Predictors of grade ≥ 2 and grade ≥ 3 radiation pneumonitis in patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer treated with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy.

UNLABELLED: Grade ≥ 3 radiation pneumonitis (RP) is generally severe and life-threatening. Predictors of grade ≥ 2 are usually used for grade ≥ 3 RP prediction, but it is unclear whether these predictors are appropriate. In this study, predictors of grade ≥ 2 and grade ≥ 3 RP were investigated separately. The increased risk of severe RP in elderly patients compared with younger patients was also evaluated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 176 consecutive patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer were followed up prospectively after three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy. RP was graded according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 3.0. RESULTS: Mean lung dose (MLD), mean heart dose, ratio of planning target volume to total lung volume (PTV/Lung), and dose-volume histogram comprehensive value of both heart and lung were associated with both grade ≥ 2 and grade ≥ 3 RP in univariate analysis. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, age and MLD were predictors of both grade ≥ 2 RP and grade ≥ 3 RP; receipt of chemotherapy predicted grade ≥ 3 RP only; and sex and PTV/Lung predicted grade ≥ 2 RP only. Among patients who developed high-grade RP, MLD and PTV/Lung were significantly lower in patients aged ≥ 70 years than in younger patients (p < 0.05 for both comparisons). CONCLUSIONS: The predictors were not completely consistent between grade ≥ 2 RP and grade ≥ 3 RP. Elderly patients had a higher risk of severe RP than younger patients did, possibly due to lower tolerance of radiation to the lung.

Experimental study on the therapeutic effect and underlining mechanisms of positron in pancreatic cancer cells.

The purpose of this study was to assess the potential therapeutic effect of positrons emitted by 18F-2-Deoxy-2-Fluoro-D-Glucose (18F-FDG) on pancreatic cancer cells and elucidate its underlying mechanisms. Pancreatic cancer cells were incubated with different radioactive concentrations of 18F-FDG and evaluated for anti-cancer properties and underlining mechanisms. In addition, three groups of tumor-bearing mice were treated with different doses of 18F-FDG weekly, the tumor growth rate was calculated, and the mice were imaged by positron emission tomography (PET) with 18F-FDG before and after treatment. The presence of apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) stain and immunohistochemistry analysis. All treated groups exhibited positron-inhibited proliferation and positron-induced apoptosis compared with the control group in vitro. Further, we noted that higher treatment dose correlated with a better treatment response. In vivo, the high dose administration of 18F-FDG reduced tumor growth and prolonged the survival of treated mice compared with the control group with no change in the behavior or normal tissues of the mice. Immunohistochemical analysis and TUNEL stain showed more apoptotic cells than that in control group. The results demonstrated that positron radiation inhibited the proliferation and induced apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells in vitro and in vivo, via an endogenous mitochondria-mediated signaling pathway.

Effect of genistein on proliferation of rabbit lens epithelial cell.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of genistein (inhibitor of receptor protein-tyrosine kinase) on the proliferation of rabbit lens epithelial cells (RLEC) and the activity of cell membrane receptor protein-tyrosine kinase (RTPK) of RLEC and approach the mechanism of genistein in prevention and treatment of after cataract. METHODS: RLECs were cultured in vitro with the addition of 0 (control), 5, 10 and 15 mg/L genistein. The proliferation rates of the cells were measured by tritiated thymidine ((3)H-TdR) incorporation, and Casnetllie modified method was used to measure RTPK activities on the cell membrane after the action of various concentrations of genistein maintaining for 24 hours. RESULTS: The rates of (3)H-TdR incorporation in the cultures with 5, 10 and 15 mg/L genistein for 3 days were 630 +/- 137, 489 +/- 166 and 314 +/- 98, respectively. The rates were all different from the rate of the control significantly (P < 0.05), and the inhibition rate of cell proliferation was elevated along with the increase of the genistein concentration. After the maintenance of the action of genistein for 24 hours, the activity of RTPK was significantly lowered in the RLECs. The activity in the culture with 10 and 15 mg/L was significantly different from that in the control (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In vitro, genistein may inhibit the proliferation of RLECs via the inhibition of the activity of the cell membrane RTPK.