[Effect of Fuzheng Kang'ai Recipe Combined Gefitinib on Lung Cancer A549 Cells and Its Mecha- nism Research].

Objective To observe the effect of Fuzheng Kang'ai Recipe (FKR) combined ge- fitinib on the proliferation and apoptosis of lung cancer A549 cells , and to study its potential synergistic mechanish with gefitinib. Methods The effects of FKR (0. 211, 0. 316, 0. 474, 0. 711, 1. 067, 1. 600, 2. 400, 3. 600 mg/mL) combined gefitinib (3. 95, 5. 92, 8. 18, 13. 33, 20. 00, 30. 00, 45. 00, 67. 50 µmol/ L) on the proliferation of A549 cells were detected by MTT assay. The apoptosis of A549 cells in the control group (complete culture medium) , FKR (1. 6 mg/mL) , gefitinib (45 µmol/L) , and FKR plus gefitinib (1. 6 mg/mL +45 µmol/L) were detected by flow cytometry (FCM). Their expressions of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) , phosphorylating epidermal growth factor receptor ( p-EGFR) , enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ ( PPAR-γ) , and P53 protein in A549 cells were detected by Western blot. Results Both FKR and gefitinib could inhibit the proliferation of A549 cells. The apoptotic rate was 12. 6% ±4. 5% in the FKR combined gefitinib group, obviously higher than that of the FKR group (4. 6% ± 0. 7%) and the gefitinib group (7. 8% ± 2. 7%) , showing statistical difference (P <0. 05). Compared with the control group, the expressions of p-EGFR and EZH2 were sig- nificantly down-regulated (P <0. 05) , the expressions of PPAR-γ and P53 protein were up-regulated in the FKR combined gefitinib group (P <0. 05); the expression of EZH2 was down-regulated in the gefitinib group and the FKR group (P <0. 05) ; the expression of PPAR-y was up-regulated in the FKR group (P < 0. 05). Compared with the gefitinib group, the expression of p-EGFR was down-regulated, and the expression of PPAR-γ was up-regulated in the FKR combined gefitinib group (both P <0. 05). Compared with the FKR group, the expression of p-EGFR was down-regulated in the FKR combined gefitinib group (P < 0. 05). Conclusions Combination of FKR and gefitinib could significantly inhibit the proliferation and growth of A549 cells,and induce cell apoptosis. Its potential synergistic mechanism of anti-tumor activities might be associated with down-regulating mRNA expressions of p-EGFR and EZH2, and up-regulating protein expressions of PPAR-y and P53.

[Combination of Jianpi Liqi Yiliu Formula with Cytokine-induced Killer Cell Treatment for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Jianpi Liqi Yiliu Formula (JLYF) combined with cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells for treating patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: Between January 2011 and January 2014, 60 advanced HCC patients were enrolled in this study, who were assigned to the treatment group and the control group according to their willingness for taking JLYF, 30 cases in each group. All patients received CIK cell treatment: 1 x 109-3 x 109 each time, by intravenous dripping from the 1st day to the 3rd day, once per day. Besides, patients in the treatment group took JLYF decoction, while those in the control group took Chinese medical decoction by syndrome typing. All patients received treatment of at least two cycles. The time to progression (TTP) , overall survival (OS), disease control rate (DCR), performance status scale (PS), Child-Pugh scale, and adverse reactions were observed, and subgroup analyzed. RESULTS: To May 31, 2014, all patients reached the clinical endpoint. TTP was 3.5 months (95% Cl: 3.30-4.10) in the treatment group, better than that (2.5 months, 95% CI: 2.32-2.68) of the control group (P < 0.05). DCR was 36.7% in the treatment group and 30.0% in the control group (P > 0.05). OS was 5.2 months (95% CI: 4.53-5.87) in the treatment group and 4.6 months (95% CI: 4.06-5.14) in the control group (P > 0.05). The PS scale was 1.60 ± 0.10 after treatment, lower than that (1.80 ± 0.09) before treatment in the treatment group (P < 0.05). When the PS scale was 0-2 or Child-Pugh scale was class A, TTP was longer in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.05). No adverse reaction occurred in the two groups during the treatment course. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of JLYF with ClK cell treatment could prolong advanced HCC patients' TTP, improve PS scale, as compared with syndrome typed Chinese medical decoction treatment group. Besides, when the PS scale was 0-2 or Child-Pugh scale was class A, it was a better treatment program for advanced HCC patients.

[Treating primary liver cancer patients by Pi-strengthening and Qi-regulating method: univariate and multivariate analyses of their prognoses].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prognostic factors in treating primary liver cancer (PLC) patients by Pi-strengthening and qi-regulating method (PSQRM), thus providing evidence and optimizing Pi-strengthening and qi-regulating program. METHODS: Clinical data of 151 PLC patients treated by PSQRM at Oncology Department, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from May 2007 to March 2009 were retrospectively analyzed. The univariate analysis was determined to analyze possible prognostic factors. Selected key factors were introduced into the COX proportional hazard model, and multivariate analysis was carried out. RESULTS: The 1-year survival rate was 21.85%, the median survival time was 6.80 months, and the mean survival time was 8.98 months. The univariate analysis showed that Chinese medicine (CM) syndrome types, clinical symptoms at the initial diagnosis, ascites, tumor types, ratios of foci, portal vein tumor thrombus, intrahepatic metastasis, a-fetoprotein (AFP) levels, total bilirubin classification, albumin classification, Child-Pugh classification, and domestic staging of liver cancer were significant prognostic factors (P < 0.05). The statistic data of multivariate analysis indicated that CM syndrome types, ascites, tumor types, portal vein tumor thrombus, AFP levels, Child-Pugh classification, and domestic staging of liver cancer were independent factors influencing prognosis (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The prognosis of PLC treated with PSQRM is determined by multiple factors including CM syndrome types, ascites, tumor types, portal vein tumor thrombus, AFP levels, Child-Pugh classification, and domestic staging of liver cancer.

[The distribution of Chinese medicine syndrome types in primary liver cancer and their differences of the survival time: a clinical study].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the distribution of Chinese medicine (CM) syndrome types in primary liver cancer (PLC) and their differences of the survival time. METHODS: From May 2007 to March 2009, recruited were 151 PLC inpatients at Department of Tumor, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Their survival time were statistically calculated. Patients' average survival time and median survival time were calculated using Kaplan-Meier method. The Log-rank test was used to analyze their differences of survival time among different CM syndrome types. RESULTS: The proportion of CM syndrome types in PLC patients were ranked from high to low as follows: mutual accumulation of dampness and blood stasis syndrome [MADBSS, 43.0% (65/151)], Gan-stagnation Pi-deficiency syndrome [GSPDS, 34.4% (52/151)], qi stagnation blood stasis syndrome [QSBSS, 9.3% (14/151)], retention of damp-heat syndrome [RDHS, 8.6%(13/151)], and Gan-Shen yin deficiency syndrome [GSYDS, 4.6% (7/ 151)]. The median survival time of different CM syndrome types were ranked from longer to shorter as follows: GSPDS (14.77 months), QSBSS (6.13 months), RDHS (5.27 months), MADBSS (4.78 months), and GSYDS (0.80 months). The mean survival times were ranked from longer to shorter as follows: GSPDS (12.40 months), QSBSS (8.84 months), MADBSS (6.99 months), RDHS (7.08 months), and GSYDS (0.72 months). There was statistical difference in the difference of the survival time among different CM syndrome types (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: GSPDS and MADBSS were the most common CM syndrome types in PLC patients. There was difference in the survival time between GSPDS and MADBSS/between RDHS and GSYDS. There was difference in the survival time between MADBSS and GSYDS. Patients of GSPDS might get the best prognosis, while patients of GSYDS might get the poorest prognosis.

GPX4 Plays a Crucial Role in Fuzheng Kang'ai Decoction-Induced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cell Ferroptosis.

Background: Fuzheng Kang'ai decoction (FZKA) has been widely used to treat Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) patients in China for decades, showing definitively curative effects in clinic. Recently, we found that FZKA could induce NSCLC cell ferroptosis, another type of programmed cell death (PCD), which is totally different from cell apoptosis. Therefore, in the present study, we aim to discover the exact mechanism by which FZKA induces NSCLC cell ferroptosis, which is rarely studied in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Methods: Cell proliferation assay were performed to detect the cell viability. Cell ferroptosis triggered by FZKA was observed by performing lipid peroxidation assay, Fe2+ Ions assay, and mitochondrial ultrastructure by transmission electron microscopy. Ferroptosis inhibitors including liproxstatin-1 and UAMC 3203 were used to block ferroptosis. The ratio of GSH/GSSG was done to measure the alteration of oxidative stress. Western blot and qRT-PCR were carried out to detect the expression of solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11), solute carrier family 3 member 2 (SLC3A2) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) at protein and mRNA levels, respectively. Lentivirus transfection was performed to overexpress GPX4 stably. Animal model was done to verify the effect of FZKA-induced ferroptosis in NSCLC in vivo and immunohistochemistry was done to detect the expression of SLC7A11, SLC3A2 and GPX4 at protein level. Results: First of all, in vitro experiments confirmed the inhibition effect of FZKA on NSCLC cell growth. We then, for the first time, found that FZKA induced NSCLC cell ferroptosis by increasing lipid peroxidation and cellular Fe2+ Ions. Moreover, characteristic morphological changes of NSCLC cell ferroptosis was observed under transmission electron microscopy. Mechanistically, GPX4, as a key inhibitor of lipid peroxidation, was greatly suppressed by FZKA treatment both at protein and mRNA levels. Furthermore, system xc- (SLC7A11 and SLC3A2) were found to be suppressed and a decreased GSH/GSSG ratio was observed at the same time when treated with FZKA. Notably, overexpressing GPX4 reversed the effect of FZKA-induced NSCLC cell ferroptosis significantly. Finally, the above effect was validated using animal model in vivo. Conclusion: Our findings conclude that GPX4 plays a crucial role in FZKA-induced NSCLC cell ferroptosis, providing a novel molecular mechanism by which FZKA treats NSCLC.

[Alternative and complementary effect of Chinese medicine in treating malignant tumor].

In this article, the concept of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) was reviewed, and the functions and status of Chinese medicine in malignant tumor therapy as a CAM were summarized. The major usage of Chinese medicine as a CAM in treatment of malignant tumor are as follows: (1) Chinese medicine alone can be used as an alternative therapy for advanced patients who cannot benefit from chemotherapy or radiotherapy; (2) Chinese medicine can be used together with chemotherapy or radiotherapy as a complementary therapy to alleviate signs and symptoms, reduce toxicities and increase effect; (3) Chinese medicine can be used as an alternative therapy for elderly or patients with poor performance status (PS); (4) it can also combine with new technology (e.g., extracorporeal high frequency thermotherapy, radioactive seed implantation, and radiofrequency ablation) as a complementary treatment; (5) Chinese medicine can work with molecular target therapeutic drugs to increase efficacy and sensitivity, reduce toxicities, improve quality of life and prolong survival; (6) Chinese medicine can act as a maintenance therapy after surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy; (7) Chinese medicine can also be taken as a preventive measure in high-risk patients with pre-cancerous diseases or "tumor-free" status. Finally, the author concluded the prescription pattern of Chinese medicine in treatment of malignant tumor, and presented several clinical effective cases treated with Chinese medicine.

[Effect of shenfu injection for attenuating the toxicity of cisplatin-based regimens in treating non-small cell lung cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Shenfu Injection (SFI) for attenuating the toxicity of chemotherapy in treating non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), by the regimens of combined Cisplatin (DDP) with new chemotherapeutic agents, Taxol (TXT), Vinorelbine (NVB) and Gemcitabine (GEM), respectively. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-three patients with NSCLC, who were scheduled to be treated by at least 2 cycles of chemotherapy, with regimen TP (45 cases), NP (42 cases) and GP (46 cases), were enrolled. They were randomized into 2 groups: 67 cases in the SFI pre-treated group and 66 cases in the SFI post-treated group, on them SFI was administered for 10 successive days on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd day of the 1st and the 2nd cycle, respectively. The effects of SFI on toxicity of the three regimens were observed through a self-controlled crossover design. RESULTS: The hemato-toxicity (the toxicity on leukocyte, neutrophil, hemoglobin and platelet) and the digestive toxicity (represented as vomiting, constipation or diarrhea) of chemotherapy revealed in the treated stage (the cycle treated with SFI) were all less than those in the control stage (the cycle untreated with SFI), no matter when SFI was applied, all showed statistical significance (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Besides, SFI showed a better toxicity attenuating effect on patients of qi-deficiency and phlegm-dampness type (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: SFI can relieve the hemato-toxicity and the digestive toxicity of chemotherapy by regimen of combining DDP with TXT, NVB or GEM, and the effect is more significant on patients of qi-deficiency and phlegm-dampness type.

Gefitinib plus Fuzheng Kang'ai Formula () in Patients with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer with Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutation: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of Fuzheng Kang'ai Formula (, FZKA) plus gefitinib in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted from 2009 to 2012 in South China. Seventy chemotherapynaive patients diagnosed with stage IIIB/IV non-small cell lung cancer with EGFR mutations were randomly assigned to GF group [gefitinib (250 mg/day orally) plus FZKA (250 mL, twice per day, orally); 35 cases] or G group (gefitinib 250 mg/day orally; 35 cases) according to the random number table and received treatment until progression of the disease, or development of unacceptable toxicities. The primary endpoint [progression-free survival (PFS)] and secondary endpoints [median survival time (MST), objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR) and safety] were observed. RESULTS: No patient was excluded after randomization. GF group had significantly longer PFS and MST compared with the G group, with median PFS of 12.5 months (95% CI 3.30-21.69) vs. 8.4 months (95% CI 6.30-10.50; log-rank P<0.01), MST of 21.5 months (95% CI 17.28-25.73) vs. 18.3 months (95% CI 17.97-18.63; log-rank P<0.01). ORR and DCR in GF group and G group were 65.7% vs. 57.1%, 94.3% vs. 80.0%, respectively (P>0.05). The most common toxic effects in the GF group and G group were rash or acne (42.8% vs. 57.1%, P>0.05), diarrhea (11.5% vs. 31.4%, P<0.05), and stomatitis (2.9% vs. 8.7%, P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer selected by EGFR mutations have longer PFS, MST with less toxicity treated with gefitinib plus FZKA than gefitinib alone.

Improvement of quality of life with Shenfu injection in non small cell lung cancer patients treated with gemcitabine plus cisplatin regimen.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Shenfu injection (SFI) in treating non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients on quality of life with gemcitabine (GEM) plus cisplatin (GP) regimen. METHODS: Thirty-four patients were ready to receive GP regimen chemotherapy for treating NSCLC disease, according to lot-drawing, they were divided into SFI pre-treatment group (18 cases) and SFI post-treatment group (16 cases). SFI pre-treatment group: During the first treatment course, chemotherapy was begun with SFI 60 ml, intravenous dripping on the 3rd day, once daily, consecutively for 10 days; on the 1st day, GP regimen (GEM 1250 mg/m(2), intravenous dripping, on the 1st and 8th day; cisplatin 70 mg/m(2) on the 2nd day; 21 days as one cycle) was carried out; in the second treatment course GP regimen was merely given to serve as the self-control. SFI post-treatment group: the medicament sequence order was reversed from that of pre-treatment group. Using dual international quality of life (QOL) scores, the effect of SFI on the patients' QOL was observed through randomized self pre- and post-crossover control. RESULTS: The QOL in the 34 patients after being treated by SFI in combination with GP chemotherapy regimen in one group, and GP chemotherapy regimen alone in the other, was improved in different degrees, with significant difference (P < 0.01); comparison of SFI combined with GP chemotherapy regimen with GP chemotherapy alone showed that QOL in patients was significantly different (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: SFI could improve QOL in patients with NSCLC who were treated with GP regimen.

Fuzheng Kang'ai decoction combined with gefitinib in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients with epidermal growth factor receptor mutations: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring mutations of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene respond well to the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) gefitinib. Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) has been used as a complementary therapy for cancer for decades in China. CHM was proved to be effective in improving the quality of life (QOL) and reducing the toxicity associated with chemotherapy in patients with NSCLC. The purpose of the present trial is to determine whether CHM (Fuzheng Kang'ai decoction (FZKA), a CHM formula) combined with gefitinib results in longer progression-free survival with less toxicity than gefitinib alone. METHODS/DESIGN: This is a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. This trial is designed to determine if CHM (FZKA) combined with gefitinib results in longer progression-free survival with less toxicity than gefitinib alone. A total of 70 NSCLC patients with EGFR mutations will be randomly assigned to treatment group (gefitinib plus FZKA granules) or control group (gefitinib plus placebo). The primary endpoint is progression-free survival. Secondary endpoints are: (1) overall survival; (2) disease control rate; (3) QOL, measured with the questionnaire of Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-lung (FACT-L 4.0) and Lung Cancer Symptom Scale and (4) safety. DISCUSSION: In previous clinical practice, we found that CHM (FZKA) could improve the therapeutic efficacy of gefitinib. This study will provide objective evidence to evaluate the efficiency of CHM combined with gefitinib in NSCLC patients with EGFR mutations, and may provide a novel regimen for patients with NSCLC. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ( www.chictr.org ): ChiCTR-IOR-14005679 , registered 17 December 2014.

Xiaoji Decoction inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis through Akt signaling pathway in human lung cancer A549 cells.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the inhibitive effect and the underlying mechanism of Xiaoji Decoction (, XJD) in human lung cancer A549 cells. METHODS: A549 cells in logarithmic proliferation were cultivated in RPMI-1640 containing 10% low, medium or high dosages of XJD serum. The inhibitive effect of XJD in A549 cell proliferation was assessed by methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The pro-apoptotic effect of XJD in A549 cells was observed by fluorescence microscope via Hoechst 33258 staining. The role of the Akt signaling pathway was observed by examining the presence of p-Akt protein by Western blot and the mRNA expression of downstream proteins such as Bcl-2/Bcl-XL-associated death promoter (BAD) and caspase-9 by real time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: MTT assay revealed that XJD could inhibit A549 proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Hoechst 33258 staining showed that XJD induced the typical nuclear apoptotic morphology after XJD treatment. Moreover, XJD could reduce the phosphorylation of Akt and increase the mRNA expression of BAD and caspase-9. CONCLUSIONS: XJD can inhibit the proliferation of A549 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner through signaling Akt pathway via up-regulating the expression of BAD and caspase-9. XJD may provide a novel therapeutic model for lung cancer and deserve further study.

Effect of gefitinib plus Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: a retrospective case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Some patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) respond well to the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor gefitinib. Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) was effective in improving the quality of life and prolonging overall survival in patient with NSCLC. We aim to determine whether gefitinib plus CHM could prolong the progression-free survival (PFS) or median survival time (MST) in patients with NSCLC than gefitinib alone. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 159 non-small-cell lung cancer patients with the method of retrospective case-control study, matching factors included gender, age categories (30-39,40-49,50-59,60-69,70-79), pathological stage (IIIB or IV), smoking status (never: <100 lifetime cigarettes, or ever: ≥100 lifetime cigarettes), pathology, and performance status. Among the 159 patients, 100 patients treated with gefitinib (250mg/day orally) plus CHM ("Fuzheng Kang'ai" decoction, a Chinese herbal medicine, 250ml/bid/day orally), 59 patients treated with gefitinib (250mg/day orally) only. PFS and MST were analyzed for the whole population. RESULTS: 58 pairs were matched successfully. 1 patient (treated with gefitinib) with the age of 27 years failed to be matched. Progression-free survival was significantly longer in patients treated with gefitinib plus CHM than with gefitinib: median PFS was 13.1 months (95% CI 6.50-19.70) with gefitinib plus CHM versus 11.43 months (95% CI 7.95-14.91) with gefitinib (log-rank P=0.013). Median overall survival was longer with gefitinib plus CHM than with gefitinib: median MST was 22.83 months (95% CI 17.51-28.16) with gefitinib plus CHM versus 18.7 months (95% CI 16.83-20.57) with gefitinib (log-rank P=0.049). The most common adverse event was rash, the incidence in the gefitinib plus CHM group was 41.38% while in the gefitinib group was 24.14% (P=0.048). CONCLUSIONS: This case-control analysis suggested that treatment with gefitinib plus CHM prolonged PFS and MST compared with gefitinib in patients with NSCLC, and it is worthy of further study.

[Influence of Shenfu Injection on the quality of life of lung cancer patients receiving chemotherapy].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of Shenfu Injection (SHF) on the quality of life of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) receiving chemotherapy. METHODS: A total of 133 patients with NSCLC receiving at least two cycles of chemotherapy with taxol plus cisplatin (TP)/vinorelbine plus cisplatin (NP) or gemcitabine plus cisplatin (GP) were randomized into SHF pre-treatment group (with SHF given only in the first cycle) and SHF post-treatment group (with SHF given only in the second cycle). The Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 (QLQ-C30) and the Functional Living Index-Cancer (FLIC) were used to evaluate the quality of life of the patients after the treatments. RESULTS: Both of the groups showed improved quality of life after the treatments (P<0.01), but the improvements were more obvious in SHF pre-treatment group (P<0.05). SHF showed favorable effects in relieving such adverse effects as fatigue, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea associated with the chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: SHF can improve the quality of life in NSCLC patients receiving chemotherapies.

Treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer with extracorporeal high frequency thermotherapy combined with Chinese medicine.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy and benefit response of extracorporeal high frequency thermotherapy (EHFT) combined with Chinese medicine (CM) in the treatment of patients with advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer. METHODS: The study adopted a prospective, small sample and randomized controlled method, and the advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients were assigned to two groups according to the table of random digits, one having the treatment of EHFT combined with CM (the treatment group), the other only with CM (the control group). The patients in the treatment group were treated with EHFT one hour once per day, together with CM differentiation decoction, 250 mL orally taken, twice daily for 14 days as one cycle, and 3-4 cycles was performed. The patients in the control group were treated only with CM differentiation decoction using the same dose as the treatment group. The efficacies were evaluated after three to four cycles of treatment. Primary endpoints were disease control rate (DCR) and time to progression (TTP). Secondary endpoints were overall survival time and 1-year survival rate. RESULTS: Sixty-six patients accomplished the study. After the patients underwent different treatments, none of the patients got a complete response or partial response in both groups. In the treatment group, DCR was 72.2%, and 10 had progression of disease (28.8%), while the DCR of the control group was 63.3%, and 11 had progression of disease (36.7%); there was a significant statistical difference (P <0.05), suggesting that the combined regimen had superiority on the DCR. As for long-term efficacy, the median survival time (MST) of the treatment group was 7.5 months, TTP was 5.5 months, and 1-year survival rate was 21.4 %; in the control group, the results were 6.8 months, 4.5 months and 16.6% respectively. There was significant statistical difference on TTP (P <0.05), but no difference on MST or 1-year survival rate. CONCLUSION: EHFT combined with CM differentiation has better tolerance and short-term efficacy in the treatment of patients with advanced NSCLC.

Inhibitory effects of Curcuma aromatica oil on proliferation of hepatoma in mice.

AIM:To reveal the inhibitory effects of Curcuma aromatica oil (CAO) on cell proliferation of hepatoma in mice.METHODS:Two tumor inhibitory experiments of CAO on hepatoma in mice were conducted. The inhibitory effects of CAO on proliferation of hepatoma in mice were evaluated by DNA image cytometry and immunohistochemical staining of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA).RESULTS:The tumor inhibitory rates of CAO were 52% and 51% in two experiments, respectively. Compared with those of the saline-treated control groups, both differences were statistically significant (P < 0.01). In the group of mice treated with CAO, the cellular nuclear DNA OD value (249 plus minus 70), areas (623&mgr;m(2) plus minus 228&mgr;m(2)) and DNA (2.38 plus minus 0.67) index of hepatic carcinomas were significantly lower than those of the control group (430 plus minus 160, 1073&mgr;m(2) plus minus 101&mgr;m2and 4.48 plus minus 0.71). CAO also could increase diploidy cell rates (29.00% plus minus 9.34% vs 2.97% plus minus 5.69%, P < 0.01) and decrease pentaploidy cell exceeding rate (30.04% plus minus 15.10% vs 70.89% plus minus 14.94%, P<0.01). In the group of mice treated with CAO, the labeling indexes of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA-LI) were 30% plus minus 4%, which were significantly lower than 40% plus minus 6% of the control group (P<0.01).CONCLUSION:The inhibition of CAO on the growth of hepatoma in mice might be associated with its depression on cellular proliferative activity.