, whereas diastolic BP ( P = 0.285) and plasma NO levels ( P = 0.220) were not. Such findings suggest that marine-based n-3 FA has a hypotensive efficacy in Chinese hypertensive patients possibly through inhibiting Ang II-dependent vasoconstrictions.

Ampelopsin inhibited apoptosis and migration of SMMC-7721 cells through MAPKs signaling pathway / 药学学报

This research is aimed to investigate the effect of ampelopsin on apoptosis and migration of human hepatoma SMMC-7721 cells and explore the molecular mechanism. SMMC-7721 cells were pretreated with different doses of ampelopsin and cells proliferation was detected by CCK8 kit. Cell morphology was observed under an inverted microscope. Nuclear morphology was detected by DAPI staining. Apoptotic rate was detected by Annexin V-FITC/PI flow cytometry. Migration and invasion were detected by Transwell and scratch healing test. Western blotting was used to detect cleavage of poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP), expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), E-cadherin, and N-cadherin, and phosphorylation of ERK, P38 and JNK in MAPKs pathway. Our results showed that ampelopsin significantly inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis of SMMC-7721 cells, with half inhibition dose (IC50) for 24 h was 38.98 μg·mL-1. With 50 μg·mL-1 ampelopsin treatment, typical apoptotic morphological changes occurred, such as cell detachment, shrinkage and nuclear condensation. Apoptotic rate increased from 15% to 55.1%, with PARP cleavage significantly increased. In addition, treatment of ampelopsin reduced scratch healing of cells and transmembrane cells number. The expression levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were decreased. Further analysis of EMT-related proteins showed that after ampelopsin treatment, E-cadherin was up-regulated and N-cadherin was down-regulated. During ampelopsin treatment, ERK reached its peak of activation after 1 h, while the maximum activation time of JNK was 12 h. Meanwhile, P38 was activated within 4 h, with the highest point at 2 h. But after 4 h, ampelopsin inhibited phosphorylation of P38. These results indicated that ampelopsin induced apoptosis and reduced migration through activating MAPKs pathway and reversing EMT process in SMMC-7721 cells. This work provides a mechanistic basis for utilizing ampelopsin for anti-hepatocarcinoma treatment.

Chrysin inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory responses of macrophages via JAK-STATs signaling pathway / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the mechanism of chrysin in regulating lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in RAW264.7 cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>RAW264.7 cells were treated with different concentrations (0, 5, 10, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 150, and 200 µg/mL) of chrysin for 24 h, and the cell viability was measured using CCK-8. RAW264.7 cells were pre-treated with 10, 30, or 60 µg/mL chrysin for 2 h before stimulation with LPS for different times. The levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and MCP-1 were detected by ELISA, and Western blotting was used to detect the phosphorylation of JAK- 1, JAK-2, STAT-1 and STAT-3. The level of reactive oxygen species in RAW264.7 cells was detected by CM-H2DCFDA fluorescence probe. The effect of ROS on LPS-induced JAK-STATs signal and the inflammatory response of RAW264.7 cells was detected by ROS scavenger NAC. The transcription factors STAT-1 and STAT-3 nuclear translocation were observed by laser confocal microscopy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Chrysin below 60 µg/mL did not significantly affect the viability of RAW264.7 cells. At 10, 30, and 60 µg/mL, chrysin dose-dependently inhibited the expression of iNOS induced by LPS. Chrysin treatment also inhibited LPS-induced phosphorylation of JAK-STATs, nuclear translocation of STAT1 and STAT3, release of TNF-α, IL-6 and MCP-1, and the production of ROS in RAW264.7 cells; ROS acted as an upstream signal to mediate the activation of JAK-STATs signaling pathway.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Chrysin blocks the activity of JAK-STATs mediated by ROS to inhibit LPS-induced inflammatory response in RAW264.7 cells.</p>

Fish, Long-Chain n-3 PUFA and Incidence of Elevated Blood Pressure: A Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies.

Results from prospective cohort studies on fish or long-chain (LC) n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) intake and elevated blood pressure (EBP) are inconsistent. We aimed to investigate the summary effects. Pertinent studies were identified from PubMed and EMBASE database through October 2015. Multivariate-adjusted risk ratios (RRs) for incidence of EBP in the highest verses the bottom category of baseline intake of fish or LC n-3 PUFA were pooled using a random-effects meta-analysis. Over the follow-up ranging from 3 to 20 years, 20,497 EBP events occurred among 56,204 adults from eight prospective cohort studies. The summary RR (SRR) was 0.96 (95% CI: 0.81, 1.14; I² = 44.70%) for fish in four studies, and 0.73 (95% CI: 0.60, 0.89; I² = 75.00%) for LC n-3 PUFA in six studies (three studies for biomarker vs. three studies for diet). Circulating LC n-3 PUFA as biomarker was inversely associated with incidence of EBP (SRR: 0.67; 95% CI: 0.55, 0.83), especially docosahexaenoic acid (SRR: 0.64; 95% CI: 0.45, 0.88), whereas no significant association was found for dietary intake (SRR: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.58, 1.10). The present finding suggests that increased intake of docosahexaenoic acid to improve its circulating levels may benefit primary prevention of EBP.

Neuroprotective effect of Nogo-66 receptor silencing in preterm rats with brain injury caused by intrauterine infection / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of Nogo-66 receptor (NgR) silencing with specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) on brain injury repair in preterm rats with brain injury caused by intrauterine infection and related mechanism of action.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats (with a gestational age of 15 days) were selected, and premature delivery was induced by RU486 or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The preterm rats delivered by those treated with RU486 were selected as the control group. The preterm rats with brain injury caused by intrauterine infection induced by LPS were divided into model, empty vector, and NgR-siRNA groups, with 36 rats in each group. The rats in the control and model groups were given routine feeding only, and those in the empty vector and NgR-siRNA groups were given an injection of lentiviral empty vector or NgR-siRNA lentivirus via the lateral ventricle on postnatal day 1 (P1) and then fed routinely. On P3, P7, and P14, 8 rats in each group were randomly selected and sacrificed to harvest the brain tissue. RT-PCR was used to measure the mRNA expression of NgR. Western blot was used to to measure the protein expression of active RhoA. The immunofluorescence histochemistry was used to determine the degree of activation of microglial cells and the morphology of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs). Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to observe the pathological changes in brain tissue. The behavioral score was evaluated on P30.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>On P3, the NgR-siRNA group had significantly lower mRNA expression of NgR and protein expression of active RhoA in brain tissue than the model and empty vector groups (P<0.05). In each group, the mRNA expression of NgR was positively correlated with the protein expression of active RhoA (P<0.05). The results of immunofluorescence histochemistry showed that on P3, the NgR-siRNA group had a significantly reduced fluorescence intensity of the microglial cells labeled with CD11b compared with the model and empty vector groups (P<0.05). The OPCs labeled with O4 antibody in the four groups were mainly presented with tripolar cell morphology. The results of pathological examination showed a normal structure of white matter with clear staining in the periventriclar area in the control group, a loose structure of white matter with disorganized fibers and softening lesions in the model and empty vector groups, and a loose structure of white matter with slightly disorganized fibers, slight gliocyte proliferation, and no significant necrotic lesions in the NgR-siRNA group. As for the behavioral score, compared with the model and empty vector groups, the NgR-siRNA group had a higher score in the suspension test, a longer total activity distance, and greater mean velocity and number of squares crossed, as well as a shorter time of slope test and a shorter time and distance of activity in the central area (P<0.05), while there were no significant differences in these parameters between the NgR-siRNA and control groups (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>NgR silencing with specific siRNA can effectively silence the expression of NgR in pertem rats with brain injury caused by interauterine infection and has a significant neuroprotective effect in brain injury repair.</p>

Salidroside protects PC12 cells from HO-induced apoptosis via suppressing NOX2-ROS-MAPKs signaling pathway / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the molecular mechanism by which salidroside protects PC12 cells from HO-induced apoptosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>PC12 cells cultured in DMEM supplemented with 10% horse serum and 5% fetal bovine serum were pretreated with different doses of salidroside for 2 h and then stimulated with HOfor different lengths of time. The expression levels of PARP and caspase 3 and the phosphorylation of p38, ERK and JNK were determined with Western blotting. The cell nuclear morphology was observed after DAPI staining. The production of ROS was detected using a ROS detection kit, and the levels of gp91and p47in the membrane and cytoplasm were detected by membrane-cytoplasm separation experiment; the binding between gp91and p47was assayed by coimmunoprecipitation experiment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Salidroside dose-dependently suppressed cell apoptosis, lowered phosphorylation levels of p38, ERK and JNK, inhibited the production of ROS, reduced the binding between gp91and p47, and inhibited the activity of NOX2 in PC12 cells exposed to HO.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Salidroside protects PC12 cells from HO-induced apoptosis at least partly by suppressing NOX2-ROS-MAPKs signaling pathway.</p>

Erlotinib plus capecitabine as first-line treatment for older Chinese patients with advanced adenocarcinoma of the lung (C-TONG0807): an open-label, single arm, multicenter phase II study.

Preclinical studies have shown synergism between epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors and antifolates in solid tumors. This study is to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of erlotinib plus capecitabine as first-line treatment in older Chinese patients (≥ 65 years) with lung adenocarcinoma. This is an open-label, single arm, multicenter phase II clinical trial. Sixty- two patients with previously untreated stage IIIB/IV adenocarcinoma and age 65 years or above were enrolled at four tertiary teaching hospitals and 2 provincial hospitals in China; 58 patients fulfilled the study requirements. Erlotinib (150 mg/day) and capecitabine (1000 mg/m2 twice daily on days 1-14) were administered during every 21-day cycle. The primary endpoint was the non-progression rate at 12 weeks. EGFR and K-ras mutation rates were determined using PCR. Tumor expression of different biomarkers was assessed using immunohistochemistry. In a cohort of 58 patients, 34 patients had no disease progression at 12 weeks following treatment. The objective response rate was 29.3%, and the disease control rate was 75.9%. The objective response rate was significantly higher in patients with EGFR mutations than in those with wild-type EGFR. Patients with thymidine phosphorylase-negative tumors had significantly longer overall survival after one year than patients with thymidine phosphorylase-positive tumors. Forty-four patients had at least one primary adverse events (AEs), including skin rash (n = 30), grade 3 AEs (n = 17), and grade 4 AEs (n = 7). This is the first phase II clinical trial to assess erlotinib plus capecitabine combination therapy as first-line treatment in older patients with lung adenocarcinoma. Erlotinib/capecitabine chemotherapy was significantly better in patients with EGFR mutations and in those with thymidine phosphorylase-negative tumors. The use of fluorouracil derivatives for the treatment of lung adenocarcinoma warrants further study.

Effect of sodium aescinate in inducing human breast cancer MCF-7 cells apoptosis by inhibiting AKT, ERK and upstream signal SRC activity / 中国中药杂志

To study the effect of sodium aescinate in inducing human breast cancer MCF-7 cells apoptosis and its possible mechanism. MTT assay was used to detect the inhibitory effect of sodium aescinate on the proliferation of MCF-7 cells. The morphological changes were observed under inverted microscope. DAPI nuclear staining was used to detect the changes in cell nucleus. Annexin V-FITC/PI flow cytometry was adopted to test the apoptosis rate. Changes in apoptosis-related proteins (PARP, cleaved caspase-8 and pro-caspase-3), cell survival-associated signal molecules (AKT and ERK) and their common upstream kinase SRC was detected by Western blotting. The result showed that after different concentrations of sodium aescinate were used to treat breast cancer MCF-7 cells, they inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7 cells in a dose-dependent manner, induced cell apoptosis (typical morphological changes in nucleus, significant increase in cell apoptosis rate). The expressions of cleaved PARP and caspase-8 increased, while the expression of pro-caspase-3 decreased, which further verified sodium aescinate's effect in inducing cell apoptosis. Sodium aescinate significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of cell survival-related signal molecules (AKT, ERK) and down-regulate the activation of their common up-stream kinase SRC. The findings indicated that sodium aescinate can block signals transiting to downstream molecules AKT, ERK, inhibit the proliferation of breast cancer cell MCF-7 cell apoptosis and induced cell apoptosis by suppressing the activation of SRC.

Clinical investigation of efficacy of albumin bound paclitaxel plus platinum compounds as first-line chemotherapy for stage III/IV squamous non-small cell lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy and toxicity of nanoparticle albumin bound paclitaxel (nab-paclitaxel) plus platinum agent (cisplatin or carboplatin) as first line treatment for stage III/IV squamous non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: Forty chemotherapy naive patients with stage III/IV squamous NSCLC received nab-paclitaxel 125 mg/m2 on day 1 and day 8, cisplatin 75 mg/m2 on day 1, carboplatin area under the concentration-time curve of 5 (AUC=5) on day 1. One cycle of treatment was 3 weeks, and at least two were completed in each case. RESULTS: Of the 40 patients who participated in the study, 25 achieved partial responses (PR), 12 reached a stage of stable disease (SD), and 3 suffered progressive disease (PD). The overall response rate (ORR) was 62.5% and the disease control rate (DCR) was 92.5%. Of the 20 patients without surgery or radiotherapy, 10 achieved PR, 7 reached a stage of SD, and 3 PD. The ORR was 50.0% and the DCR was 85.0%. The median progression-free survival time (PFS) of patients without surgery or radiotherapy was 5.0 months. Of the 20 patients receiving surgery or radiotherapy, 15 had PR and 5 p had SD, with an ORR of 75.0% and a DCR of 85.0%. Specifically, the DDP arm demonstrated a significantly higher ORR than the CBP arm (100%vs 54.5%, P<0.05). Common treatment related adverse events were myelosuppression, gastrointestinal response, baldness and neurotoxicity, most of which were grade 1 to 2. CONCLUSION: Nab-paclitaxel plus platinum agent (cisplatin or carboplatin) is effective as a first-line chemotherapy for stage III/IV squamous NSCLC, and its adverse effects are tolerable.

Effect of EGFR-TKI retreatment following chemotherapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients who underwent EGFR-TKI.

OBJECTIVE: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-activating mutations have higher response rate and more prolonged survival following treatment with single-agent EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) compared with patients with wild-type EGFR. However, all patients treated with reversible inhibitors develop acquired resistance over time. The mechanisms of resistance are complicated. The lack of established therapeutic options for patients after a failed EGFR-TKI treatment poses a great challenge to physicians in managing this group of lung cancer patients. This study evaluates the influence of EGFR-TKI retreatment following chemotherapy after failure of initial EGFR-TKI within at least 6 months on NSCLC patients. METHODS: The data of 27 patients who experienced treatment failure from their initial use of EGFR-TKI within at least 6 months were analyzed. After chemotherapy, the patients were retreated with EGFR-TKI (gefitinib 250 mg qd or erlotinib 150 mg qd), and the tumor progression was observed. The patients were assessed for adverse events and response to therapy. Targeted tumor lesions were assessed with CT scan. RESULTS: Of the 27 patients who received EGFR-TKI retreatment, 1 (3.7%) patient was observed in complete response (CR), 8 (29.6%) patients in partial response (PR), 14 (51.9%) patients in stable disease (SD), and 4 (14.8%) patients in progressive disease (PD). The disease control rate (DCR) was 85.2% (95% CI: 62%-94%). The median progression-free survival (mPFS) was 6 months (95% CI: 1-29). Of the 13 patients who received the same EGFR-TKI, 1 patient in CR, 3 patients in PR, 8 patients in SD, and 2 patients in PD were observed. The DCR was 84.6%, and the mPFS was 5 months. Of the 14 patients who received another EGFR-TKI, no patient in CR, 6 patients in PR, 6 patients in SD, and 2 patients in PD were observed. The DCR was 85.7%, and the mPFS was 9.5 months. Significant difference was found between the two groups in PFS but not in response rate or DCR. CONCLUSION: Retreatment of EGFR-TKIs can be considered an option after failure of chemotherapy for patients who were previously controlled by EGFR-TKI treatment.

CHRNA5 polymorphism and susceptibility to lung cancer in a Chinese population.

Polymorphisms in the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit CHRNA5 gene have been associated with lung cancer positive susceptibility in European and American populations. In the present hospital-based, case-control study, we determined whether polymorphism in rs503464 of CHRNA5 is associated with lung cancer risk in Chinese individuals. A single nucleotide polymorphism in CHRNA5 rs503464, c.-166T>A (hereafter T>A), was identified using TaqMan-MGB probes with sequencing via PCR in 600 lung cancer cases and 600 healthy individuals. Genotype frequencies for rs503464 (T>A) were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for the control population. However, genotype frequencies were significantly different between cases and controls (P < 0.05), while allele frequencies were not significantly different between groups. Compared to homozygous genotypes (TT or AA), the risk of lung cancer in those with the heterozygous genotype (TA) was significantly lower (OR = 0.611, 95%CI = 0.486-0.768, P = 0.001). Using genotype AA as a reference, the risk of lung cancer for those with genotype TA was increased 1.5 times (OR = 1.496, 95%CI = 1.120-1.997, P = 0.006). However, no difference in risk was observed between T allele carriers and A allele carriers (OR = 0.914, 95%CI = 0.779-1.073, P = 0.270). Stratification analysis showed that the protective effect of TA was more pronounced in those younger than 60 years, nonsmokers, or those without a family history of cancer, as well as in patients with adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma in clinical stages III or IV (P < 0.05). Therefore, the heterozygous genotype c.-166T>A at rs503464 of CHRNA5 may be associated with reduced risk of lung cancer, thus representing a susceptibility allele in Chinese individuals.

CHRNA5 polymorphism and susceptibility to lung cancer in a Chinese population

Polymorphisms in the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit CHRNA5 gene have been associated with lung cancer positive susceptibility in European and American populations. In the present hospital-based, case-control study, we determined whether polymorphism in rs503464 of CHRNA5 is associated with lung cancer risk in Chinese individuals. A single nucleotide polymorphism in CHRNA5 rs503464, c.-166T>A (hereafter T>A), was identified using TaqMan-MGB probes with sequencing via PCR in 600 lung cancer cases and 600 healthy individuals. Genotype frequencies for rs503464 (T>A) were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for the control population. However, genotype frequencies were significantly different between cases and controls (P < 0.05), while allele frequencies were not significantly different between groups. Compared to homozygous genotypes (TT or AA), the risk of lung cancer in those with the heterozygous genotype (TA) was significantly lower (OR = 0.611, 95%CI = 0.486-0.768, P = 0.001). Using genotype AA as a reference, the risk of lung cancer for those with genotype TA was increased 1.5 times (OR = 1.496, 95%CI = 1.120-1.997, P = 0.006). However, no difference in risk was observed between T allele carriers and A allele carriers (OR = 0.914, 95%CI = 0.779-1.073, P = 0.270). Stratification analysis showed that the protective effect of TA was more pronounced in those younger than 60 years, nonsmokers, or those without a family history of cancer, as well as in patients with adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma in clinical stages III or IV (P < 0.05). Therefore, the heterozygous genotype c.-166T>A at rs503464 of CHRNA5 may be associated with reduced risk of lung cancer, thus representing a susceptibility allele in Chinese individuals.

Correlation between polymorphisms of nicotine acetylcholine acceptor subunit CHRNA3 and lung cancer susceptibility.

Both environmental and genetic factors participate in the pathogenesis of lung cancer. The aim of this study was to explore the association between CHRNA3 polymorphisms of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor gene and lung cancer risk in a hospital-based, case-controlled study. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in CHRNA3 rs3743073 (A>G) were determined using the TaqMan-MGB probe technique in 600 lung cancer cases and 600 normal controls. The differences in genotype and allele frequency were compared between groups and their association with lung cancer. The genotype frequency of rs3743073 (A>G) demonstrated Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P<0.05). The genotype and allele frequencies were significantly different between the cancer and control groups (P<0.05). Compared with patients with the TT genotype, lung cancer incidence was increased in patients with the TG and GG genotypes (OR=1.68; 95% CI, 1.30-2.19; P<0.05; OR=1.30; 95% CI, 1.05-1.61; P<0.05, respectively). Patients with rs3743073G variant alleles (TG and GG) were at greater risk (OR=0.65; 95% CI, 0.50-0.84; P<0.05) of developing lung cancer. Increased risk associated with rs3743073G variant alleles was observed in male smokers over the age of 60 (P<0.05). In this cohort, the CHRNA3 gene rs3743073G variant genotype significantly increased lung cancer risk, especially in male smokers over the age of 60.

Efficacy and safety of Abraxane in treatment of progressive and recurrent non-small cell lung cancer patients: A retrospective clinical study.

BACKGROUND: Abraxane is a novel Cremophor-free nanoparticle paclitaxel that has been demonstrated to improve efficacy in the treatment of solid tumors. We undertook this retrospective study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Abraxane in the progressive or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. METHODS: From August 2009 to April 2011, 33 patients who were diagnosed with progressive or recurrent NSCLC and treated with one or more prior platinum-based chemotherapies, were enrolled. The patients were injected with Abraxane, 260 mg/m2 , d1, and were evaluated for efficacy and safety. The treatment was repeated every three weeks unless progressive lesions or unacceptable toxicities were found. RESULTS: There were no complete response and 11 partial responses (33.3%). Patients with squamous cell carcinoma showed better responses than those with adenocarcinoma (41.7% and 21.1%, respectively). Fourteen patients had stable disease, and the disease control rate was 75.8%. The median progression-free survival was five months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.5-6.5). Four patients (12.1%) experienced grade 3-4 hematologic toxicities; one anemia (3.0%), two leucopenia (6.1%) and one thrombocytopenia (3.0%). Six patients (18.2%) experienced grade 3-4 non-hematologic toxicities; two abnormal hepatic functions (6.1%), one fatigue (3.0%), one peripheral neuropathy (3.0%), and two alopecia (6.1%). CONCLUSION: Recurrent and progressive NSCLC patients pretreated with platinum-based chemotherapy might benefit from Abraxane with tolerable adverse events.

Use of CT-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy in epidermal growth factor receptor mutation analysis in patients with advanced lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: The safety of using a cutting needle when performing a core-needle biopsy is of major concern, in particular for small lung tumors or tumors near the hilum. PURPOSE: To investigate the usefulness of CT-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of the lung in obtaining tumor tissue for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation analysis in advanced lung cancer patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-three patients with stage IIIB-IV lung cancer were enrolled. In all patients, CT-guided FNAB was performed using an 18-gauge or 20-gauge Chiba aspiration needle for histology diagnosis and EGFR mutation analysis. Complications associated with CT-guided FNAB were observed, and the specimen mutational assessments were recorded. RESULTS: The obtained tumor samples ranged from 0.5-1.5 cm in length and were adequate for histological and DNA analyses in all patients. No patient had a pneumothorax or hemoptysis. Minor needle tract bleeding appeared in eight patients. Mutation analysis was satisfactorily demonstrated in 23 mutations and 20 non-mutations. Ten and 13 mutations were identified by 18-gauge and 20-gauge needle biopsies, respectively. EFGR mutations, including 12 cases of EGFR exon 19 deletion and 11 cases of exon 21 point mutation, were present in 21 patients with adenocarcinomas, one with squamous cell carcinoma, and one with undifferentiated carcinoma. CONCLUSION: CT-guided FNAB is a feasible and safe technique for obtaining lung tumor tissues for EGFR gene mutation analysis.