[Lianmei Qiwu Decoction relieves diabetic cardiac autonomic neuropathy by regulating AMPK/TrkA/TRPM7 signaling pathway].

This study investigated the effect of Lianmei Qiwu Decoction(LMQWD) on the improvement of cardiac autonomic nerve remodeling in the diabetic rat model induced by the high-fat diet and explored the underlying mechanism of LMQWD through the AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK)/tropomyosin receptor kinase A(TrkA)/transient receptor potential melastatin 7(TRPM7) signaling pathway. The diabetic rats were randomly divided into a model group, an LMQWD group, an AMPK agonist group, an unloaded TRPM7 adenovirus group(TRPM7-N), an overexpressed TRPM7 adenovirus group(TRPM7), an LMQWD + unloaded TRPM7 adenovirus group(LMQWD+TRPM7-N), an LMQWD + overexpressed TRPM7 adenovirus group(LMQWD+TRPM7), and a TRPM7 channel inhibitor group(TRPM7 inhibitor). After four weeks of treatment, programmed electrical stimulation(PES) was employed to detect the arrhythmia susceptibility of rats. The myocardial cell structure and myocardial tissue fibrosis of myocardial and ganglion samples in diabetic rats were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and Masson staining. The immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR), and Western blot were adopted to detect the distribution and expression of TRPM7, tyrosine hydroxylase(TH), choline acetyltransferase(ChAT), growth associated protein-43(GAP-43), nerve growth factor(NGF), p-AMPK/AMPK, and other genes and related neural markers. The results showed that LMQWD could significantly reduce the arrhythmia susceptibility and the degree of fibrosis in myocardial tissues, decrease the levels of TH, ChAT, and GAP-43 in the myocardium and ganglion, increase NGF, inhibit the expression of TRPM7, and up-regulate p-AMPK/AMPK and p-TrkA/TrkA levels. This study indicated that LMQWD could attenuate cardiac autonomic nerve remodeling in the diabetic state, and its mechanism was associated with the activation of AMPK, further phosphorylation of TrkA, and inhibition of TRPM7 expression.

Thermal Control Using Far-Infrared Irradiation for Producing Deglycosylated Bioactive Compounds from Korean Ginseng Leaves.

Although ginseng leaf is a good source of health-beneficial phytochemicals, such as polyphenols and ginsenosides, few studies have focused on the variation in compounds and bioactivities during leaf thermal processing. The efficiency of far-infrared irradiation (FIR) between 160 °C and 200 °C on the deglycosylation of bioactive compounds in ginseng leaves was analyzed. FIR treatment significantly increased the total polyphenol content (TPC) and kaempferol production from panasenoside conversion. The highest content or conversion ratio was observed at 180 °C (FIR-180). Major ginsenoside contents gradually decreased as the FIR temperature increased, while minor ginsenoside contents significantly increased. FIR exhibited high efficiency to produce dehydrated minor ginsenosides, of which F4, Rg6, Rh4, Rk3, Rk1, and Rg5 increased to their highest levels at FIR-190, by 278-, 149-, 176-, 275-, 64-, and 81-fold, respectively. Moreover, significantly increased antioxidant activities were also observed in FIR-treated leaves, particularly FIR-180, mainly due to the breakage of phenolic polymers to release antioxidants. These results suggest that FIR treatment is a rapid and efficient processing method for producing various health-beneficial bioactive compounds from ginseng leaves. After 30 min of treatment without leaf burning, FIR-190 was the optimum temperature for producing minor ginsenosides, whereas FIR-180 was the optimum temperature for producing polyphenols and kaempferol. In addition, the results suggested that the antioxidant benefits of ginseng leaves are mainly due to polyphenols rather than ginsenosides.

[Curative Efficacy and Survival Analysis of Low-Intensity Traditional Chemotherapy Regimen in the Elderly Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (non-M3)].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the short-term and long-term curative efficacy of low-intensity traditional chemotherapy regimen for elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML, non-M3) and related adverse reactions, in order to explore whether low-intensity traditional chemotherapy regimen still has application value in the treatment of elderly AML patients today. METHODS: The clinical characteristics, treatment response and prognosis of 67 elderly patients with AML (non-M3) admitted to our hospital from June 2008 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients received low-intensity conventional chemotherapy (i.e. lower standard dose, and without new drugs listed in China since the 21st century), including DA, HA, CAG, etc. The CR rate, median survival time and 5-year cumulative survival rate of patients were evaluated, and the related indexes were compared with the data reported in domestic and foreign literatures at the same time. RESULTS: The CR rate was 55.2% (37/67), the median survival time was 13.7 months, and the 5-year cumulative survival rate was (24.4±6.3)% in patients received low-intensity tradional chemotherapeutic regimens. The CR rates of high-risk group and non-high-risk group were 38.7% (12/31) and 69.4% (25/36), respectively; the median survival time of high-risk group and non-high-risk group was 8.9 months and 25.2 months respectively; the 5-year cumulative survival rate of high-risk group was (10.2±6.6)% and that of non-high-risk group was (36.0± 9.4)%. Compared with the data reported in the literature at the same time, the data obtained from the low-intensity traditional chemotherapy regimen for the elderly AML did not have an obvious disadvantage, morever had relatively short bone marrow suppression time, low induction early mortality rate and low incidence of severe infection. CONCLUSION: At present, the low-intensity traditional chemotherapy regimen still has good curative effect and survival advantages for elderly AML patients, especially for non-high-risk patients. The adverse reactions are controllable, and the physical and economic conditions of the vast majority of patients can bear the treatment regimen.

Regulation of hippocampal neuronal apoptosis and autophagy in mice with sepsis-associated encephalopathy by immunity-related GTPase M1.

AIMS: Sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) is a common complication of severe sepsis. Our goal was to investigate the role of immunity-related GTPase M1 (IRGM1) in SAE and its underlying mechanism. METHODS: A mouse sepsis model was established by cecal ligation and perforation. SAE was diagnosed by behavior, electroencephalography, and somatosensory evoked potentials. Wild-type mice with SAE were treated with SB203580 to block the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. We assessed hippocampal histological changes and the expression of IRGM1, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and p38 MAPK signaling pathway-related proteins. RESULTS: Immunity-related GTPase M1 and IFN-γ levels increased in the hippocampus, with apoptosis, autophagy, and the p38 MAPK signaling pathway activated in neurons. Administration of SB203580 to mice with SAE reduced apoptosis and autophagy. Relative to wild-type mice with SAE, the general condition of Irgm1-/- mice with SAE was worsened, the p38 MAPK signaling pathway was inhibited, and neuronal apoptosis and autophagy were reduced. The absence of IRGM1 exacerbated SAE, with higher p38 MAPK signaling pathway activity and increased apoptosis and autophagy. CONCLUSIONS: During SAE, IRGM1 can at least partially regulate apoptosis and autophagy in hippocampal neurons through the p38 MAPK signaling pathway.

Magnetic Gold Nanoparticle-Labeled Heparanase Monoclonal Antibody and its Subsequent Application for Tumor Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Heparanase (HPA) is ubiquitously expressed in various metastatic malignant tumors; previous studies have demonstrated that HPA was a potential tumor-associated antigen (TAA) for tumor immunotherapy. We sought to evaluate the feasibility of HPA as a common TAA for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of tumor metastasis and its potential application in tumor molecular imaging. We prepared a targeted probe based on magnetic gold nanoparticles coupled with an anti-HPA antibody for the specific detection of HPA by MRI. The specificity of the targeted probe was validated in vitro by incubation of the probe with various tumor cells, and the probe was able to selectively detect HPA (+) cells. We found the probes displayed significantly reduced signal intensity in several tumor cells, and the signal intensity decreased significantly after the targeted probe was injected in tumor-bearing nude mice. In the study, we demonstrated that the HPA&GoldMag probe had excellent physical and chemical properties and immune activities and could specifically target many tumor cell tissues both in vitro and in vivo. This may provide an experimental base for molecular imaging of tumor highly expressing heparanase using HPA mAbs.

[Role of Aberrant Splicing in Pathogenesis of Myelodysplastic Syndromes-Review].

The spectrum of genetic abnormalities in myelodysplastic syndromes(MDS) has been revealed by high-throughput sequencing. However, the functional role of these mutations in occurrence and development of MDS was not delineated. The mutations in splicing factors have been identified as the commonest gene mutations in MDS. Recently, it was reported that the mutated or dysregulated splicing factors, including SF3B1, SRSF2 and U2AF1, attribute to aberrant mRNA splicing, which leads to hematopoietic dysfunction and drives MDS. These findings will be of great help in searching for candidate therapeutic targets in mis-splicing pathway in MDS. In this review the role of aberrant splicing in pathogenesis of MDS is summarized briefly.

[Modified Shengma Biejia Decoction Combined with CAG Program for Elderly Acute Myeloid Leuke- mia Patients with Yin Deficiency Toxin Stasis Syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy and safety of modified Shengma Biejia Decoction (MSBD) combined with CAG program in treating elderly acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients with yin deficiency toxin stasis syndrome (YDTSS). METHODS: Totally 46 elderly AML patients were assigned to the treatment group (24 cases; treated with MSBD + CAG) and the control group (22 cases; treated with CAG + placebos of Chinese medicine) according to random digit table. The therapeutic course of CM placebo or MSBD was 21 days. The clinical efficacy and adverse reactions were observed. Meanwhile, physical state (ECOG Score), transfusion dependency, and TCM syndrome score were compared before and after treatment. RESULTS: (1) The complete remission rate was 54% (13/24) and the objective response rate (ORR) was 71% (17/24) in the treatment group, obviously higher than those of the control group [36% (8/22); 54% (13/24)], with statistical difference (P = 0.036, 0.042). When comparing the efficacy based on risk level, the moderate and poor ORR was 71% (10/14) and 67% (6/9) in the treatment group, and 57% (8/14) and 33% (2/6) in the control group, with statistical difference between the two groups (P = 0.048; P = 0.010). (2) Compared with before treatment in the same group, the ECOG score significantly decreased, the average infusion time of red cells and platelets were markedly prolonged in the treatment group after treatment (P < 0.05). ECOG score, the average infusion time of red cells and platelets were significantly better in the treatment group than in the control group after treatment (P < 0.05). (3) Compared with before treatment in the same group, scores of fever, hemorrhage, and bone pain were markedly reduced in the control group (P < 0.05); scores of fever, fatigue, hemorrhage, dry mouth, and bone pain were markedly reduced in the treatment group (P < 0.05). Better effect in relief of fever, fatigue, hemorrhage, dry mouth, and so on was obtained in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.05). (4) In aspect of hematotoxicity, the incidence of neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia was obviously lower in the treatment group than in the control group [29.2% (7/24) vs 54.5% (12/22); 16.7% (4/ 24) vs 45.5% (10/22); 33.3% (8/24) vs 63.6% (14/22); P < 0.05]. The incidence of fatigue and anorexia was obviously lower in the treatment group than in the control group [37.5% (9/24) vs 63.6% (14/22), 37.5% (9/24) vs 81.8% (18/22); P < 0.05]. CONCLUSION: MSBD combined with CAG program in treating elderly AML patients with YDTSS, with efficacy enhancing toxicity reducing effect, had distinct advantages in improving physical condition and clinical symptoms, and reducing transfusion dependency.

[Thinking on Treatment of Severe Aplastic Anemia by Detoxication, Blood Activating, and Yin Nourishing Method].

Chinese medicine therapy has advantages in treating aplastic anemia (AA) in depart- ments of Chinese medicine (CM) blood diseases. But there is no unified syndrome typing standard of CM for severe AA. Heat-toxin induced yin deficiency syndrome is one of severe AA syndrome types com- monly seen in authors' long-term clinical practice. This syndrome type has the features of asthenia in ori- gin and asthenia in superficiality. Therefore, authors put forward that detoxication, blood activating, and yin nourishing (DBAYN) method, taking detoxication as superficiality and Shen supplementing as origin. Meanwhile, blood activating and stasis removing was assisted. Detoxication aimed to eliminating evils and purifying blood, blood activating aimed to getting rid of evils and generating new blood, and yin nour- ishing aimed to strengthening vital qi and nourishing blood. Classical recipes such as Xijiao Dihuang De- coction and Erzhi Pill could be modified. This theory was of great significance in complementing and per- fecting CM theoretical systems of AA, which provided beneficial ideas and methods for clinical treatment of severe AA.

Progression of Large Lymphoma Is Significantly Impeded with a Combination of Gemcitabine Chemotherapy and Dendritic Cells Intra-Tumor Vaccination.

Relapsed, refractory lymphoma remains to be a challenge and lacks efficient treatment. Some tumor cells escape from treatment, become resistant to chemotherapeutic agents, and rapidly regenerate into large tumors. Lymphoma cells induce accumulation of Gr-1(+-)CD11b(+) myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in lymphatic organs and their vicinity. MDSCs enable tumor cells to escape from immune cells mediated surveillance and attack. Gemcitabine is a chemotherapeutic agent that eliminates both tumor cells and MDSCs, improving the immune environment favorable for subsequent treatment. We evaluated the effects of low dose gemcitabine combined with intra-tumorally delivered dendritic cells (DCs) for the treatment of A20 large-size lymphoma. We showed that MDSCs increased markedly in lymphoma-bearing mice, and that gemcitabine significantly increased the apoptosis of MDSCs. Treatment of lymphoma with either gemcitabine or intra-tumoral DCs alone could not inhibit tumor growth or rescue lymphoma-bearing mice. Treatment of lymphoma with small dose gemcitabine followed by intra-tumorally injected DCs significantly improved the efficacy of either individual treatment by reducing MDSCs, inducing onsite DCs maturation, eliminating tumor cells, inhibiting tumor growth and relapse, and extending the survival of the lymphoma-bearing mice, partly through the induction of the IFNγ secreting cells and the activation of cytotoxic lymphocytes. We showed that NK cells and CD8(+ )T cells were the major effectors to mediate the inhibition of tumor growth. Thus, the observation that gemcitabine synergizes DCs mediated immunotherapy to improve the efficacy of large size lymphoma treatment provides an experimental basis for the combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy for the efficient treatment of relapsed or refractory lymphoma.

[Research on molecular markers for epigenetic changes in myeloid malignancies].

Novel recurrent somatic mutations have been identified in patients with myeloid malignancies including myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Mutations of tet methylcytosine dioxygenase 2 (TET2), DNA methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A), isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)1/2, enhancer of zeste homologue 2 (EZH2) and additional sex combs-like 1 (ASXL1) have been shown to play important roles in the regulation of epigenetic patterning, and may be used as molecular predictors for pathogenesis and clinical outcome for patients with myeloid malignancies.

[Expression and clinical significance of constitutive androstane receptor in placental syntrophoblast of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the expression and clinical significance of constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) in placenta syntrophoblast from patients with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP). METHODS: Placenta were collected from women with ICP who delivered from April 2009 to March 2010 in First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University. According to the severity of ICP, patients were classified into mild ICP group (n = 10) and severe ICP group (n = 10). Ten healthy pregnant women who delivered in the same period were chosen as control group. The location of CAR protein in placenta was studied by immunohistochemical streptavidin-biotin complex (SABC) method. CAR mRNA level was determined by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR technique and CAR protein expression level was determined by western blot. RESULTS: (1) CAR was located in the placenta syncytiotrophoblastic cells in control group and mild ICP group, showed light tan when stained, and was mainly in the cytoplasm. In severe ICP group, CAR was also located in placenta syncytiotrophoblastic cells but mainly in the nucleolus, showed dark tan when stained. (2) The mRNA expressions of CAR in control group, mild ICP group, severe ICP group were 0.06 ± 0.03, 0.07 ± 0.03 and 0.56 ± 0.03, respectively. CAR in severe ICP group was significantly higher than those in control group and mild ICP group (P < 0.05). The difference of mRNA between control group and mild ICP group was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). (3) The CAR protein levels in control group, mild ICP group, severe ICP group were 0.74 ± 0.03, 0.79 ± 0.03 and 1.02 ± 0.04, respectively. CAR protein expression in the severe ICP group was significantly higher than the other two groups (P < 0.05). And there was no statistical significance between mild group and control group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: In ICP women, especially severe ICP patients, the CAR expression in placenta syncytiotrophoblastic cells increased appreciably, which may be involved in the maintenance of placenta barrier function and protection in ICP pathogenesis.

Multi-central clinical research into treating 80 cases of chronic thrombocytopenia with qi-supplementing and yin-nourishing therapy and western medicine.

OBJECTIVE: To probe the effects of qi-supplementing and yin-nourishing therapy (blood-increasing decoction and blood generating powder) on chronic thrombocytopenia. METHODS: Two hundred patients with chronic thrombocytopenia were randomly divided into control (n = 100) and test groups (n = 100) with Amino-polypeptide as a basic treatment for both. Test group patients consumed a blood-increasing decoction and blood-generating powder for 1-3 months. Improvements in platelet counts and TCM syndrome were observed. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-four (80 in the test group and 84 in the control group) of 189 total participants were treated for 3 months. The total effective rate in improving TCM syndrome was 95.00% in the test group and 79.76% in the control group (P < 0.05). There was significant difference (P < 0.05) in the accumulated score of TCM syndrome between the two groups treated at different time points. The total effective rate of platelet counts was 86.25% in the test group and 59.52% in the control group (P < 0.05). There was a significant difference in platelet counts before and after treatment in the two groups (P < 0.05). There was no significant differences in platelet count between the two groups treated for 1-2 months; however, a significant difference was found between the two groups after treatment for 3 months (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: After a 3-month treatment of chronic thrombocytopenia patients with qi-supplementing and yin-nourishing therapy, TCM syndrome was improved and platelet counts increased with no obvious side effects, and the quality of life of the participants was enhanced with noticeable long-term curative effects.

[Clinical significance of cellular immune function in patients with viral myocarditis].

AIM: To probe into the clinical significance of cellular immune function in patients with viral myocarditis. METHODS: Choose our hospital in January 2008-December 2009 admitted during the 75 patients of viral myocarditis as the experimental group, 67 healthy patients served as control groups, respectively, and hospital admission within 24 h after the venous blood, before and after treatment T cell subsets, natural killer cells (NK) activity and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) were detected and analyzed. RESULTS: Compared with admission, 24 h after admission test in peripheral blood T lymphocyte subsets CD3, CD4, CD8 and CD4/CD8 were improved and CD3, CD4 and CD4/CD8 were statistically significant differences (P<0.05), but still slightly lower in the control group, while the difference was not statistically significant. At the same time, compared with admission, 24 h after admission of natural killer cells in the experimental group (NK) and tumor necrosis factor were improved, the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05), but still slightly lower than the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: More in-depth study of viral myocarditis in patients with immune injury mechanism will help to better guide the treatment, and has important clinical significance.

An epidemiological investigation of leukemia incidence between 2003 and 2007 in Nanjing, China.

BACKGROUND: There has been little literature about leukemia epidemiology in Nanjing in recent years. We aimed to explore the incidence rate, gender and age distribution of leukemia in Nanjing using the leukemia database of the city. RESULTS: The average yearly incidence rate of leukemia was 3.68/105 during 2003 - 2007 in Nanjing. There were no significant difference in gender (x2 = 3.266, p > 0.05) or seasons (x2 = 11.36, p > 0.05). The incidence rate was the highest in group aged 80~ years (18.64/105). AML accounted for approximately 36.8% of all leukemias. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence rate of leukemia, especially in the aged population, was relatively high in Nanjing. Leukemia is the major malignant tumor in children. Therefore, more attention should be paid to leukemia in children and the aged people.

Measurement of ascorbic acid in single rat peritoneal mast cells using capillary electrophoresis with electrochemical detection.

In this paper, the amount of ascorbic acid (AA) in single rat peritoneal mast cell was determined by the method of capillary electrophoresis (CE) with electrochemical detection (ED) at a carbon fiber microdisk bundle electrode. The CE-ED system and the single-cell injection system were rearranged to make the operation more convenient and efficient. In the experiment, a self-made holder made of foam was used to keep the capillary from swing, which kept the stability of the baseline of the electropherogram. The single cell was lysed completely within 5s using the 0.1% sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) as the cell lysis solution together with the lysis voltage of 2 kV. The quantitation analysis was accomplished by the use of calibration curves, and the amount of AA in single rat peritoneal mast cell was from 2.4 to 7.1 fmol.

Hepatic stellate cell-specific gene silencing induced by an artificial microRNA for antifibrosis in vitro.

BACKGROUND: We previously reported that the anti-transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) ribozymes directed by T7 and CMV promoters could reverse the character of activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in vitro and improve fibrotic pathology in vivo. However, nonspecific elimination of the effects of TGF-beta1 without selectivity might have unfavorable consequences, such as overwhelming inflammation, tissue necrosis, etc. AIMS: To establish an activated-HSC-specific gene silencing method and validate its feasibility for antifibrosis in vitro. METHODS: An artificial intronic microRNA (miRNA) expression system was established, containing three parts: (1) a 1,074-bp SM-alpha actin promoter SMP8, which is a kind of RNA polymerase II promoter and has no activity in normal liver-derived cells but is switched on during the activation of HSCs, (2) intron1 modified by inserting an artificial pre-miRNA sequence against TGF-beta1, and (3) report gene enhanced green fluorescent proteins (EGFP). The feasibility of this system for artificial microRNA expression was validated through microRNA detection by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Alteration of biological characteristics of HSCs with the anti-TGF-beta1 miRNAs was preliminarily evaluated by measuring the expression levels of TGF-beta1 and its downstream molecules, including collagen I, matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1), etc. RESULTS: The microRNA expression system could successfully produce mature anti-TGF-beta1 miRNAs in an activated-HSC-specific manner. The microRNA-induced inhibition rate of TGF-beta1 reached 70% and above. Accompanied by TGF-beta1 suppression, its downstream targets such as collagen I, MMP2, TIMP-1, etc. were also significantly downregulated in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: Activated-HSC-cell-specific gene silencing could be induced well by the artificial intronic microRNA expression system to realize antifibrosis in vitro.

[FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 gene mutations in acute myeloid leukemia].

This study was aimed to investigate the frequency of FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) mutations including internal tandem duplication (ITD) mutation of juxtamembrane region and point mutation of the second tyrosine kinase domain (TKD) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients and its clinical significance. The ITD mutation in FLT3 exon 14, 15 of bone marrow mononuclear cells was detected by genomic DNA-PCR, the TKD point mutation in FLT3 exon 20 was detected by genomic DNA-PCR combined with restriction endonuclease digest. The results indicated that among 131 newly diagnosed AML patients, 21 patients (16.0%) showed FLT3-ITD positive, 3 patients (2.3%) showed FLT3-TKD positive. None was found harboring both mutations. The WBC and bone marrow blast counts in FLT3-ITD positive patients seemed both higher than those in patients with wild-type FLT3 (FLT3-wt), but there was significant difference only in WBC count (p<0.05). The complete remission (CR) rate in FLT3-ITD positive patients was 47.6%, which was significantly lower than that in FLT3-wt patients (88.1%, p<0.05). There was no statistical difference in CR rate between FLT3-ITD positive and negative patients in 20 cases of M3; the CR rate in FLT3-ITD positive patients with non M(3) was 37.5 (6/16) which was obviously lower than that in FLT3-wt patients with non M3 (90.6%, 48/53) (p<0.05). 3 FLT3-ITD positive patients with CR relapsed after CR for 14 (2-20) months with relapse rate 50% (3/6) which was higher than that in FLT3-wt patients (29.2%, 14/48). It is concluded that FLT3 mutation is common in AML patients, while FLT3-ITD mutation is more frequent than FLT3-TKD mutation. The AML patients with FLT3-ITD mutation have a poor prognosis, while FLT3-TKD point mutation does not significantly influences prognosis of the patients. Therefore early detection of FLT3 mutation may be important for targeting therapy and evaluating clinical prognosis of AML patients.

[Tyrosine kinase mutation and acute myeloid leukemia with T (8; 21)].

This study was aimed to investigate the status of c-KIT, Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) and Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) mutations in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients with t (8; 21) and to analyze their relation to clinical feature and prognosis. PCR, AS-PCR, restriction and sequencing methods were used respectively to detect the FLT3, JAK 2 and c-KIT mutations in 8 cases of de novo AML with t (8; 21) and 6 cases of relapsed AML with t (8; 21). The results showed that the c-KIT mutation was found in 2 cases out of 14 AML patients with t (8; 21) (14.3%), among them 1 case had c-KIT D816V mutation, the other had c-KIT D816Y mutation. The FLT3-ITD mutation was detect in 1 out of 14 patients (7.1%), but JAK2 mutation could not be detected in all 14 cases. In conclusion, tyrosine kinase mutation relates to AML with t (8; 21), patients with tyrosine kinase mutation may have higher relapse, extramedullary infiltration and poor prognosis. The screening c-KIT, FLT3 mutations may play an important role in evaluating prognosis and guiding treatment of t (8; 21) AML.

[Dendritic cell-based immunotherapy for multiple myeloma -- review].

Patients with multiple myeloma (MM) have increased constantly in recent years, but treatment for patients with MM is currently unsatisfactory and it is necessary to develop new complementary therapies. Dendritic cells (DCs) are specialized antigen-presenting cells capable of initiating and regulating immune responses. Vaccination with tumor antigen-pulsed DCs has shown to be safe and possesses therapeutic effect against many tumors. In this review, the various types of MM-associated antigens and clinical trials on DC-based immunotherapy in MM are summarized, the development of DC immunotherapy for MM patients in future trials is discussed.