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Objective: To assess the safety of Brucea javanica and Cantharidin combined with chemotherapy in treating patients with non-small-cell lung carcinoma. Method: A consecutive cohort of patients with NSCLC were divided into four groups: experimental group A treated with Brucea javanica injection combined with chemotherapy; experimental group B with Cantharidin injection combined with chemotherapy; experimental group C treated with Brucea javanica and Cantharidin injection combined with chemotherapy; and the control group receiving only chemotherapy. After more than two courses of treatment, safety, quality of life and side effects were evaluated. Results: The incidences of myelosuppression in groups A, B and C were lower than that in Control group (p

A compariosn was made of survival outcomes of oncoplastic breast conserving therapy (oBCT) with nipple- areolar (NAC) preservation in women with centrally located breast cancer (CLBC) undergoing modified radical mastectomy (MRM) in China in a matched retrospective cohort study. We used a database including patients who received oBCT (n=91) or MRM (n=182) from 2003 to 2013 in our hospital. Matching was conducted according to five variables: age at diagnosis, axillary lymph node status, hormone receptor status, human epidermal growth factor-like receptor 2 status (HER-2) and tumor stage. The match ratio was 1:2. Median follow-up times for the oBCT and MRM groups were 83 and 81 months, respectively. There were no significant differences in 87-month overall, local, or distant recurrence-free survival between patients with oBCT and MRM (89%vs.90%; 93%vs.95%; 91%vs.92%;). For appropriate breast cancer patients, oBCT for CLBC is oncologically safe, oncoplastic techniques improving cosmetic outcomes.

To investigate the clinical efficacy of the immediate breast reconstruction following breast-conserving surgery for centrally located breast cancer.From January of 2006 through December of 2011, 30 women with centrally located breast cancer of stage I or II was treated by breast-conserving surgery removing or not removing the nipple-areola complex. All the patients received immediate breast reconstruction with adjacent gland tissue flap or latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap. The breast shape and complication were observed. All the patients were followed up.The thirty women underwent the breast-conserving surgery successfully, in which 12 cases received immediate breast reconstruction with adjacent gland tissue flap and 18 cases received immediate breast reconstruction with latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap. The superior rate of the aesthetic effect was 90% (27/30) according to JCRT in one week or six months after surgery. No recurrence and metastasis were observed after a median follow-up of 38 months ( range 4-72 months).The immediate breast reconstruction following breast-conserving surgery for centrally located breast cancer at early stage is satisfactory for the aesthetic result and clinical efficacy, and deserves further clinical application.

Purpose: This study was to determine the efficacy and safety of pemetrexed based chemotherapy in treating patients with metastatic gastric cancer who failed to respond to first and (or) second line chemotherapy. Patients and Methods: Metastatic gastric cancer patients who failed first and (or) second line chemotherapy, were enrolled. All patients were recruited from Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Research Institute, and were treated with pemetrexed 500 mg/m 2 (intravenous; on day 1), and a platinum (or irinotecan) every 3 weeks until disease progression, or intolerable toxicity. Evaluation on efficacy was conducted after two cycles of chemotherapy using the Response Evaluation Criteria for Solid Tumors. Toxicity was recorded according to National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 3.0. Results: From Jun 2011 to May 2013, 23 patients were enrolled. All eligible 23 patients completed at least 2 cycles of chemotherapy with pemetrexed based chemotherapy, and were evaluable. Their median age was 55 years (range 40 to 78 years). Seventeen patients were male and 6 female. Three patients (13%) achieved partial response, five patients (22%) stable, 15 patients (65%) with disease progression, and none with complete response. Grade 2 neutrophil suppression occurred in 4.3%, grade 3 in 13% of patients, and no grade 4 was reported. Thrombocytopenia was encountered as follows: 4.3% grade 2, 4.3% grade 3 and 4.3% grade 4. Incidence of anemia was 34.8% in grade 2, 8.7% grade 3 and 0% grade 4. Only 4.3% of patients required packed red blood cell infusion. Elevated transaminase were 4.3% in grade 2 and 0% in grade 3 or 4. Other toxicity included oral mucositis. Conclusions: Pemetrexed based chemotherapy is mildly effective in treating patients with metastatic gastric cancer with tolerable toxicity.

There has been an increase in the incidence of breast cancer in China, but no definite risk and protective factors for breast cancer have been identified in Chinese females. This study was designed to identify the risk factors for female breast cancer in North and East China.A 1:3 matched, case-control study was conducted. All of the subjects in the case and control groups were selected from a previous epidemiological survey of 122 058 females aged 25 to 70 years. Single and multiple Logistic regression analyses were used to study potential factors in the development of breast cancer.Significant differences at the level of α=0.20 between case and control groups were observed for the following factors: economic status, social status, family annual income, bean product consumption, body mass index (BMI), family history of breast cancer in the first or second degree, number of miscarriages, menstrual pattern, benign breast disease history, nipple leakage, inverted nipple, history of diabetes mellitus, history of hypertension, history of ovarian cyst, physical exercise, current and global quality of life satisfaction, healthy behavior and prevention, and scores of breast cancer-related knowledge. After Cox-regression model analysis (α=0.10), six factors were found to be significantly related to breast cancer, of which the ORs and 95%CIs were: BMI, 1.696 (1.169-2.460, P=0.005); benign breast disease history, 2.672 (0.848-8.416, P=0.093); family history of breast cancer, 7.080 (1.758-28.551, P=0.006); number of miscarriages, 1.738 (1.014-2.978, P=0.044); global quality of life satisfaction, 3.044 (1.804-5.136, P=0.000); healthy behavior and prevention, 3.294 (1.692-6.412, P=0.000).A comprehensive range of factors related to breast cancer was identified. Women should be educated about a healthy lifestyle, especially those with a family history of breast cancer or a personal history of benign breast disease.

To investigate the safety and long-term survival with weekly paclitaxel combined with cisplatin (wTP) as a postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy regimen for breast cancer.Patients with breast cancer were treated postoperatively with paclitaxel 40 mg/m2 intravenously on days 1, 8 and 15, cisplatin 25 mg/ m2 also intravenously on days 1,8 and 15, repeated every 21-28 days as a cycle. Toxicity and survival rate were evaluated after chemotherapy.Between September 1993 and August 2001, 20 patients were enrolled. Median age was 52 years (range, 35-71 years). According to the TNM stage system, all patients were staged II or III. Median number of chemotherapy cycles was 3 (range, 1-6), and 10 patients received 4 to 6 cycles of wTP. After a median follow-up of 83 months, 2 deaths and 6 relapses were documented. The five year overall survival rate was 90%. All patients could be evaluated with regard to toxicity. No treatment related deaths were recorded. Neutropenia occurred in 75% of patients during treatment, all recovering after G-CSF injection. Other symptoms included nausea/vomiting, elevation of transaminase, urea nitrogen/creatinine and alopecia.wTP is safe and effective at the doses tested. However, a randomized clinical trial is needed to compare wTP with other conventional adjuvant regimens of breast cancer postoperatively.

To observe the efficacy, side effects and impact on the quality of life of Aidi Injection combined with leucovorin calcium/5-fluorouracil/oxaliplatin (FOLFOX4 regimen) in the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer patients.A consecutive cohort of 100 patients were divided into two groups: the experimental group was treated with Aidi injection and FOLFOX4 while the control group was only administered FOLFOX4. After more than two courses of treatment, efficacy, quality of life and side effects were evaluated.The response rate of experimental group was not significantly different with that of control group (P0.05), but differences were significant in clinical benefit response and KPS score. Iin addition, gastrointestinal reaction and the incidence of leukopenia were lower than that of control group (P0.05).Aidi injection combined with FOLFOX4 is associated with reduced toxicity of chemotherapy, enhanced clinical benefit response and improved quality of life of patients with advanced colorectal cancer. Aidi injection deserves to be further investigated by randomized control clinical trails.

To compare the safety and efficacy of a combination of 5-Fu, pirarubicin and CTX (FPC) with FEC as a postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer.A total of 655 breast cancer patients were treated postoperatively in Jiangsu Cancer Hospital and Research Institute from 1995-2005, 292 were treated with FPC (5-Fu 500 mg/m2 i.v. gtt on day 1, pirarubicin 40 mg/m2 i.v. on day 1, CTX 500 mg/m2 i.v. on day 1 and a cycle repeated every 21-28 days for totally 4-6 cycles); 363 with FEC (5-Fu 500 mg/m2 i.v. gtt on day 1, epirubicin 50 mg/m2 i.v. on day 1 and day 2, CTX 500 mg/m2 i.v. on day 1 and a cycle repeated every 21-28 days for totally 4-6 cycles). Toxicity was evaluated after each cycle of chemotherapy.Main side effects in both FPC and FEC groups were leukopenia and gastrointestinal toxicity, with a 5 year survival rate 88.7% in FPC and 85.7% in FEC group.FPC regimen is safe with superior long-term survival rate when compared with FEC, thus could be recommended as a postoperative chemotherapy regimen for Chinese patients with breast cancer.

The aim of this study is to investigate clinical significance of miR-155 expression in breast cancer.TaqMan real-time RT-PCR was performed to detect miR-155 expression in breast cancer tissues. The correlation of miR-155 expression with clinicopathological factors and prognosis of breast cancer patients was analyzed. Then, the prognostic value of miR-155 expression was analyzed by univariate and multivariate analyses. Moreover, the effect of miR-155 expression on phenotypes of breast cancer cell was determined by antisense technology.The relative expression of miR-155 was significantly higher in breast cancer tissues than in corresponding nontumor tissues. High miR-155 expression was correlated with higher tumor grade, advanced tumor stage and lymph node metastasis (P = 0.012, 0.001, and 0.003, respectively). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated that the disease-free and overall survival rates of high miR-155 group were significantly lower than those of low miR-155 group (P = 0.038 and 0.029, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that high miR-155 expression was a poor prognostic factor (P = 0.009). Furthermore, antisense targeting miR-155 could inhibit growth, induce cell arrest in G(0) /G(1) phase, enhance apoptosis, and increase radiosensitivity in breast cancer cells.MiR-155 expression might be an independent prognostic factor and a therapeutic target for human breast cancer.

To evaluate the relationship between physiological, reproductive factors and risk of breast cancer, we conducted a case-control study with 669 cases and 682 population-based controls in Jiangsu Province of China. A structured questionnaire was used to elicit detailed information. All subjects completed an in-person interview. Unconditional logistic regression analysis was performed to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) as measures of risk for breast cancer. The results have revealed that there was an increasing risk of breast cancer, include early age at menarche(≤ 13 year), late age at menopause(50 year) and older age at first pregnancy (≤ 30 year). Breastfeeding was associated significantly with a reduced risk of breast cancer. Women who had history of breastfeeding were at significantly decreased OR (0.44, 95%CI: 0.27-0.73). The protective effects of breastfeeding for breast cancer seemed greater for women who had extended duration of breastfeeding during their lifetime (p for linear trend: 0.0095). These results suggested that physiological and reproductive factors may play important roles in the development of breast cancer among Jiangsu' women of China.

To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of cisplatin and vinorelbine (NP) for postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy of completely resected breast cancers.Between September 1994 and April 2005, 91 Chinese breast cancer patients, with pathologically-confirmed adenocarcinoma in Jiangsu Cancer Hospital and Research Institute, were enrolled. They received postoperative vinorelbine at 25 mg/m² on days 1 and 8, and cisplatin 25mg/m2 on days 1 to 3, this regimen being repeated every 3 weeks.Median age was 49 years (range, 25-69 years). According to the TNM stage system, stage I, II, IIIA patients accounted for 7.7%, 58.2% and 34.1%, respectively. The median number of chemotherapy cycles was 4.5 (range, 1-8), over half of the patients receiving 4 to 6 NP cycles. After a median follow-up of 48 months, 11 deaths and 29 relapses were documented. Median disease-free survival was 45 months, with disease-free and overall survival at 5 years being 76% and 88.7%, respectively. All patients could be evaluated with regard to toxicity, 17 (18.7%) developing grade III neutropenia during treatment, but all recovering after recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) injection, 3 suffering thrombocytopenia (3.3%), 5 anemia (5.5%) and 5 nausea/vomiting (5.5%). No treatment related deaths occurred.NP is an effective and feasible treatment for completely resected breast cancer cases at the doses tested. A randomized clinical trial is now needed to compare NP with other conventional regimens.

To validate the clinical value of a computer assisted program (CAP), (visit website; http://xinenhuang.blog.sohu.com for details) for breast cancer patients who receive postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy.Patients with histologically confirmed breast cancer after mastectomy who received postoperative chemotherapy in Jiangsu Cancer Hospital and Research Institute were recruited in this study. All eligible patients are divided into three groups: group A, regimen of practical chemotherapy consistent with CAP prediction; group B, partly consistent with CAP prediction; group C, inconsistent with CAP prediction. Overall survival (OS) was compared among groups A, B and C to determine the efficacy of CAP.From November 1992 to July 2007, 310 female breast cancer patients were recruited into this study, with 112, 106 and 89, respectively, in groups A, B, and C. Prognosis of group A was better than both group B and C, with significantly different survival curves between group A and B (p=0.0004) and group A and C (p=0.0046).Validation showed our CAP to provide clinically valuable information on adjuvant chemotherapy for postoperative breast cancer patients.

To compare the safety and efficacy of a combination of vinorelbine and epirubicin (NE) with fluorouracil/epirubicin/cyclophosphamide (FEC) as a postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer.Breast cancer patients were treated postoperatively in Jiangsu Cancer Hospital and Research Institute from 1997 to 2006 with either the NE regimen (vinorelbine 40 mg/m2 iv on day 1 and day 8, epirubicin 50 mg/m2 iv on day 1 and day 2, and a cycle repeated every 21-28 days for totally 4-6 cycles) or the FEC regimen (5-Fu 500 mg/m2 iv gtt on day 1, epirubicin 50 mg/m2 iv on day 1 and day 2, CTX 500 mg/m2 iv on day 1 and a cycle repeated every 21-28 days for totally 4-6 cycles). Toxicity was evaluated after each cycle of chemotherapy.Main side effects in both NE and FEC groups were neutropenia and gastrointestinal syndrome, with a 5 year survival rate of 87.9% in the NE and 85.2% in the FEC group.NE regimen is safe with good long-term survival rate, and thus could be recommended as a postoperative chemotherapy regimen for breast cancer.

To observe the safety of fixed dose rate gemcitabine by intravenous infusion (iv-FDR) for cancers.From January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2009, four patients who were pathologically diagnosed with advanced pancreatic or breast cancer were recruited into this study. They were treated by gemcitabine 10mg/m2/min iv-FDR on days 1 and 8, and combined with other chemotherapeutics, repeated every four weeks. Toxicity was determined in line with the National Cancer Institute-Common Toxicity Criteria (NCI-CTC).The main toxicity was reversible myelosuppression; other side effects included gastrointestinal toxicity and liver impairment. Cardiac or renal toxicity was not detected.The toxicity of iv-FDR gemcitabine combination chemotherapy was well tolerated, so that iv-FDR gemcitabine deserves to be further studied as a treatment option.

To evaluate the relationship between body size, physical activity and risk of breast cancer, we conducted a case-control study with 669 cases and 682 population-based controls in Jiangsu Province of China. A structured questionnaire was used to elicit detailed information. All subjects completed an in-person interview. The body mass index (BMI) was calculated based on weights and heights. Unconditional logistic regression analysis was performed to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) as measures of risk for breast cancer. Current height, weight and weight at around age 20 years were significantly positively correlated with risk of breast cancer. Obese women (current BMIor = 25 kg/m2) were at significantly increased risk for developing breast cancer (adjusted OR= 1.35, 95%CI: 1.01-1.81), but, between BMI at around age 20 years and risk of breast cancer showed an inverse association (P for trend = 0.001). Women who had middle physical force work were at significantly lowered OR (0.62, 95%CI: 0.41-0.93) compared with women of headwork. Using women who standing or ambulation per day less than one hour as the reference, women who standing or ambulation more than one hour had a decreased risk of breast cancer. Using women who slept less than 5 hours per day as the reference, the women who slept 5-8 hours were at significantly decreased risk of breast cancer. Women who had habit of recreational physical activity were at significantly decreased risk (adjusted OR= 0.68, 95%CI: 0.53-0.88), with an inverse association between the exercise times per week and risk of breast cancer (P for trend = 0.025). These findings support that breast cancer risk is associated with body size, and that moderate occupational and recreational physical activity has protective effects on breast cancer.

Genetic polymorphisms of DNA repair genes are associated with differential enzyme activity and may help explain interindividual differences in response rates after platinum-based chemotherapy for non small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs). This study was conducted to assess relationships between X-ray repair cross complementing group1 (XRCC1) and xeroderma pigmentosum group D (XPD) genetic polymorphisms and outcome in NSCLC patients.From March 1, 2005 to December 31, 2008, the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method was applied to evaluate genetic polymorphisms of the XRCC1 codon399 (Arg/Gln) and XPD codon751 (Lys/Gln) DNA repair genes in 108 patients with stage IIIB and IV NSCLCs treated with platinum-based chemotherapy in the Department of Chemotherapy of Jiangsu Cancer Hospital and Research Institute.Among the assessed NSCLC patients, the overall response rate of chemotherapy was 21.6%. No association was found with either of the genetic polymorphisms, although the XRCC1 399Arg/Arg genotype was associated with a non-significant higher median survival time (29 months versus 21 months for the Arg/Gln genotype and 15 months for the Gln/Gln genotype, P= 0.09).Our results suggested no influence of the XRCC1 codon399 (Arg/Gln) and XPD codon751 (Lys/Gln) genetic polymorphisms on treatment response and survival in advanced NSCLC patients with platinum-based chemotherapy.

To evaluate the relationship between dietary folate intake and genetic polymorphisms of 5, 10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) with reference to breast cancer risk.A case-control study was conducted with 669 cases and 682 population-based controls in Jiangsu province of China. MTHFR C677T and A1298C genotypes were identified by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) methods. Dietary folate intake was assessed by using an 83-item food frequency questionnaire. Odds ratios (OR) were estimated with an unconditional logistic model.The frequencies of MTHFR C677T C/C, C/T and T/T genotypes were 32.37% (202/624), 48.88% (305/624) and 18.75% (117/624) in cases and 37.66% (235/624), 48.24% (301/624) and 14. 10% (88/624) in controls, respectively. The difference in distribution was significant (chi2 = 6.616, P = 0.037), the T/T genotype being associated with an elevated OR for breast cancer (1.62, 95% CI: 1.14 -2.30). The frequencies of MTHFR A1298C A/A, A/C and C/C were 71.47% (446/624), 27.08% (169/624) and 1.44% (9/624) in cases and 68.11%(425/624), 30.13% (188/624) and 1.76% (11/624)in controls,with no significant differences found (chi2 = 1.716, P= 0.424). Folate intake of cases [(263.00 +/- 137.38) microg/d] was significantly lower than that of controls [(285.12 +/- 149.61) microg/d] (t = -2. 830, P =0.005). Compared with the lowest tertile (or = 199.08 microg/d) of folate intake, the adjusted OR for breast cancer in the top tertile (or = 315.11 microg/d) was 0.70 (95% CI: 0.53 -0.92). Among individuals with the MTHFR A1298C A/A genotype,adjusted OR for breast cancer were 0.89 (95% CI: 0.62 - 1.27) and 1.69 (95% CI: 1.20 - 2.36) for the second to the third tertile of folate intake compared with the highest folate intake group (X2trend = 11.372, P = 0.001).The findings of the present study suggest that MTHFR genetic polymorphisms,and dietary intake of folate may modify susceptibility to breast cancer.

To investigate the methods of lesion localization and surgical treatment for non-palpable breast cancer, presented with only small calcification lesion on the images.From November 2003 to August 2007, 61 patients with non-palpable lesion were finally pathologically diagnosed as early breast cancer (T1-2N0M0), based on the small calcification lesions shown by full field digital mammography (FFDM) through molybdenum target, and the rich blood supply shown by type-B ultrasonic examination. Accurate lesion-localization prior to surgical resection was conducted, and sample re-examination by FFDM was done after resection. Patients with single lesion underwent breast-conserving surgery, precise excision with the aid of image-guided wire localization, and stage I breast reconstruction was performed simultaneously using wide-based gland-tissue flap. Patients with multiple lesions received modified radical mastectomy.Among the 50 patients treated with breast-conserving surgery, the accuracy of localization for lesions was 100% (50/50), and all lesions were excised completely with a negative margin proven by FFDM re-examination and pathological examination. The superior rate of mammaplasty was 86.0% (43/50) according to JCRT criteria, with a compliance difference of 1.5 cm. Modified radical mastectomy was performed in 11 patients. The follow-up period in this series was from 6 to 58 months with a mean follow-up time of 39 months. Distant metastases were detected in only one patient and local recurrence was not observed yet.Lesion localization by FFDM in patients with non-palpable breast cancer is accurate and practical. In patients with single lesion, breast-conserving resection followed by synchronous stage I breast reconstruction with wide-based gland-tissue flap is appropriate.

To establish a method for SNP genotyping of multi-genes by allele-specific oligonucleotide probe ligation mediated by a thermostable ligase, and to explore the genetic polymorphisms of drug-metabolizing enzymes in breast cancer patients and their association with chemotherapeutic responses.10 SNP loci of enzyme genes related to chemotherapeutic drugs such as taxanes, anthracyclines and cyclophosphamide were selected, and were genotyped for blood samples from 126 breast cancer patients by the established method. Their correlations with therapeutic responses were retrospectively evaluated.The lower detection limit of genomic DNA by this developed method was 6.25 ng. The fluorescent peak locations of ligation products on ABI PRISM 377 DNA sequencer were accurate and consistent with prospective sizes in bases (Bias range 0.08 - 0.69 bp, x(-) = 0.31 bp, s = 0.18 bp). Same genotyping results were obtained for repeat tests of 8 random samples, which were further confirmed by sequencing analysis. The 10 SNP loci were polymorphic of different frequency in the breast cancer patients. The combinations with GSTP1 genotypes and GSTM1 genotypes were related to anthracycline-based chemotherapy efficacy (P = 0.037), and the low GSTs activity group (GSTP1 variant allele + GSTM1 null) showed the best effects (85.7%). GSTM1 genotypes and their combinations with GSTP1 and/or CYP3A5*3 genotypes were related to taxane-based therapy efficacy (P0.05 for all), and both the low GSTs activity group and the drug slow-metabolising group (low GSTs activity group + CYP3A5*3 wild allele) showed better effects (100%).The established method is reliable and applicable in multiplex SNPs genotyping of multi-genes. SNPs combination may have a better clinical application value for prediction of chemotherapeutic responses.

To study the changes in circulating VEGF and endostatin (ES) levels during chemotherapy for patients with breast cancer, and their correlation with efficacy of chemotherapy.40 breast cancer patients with metastases were included in this study. They received TAC/TEC, CAF/CEF, NP, CAP, CMF, TFP, TA or TC regime chemotherapy, respectively. Totally 120 serum samples were collected from the patients at three time points: before chemotherapy, the end of 1 and 5-6 chemotherapy cycles, and analyzed for VEGF and ES levels using ELISA. Tumor agiogenesis activity was evaluated by serum soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM - 1) measured by ELISA as a surrogate marker.(1) Before chemotherapy, the median level of VEGF in patients with breast cancer was 496.6 pg/ml, 4.7 times higher than that of healthy controls (P0.001). The median level of ES was 95.5 ng/ml, 18.3% lower than that of healthy controls (P = 0.183). VCAM-1 was 1077.1 ng/ml and higher than that of controls (P0.001). The serum VEGF levels correlated with VCAM-1 levels, tumor staging and metastatic sites (P0.05). (2) At the end of 1 cycle of chemotherapy, the serum VEGF level (median 524.8 pg/ml) was higher than the pretreatment values (P = 0.047), whereas the levels of ES and VCAM-1 were not significantly altered (110.5 ng/ml, P = 0.055; and 975.6 ng/ml, P = 0.27). (3) At the end of 5-6 cycles, the changes in VEGF correlated with the response to chemotherapy. Serum VEGF levels in 27 patients with chemotherapy-responsive and stable disease showed a significant decrease (median 287.4 pg/ml) , but not observed in 13 patients with progressive disease. VCAM-1 also showed a treatment-related change like VEGF. However, chemotherapy might only have a minor effect on ES, because there was no significant difference in the ES levels among 5-6 cycle patients, 1 cycle patients and healthy controls, and neither between therapy-responsive patients.Intensive chemotherapy for breast cancer results in a significant decrease of serum VEGF level, which might be an indicator of the controlled disease status, and following the treatment-induced response or stabilization, the tumor angiogenesis seems to change into an anti-angiogenesis direction.

The level of total adiponectin, a mixture of different adiponectin forms, has been reported associated with breast cancer risk with inconsistent results. Whether the different forms play different roles in breast cancer risk prediction is unclear. To examine this, we measured total and high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin in a case-control study (1167 sets). Higher circulating HMW adiponectin was negatively associated with breast cancer risk after adjusting for menopausal status and family history of breast cancer (P=0.024). We analyzed the relationship between adiponectin and breast cancer risk in 6 subgroups. Higher circulating HMW adiponectin was also negatively associated with breast cancer risk (P=0.020, 0.014, 0.035) in the subgroups of postmenopausal women, negative family history of breast cancer, BMI>=24.0. Total adiponectin was positively associated with breast cancer (P=0.028) in the subgroup of BMI=24.0 subgroups, whereas higher circulating HMW adiponectin levels is a risk factor in women with a family history of breast cancer. Further investigation of different forms of adiponectin on breast cancer risk is needed.

Chemotherapy plays a key role in improving disease-free survival and overall survival of gastric cancer (GC); however, response rates are variable and a non-negligible proportion of patients undergo toxic and costly chemotherapeutic regimens without a survival benefit. Several studies have shown the existence of GC subtypes which may predict survival and respond differently to chemotherapy. It is also known that the expression level of chemotherapy-related and target therapy-related genes correlates with response to specific antitumor drugs. Nevertheless, these genes have not been considered jointly to define GC subtypes. In this study, we evaluated seven genes known to influence chemotherapeutic response (ERCC1, BRCA1, RRM1, TUBB3, STMN1, TYMS and TOP2A) and five receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) (EGFR, ERBB2, PDGFRB, VEGFR1 and VEGFR2). We demonstrate significant heterogeneity of gene expression among GC patients and identified four GC subtypes using the expression profiles of eight genes in two co-regulation groups: chemosensitivity (BRCA1, STMN1, TYMS and TOP2A) and RTKs (EGFR, PDGFRB, VEGFR1 and VEGFR2). The results are of immediate translational value regarding GC diagnostics and therapeutics, as many of these genes are curently widely used in relevant clinical testing.