Objective To explore the mode and role of differential expression of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Methods We preprocessed and analyzed the circRNA expression profile datasets GSE163386, GSE94591, and GSE81173 in the GEO (Gene Expression Omnibus) database. By using the circBank database and the ENCORI, miRDB, and miRWalk databases to predict microRNAs (miRNAs) that interacted with differentially expressed circRNAs and messenger RNAs (mRNAs), the circRNA-miRNA-mRNA axis was constructed. We retrieved miRNAs related to MDS in PubMed and further obtained competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks related to MDS by taking intersections. Results Through analysis, 128 differentially expressed circRNAs were identified, 48 highly expressed, and 80 low expressed. Among differentially expressed circRNAs with multiple differences>10, 3 were upregulated and 11 were downregulated. Through analysis, 101 differentially expressed mRNA were identified, with 9 upregulated and 92 downregulated. Intersecting with the MDS related miRNAs retrieved by PubMed, we further obtained the MDS related ceRNA network, namely circRNA (has_circ_0061137)-miRNA (has-miR-16-5p)-mRNA (RUBCNL, TBC1D9, SLC16A6) and circRNA (has_circ_0061137)-miRNA (has-miR-125b-5p)-mRNA (CCR5, SLC16A6, IRF4), all of which were downregulated. Conclusion The ceRNA networks revealed in this study may help elucidate the circRNA mechanism in MDS.
Objective To assess the clinical effectiveness and safety of astragalus injection plus androgen versus androgen alone for patients with aplastic anemia (AA). Methods Such databases as The Cochrane Library (Issue 3, 2011), PubMed (1966 to March 2011), EMbase (1974 to March 2011), CNKI (1994 to March 2011), VIP (1989 to March 2011) and Wanfang Data (1997 to March 2011) were searched to include the randomized controlled trails (RCTs) according to the inclusive and exclusive criteria. The data were extracted, the quality was assessed, and meta-analysis was conducted by using Revman5.0.24 software. Results Seven RCTs involving 518 patients with AA were included. The meta-analysis showed that the astragalus plus androgen treatment group was superior to the androgen alone group in the total effective rate with significant difference (OR=3.12, 95%CI 2.09 to 4.66, Plt;0.000 01); the adverse events in the treatment group were fewer than those in the control group with significant difference (OR=0.30, 95%CI 0.12 to 0.76, P=0.01); but the promotion degree of myelosis between the two groups was similar without significant difference (OR=1.93, 95%CI 0.85 to 4.38, P=0.11). Conclusion The astragalus plus androgen treatment is superior to the androgen alone treatment in the total effective rate and fewer adverse events. More high-quality trails are required to verify this conclusion due to the low quality and small scale of the included studies.
Objective To systematically evaluate the effectiveness of dasatinib in doses of 140 mg once daily and 70 mg twice daily for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Methods The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were retrieved from Embase (1974 to November 2011), Pubmed (1966 to November 2011), The Cochrane Library (Issue 11, 2011), CBM (1979 to November 2011), VIP (1989 to November 2011), CNKI (1994 to November 2011), Wanfang Data (1997 to November 2011) and references listed in all articles. RCTs meeting inclusive criteria were included, the data were extracted, the quality was evaluated and cross-checked by two reviewers independently according to Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions, and then meta-analyses were conducted using RevMan 5.1 software. Results A total of four studies involving two RCTs and 862 patients were included. Results of meta-analyses showed that when dasatinib was used in the long-term treatment of CML, no significant difference was found between 140 mg once daily and 70 mg twice daily in the complete hematologic response (RR=0.97, 95%CI 0.88 to 1.07, P=0.58), complete cytogenetic response (RR=0.94, 95%CI 0.80 to 1.11, P=0.47) and major cytogenetic response (RR=0.99, 95%CI 0.86 to 1.13, P=0.86). In the short-term treatment of CML, there were no significant differences in the complete hematologic response (RR=0.99, 95%CI 0.90 to 1.07, P=0.73), complete cytogenetic response (RR=0.99, 95%CI 0.78 to 1.26, P=0.95) and major cytogenetic response (RR=1.01, 95%CI 0.83 to 1.22, P=0.95). The subgroup analyses on the long-term treatment of CML in both chronic phase and advanced phase showed that there were no significant differences in the complete hematologic response, major cytogenetic response and complete cytogenetic response. Conclusion In the effectiveness of dasatinib for CML, the dose of 140 mg once daily is similar to the dose of 70 mg twice daily. Considering possible moderate selection bias existing in the methodological quality of the included studies which may affect the authenticity of outcomes, this conclusion should be further proved by conducting more high-quality, large-scale and double- blinded RCTs.
Objective To assess the clinical effectiveness and safety of fludarabine and cyclophosphamide (FC) combined with rituximab chemotherapy regimen (FCR regimen) for patients with chronic lymphoblastic leukemia (CLL). Methods The databases such as PubMed, The Cochrane Library, SpringerLink, CNKI, and CBM were searched from 2000 to 2011. The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on FC regimen versus FCR regimen for CLL were retrieved. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed according to the Cochrane Reviewer’s Handbook, and meta-analyses were performed using RevMan 5.0 software. Results Three RCTs involving 1 623 patients with CLL were included. The results of meta-analyses showed that significant differences were found in the progression-free survival (PSF)(Plt;0.001), overall response (OR=1.94, 95%CI 1.49 to 2.53, Plt;0.000 01), complete remission (OR=2.54, 95%CI 2.00 to 3.22, Plt;0.000 01), and grade III or IV neutropenia (OR=1.60, 95%CI 1.33 to 1.92, Plt;0.000 01); but no significant differences were found in the partial response (OR=0.74, 95%CI 0.35 to 1.55, P=0.43), grade III or IV thrombocytopenia (OR=0.97, 95%CI 0.74 to 1.27, P=0.83) and autoimmune hemolytic anemia (OR=0.86, 95%CI 0.59 to 1.27, P=0.45) between FCR and FC regimen. Conclusion The FCR regimen can improve the progression-free survival, overall response and complete remission. Meanwhile, it sometimes increases the incidence of Grade III or IV events, such as neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, autoimmune hemolytic anemia and nausea and vomiting.
Objective To asses the clinical effectiveness and safety of combined treatment with antilymphocyte globulin (ATG) and cyclosporine A (CSA) versus antilymphocyte globulin alone in patients with aplastic anemia (AA). Methods Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were identified from MEDLINE (1966 to September 2007), EMBASE (1984 to September 2007), The Cochrane Library (issue 4, 2007) and CBM-disc (1978 to September 2007). The references of eligible studies were hand searched. RCTs involving ATG and CSA in the treatment of AA were included. Data were evaluated and extracted by two reviewers independently with designed extraction form. The Cochrane Collaboration’ s RevMan 4.2.10 software was used for data analyses. Results Two RCTs involving 160 patients were included. Two studies showed that the effective rate in the ATG+CSA group was significantly higher than that in the ATG group (Plt;0.0001). Two studies indicated that the survival rate in the ATG+CSA group was improved compared with the ATG group (P=0.0002). One study reported adverse effect. The ATG group caused more fever and serum diseases compared with the ATG+CSA group, but the ATG+CSA group had a higher incidence of hepatotoxicity. Conclusion Treatment with ATG+CSA for aplastic anemia has higher effective rate and survival rate than ATG alone. More trials of high quality are required.
Objective To assess the clinical effectiveness and safety of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) for patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Methods We searched the Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMbase, CNKI, and VIP databases from January 2000 to October 2009. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about G-CSF for patients with ALL were retrieved. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed and the data was extracted according the Cochrane Reviewer’s Handbook. Meta-analyses for overall survival, complete remission, quality of life, infections, relapse rate, and adverse events were performed using RevMan 5.0 software. Results Six RCTs involving 620 patients with ALL were included. The results of meta-analyses showed that the G-CFS group was superior to the control group in the overall survival of adult ALL patients (RR=2.24, 95%CI 1.28 to 3.90, P=0.004). Conclusion G-CSF can improve the overall survival of adult ALL patients. However, it is not demonstrated that G-CSF could improve complete remission rate and quality of life, and reduce infections and relapse rate. More high-quality and large scale RCTs are required.