[Analysis of sequential chemotherapy efficacy in ovarian epithelial carcinoma, fallopian tube carcinoma and primary peritoneal carcinoma].

Objective: To explore the sequential chemotherapy efficacy of different chemotherapeutic regimens in ovarian epithelial carcinoma, fallopian tube carcinoma, and primary peritoneal carcinoma. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical and pathological data of 100 patients with platinum-sensitive ovarian epithelial carcinoma, fallopian tube carcinoma, and primary peritoneal carcinoma treated at Peking University Peopel's Hospital from January 1992 to January 2019. All patients underwent staging surgery or cytoreductive surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. Based on different postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy regimens, patients were divided into the sequential chemotherapy group (70 cases) and the conventional chemotherapy group (30 cases). Clinical and pathological characteristics, chemotherapy efficacy, adverse reactions, and prognosis were compared between the two groups. Results: (1) Clinical and pathological characteristics: the age, tumor types (including ovarian epithelial carcinoma, fallopian tube carcinoma, and primary peritoneal carcinoma), pathological types, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage, postoperative residual disease size, presence of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and total number of chemotherapy cycles were compared between the sequential chemotherapy group and the conventional chemotherapy group. There were no statistically significant differences observed in these characteristics between the two groups (all P>0.05). (2) Chemotherapy efficacy: the median sum of complete response (CR)+partial response (PR) duration in the sequential chemotherapy group was 80.0 months (range: 39 to 369 months), whereas in the conventional chemotherapy group, it was 28.0 months (range: 13 to 52 months). A statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups (Z=-7.82, P<0.001). (3) Chemotherapy adverse reactions: in the sequential chemotherapy group, 55 cases (79%, 55/70) experienced bone marrow suppression and 20 cases (29%, 20/70) had neurological symptoms. In the conventional chemotherapy group, these adverse reactions occurred in 11 cases (37%, 11/30) and 2 cases (7%, 2/30), respectively. Statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups for both bone marrow suppression and neurological symptoms (all P<0.05). For the other chemotherapy adverse reactions compared between the two groups, no statistically significant differences were observed (all P>0.05). (4) Prognosis: during the follow-up period, the recurrence rate in the sequential chemotherapy group was 73% (51/70) and in the conventional chemotherapy group was 100% (30/30). The median sum of recurrence-free interval was 70.5 months (range: 19 to 330 months) in the sequential chemotherapy group and 15.0 months (range: 6 to 40 months) in the conventional chemotherapy group. Statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups for both recurrence rate and median recurrence-free interval (all P<0.01).In the sequential chemotherapy group, the median progression-free survival (PFS) time was 84.0 months (range: 34 to 373 months), and the median overall survival (OS) time was 87.0 months (range: 45 to 377 months). In contrast, in the conventional chemotherapy group, the median PFS time was 30.5 months (range: 14 to 60 months), and the median OS time was 37.5 months (range: 18 to 67 months). Statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups for both PFS and OS (all P<0.001). In the sequential chemotherapy group, the 3-year, 5-year, and 10-year OS rates were 100% (70/70), 93% (65/70), and 21% (15/70), respectively. In contrast, in the conventional chemotherapy group, the OS rates were 50% (15/30) at 3 years, 3% (1/30) at 5 years, and 0 at 10 years, respectively. The two groups were compared respectively, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Conclusions: Sequential chemotherapy significantly prolongs PFS and OS in patients with ovarian epithelial carcinoma, fallopian tube carcinoma, and primary peritoneal carcinoma. The efficacy is superior to that of the conventional chemotherapy, with manageable adverse reactions. The use of sequential chemotherapy as first-line treatment for patients with ovarian epithelial carcinoma, fallopian tube carcinoma, and primary peritoneal carcinoma is recommended.

[Evaluation of the effectiveness of BMRT-HPV for cervical cancer screening].

Objective: Evaluation of the clinical value of the BioPerfectus multiplex real time (BMRT)-HPV for cervical cancer screening. Methods: Physician-collected specimens of 1 495 women who were positive of Cobas 4800 HPV (Cobas-HPV), HPV genotyping based on SEQ uencing (SEQ-HPV), and (or) cytology ≥low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) in the primary screening of Chinese Multiple-center Screening Trial (CHIMUST), and 2 990 women selected from those who were negative of primary screening in the same project through nested control randomization with age-matching were tested for BMRT-HPV, which reported type-specific viral loads/10 000 cells in each specimen. With comparing to Cobas-HPV results and taking cervical histopathological diagnosis as the endpoint, the concordance of high-risk (HR)-HPV subtypes among the three assays was explored ,and the sensitivity and specificity of BMRT-HPV for cervical cancer screening were evaluated. Results: (1) The overall agreenment of HR-HPV subtypes between BMRT-HPV and Cobas-HPV, or SEQ-HPV test sample was 94.8%, 94.4%, with Kappa values 0.827, 0.814. (2) The sensitivity and specificity for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) Ⅱ+ of BMRT-HPV, Cobas-HPV and SEQ-HPV were 92.62%, 94.26%, 93.44% and 84.67%, 83.25%, 82.76%, respectively. There were no significant difference in sensitivity among the three HPV assays (all P>0.05), but the specificity of BMRT-HPV for CIN Ⅱ+ was higher than those of Cobas-HPV and SEQ-HPV (P<0.01). The sensitivity for CIN Ⅲ+ of three HPV assays were all 100.00%, and the specificity for CIN Ⅲ+ of BMRT-HPV was higher than those of Cobas-HPV and SEQ-HPV (83.40% vs 81.95%, 83.40% vs 81.50%; P<0.01). The number of pathological examinations of colposcopy for cervical biopsy detected in 1 case of CIN Ⅱ+ or CIN Ⅲ+ in BMRT-HPV was less than those in Cobas-HPV and SEQ-HPV (P<0.01). When using HPV 16/18 + cytology ≥atypical squamous cell of undetermined signification (ASCUS) to triage HPV positive women among three assays, there was no different in the sensitivities of detecting CIN Ⅱ+ and CIN Ⅲ+ (P>0.05). The specificity BMRT-HPV was slightly higher than those in Cobas-HPV or SEQ-HPV (all P<0.05), and the colposcopy referral rate was lower than those in Cobas-HPV and SEQ-HPV (all P<0.05). Conclusions: BMRT-HPV is as sensitive as Cobas-HPV or SEQ-HPV for primary cervical cancer screening, and has higher specificity. Therefore it could be used as a primary screening method for cervical cancer, which is worthy of clinical application.

[Preliminary study of sequential multi-modality adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation for advanced endometrial cancer].

Objective: To evaluate the clinical outcomes and feasibility of multi-modality adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation, which was conducted as postoperative chemotherapy, radiation, and consolidation chemotherapy (CRC) mode for the treatment of advanced endometrial cancer. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 124 patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stages Ⅲ and Ⅳ endometrial cancer from Jan. 2004 to Oct. 2012 was conducted in Peking University People's Hospital and Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital. Inclusion criteria were comprehensive staging procedure including hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and (or) selective pelvic aortic lymphadenectomy, and treatment with adjuvant chemotherapy and (or) radiation. The average age of these patients was (55.9±8.4) years old (range from 23 to 79 years old). According to different postoperative adjuvant treatment modes, the patients were divided into CRC group, chemotherapy-radiotherapy (CR) group and single chemotherapy (C) group. The survival and side effects of the three groups were compared. Results: (1) One hundred and twenty-four patients with advanced stage endometrial cancer were identified and received postoperative adjuvant therapies.Sixty-one (49.2%, 61/124) cases of them received postoperative CRC fashion, 19 (15.3%, 19/124) received postoperative CR and 44 (35.5%, 44/124) cases received C. The age, stage, grade and type of surgery of the three groups were not significantly different (all P>0.05); while, the pathology, chemotherapy cycles and chemotherapy regimens differed significantly (all P<0.05). (2) The progression-free survivals (PFS) of the patients with CRC, CR, and C group were (121±7), (68±15), and (100±11) months, respectively. The 3-year PFS rates were 87.9%, 43.7%, and 61.4%, respectively. The 5-year PFS rates were 82.2%, 36.4%, and 61.4%, respectively. The above indicators were significantly higher in the CRC group than in the CR group (all P<0.01), and there was no difference between the CRC group and the C group (P=0.037). The overall survival (OS) of patients with CRC, CR, and C group were (128±6), (80±12), and (99±10) months, respectively. The 3-year OS rates were 87.8%, 72.4%, and 67.1%, the 5-year OS rate were 84.2%, 54.3%, and 64.1%, respectively. The above indicators were significantly higher in the CRC group than those in the CR group and C group (all P<0.01). (3) There was no difference in the frequency of adverse effects either chemotherapy, such as severe bone suppression or radiotherapy; hepatotoxicity,blood transfusion, dose modifications; or cycle delays between the CRC, CR and C group (all P>0.05). (4) In the univariate analysis shown that, stage, the fashion of postoperative adjuvant therapy and type of surgery were risk factors for tumor progression in patients with advanced endometrial cancer (P<0.05). After adjusted for FIGO stage and type of surgery, the tumor progression hazard ratio (HR) was 3.931 (95%CI: 1.734-8.914, P=0.001) for the CR group and 2.188 (95%CI: 1.010-4.741, P=0.047) for the C group, compared to the CRC group. Conclusion: Sequential CRC delivered in a "sandwich" fashion for the treatment in advanced endometrial cancer could significantly improve the 3-year and 5-year OS rates and have a similar adverse effect profile compared with other sequencing modalities.

[Survey of the acceptance status of HPV self-sampling screening in female population for cervical cancer].

Objective: To investigate the acceptance of HPV self-sampling mode in cervical cancer screening population and explore its feasibility. Methods: From March 5 to 15, 2018, researchers investigated women who participated in cervical cancer screening organized by Beijing Shunyi Women's and Children's Hospital in the form of questionnaires. Questionnaires were conducted on their acceptance status and the factors that affect the self-sampling experience. The specific contents of the questionnaires were as follows: (1) the experience of using self-sampling included operability, comfortable, sample time-consuming, bleeding or not after sampling; (2) psychological changes after self-sampling, including the willingness to accept self-sampling again, the worrying problems during self-sampling process. According to whether or not have operating video guidance, the self-sampling experience and psychological changes after self-sampling were compared. Results: (1) There were 1 375 women participated in the questionnaire survey, and 86.55% (1 190/1 375) of them thought the self-sampling was convenient, 78.40% (1 078/1 375) thought it was not uncomfortable, 88.58% (1 218/1 375) thought the sampling time was fast (less than 5 minutes), 94.04% (1 293/1 375) self-sampling without bleeding; and 83.27% (1 145/1 375) were willing to self-sampling for cervical cancer screening again, 85.82% (1 180/1 375) were afraid of inaccurate sampling. (2) Among the 1 375 women, 1 202 were in the video guidance group and 173 were in the non-guidance group. The self-sampling experience of women in video guidance group was better than those of non-guidance group in operability, comfortable, sampling time-consuming and bleeding after sampling. The proportion of women who willing to self-sampling again was higher than that of non-guidance group (86.69% vs 59.54%, respectively). The proportion of women who worried operating incorrectly was lower than that of non-guidance group (11.23% vs 32.37%, respectively). The differences were significant (all P<0.05). Conclusions: Self-sampling for HPV testing in cervical cancer screening is easy to operate and has little discomfort complaint. It is feasible in cervical cancer screening. Operational video guidance during the screening process could effectively improve the women's experience and willingness to self-sampling again in the future.

Direct uterine sampling using the SAP-l sampler device to detect endometrial lesions during histopathological examination.

AIMS: To evaluate the sampling adequacy and diagnostic accuracy of the endometrial SAP-l sampling device in detecting endometrial lesions based on histopathological examination. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 182 patients who required an endometrial biopsy were enrolled in this study. All of the patients underwent endometrial biopsies with the SAP-l sampler prior to hysteroscopy (169/182) or dilatation and curettage (D&C) (13/182). Endometrial tissues were obtained at biopsy for histopathological examination. RESULTS: Ad- equate endometrial specimens were obtained in 148 of 182 patients (81.32%). Menopause (p = 0.000), endometrial thickness (p = 0.004), and the types of endometrial diseases (p = 0.009) differed significantly between the two groups. Among the 169 patients who underwent hysteroscopy, sampling scratches were observed in the uterine cavity in 147 cases (86.98%). Compared to traditional methods, such as hysteroscopy and D&C, the sampling diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 82.35%, 100%, 100% , and 97.76% for endometrial carcinoma (n=17) and 37.5%, 100%, 100% and 97.76% for endometrial atypical hyperplasia (n=8), respectively. Those that were misdiagnosed occurred because the lesions were focal or localized in a small part of the uterine cavity. The sampling diagnostic sensitivity for polyps (n=32) was 12.5%. Two patients with submucosal leiomyoma went undiagnosed based on the sample specimens. CONCLUSION: Endometrial sampling using the SAP-l sampler is a minimally invasive altemative technique for obtaining adequate endometrial specimens for histopathological examination. The SAP-l sampler was useful in detecting endometrial carcinoma and atypical hyperplasia cases that were not highly suspected to be localized; however, this method was not useful in detecting endometrial polyps and submucosal leiomyomas.

[Study on clinical management of HPV(+)/Pap(-) during cervical cancer screening].

Objective: To study the clinical management way for HPV(+)/papanicolaou (Pap)(-) during cervical cancer screening. Methods: To analyze retrospectively the data from the patients who had loop electrical excision procedure (LEEP) for biopsy confirmed cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) Ⅱ in Peking University People's Hospital from Jan. 2010 to Dec. 2014. Results: (1) For biopsy confirmed CIN Ⅱ, HPV positive rate was 98.5% (135/137), Pap test positive [≥atypical squamous cell of undetermined significance (ASCUS)] rate was 69.3% (95/137), there was significant difference between them (χ(2)=43.32, P<0.01). (2) For the 42 patients with HPV(+)/Pap(-), whose cytology slides were reviewed again. Among them, the interpretations of there were 16 cases confirmed as the same before, while 26 cases were changed to abnormal (≥ASCUS). Cytology be misdiagnosed was 19.0% (26/137) at the first review. Among the 26 cases, 13 (50.0%) cases were missed for the little amount of abnormal cells, 8 (30.8%) cases for mild atypical morphology changed; the other 5 (19.2%) cases missed for stain problems. (3) For the cervical LEEP samples, 37 cases of the pathology diagnosis were upgrade to CIN Ⅲ(+), among them, 2 cases of microinvasive cervical carcinoma, 1 case of invasive cancer, 34 cases of CIN Ⅲ; 37 cases were CINⅠ or no lesion found; 63 cases were still CIN Ⅱ. Four to six months later after LEEP, the cytology abnormal rate was 11.7% (16/137), and the HR-HPV positive rate was 34.3% (47/137). Conclusions: Compared with cytology alone, cytology combined with HPV testing increase the sensitivity of cervical high grade lesion. For the cases of HPV(+)/Pap(-) cases, the cytology slides should be reviewed. The quality control of cervical exfoliate sample collection and interpretation should be strengthened. LEEP procedure is not only a treatment method, but also it could provide samples to confirm the diagnosis.

Endometrial carcinoma-related genetic factors: application to research and clinical practice in China.

UNLABELLED: Genetic factors affect the initiation and progression of endometrial carcinoma (EC). The routine detection of genetic factors involved in EC has not been extensively performed in Chinese clinical practice, however. In this review we summarise EC-related genetic factors, including Lynch syndrome-associated mutations and non-Lynch syndrome-associated genetic predispositions found in Chinese women, and their potential clinical applications. In addition, we propose a clinical testing strategy for patients with EC and their family members. The objective of this review is to advance basic research regarding the genetic factors involved in EC and to improve its clinical implementation in China. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Review summarises Chinese research progression of EC-related genetic factors and proposes innovative screening strategy.

[Clinical analysis of renal dysfunction in 59 patients with gynecological malignant tumor during chemotherapy].

Objective: To analysis the patients with gynecological malignant tumor and gynecologic malignant tumor complicated with kidney diseases appeared renal dysfunction during chemotherapy, and protect the residual renal function. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 59 patients with gynecological malignant tumor with abnormal renal function during chemotherapy in Peking University People's Hospital from May 2000 to April 2016. According to whether or not complicated with kidney diseases and renal dysfunction before chemotherapy, all cases were divided into two groups. Group A was the patients without kidney diseases and with normal renal function before chemotherapy (n=35), while group B with kidney disease before chemotherapy (n=24), included 10 cases of normal renal function and 14 cases of abnormal renal function. Results: (1) During chemotherapy there were respectively 24 cases(69%) occurred mild renal dysfunction, 3 cases(9%) of moderate renal dysfunction, 1 case(3%) of severe renal dysfunction, 6 cases (17%) of renal failure, 1 case(3%) of reversible renal dysfunction in group A. While, among 10 cases of normal renal function patients in group B, there were 7 cases(7/10) occurred mild renal dysfunction, 1 case (1/10) of moderate renal dysfunction, 1 case(1/10) of severe renal dysfunction, 1 case(1/10) of renal failure. Among 14 cases with abnormal renal function in group B, there were respectively 1 patient(1/14) who renal dysfunction was from mild to renal failure, 9 cases(9/14) of stable renal function and 4 cases(4/14) of severe renal dysfunction became improved after chemotherapy. (2) Renal dysfunction occurred and the number of chemotherapy course: 45 patients with normal renal function (including 35 cases in group A, 10 cases with normal renal function in group B), there were 11 cases(24%) occurred renal dysfunction after intraperitoneal chemotherapy, 20 cases(44%) occurred in the 1-3 courses of treatment, 10 cases(22%) occurred in the 4- 8 courses, while 4 cases(9%) appeared after 8 courses. Among 14 patients with abnormal renal function before chemotherapy in group B, there were respectively 1 patient(1/14) with renal dysfunction was from mild to renal failure occurred at the third courses of chemotherapy, 9 cases(1/14) of stable renal function, 4 cases(4/14) of severe renal dysfunction became improved from the 1-3 course of chemotherapy. (3) The regimen adjustment of chemotherapy before and after the occurrence of renal dysfunction: 45 patients with normal renal function, the platinum-based chemotherapy regimen were used before the occurrence of renal dysfunction. After renal dysfunction occurred, all the patients were received chemoprotective agent amifostine. Among 44 cases with cisplatin-based chemotherapy, 24 cases of them were replaced with carboplatin or oxaliplatin, 4 cases of them just treated with paclitaxel, 2 cases performed chemotherapy and dialysis sequneced, 7 cases adjusted dosage, while the other cases did not any special treatment because of mild renal dysfunction. Finally, there were 37 cases successfully completed the chemotherapy, while 7 cases could not completed chemotherapy, because renal dysfunction was aggravated or renal failure. The 5 year survival rate of 37 cases was 64.9%, 7 cases that did not completed chemotherapy was 14.3%. Fourteen cases with renal dysfunction in group B, 4 cases of them with mild received cisplatin-based chemotherapy, 6 cases used paclitaxel combined carboplatin regimen, including 2 cases with chemotherapy and dialysis sequenced, 3 cases adjusted dosage paclitaxel, 1 case performed modify FOLFOX regimens chemotherapy (tegafur+oxaliplatin+calcium folinate). All 14 patients were successfully completed chemotherapy. The 5 year survival rate was 57.1%. Conclusions: Chemotherapy drugs, especially for platinum-based regimens could induce acute renal insufficiency, even aggravated or lead to renal failure in patients with gynecological cancer. Therefore, we should pay attention to the prevention and treatment of renal dysfunction in patients with gynecological malignant tumor during chemotherapy, adjustment the chemotherapy regimen in patients with renal dysfunction.

High thyroid-stimulating hormone level is associated with the risk of developing atherosclerosis in subclinical hypothyroidism.

The aim of our study was to assess the potential role of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in the risk of developing atherosclerosis in subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH). A cohort of 240 SCH patients and 150 euthyroid volunteers were recruited for the study. SCH patients were stratified into 2 groups according to TSH levels (group A: TSH<10 mIU/l; group B: TSH>10 mIU/l). All subjects were examined for clinical and biochemical parameters. Visfatin, omentin-1, and circulating endothelial biomarkers were measured. Patients in group B received l-thyroxine replacement to achieve euthyroidism; after 6 months of euthyroidism all measurements were repeated. Patients with SCH had higher total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and lower nitric oxide (NO) and omentin-1 levels compared to euthyroid subjects (all p<0.05). TC, LDL-C, and CRP decreased significantly, while NO and omentin-1 levels increased significantly after l-thyroxine replacement. Based on multivariate liner stepwise regression analysis, omentin-1 was independently correlated with BMI and TSH; NO was independently correlated with age, TSH, LDL-C, and omentin-1. High TSH level contributes to endothelial dysfunction in SCH, while TSH-induced decrease of omentin-1 provides a new link between SCH and atherogenic risk.

[Quality control of gastric resection range in laparoscopic locally advanced gastric cancer].

After nearly 30 years of exploration and practice, minimally invasive surgical techniques represented by laparoscopic technology have become an important means for the surgical treatment of gastric cancer. In China, laparoscopic radical resection for locally advanced gastric cancer has been extensively carried out. However, there are still controversies regarding the gastric resection range and methods for advanced gastric cancer. By reviewing relevant domestic and foreign guideline documents and combining team practice experience, this article elaborates on the key points of quality control of laparoscopic gastric resection range for locally advanced gastric cancer from aspects such as tumor localization and gastric resection range for upper, middle and lower gastric tumors. It aims to provide reference for carrying out and promoting laparoscopic radical gastrectomy more safely.

Analysis of the risk factors for the recurrence of cervical cancer following ovarian transposition.

PURPOSE: To investigate the potential risk factors related to the recurrence of cervical cancer following ovarian transposition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 105 patients with cervical carcinoma were retrospectively analyzed. Each patient underwent surgical therapy in combination with ovarian transposition from September 2000 to November 2009. The potential risk factors for recurrence following ovarian transposition were analyzed. RESULTS: The average age of the 105 patients was 38.7 years. Twelve patients were in Stage IA, 65 in IB, 12 in Stage IIA, and 16 in Stage IIB. Twenty-five patients had well-differentiated cancer (G1). Forty-eight patients had moderately-differentiated cancer (G2), and 32 patients had poorly-differentiated cancer (G3). Ninety-seven cases were squamous cell carcinoma, three were adenocarcinoma, four were small cell carcinoma, and one case was adenosquamous carcinoma. Five patients (4.8%) had a recurrence, two of whom (1.9%) had ovarian metastasis. Univariate analysis showed that the pathological type (p = 0.005) and degree of differentiation (p = 0.001) were potential risk factors for recurrence of cervical carcinoma following ovarian transposition. Cancer embolus in vessels or lymphatic metastasis was observed in four of the five patients who suffered a recurrence. CONCLUSION: Pathological type, differentiated degree, and cancer embolus in vessels or lymphatic metastasis were identified as potential risk factors for the recurrence of cervical carcinoma after ovarian transposition.

Diagnostic value of plasmin-α2-plasmin inhibitor complex in patients with malignant tumor and venous thromboembolism.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate in this study the diagnostic value of the plasmin-α2-plasmin inhibitor complex in patients with malignant tumors and venous thromboembolism (VTE). Methods: A total of 58 patients with confirmed malignant tumors and VTE were selected, and their plasma samples were collected within 24 hours after VTE diagnosis. We also selected 60 patients with malignant tumors who were hospitalized at the same time and did not have VTE following imaging examination. Their plasma samples were collected within 24 hours after admission and were compared to those of the VTE group concerning the levels of plasmin-α2-plasmin inhibitor (PIC), thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT), tissue-type plasminogen activator-inhibitor complex (tPAI-C), and thrombomodulin (TM). We used the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of each index regarding malignant tumors accompanied by VTE. Results: PIC, TAT, and tPAI-C were significantly higher in the group with malignant tumors and VTE compared to the group with malignant tumors without thrombosis (p =0.010, p =0.001, and p =0.003, respectively). In contrast, we found no significant difference in TM levels between the two groups (p =0.483). The area under the curve (AUC) of PIC, TAT, and tPAI-C regarding patients with malignant tumors and VTE was 0.852, 0.636, and 0.655, respectively, demonstrating diagnostic values for those cancer patients suffering VTE. PIC had the highest diagnostic efficiency in those patients with malignant tumors and VTE, while the AUC of TM was 0.537, so its diagnostic value for VTE-complicated malignant tumors was limited. Conclusion: PIC has a sufficient value for the early diagnosis of VTE in patients with malignant tumors. HIPPOKRATIA 2023, 27 (2):37-40.

Impact of interleukin-8 gene polymorphisms and environmental factors on oral cancer susceptibility in Taiwan.

OBJECTIVES: Interleukin-8 (IL-8), which is an angiogenic chemokine with a high expression level in tumor tissues, plays important roles in developing many human malignancies including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). This study was designed to examine the association of IL-8 gene polymorphisms with the susceptibility and clinicopathological characteristics of OSCC. METHODS: A total of 270 patients with OSCC and 350 healthy control subjects were recruited. Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of IL-8 genes were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) genotyping analysis. RESULTS: Results showed that four IL-8 SNPs (-251 T/A, +781 C/T, +1633 C/T, and +2767 A/T) were not associated with oral cancer susceptibility as well as clinicopathological parameters. But among 345 smokers, IL-8 polymorphisms carriers with betel quid chewing were found to have a 17.41- to 23.14-fold risk to have oral cancer compared to IL-8 wild-type carriers without betel quid chewing. Among 262 betel quid chewers, IL-8 polymorphisms carriers with smoking have a 10.54- to 20.44-fold risk to have oral cancer compared to those who carried wild type without smoking. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the combination of IL-8 gene polymorphisms and environmental carcinogens might be highly related to the risk of oral cancer.

Role of lipocalin 2 and its complex with matrix metalloproteinase-9 in oral cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Recent evidence demonstrated that lipocalin (LCN)2 is induced in many types of human cancer, while the detection of its complex with matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 is correlated with the cancer disease status. We attempted to evaluate plasma expressions of LCN2, MMP-9, and their complex (LCN2/MMP-9) during the diagnostic work-up of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and investigated their correlations with disease progression. METHODS: In total, 195 patients with OSCC and 81 healthy controls were recruited. Expression levels of LCN2, MMP-9, and LCN2/MMP-9 were determined with immunoenzymatic assays. RESULTS: Patients with OSCC exhibited significantly higher levels of LCN2, MMP-9, and LCN2/MMP-9 compared with healthy controls (LCN2: P < 0.001; MMP-9: P < 0.001; LCN2/MMP-9: P < 0.01). Plasma levels of LCN2, MMP-9, and LCN2/MMP-9 in patients with OSCC were significantly correlated with each other and were associated with more-advanced clinical stages (P < 0.05) and/or a larger tumor size (P < 0.05), but were not associated with positive lymph-node metastasis or distal metastasis. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that plasma levels of LCN2 and the LCN2/MMP-9 complex may be useful in non-invasively monitoring OSCC progression, while supporting their potential role as biomarkers of oral cancer disease status.

Age distribution of human papillomavirus infection and neutralizing antibodies in healthy Chinese women aged 18-45 years enrolled in a clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: Data from clinical trials of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines showed that women naïve (negative for both type-specific antibodies and DNA) to vaccine types would derive benefit from vaccination; therefore, an understanding of the proportion of naïve women in different age groups is important for developing HPV vaccination strategies. METHODS: From November 2012 to April 2013, a total of 7372 healthy women aged 18-45 years were recruited in five provinces in China. Cervical specimens and serum samples were collected for each woman at entry. Cervical specimens were first tested by the HPV DNA enzyme immunoassay method; if positive, the specimens were then tested by reverse hybridization line probe assay and HPV-16 and HPV-18 specific polymerase chain reactions. Neutralizing antibodies against HPV-16 or HPV-18 were tested with a pseudovirion-based neutralization assay. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of high-risk HPV DNA was 14.8% (1088/7367, 95% CI 14.0-15.6), and the seroprevalence of neutralizing antibodies against HPV-16 and HPV-18 was 12.6% (925/7367) and 4.9% (364/7367), respectively. In younger women (18-26 years) and middle-aged women (27-45 years), 83.8% (3116/3719) and 81.4% (2968/3648) were naïve to both HPV-16 and HPV-18 (both neutralizing antibodies and DNA were negative), respectively. In addition, 98.5% (3664/3719) and 98.0% (3575/3648) of the younger or middle-aged women were naïve to at least one HPV type (HPV-16 or HPV-18). DISCUSSION: This study revealed that the majority of Chinese women aged 18-26 years and 27-45 years were naïve to both HPV-16 and HPV-18 and would thus derive full benefit from bivalent HPV vaccination.

Disseminated peritoneal leiomyomatosis responds to systemic chemotherapy.

Leiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminata (LPD) is a rare disease entity characterized by multiple peritoneal tumors composed of benign but proliferative smooth muscle cells. Surgery is the mainstay treatment for LPD. We present a 50-year-old woman who had previously undergone several surgical resections including bilateral oophorectomy for recurrent LPD. Because of progressive tumors in the peritoneum and metastatic tumors in the liver and lungs, systemic chemotherapy with doxorubicin and dacarbazine was prescribed. Objective tumor response was achieved and sustained for 1 year. This case presentation suggests that systemic chemotherapy may be considered as a treatment option for LPD patients developing unresectable or metastatic disease.