Erythropoietic protein supportive treatment in small cell lung cancer

Anemia is common among patients with malignant tumors, due to the disease and chemotherapy. Anemia decreases patient's quality of life, and worsens the dose intensity of chemotherapy. The aim of this retrospective data-analysis was to determine the rate of transfusions and the maintenance of chemotherapeutic dose intensity in 9 small cell lung cancer patients receiving beta-erythropoietin, due to anemia observed after the first cycle of chemotherapy. The mean pre-treatment hemoglobin concentration of the patients was 116.67+/-8.17 g/L (mean+/-SD). The mean pre-erythropoietin hemoglobin concentration at baseline was 103.11+/-7.52 g/L. Six cycles of platinum compounds and etoposide were used. The post-treatment hemoglobin concentration of patients was 110.11+/-5.37 g/L (p = 0,028 vs. baseline). During these 54 chemotherapeutic cycles, only 2 patients needed transfusion, each of them once. According to our experience, the use of beta-erythropoietin in 9 anemic small cell lung cancer patients resulted in a low rate of transfusions and maintenance of cytotoxic treatment dose intensity. The adequate use of beta-erythropoietin is of great help to the physician in the management of small cell lung cancer patients.     

Treatment of cancer-related anemia

Anemia with consequent tissue hypoxia is common problem in cancer patients. Developed via various patophysiological mechanisms, it has deleterious effect on quality of life and survival of patients with cancer. Recognition of symptoms and timely initiation of treatment improve patients' quality of life, as well as efficacy of oncological treatment. Red blood cells transfusions are well known and efficient way of anemia correction. They are "golden standard" in treatment of cancer-related anemia today, and are unavoidable in almost all patients with hemoglobin concentration below 80 g/L. Newest therapy guidelines in developed countries, supported by recent literature, encourage use of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHu-EPO), although detailed meta-analyses and prospective randomized clinical trials have shown that rHu-EPO decreases the need for transfusions in only 9-45% patients with cancer, only if they have mild anemia, rHu-EPO increases incidence of thromboembolic events, and suspicion arises that it supports tumor cells growth and multiplication. Therefore, it is necessary to define subgroups of patients which are best candidates for rHu-EPO therapy, to accomplish lower intensity of transfusion therapy.     

Erythropoietin for oncology supportive care

Recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO), the prototype erythropoiesis-stimulating agent developed in the 1980s, was among the first recombinant human proteins to be marketed for clinical use in the oncology setting. Anemia is a frequent concern in patients with cancer receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy and the availability of rhEPO as an alternative to red blood cell transfusions to treat symptomatic anemia created excitement among clinicians, particularly during an era of mounting concern for transfusion-transmissible infections. Early studies of rhEPO for chemotherapy-induced anemia in patients with non-myeloid malignancies showed these agents improved hemoglobin levels and reduced transfusion rates. rhEPO therapy was reported to decrease fatigue and improve quality of life, although the magnitude and clinical meaningfulness of these effects have been debated. More recent clinical trials since 2003 linking rhEPO therapy to increased risk of tumor progression, thrombo-vascular events and mortality prompted implementation of use restrictions to minimize potential for harm. Scientific research to understand the basic mechanisms of the biologic effects of erythropoietin at the cellular receptor and signaling level has revealed pleiotropic cytokine effects extending beyond erythropoiesis regulation. The importance of erythropoietin receptor signaling in normal, non-erythroid tissues and in pre-clinical tumor models has been under intense investigation and scrutiny, as potential mechanisms of the adverse outcomes associated with rhEPO therapy have been debated. Further research will be required to clarify the complex interplay between the diverse hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic effects of erythropoietin in normal and malignant tissues and to optimize the clinical use of rhEPO in the supportive care of cancer patients.     

Uremia associated with erythrophagocytosis by small intestine epithelial cells: a case report

BACKGROUND: Anemia is a frequent finding in patients with uremia due to chronic renal failure. Two factors contribute to the decrease in the red blood cell count and worsen the patient's general status: depression of erythropoiesis and shortening of the red blood cell lifespan. CASE: A novel response mechanism to erythrocyte loss took place in a uremic patient with gastrointestinal hemorrhage. In an autopsy case of an 80-year-old woman dying of uremia, analysis of an intestinal fluid smear revealed small intestine epithelial cells engulfing complete erythrocytes. CONCLUSION: This cytologic finding could account for a potential response mechanism to counteract the massive erythrocyte loss that occurs in hemorrhagic anemia with a uremic background.     

The role of anemia in congestive heart failure and chronic kidney insufficiency: the cardio renal anemia syndrome

Anemia is a major problem in patients with chronic kidney insufficiency. The development of recombinant human erythropoietin has enabled physicians to correct this anemia. Although anemia has not been considered to be a common or important contributor to congestive heart failure, anemia of any cause can lead to cardiac damage and eventually congestive heart failure. Our joint renal-cardiac heart failure team found that anemia was indeed very common in congestive heart failure and was associated with severe, medication-resistant cardiac failure. Correction of the anemia with erythropoietin and intravenous iron led to a marked improvement in patients' functional status and their cardiac function, and to a marked fall in the need for hospitalization and for high-dose diuretics; renal function usually improved or at least stabilized. Subsequent investigations by others have confirmed many of our observations. We call this interrelationship between congestive heart failure, chronic kidney insufficiency, and anemia the Cardio-Renal Anemia syndrome. Treatment of the anemia in congestive heart failure may prove vital in preventing progression of both the heart failure and the associated renal disease.     

Pure red-cell anemia due to recombinant human erythropoietin and its status in oncology practice

A special form of anemia was observed during the treatment with recombinant human erythropoietin having been applied for more than 15 years. The pure red-cell anemia due to antibodies against erythropoietin was described in chronic renal failure patients. Since oncological patients are also treated with rhuEPO it is interesting to know whether this side effect could be observed in the patients with solid tumors as well. It should be considered in tumorous patients when coexistence of antibodies against rhuEPO with pure red-cell aplasia is demonstrated, and its other causes as immunological disease, thymoma, viral infections (eg. Parvovirus B12, Hepatitis B or C) are excluded. The author collected literature data and found the absence of reports on this side effect in cases of treatment with rhuEPO in cancer patients. The rhuEPO treatment is a safe method for the cure of cancer anemia as antibodies against rhuEPO have not been shown together with PRCA among cancer patients. The possible explanation could be the shorter application time in cancer compared to the chronic renal failure patients. The side effect observed in chronic renal failure patients calls the attention to the precise compliance with the instructions of the manufacturers.     

Metastatic small cell lung cancer causing biliary obstruction

We report a case with metastatic small cell lung cancer which first manifested with biliary obstruction due to metastasis. Prognosis of patients presenting with jaundice due to hepatic parenchyma involvement is thought to be poor. However, the patient was successfully treated with percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage and combination chemotherapy with reduced dosage. We believe this to be the first such case report, despite the frequency of metastasis to the liver from small cell lung cancer.     

Polymeric IgA1 controls erythroblast proliferation and accelerates erythropoiesis recovery in anemia

Anemia because of insufficient production of and/or response to erythropoietin (Epo) is a major complication of chronic kidney disease and cancer. The mechanisms modulating the sensitivity of erythroblasts to Epo remain poorly understood. We show that, when cultured with Epo at suboptimal concentrations, the growth and clonogenic potential of erythroblasts was rescued by transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1)-bound polymeric IgA1 (pIgA1). Under homeostatic conditions, erythroblast numbers were increased in mice expressing human IgA1 compared to control mice. Hypoxic stress of these mice led to increased amounts of pIgA1 and erythroblast expansion. Expression of human IgA1 or treatment of wild-type mice with the TfR1 ligands pIgA1 or iron-loaded transferrin (Fe-Tf) accelerated recovery from acute anemia. TfR1 engagement by either pIgA1 or Fe-Tf increased cell sensitivity to Epo by inducing activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathways. These cellular responses were mediated through the TfR1-internalization motif, YXXΦ. Our results show that pIgA1 and TfR1 are positive regulators of erythropoiesis in both physiological and pathological situations. Targeting this pathway may provide alternate approaches to the treatment of ineffective erythropoiesis and anemia.     

化疗联合DC和CIK方案治疗非小细胞肺癌的临床疗效观察

目的：探讨化疗联合树突状细胞（DC）和细胞因子诱导的杀伤细胞（ELK）方案治疗非小细胞肺癌的临床疗效。方法：随机选取2008年10月份．2011年02月份因非小细胞肺癌就诊于我院进行治疗的患者120例,随机分为治疗组60例患者（采用化疗联合树突状细胞（DC）和细胞因子诱导的杀伤细胞（CIK方案治疗）,对照组60例患者（采用常规化疗）,统计两组患者的治疗效果以及生活质量情况,并对结果进行统计分析。结果：治疗组患者治疗总有效率为68．4％,生活质量提高率为88．4％,明显好于与对照组,经统计分析,P〈0．05,差异存在显著性。结论：化疗联合树突状细胞（DC）和细胞因子诱导的杀伤细胞（CIK）方案治疗非小细胞肺癌能够显著改善患者的生活质量,是治疗非小细胞肺癌的有效方法。     

Iron-Hepcidin Dysmetabolism,Anemia and Renal Hypoxia,Inflammation and Fibrosis in the Remnant Kidney Rat Model

Anemia is a common complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD) that develops early and its severity increases as renal function declines. It is mainly due to a reduced production of erythropoietin (EPO) by the kidneys; however, there are evidences that iron metabolism disturbances increase as CKD progresses. Our aim was to study the mechanisms underlying the development of anemia of CKD, as well as renal damage, in the remnant kidney rat model of CKD induced by 5/6 nephrectomy. This model of CKD presented a sustained degree of renal dysfunction, with mild and advanced glomerular and tubulointerstitial lesions. Anemia developed 3 weeks after nephrectomy and persisted throughout the protocol. The remnant kidney was still able to produce EPO and the liver showed an increased EPO gene expression. In spite of the increased EPO blood levels, anemia persisted and was linked to low serum iron and transferrin levels, while serum interleukin (IL)-6 and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels showed the absence of systemic inflammation. The increased expression of duodenal ferroportin favours iron absorption; however, serum iron is reduced which might be due to iron leakage through advanced kidney lesions, as showed by tubular iron accumulation. Our data suggest that the persistence of anemia may result from disturbances in iron metabolism and by an altered activity/function of EPO as a result of kidney cell damage and a local inflammatory milieu, as showed by the increased gene expression of different inflammatory proteins in the remnant kidney. In addition, this anemia and the associated kidney hypoxia favour the development of fibrosis, angiogenesis and inflammation that may underlie a resistance to EPO stimuli and reduced iron availability. These findings might contribute to open new windows to identify putative therapeutic targets for this condition, as well as for recombinant human EPO (rHuEPO) resistance, which occurs in a considerable percentage of CKD patients.     

补肾健脾化瘀法增强rHuEPO治疗肿瘤化疗后贫血疗效研究

目的:观察补肾健脾化瘀法联合基因重组的促红细胞生成素(rHuEPO)治疗中晚期恶性肿瘤化疗相关性贫血的临床疗效,以寻找进一步提高常规剂量的rHuEPO治疗恶性肿瘤贫血疗效的方法。方法:采用前瞻、随机、对照研究,将55例气血两虚型的恶性肿瘤化疗后贫血患者,随机分为研究组(A组)和对照组(B组),研究组给予补肾健脾方联合常规剂量的rHuEPO,对照组仅给予常规剂量的rHuEPO。记录治疗前及治疗后14日、28日、42日、56日时的血红蛋白(Hb)值,观察患者生活质量(QOL)改善情况和不良反应情况。结果:研究组与对照组患者的治疗后Hb、QOL与治疗前相比均有上升,研究组治疗贫血的有效率69.23%,而对照组为41.38%,两组疗效有统计学差异(X~2=4.29,p=0.04);发生促红细胞生成素抵抗的比例研究组与对照组有差异(P<0.05),并且在神疲气短、头晕眼花、纳呆消瘦等症状改善方面,研究组与对照组比较,更有优势,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:健脾补肾化瘀法联合常规剂量的rHuEPO与单用rHuEPO相比,治疗气血两虚血瘀型恶性肿瘤患者化疗后贫血的疗效有进一步提高,发生促红细胞生成素抵抗的比例较低,且贫血症状改善更明显(P<0.05);表现出中医药疗法的优势,为化疗按时进行提供保障。     

Current and emerging therapeutic strategies for Fanconi anemia

Fanconi Anemia (FA) is a rare disorder with incidence of 1in 350,000 births. It is characterized by progressive bone marrow failure leading to death of many patients in their childhood while development of cancer at later stages of life in some. The treatment of FA is still a medical challenge. Current treatments of FA include androgen administration, hematopoietic growth factors administration and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Clinical gene therapy trials are still ongoing. The partial success of current therapies has renewed interest in the search for new treatments. Generation of patient-specific induced pluripotent stem (iPS) has shown promising results for cell and gene based therapy. Small molecule interventions have been observed to delay tumor onset in FA. Tumors deficient in FA pathway can be treated by profiling of DNA repair pathway through synthetic lethality mechanism. Targeting toll-like receptor 8 (TLR8) dependent TNFα overexpression is yet another upcoming therapeutic approach to treat FA patients. In conclusion, in the present scenario of treatments available for FA, a proper algorithm of treatment decisions must be followed for better management of FA patients and to ensure their increased survival. Innovative therapeutic approaches that can prevent both anemia and cancer should be developed for more effective treatment of FA.     

肺癌生存质量量表在晚期肺癌中使用的研究进展

近几年来,肺癌的发病率呈现逐年上升的趋势,成为癌症中的头号杀手。临床上针对不同类型肺癌有不同的治疗策略,由于临床上大部分病人在确诊为肺癌时已经为晚期,对于常规治疗方法难以达到效果时,关注肺癌患者的生存质量就显地尤为必要。肺癌生存质量量表可以反映病人临床治疗后的生存质量状况,达到反馈治疗效果的目的。在临床实验中使用肺癌生存质量量表可以帮助临床医师制定最优化的治疗方案。国际上的研究大多不是以生存质量为主要终点的研究,生存质量也不能全面的反映病人预后的状况,希望在今后的研究中,肺癌生存质量量表能够在临床中的使用更加普及、更加全面。本文就肺癌生存质量量表在晚期肺癌中使用的研究进展作一综述,以期更加促进我们对于晚期肺癌患者生存质量的思考与关注,更有利于适合我国国情的生存质量量表的研究和发展。     

吉非替尼联合GP化疗方案治疗晚期非小细胞肺癌的效果及对血清CEA、SCC、NSE、CYFRA21-1水平的影响

目的:研究吉非替尼联合吉西他滨和顺铂(GP)化疗方案治疗晚期非小细胞肺癌的效果及对血清癌胚抗原(Carcinoembbryonic antigen,CEA)、鳞状细胞癌相关抗原(Squamous cell carcinoma,SCC)、神经元特异烯醇化酶(Neuron-specific enolase,NSE)、细胞角蛋白19片段(Cytokeratin-19-fragment,CYFRA21-1)水平的影响。方法:选取2016年6月～2018年6月我院收治的晚期非小细胞肺癌患者110例,采用随机数字表法将患者分为两组,每组55例。对照组患者给予GP化疗方案,观察组在对照组的基础上给予吉非替尼。比较两组患者的临床治疗效果,治疗前后血清肿瘤标志物水平和生活质量的变化以及不良反应发生情况。结果:治疗后,观察组疾病控制率为86.67%,对照组为74.55%,观察组显著高于对照组(P0.05);两组治疗后血清CEA、SCC、NSE和CYFRA21-1水平均较治疗前显著下降,且观察组以上指标均显著低于对照(P0.05);两组治疗后FACT-L各项评分包括躯体状况、社会家庭状况、情感状况、肺癌特异性模块和功能状况评分均较治疗前显著升高,且观察组以上指标均显著高于对照(P0.05)。治疗期间,观察组患者白细胞减少、血小板减少、肝肾功能异常的发生率显著低于对照组(P0.05),两组贫血、恶心呕吐的发生率比较无统计学差异(P0.05)。结论:与GP化疗方案相比,吉非替尼联合GP化疗方案可更显著提高晚期非小细胞肺癌患者的治疗效果,改善其生活质量,且安全性较高,可能与其降低血清CEA、SCC、NSE和CYFRA21-1水平有关。     

Serum leptin levels in patients with sideropenic and pernicious anemia: the influence of anemia treatment

Leptin is a 16 kDa protein hormone involved in food intake, energy expenditure regulation and numerous other physiological processes. Recently, leptin has been demonstrated to stimulate hematopoietic stem cells in vitro. The aim of our study was to measure serum leptin and erythropoietin levels in patients with sideropenic (n = 18) and pernicious anemia (n=7) before and during anemia treatment. Blood samples for the blood count, leptin and erythropoietin determinations were obtained by venepunction at the time of the diagnosis of anemia and after partial and complete anemia recovery. The relationships of serum leptin levels to erythropoietin levels and blood count parameters were also studied. No significant differences in serum leptin levels between the groups studied were found. The serum leptin levels in none of groups were modified by treatment of anemia (basal levels, the levels during treatment and after anemia recovery were 13.1+/-14.5 vs 12.8+/-15.6 vs 12.0+/-14.8 ng/ml in patients with sideropenic anemia and 7.8+/-8.5 vs 9.5+/-10.0 vs 8.9+/-6.6 ng/ml in patients with pernicious anemia). The erythropoietin levels were higher at the time of anemia in both groups and decreased significantly after partial or complete recovery. Serum leptin levels in both groups correlated positively with the body mass index. No significant relationships were found between serum leptin levels and erythropoietin values or various parameters of the peripheral blood count. We conclude that serum leptin levels in patients with sideropenic and pernicious anemia positively correlate with the body mass index but are not influenced by the treatment of anemia.     

小剂量环磷酰胺联合参一胶囊治疗进展期非小细胞肺癌

目的：应用小剂量环磷酰胺（CTX）联合参一胶囊治疗Ⅲ、Ⅳ期非小细胞肺癌,观察其临床疗效及毒副作用。方法：Ⅲ、Ⅳ期非小细胞肺癌患者经标准化、放疗后随机分为两组,治疗组（38例）：CFX 50mg每日一次、参一胶囊20mg日两次口服,三至六个月;对照组（34例）：化疗后不用任何药物治疗。结果：联合治疗组患者外周血血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）表达下降。T淋巴细胞亚群CD4＋及CD4＋／CD8＋升高,病人生存质量及生存期提高。结论：Ⅲ、Ⅳ期NSCLC患者化疗后联合应用小剂量CTX联合参一胶囊治疗是一种安全有效的治疗方法,可以提高患者的生存质量及生存期。     

Treatment of nutritional anemia in infants

While iron deficiency is a common cause of anemia in infants, requiring specific treatment by administration of iron, there are other causes which require treatment equally specific. Anemia due to a nutritional deficiency can be improved only by providing the needed nutriment in sufficient quantity. Two case reports are presented. One is of megaloblastic anemia in an infant, which was treated with a variety of vitamin preparations before administration of folic acid produced improvement. The other report is of anemia due to iron deficiency treated successfully with ferrous sulfate in a dosage twenty times that previously used prophylactically. In prescribing an antianemic preparation the physician should assure himself that the dosage is adequate (for example, 0.5 gm. daily of ferrous sulfate for iron deficiency). "Broad-spectrum" preparations may be lacking in specific hematinics while containing a variety of vitamins which have no specific hematologic value.     

New clinical data on erythropoietin therapy of cancer patients with anemia. Summary of the major presentations at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Orlando, 2005

Anemia of patients with malignancy might have various reasons. No matter if its background is the underlying tumorous disease or chemo- and/or radiotherapy, it can cause fatigue, malaise, it certainly decreases the patients' quality of life and, furthermore, shortens their survival. Chronic hypoxia caused by anemia promotes tumor progression by several mechanisms e.g. by enhancing angioneogenesis by the production of VEGF. At the same time it decreases the efficacy of chemo- and radiotherapy. Therefore, prevention and/or correction of chemo/radiotherapy-induced anemia is a major goal of modern oncotherapy.     

慢性心力衰竭合并贫血的研究进展

心力衰竭是是临床上常见的急症,也是心血管疾病当中许多器质性心脏病晚期的并发症,其有较高的发病率和死亡率,并且严重影响着心血管疾病患者的生活质量。近些年来越来越多的国内外研究证明慢性心力衰竭患者常合并贫血,并且发病率随着心脏损害程度加重而增加。贫血与慢性心衰患者的生活质量及预后密切相关,其发病原因是多因素且较复杂的,治疗也是多方面的,本文主要概括近些年来国内外研究对慢性心力衰竭合并贫血有关的认识和进展。     

Anemia in men with advanced prostate cancer: incidence, etiology, and treatment

Anemia associated with advanced prostate cancer is a common occurrence. This article reviews the incidence and examines the various causes of this condition, including androgen deprivation, nutritional decline, bone marrow infiltration, treatment-related toxicity, and the chronic inflammatory state. Treatment of anemia in men with advanced prostate cancer is also discussed. In patients with limited bone marrow reserve, blood transfusions may be the only effective treatment.