Background: Interferon-α-1b, interleukin-2 combined with thalidomide (ITI) improved the outcome and prognosis of some acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients, but the cases was insufficient. This study observed the efficacy and safety of this regimen in the treatment of numbers of AML patients in various disease states.Methods: Starting in January 2014, patients with AML (n=188) were treated with ITI regimen, including 60 refractory/relapses patients in group A, 40 patients in group B remained minimal residual disease-positive (MRD) or changed from negative to positive again after consolidation therapy, and 88 patients in group C with initial complete remission of AML received the ITI treatment after routine consolidation therapy. Bone marrow, fusion gene and MRD were detected to judge the curative effect and the adverse reactions were observed. The remission rate, MRD status and long-term survival of three groups were analyzed. An AML mouse model was constructed to observe the anti-leukemia effect of the three drugs in vivo.Results: Sixty patients with primary AML who were unable to receive chemotherapy, or with relapsed/ refractory AML, showed a total response rate of 28.3% (17/60) after receiving the ITI regimen. Forty patients with morphologically complete remission and MRD-positive achieved a response rate of 77.5% (31/40); the MRD converted to negative in 19 patients and was mitigated in 12 patients. Among 88 patients with initial complete remission, 11 failed to maintain the negative MRD, and the relapse rate was 12.5%, which was significantly lower than that of the non-maintenance treatment group (54.3%). In the mouse model, interferon, interleukin-2, and thalidomide exerted an anti-leukemia effect, prolonged the survival time of the mice, and the anti-leukemia effect was further enhanced after administration of the combination ITI regimen.Conclusions: For suitable patients, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is still strong recommended.The ITI regimen may be an effective option for patients with AML who cannot tolerate conventional

This study aims to elucidate the physical evidence of the moulting stages and the characteristics of ecdysteroid levels in the moulting cycle of Neocaridina denticulata sinensis. From hatching to the first complete pleopod development, N. denticulata sinensis moults 14 times at 25°C in the laboratory. The whole process was divided into four stages based on the moulting characteristics during the various intervals. Using the structural changes of the telson and Drach’s classification system, four moulting periods (postmoult, intermoult, premoult, and ecdysis) were recognized. In addition, based on the changes of the setal lumen, internal cone, and the epidermis, the premoult period was further divided into five substages (D0, D1, D2, D3, and D4). Despite similar fluctuation patterns in mature males and females, significant differences of haemolymph ecdysteroid titers were revealed in postmoult, intermoult, and premoult. These works will provide an important additional reference for the exploration of the moulting mechanism in crustaceans.

Objectives: This study investigated the therapeutic effects of combined recombinant human interferon-α-1b (IFN-α1b), thalidomide, and recombinant interleukin-2 (IL-2) in treating acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in patients of various disease status and vulnerabilities. Methods: Patients with AML (n = 166) were treated with combined recombinant IFN-α1b, thalidomide, and recombinant IL-2 (ITI regimen). The rates of partial and complete remission, minimal residual disease (MRD) status, quality of life, and long-term survival were compared among 3 patient groups. Lymphocyte profiles and relevant cytokine levels determined from peripheral blood samples of patients (pre- and post-treatment) and healthy individuals were compared. (Registration number: ChiCTR-ONC-14004688; Registered 23 May 2014, www.chictr.org.cn)Results: Sixty patients with primary AML who were unable to receive chemotherapy, or with relapsed/refractory AML, showed a total response rate of 30% after undergoing the ITI regime, and maintained a good quality of life. Eighteen patients with morphologically complete remission and consistently positive MRD achieved a response rate of 72.2%: the MRD converted to negative or was mitigated in 9 and 4 patients, respectively; 5 patients did not respond. For 88 patients with initial complete remission and negative MRD, 11 failed to maintain the negative MRD, and the relapse rate was 12.5%. The ITI regime was associated with substantial anti-leukemic changes in peripheral blood lymphocyte profiles and cytokine levels. Conclusions: The ITI regimen may be an effective and affordable option for patients with AML who cannot tolerate conventional chemotherapy, including those with relapsed/refractory disease, or complete remission status but MRD-positive, or after initial complete remission.