Compared with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) obtained from other tissue sources, those derived from umbilical cord (UC) tissue exhibit numerous advantages and vast potential for therapeutic applications. However, MSCs from different tissue sources are heterogeneous, and therefore, the therapeutic efficacy of UC-derived MSCs as a replacement for other tissue-derived MSCs needs to be studied. To better understand the distinctions between UC-derived MSCs and MSCs derived from other tissues, we conducted a transcriptome analysis of MSCs obtained from UC and three other tissues. Correlation analysis revealed the strongest correlation between UC-MSCs (UC-MSCs) and bone marrow-MSCs (BM-MSCs). Compared with UC-MSCs, the lower differentially expressed genes of BM-MSCs, dental pulp-MSCs (DP-MSCs), and adipose tissue-MSCs (AP-MSCs) were predominantly enriched in actin-related terms, while higher differentially expressed genes were predominantly enriched in immunological processes. We also analyzed the distribution of 34 frequently or highly expressed cell characterization molecules in BM-MSCs, DP-MSCs, AP-MSCs, and UC-MSCs. CD200 (FPKM >10) was only detected in UC-MSCs, while CD106 was detected in AD-MSCs and DP-MSCs (FPKM >10). The reliability of transcriptomic data analysis was verified by quantitative real-time PCR. Finally, we recommend the use of CD200, CD106, and other similar markers with unstable expression as benchmark molecules to monitor the proliferation and differentiation potential of MSCs. This study provides comprehensive insights into the heterogeneity between UC-MSCs and MSCs derived from other tissues, which can guide the therapeutic application of UC-MSCs.

Hyperthermia has been reported to cause cancer stage regression, thus providing surgical opportunities in patients with unresectable tumors and improving the quality of life of patients by preservi...

NSCC patients received three courses of chemotherapy every 21 days, at a dose of 75 mg/m2 of docetaxel and cisplatin on day 1 and 750 mg/m2 of 5-fluorouracil on days 1–5 followed by 200 mg/m2 /week of nimotuzumab on week 1–2 (day 6–21). Results: After sequential therapy, complete and partial responses were observed in 10 (32.3%) and 17 (54.8%) patients, respectively. The overall response rate was 87.1%. A progression-free survival of 71.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] 51.6%–93.7%) and an overall survival of 78.3% (95% CI 58.9%–89.5%) were achieved at 2nd year. The most common Grade 3–4 toxicities during the complete treatment were lymphopenia (25.8%), neutropenia (22.6%), anemia (12.9%), and diarrhea (16%). In addition, no rash and treatment-related death occurred during this study. Conclusions: Nimotuzumab in combination with TPF has been well tolerated as a treatment program for locally advanced HNSCC....

Extrapulmonary small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (SNEC) is an extremely rare and highly malignant tumor with a poor prognosis. Multiple metastases of SNEC are even more rare, and patients with locally advanced and metastatic disease generally face a poor outcome. To date, only a few cases of SNEC have been reported. Here, we describe a rare case of a 70-year-old female patient with SNEC of the tonsil who presented with multiple metastases and had achieved a complete response (CR) of the primary lesion and cervical lymph nodes for more than 1 year after receiving palliative chemotherapy. Initially, the patient presented with a 2-month history of throat pain. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography revealed a soft mass with moderate enhancement on the left tonsil, which was confirmed by incisional aspiration biopsy. She was additionally sent for a positron emission tomography scan to evaluate small metastases in the left cervical lymph node, right lung, multiple mediastinal lymph nodes, and the fourth lumbar (L4) vertebra body metastases. Histopathological examination of the SNEC confirmed a nested, typical endocrine appearance with small round cells containing ovoid-shaped nuclei and high mitotic activity. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for cytokeratin 8/18+, synaptophysin+, CD56+, and Ki-67 (>50%). The patient received 6 cycles of cisplatin combined with etoposide and was subsequently placed under close observation (>12 months). To date, she has achieved a CR of the primary lesion and cervical lymph nodes. In summary, we have described a case of successful treatment after chemotherapy for SNEC and have elucidated professional knowledge regarding the relevant aspects of SNEC.

Background: Brachytherapy is a form of targeted therapy and has shown good short-term efficacy in clinical practice. Objective: A clinical trial was conducted to determine the feasibility and safety of radioactive iodine 125 seeds implantation synchronized chemotherapy with docetaxel, cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil (TPF). Materials and methods: A total of 23 previously untreated patients with histologically documented advanced unresectable head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) underwent percutaneous radioactive iodine 125 seeds interstitial implantation, and simultaneously received three cycles of chemotherapy every 21 days at a dose of 75 mg/m2 docetaxel D1, 75 mg/m2 cisplatin D1, 750 mg/m2 5-fluorouracil D ~5. The effectiveness of treatment was evaluated based on tumor size and clinical symptoms in patients. Results: The overall responding rate was 78.3%. No acute complications and treatment related radiation damages occurred in the trail. A progression-free survival of 60.9% and overall survival of 52.2% was achieved at 2 years. Four patients died of cardiovascular and local recurrence. Conclusion: The scheme of brachytherapy based on iodine 125 seeds implantation synchronized chemotherapy is a mildly invasive, effective and safety regimen for advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.