The resistance of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) has been brought into focus. COX-2 signal pathway was found to be closely related to EGFR signal pathway by recent researches, and there has been a growing interest to focus the researches on whether COX-2 pathway inhibition improves the efficacy of EGFR-TKIs in treating advanced NSCLC. In this review, we will illustrate recent advances of combined inhibition of EGFR and COX-2 signal pathways in NSCLC therapy.
Objective To investigate the effects of gefitinib in the treatment of sarcomatoid carcinoma. Methods Clinical data of a case of sarcomatoid carcinoma was analyzed and related literatures were reviewed.Results A patient with sarcomatoid carcinoma was admitted with progressive dry cough,chest pain and dyspnea for 3 months. The patient was diagnosed as lung sarcomatoid carcinoma by thoracoscopy and treated with gefitinib. After 2 weeks treatment, symptoms disappeared and tumor was stable for 4 months. Literatures review suggested that sarcomatoid carcinoma is a rare malignant tumor. Treatment of sarcomatoid carcinoma includes surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but these methods show little effect in advanced patients. In our case, the patient with sarcomatoid carcinoma in stage Ⅳ was treated by gefitinib and showed favourable effect. Conclusions Advanced sarcomatoid carcinoma patients have a short life span and poor life quality. Gefitinib may provide these patients a feasible therapeutic approach.
To investigate the effect of BMSCs on the repair of digestive tract injury and its mechanisms.Methods Recent l iterature on the effect of BMSCs on the repair of digestive tract injury was reviewed. Results BMSCs had the potency of self-repl ication, prol iferation and multipotential differentiation, which played an important role in the repair of digestive tract injury. The probable mechanisms included: BMSCs’ abil ity of migrating to the injured tissue and inhibiting the host immune response; BMSCs’ dedifferentiation and redifferentiation; BMSCs’ direct differentiation into the epithel ial cellsor the stem cells of digestive tract; BMSCs’ fusion with the stem cells or the mature epithel ial cells of digestive tract; BMSCs’ participation in the reconstruction of injured microenvironment. Conclusion BMSCs participates in the repair of digestive tract injury and has a bright future in the treatment of digestive system disease.
Objective To introduce the latest advances of research on repair of the degenerative intervertebral disc with gene transduction.Methods The recentlypublished articles about the treatment of degenerative disc with gene transduction were reviewed, especially the articles published during the recent 5 years about the application of this therapy to regulating the synthesisand degradation of the extracellular matrix of the degenerative intervertebral disc.Results The shape and function of the normal intervertebral disc were reported to be closely related to the synthesis and degradation of the extracellular matrix of the intervertebral disc. The extracellular matrix of the intervertebral disc was a target for the gene transduction to repair the degenerative intervertebral disc. There was a great development of the treatment with gene transduction, especially in vector choice, target gene transduction, and transgene regulation and safety. Conclusion The advances of the research have indicated that repair of the degenerative intervertebral disc with gene transduction is a keyto curing the disease of the degenerative intervertebral disc.
Objective To summary the characteristics of adult stem cells and to introduce the definition and the features of stem cell disease.Methods Literature concerning adult stem cells and stem cell disease was extensively reviewed.Results Adult stem cells were localized in tissues and organs, and were able to generate function cells to replace cell loss during a lifetime of wear and tear. The stem cells had selfrenewal to maintain themselves and undergo aging within the lifespan of an organism. The dysfunction of stem cells was capable to cause diseases, which could be defined as stem cell disease in human. The disorder of self renewal and differentiation in stem cells could increase the cellular proliferation, produce proliferative diseases such as tumors. The stem cells with self renewal defect, differentiation blockage, or aged stem cells could not supply enough function cells for tissue refreshment. The defect of tissue refreshment caused degenerative diseases.Conclusion Studies on the stem cell self renew, differentiation, and aging can provide knowledge to understand the mechanism of stem cell diseases and develop technique to diagnose and treat these diseases.