Medical oncology
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The immunohistochemical analysis was used to evaluate the expression of PD-L1 in 109 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues and para-tumor tissues. Associations between expressed PD-L1 and tumor histological types, degree of differentiation, and lymph node metastasis were calculated, and overall survival was assessed. Meanwhile, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence double labeling technique were performed to detect the expressions of PD-L1, CD1α, and CD83 on TIDC of 20 lung cancer tissues, and the expression of PD-L1 in CD1α+DCs and CD83+DCs and their significances were also explored. ⋯ Patients with either adenocarcinoma or survival time after surgery less than 3 years showed higher expression rate of PD-L1. Furthermore, Cox model analysis indicated that PD-L1 might be regarded as a poor prognostic factor. PD-L1 could be also detected in CD1α+ immature DC in NSCLC, indicating that as a class of key anti-tumor immunocyte in tumor microenvironment, DC expressing PD-L1 itself might play an important role in keeping its immature status and contributing to tumor cells immune escape and disease progression.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Randomized, double-blind, crossover study of palonosetron compared with granisetron for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in a Chinese population.
The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and tolerability of palonosetron and granisetron in a Chinese population receiving highly emetogenic cisplatin-based chemotherapy or moderately emetogenic chemotherapy. Patients were stratified by chemotherapy with cisplatin (yes/no) and then randomly assigned to receive either palonosetron (0.25 mg i.v.) in the first cycle followed by granisetron (3 mg i.v.) in the second cycle or vice versa. The primary efficacy endpoint was the proportion of patients with complete response 0-24 h post-chemotherapy administration. ⋯ Both palonosetron and granisetron were well tolerated. Palonosetron was well tolerated and effective in preventing acute and delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in a Chinese population. When used as monotherapy, 0.25-mg palonosetron was not inferior to 3-mg granisetron for preventing vomiting following highly or moderately emetogenic chemotherapy.
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The aim of this study is to evaluate influence of allogeneic blood transfusion on prognosis in patients in Dukes B stage of colorectal cancer. All patients with colorectal cancer who were admitted at our Department of Surgery between January 2000 and December 2004 were analyzed. One hundred fifty-one patients who fulfilled inclusion criteria were enrolled in further evaluation. ⋯ Multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed that intraoperative blood transfusion more than three units had independent influence on local recurrence. Postoperative transfusion more than 3 units was statistically independent prognostic factor for metastasis and mortality. Overall transfusion less than 3 units of allogeneic blood does not influence the outcome of patients in Dukes B stage of colorectal cancer.
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Presence of the Philadelphia chromosome in acute lymphoblastic leukemia is the single most adverse prognostic marker associated with high risk of disease relapse and poor prognosis. Allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation is considered as the only curative option in adults with Philadelphia-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia, but relapse remains the main cause of treatment failure. Moreover, long-term survival rates are markedly decreased when transplanted patients are not in complete remission. ⋯ Due to imatinib resistance, the therapy with dasatinib was started and complete molecular response was obtained. The consecutive clinical evaluation performed every 3 months during the last 18 months confirmed the absence of molecular minimal residual disease. We believe that inclusion of dasatinib into transplantation strategy allows obtaining sustained molecular remission even in patients resistant to imatinib.
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Burnout is an important occupational problem for health care workers. We aimed to assess the burnout levels among oncology employees and to evaluate the sociodemographic and occupational factors contributing to burnout levels. The Maslach Burnout Inventory, which is designed to measure the three stages of burnout-emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP), and personal accomplishment (PA), was used. ⋯ Furthermore, employees who are not pleased with working in oncology field, who would like to change their specialty if they have an opportunity, and whose family and social lives have been negatively affected by their work experienced higher levels of burnout. Burnout syndrome may influence physical and mental health of the employee and affects the quality of health care as well. Therefore, several individual or organizational efforts should be considered for dealing with burnout.