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To study the specific killing effect of the Photofrin-Herceptin immunoconjugate on the tumor cells expressing HER-2.Photofrin (porfimer sodium) was covalently coupled to Herceptin (trastuzumab) via [1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethyl-aminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride](EDCI) , and the killing effect of this conjugate was evaluated by means of MTT assay on SK-BR-3, MCF-7 and A549 cell lines expressing HER-2 at different levels.The conjugate had weaker immunoactivity than Herceptin, but possessed stronger killing effect on the cell lines expressing HER-2 than Photofrin, Herceptin, as well as the mixture of Photofrin and Herceptin (P0.05). In the cell lines negative for HER-2 expression, the killing effect of the conjugate was similar to that of Photofrin, Herceptin, and their mixture.Photofrin-Herceptin immunoconjugate can specifically kill HER-positive cells in vitro.

To investigate the expressions of recombinant green fluorescent protein (GFP) in 293 cells (human embryonic kidney cells) and CD34(+) cells transfected with adeno-associated virus carrying the gene encoding the recombinant GFP.Mononuclear cells from the bone marrow were collected on cell separator CS-3000, and CD34(+) cells were separated on immunomagnetic MiniMACS columns. CD34(+) cells and 293 cells were transfected with recombined adeno-associated virus respectively, and the expressions of the GFP were detected by flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy.GFP expression was observed in the two cells under fluorescent microscope. The highest transfection efficiency of the recombined adeno-associated virus was about 32.8% in 293 cells and 25% in CD34(+) cells, and decreased with the prolongation of transfection time.Adeno-associated viral vector encoding recombinant GFP can be transfected into human 293 cells and CD34(+) cells, which provides a basis for future gene therapy.

To evaluate the clinical efficacy and adverse effects of Photofrin photodynamic therapy (PDT) in patients with advanced cancers.Forty patients with advanced cancers in stage IV with lumen obstruction, who failed to respond positively to other treatment regimens, received intravenous administration of Photofrin as the photosensitizer at the dose of 2 mg/kg.b.w. 48 h before PDT by 630 nm light (DIOMED) delivered through cylinder diffusing tip quartz fibers that passed through the biopsy channel of a flexible endoscope. PDT endoscopy was repeated, the necrotic tissue removed and, if necessary, the primary sites and other newly identified sites were subjected to a second exposure 8 h later. Two days after the second exposure, endoscopy was again performed and the necrotic tissue removed. Endoscopy was repeated one month after PDT and periodically thereafter as needed to treat symptomatic residual tumor.The total rate of response to the treatment was 74% in these patients, and the rate of lumen obstruction due to the tumors decreased from 90% to 10% after PDT, with significantly improved Karnofsky performance score.Photofrin PDT is effective and safe in the treatment of advanced cancer, which may relieve lumen obstruction and improve patient quality of life.

To explore the clinical significance of serum erythropoietin (EPO) detection in patients with cancer-related anemia for improving the life quality of the cancer patients in advanced stage with repeated chemotherapy.The serum EPO levels were determined in 38 cases of cancer-related anemia with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).In 24 patients, the serum EPO level was elevated above the normal range, and lowered EPO level was detected in only 1 cases.Normal or elevated serum EPO level in patients with cancer-related anemia indicates strong abilities of the patients in self regulation, having important clinical implications for the use of EPO.