To further evaluate the effect of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) for the treatment of branch retinal vein occlusion in a meta-analysis of previous studies.

To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy (the treatment group) versus concurrent chemoradiotherapy with or without adjuvant chemotherapy (the control group) for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

To update existing evidence and evaluate intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections for myopic choroidal neovascularization.

There is currently no consensus regarding the optimal timing for androgen suppression therapy in patients with prostate cancer that have undergone local therapy with curative intent but are proven to have node-positive disease without signs of distant metastases at the time of local therapy. The objective of this systematic review was to determine the benefits and harms of early (at the time of local therapy) versus deferred (at the time of clinical disease progression) androgen suppression therapy for patients with node-positive prostate cancer after local therapy.

Long-term outcomes of partial liver resection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain satisfactory due to high incidences of recurrence. This study was intended to see whether preoperative transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) reduces postoperative tumor recurrences and prolongs survival of patients with resectable HCC.

Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) is an uncommon but lethal variant of adenocarcinoma. Many recent case series have reported improved survival with the combination of cytoreductive surgery and intraperitoneal chemotherapy (IPEC) in treating PMP. The aim of this study was to analyze the published studies for improved survival with this treatment strategy.

This study aims to comprehensively summarize the currently available evidences on the efficacy and safety of gemcitabine plus erlotinib for treating advanced pancreatic cancer.

Many published studies reflect the growing application of complementary and alternative medicine, particularly Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) use in combination with conventional cancer therapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but its efficacy remains largely unexplored. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of CHM combined with conventional chemotherapy (CT) in the treatment of advanced NSCLC. Publications in 11 electronic databases were extensively searched, and 24 trials were included for analysis. A sum of 2,109 patients was enrolled in these studies, at which 1,064 patients participated in CT combined CHM and 1,039 in CT (six patients dropped out and were not reported the group enrolled). Compared to using CT alone, CHM combined with CT significantly increase one-year survival rate (RR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.15-1.60, p = 0.0003). Besides, the combined therapy significantly increased immediate tumor response (RR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.19-1.56, p<1.0E-5) and improved Karnofsky performance score (KPS) (RR = 2.90, 95% CI = 1.62-5.18, p = 0.0003). Combined therapy remarkably reduced the nausea and vomiting at toxicity grade of III-IV (RR = 0.24, 95% CI = 0.12-0.50, p = 0.0001) and prevented the decline of hemoglobin and platelet in patients under CT at toxicity grade of I-IV (RR = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.51-0.80, p<0.0001). Moreover, the herbs that are frequently used in NSCLC patients were identified. This systematic review suggests that CHM as an adjuvant therapy can reduce CT toxicity, prolong survival rate, enhance immediate tumor response, and improve KPS in advanced NSCLC patients. However, due to the lack of large-scale randomized clinical trials in the included studies, further larger scale trials are needed.

Stomach and colorectal cancers are common cancers and leading causes of cancer deaths. Because the alimentary tract can interact directly with dietary components, stomach and colorectal cancer may be closely related to dietary intake. We systematically searched published literature written in English via PubMed by searching for terms related to stomach and colorectal cancer risk and dietary flavonoids up to June 30, 2012. Twenty-three studies out of 209 identified articles were finally selected for the analysis. Log point effect estimates and the corresponding standard errors were calculated using covariate-adjusted point effect estimates and 95%CIs from the selected studies. Total dietary flavonoid intake was not associated with a reduced risk of colorectal or stomach cancer [odds ratio (OR) (95%CI) = 1.00 (0.90-1.11) and 1.07 (0.70-1.61), respectively]. Among flavonoid subclasses, the intake of flavonols, flavan-3-ols, anthocyanidins, and proanthocyanidins showed a significant inverse association with colorectal cancer risk [OR (95%CI) = 0.71 (0.63-0.81), 0.88 (0.79-0.97), 0.68 (0.56-0.82), and 0.72 (0.61-0.85), respectively]. A significant association was found only between flavonols and stomach cancer risk based on a limited number of selected studies [OR (95%CI) = 0.68 (0.46-0.99)]. In the summary estimates from case-control studies, all flavonoid subclasses except flavones and flavanones were inversely associated with colorectal cancer risk, whereas neither total flavonoids nor any subclasses of flavonoids were associated with colorectal cancer risk in the summary estimates based on the cohort studies. The significant association between flavonoid subclasses and cancer risk might be closely related to bias derived from the case-control design. There was no clear evidence that dietary flavonoids are associated with reduced risk of stomach and colorectal cancer.

The present meta-analysis examines randomized trials of third-generation aromatase inhibitors (AIs) as alternatives to tamoxifen in three treatment settings: monotherapy, sequenced therapy and extended therapy. Eleven randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were chosen based on their similarity in terms of study design and included 34,070 post-menopausal women who had undergone surgery for estrogen-sensitive early breast cancer. DFS was significantly improved by AI monotherapy (Hazard Ratio (HR): 0.89, p = 0.001), sequenced therapy (HR: 0.7, p < 0.00001) and extended therapy (HR: 0.62, p < 0.00001). All of the patients benefited significantly from sequenced therapy (HR: 0.81, p = 0.003), and hormone receptor-positive patients benefited from AI monotherapy (HR = 0.92, p = 0.046) with respect to OS. AI monotherapy conferred significantly lower risks for thromboembolic events (OR = 0.61; p < 0.001) and endometrial cancer (OR = 0.26; p < 0.001) compared with tamoxifen monotherapy; however, there was a greater risk of cardiovascular events (OR = 1.20; p = 0.030). Sequenced therapy was also superior in terms of endometrial cancer but was inferior with respect to fractures, thromboembolic and cardiovascular events.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable disease with a poor survival, which has not been affected even by high-dose chemotherapy. This systematic review was performed to assess the efficacy and safety of the novel agent bortezomib for patients with previously untreated MM. We systematically searched biomedical literature databases and identified randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing bortezomib with placebo, no bortezomib, or other active agents for patients with previously untreated MM. Overall survival (OS), reported as hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI), was the primary outcome measure. The secondary outcomes included time to progression (TTP), progression-free survival (PFS), and response rates. Five RCTs involving 2,728 patients were included. Three trials compared bortezomib with no bortezomib, and two compared bortezomib with other active agents (vincristine ± adriamycin-based chemotherapy). All included RCTs had methodological shortcomings, including no or unclear allocation concealment and blinding. Compared with no bortezomib or vincristine-based chemotherapy, the bortezomib-based regimen significantly improved the OS of patients with previously untreated MM. HR was 0.71 (95% CI 0.55-0.93) and 0.77 (95% CI 0.60-0.99), respectively. However, when compared with the vincristine + adriamycin-based regimen, the OS was similar (HR = 0.87, 95% CI 0.57-1.33). TTP, PFS, and response rates were also improved in patients receiving bortezomib-based regimen. However, the risk of peripheral neuropathy was found to be significantly higher. In summary, bortezomib appears to improve survival and response rates of patients with previously untreated MM in spite of higher risk of peripheral neuropathy.

Second-generation azoles may be more effective than first-generation azoles in the prevention of fungal infections in hematology patients. We performed a systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing second- with first-generation azoles in hematology patients with respect to proven or probable invasive fungal infections, invasive aspergillosis, receipt of empirical antifungal therapy, overall mortality, and withdrawal from the studies due to the development of adverse effects. We searched the Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Registry of Controlled Trials electronic databases as well as conference proceedings from 2002 to 2012 for randomized controlled trials comparing second-generation azoles (voriconazole, posaconazole) versus first-generation azoles (fluconazole, itraconazole). Treatment effect measures for all outcomes were expressed as odds ratio with 95 % confidence interval. Meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager, version 5.1. Data from four randomized clinical trials representing a large population of patients demonstrated that antifungal prophylaxis with second-generation azoles reduces proven or probable invasive fungal infections, invasive aspergillosis, and receipt of empirical antifungal therapy in high-risk hematology patients, while there were no differences between second- and first-generation azoles with regard to overall mortality and patients or withdrawal from the studies due to the development of adverse effects. In conclusion, antifungal prophylaxis with second-generation azoles can significantly reduce the incidence of invasive fungal infections and invasive aspergillosis but with no risk of an increase in adverse events.

The incidence and risk of unique toxicities associated with a multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor sunitinib, such as hypertension and thromboembolic events, have been previously reported. However, the incidence and risk of hematologic toxicities have been less well characterized. We performed an up-to-date meta-analysis of trials to evaluate the risk of sunitinib-related hematologic toxicities.

The N-methyl-N'-nitroso-guanidine human osteosarcoma transforming gene (MET) receptor tyrosine kinase and its ligand hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) control cellular signaling cascades that direct cell growth, proliferation, survival, and motility. Aberrant MET/HGF activation has been observed in many tumor types, can occur by multiple mechanisms, and promotes cellular proliferation and metastasis via growth factor receptors and other oncogenic receptor pathways. Thus, MET/HGF inhibition has emerged as targeted anticancer therapies. Preclinically, neoplastic and metastatic phenotypes of several tumor cells, including non-small cell lung cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, and gastric cancer, were abrogated by MET inhibition. Ongoing clinical development with tivantinib, cabozantinib, onartuzumab, crizotinib, rilotumumab, and ficlatuzumab has shown encouraging results. These trials have established a key role for MET in a variety of tumor types. Evidence is emerging for identification of aberrant MET activity biomarkers and selection of patient subpopulations that may benefit from targeted MET and HGF inhibitor treatment.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of clodronate in the adjuvant therapy of early breast cancer on patient survival.

Uterine fibroids are the most common premenopausal benign uterine tumours. Fibroids can cause symptoms including heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pressure and pain. Progestogens can be administered by various routes. Intramuscular injection of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) has dual actions (stimulatory or inhibitory) on fibroid cell growth. Progestogen-releasing intrauterine systems (IUS) decrease menstrual blood loss associated with fibroids by inducing endometrial atrophy and reduction of uterine fibroid size. Currently, their effectiveness for the treatment of uterine fibroids has not been evaluated.

To evaluate the effect of ginger as an antiemetic modality for the control of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV).

Branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) is one of the most common occurring retinal vascular abnormalities. The pathogenesis of BRVO is thought to involve both retinal vein compression and damage to the vessel wall, possibly leading to thrombus formation at sites where retinal arterioles cross retinal veins. The most common cause of visual loss in patients with BRVO is macular oedema (MO). Grid or focal laser photocoagulation has been shown to reduce the risk of visual loss and improve visual acuity (VA) in up to two thirds of individuals with MO secondary to BRVO, however, limitations to this treatment exist and newer modalities have suggested equal or improved efficacy. Recently, antiangiogenic therapy with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) has been used successfully to treat MO resulting from a variety of causes. As elevated intraocular levels of VEGF have been demonstrated in patients with retinal vein occlusions there is a strong basis for the hypothesis that anti-VEGF agents may be beneficial in the treatment of vascular leakage and MO.

PIK3CA mutation appears to predict a lack of response to anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatment in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). However, the predictive value of PIK3CA mutations for survival remains inconclusive. Here, we pooled the data from published studies to estimate the association between PIK3CA mutation and survival outcomes in mCRC patients treated with anti-EGFR mAbs.