BackgroundLung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in China. Results from a randomized controlled trial using annual low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) in specific high-risk groups demonstrated a 20% reduction in lung cancer mortality.MethodsA China national lung cancer screening guideline was developed by lung cancer early detection and treatment expert group appointed by the National Health and Family Planning Commission, based on results of the National Lung Screening Trial, systematic review of evidence related to LDCT screening, and protocol of lung cancer screening program conducted in rural China.ResultsAnnual lung cancer screening with LDCT is recommended for high risk individuals aged 50–74 years who have at least a 20 pack-year smoking history and who currently smoke or have quit within the past five years. Individualized decision making should be conducted before LDCT screening. LDCT screening also represents an opportunity to educate patients as to the health risks of smoking; thus, education should be integrated into the screening process in order to assist smoking cessation.ConclusionsA lung cancer screening guideline is provided for the high-risk population in China.

Background: The National Central Cancer Registry of China (NCCR) is responsible for cancer surveillance. Local cancer registries in each province submit data for annual publication.. The incidence and mortality of esophageal cancer in China in 2010 by age, gender, and area is reported in this article. Methods: There were data from 145 out of 219 qualified cancer registries. Esophageal cancer cases and deaths (ICD 10 code as C15) were stratified by location, gender, age, and cancer site. The 2000 Chinese census and Segi's population were used for age-standardized incidence/mortality rates. The rank in all cancer types and cumulative rate were also calculated. Results: It was estimated that 287 632 new cases were diagnosed and 208 473 patients died from esophageal cancer in 2010 in China. Esophageal cancer incidence ranked fifth of all cancer types with a rate of 21.88/100 000. Age-standardized rates by Chinese population (CASR) and World population (WASR) for incidence and mortality were 16.71/100 000 and 16.97/100 000, respectively. The mortality of esophageal cancer ranked fourth in all cancer types with a rate of 15.85/100 000. The CASR and WASR for mortality were 11.95/100 000 and 12.02/100 000, respectively. For both incidence and mortality, the rates of esophageal cancer were much higher in men than that in women, in rural areas than in urban areas, and peaked at age 80-84. Conclusions: Esophageal cancer is still a major cancer type in rural areas of China. Effective prevention and control should be emphasized, including health education, chemoprevention, and early detection in high-risk groups.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. However, science has not yet been able to substantially improve the prognosis of lung cancer patients. Accumulating evidence suggests that microRNAs (miRNAs) are key players in the regulation of tumor development and metastasis. Expression of six miRNAs previously shown to play roles in tumor development (miR-146b-5p, miR-128b, miR-21, miR-221, miR-34a, and Let-7a) in other tumor types was examined using real-time RT-PCR in 78 specimens of NSCLC. The results revealed that patients with low expression of miR-146b-5p had significant shorter median and mean survival time than those with high miR-146b-5p expression (33.00 and 30.44 months versus 42.0 and 36.90 months, respectively; log-rank test P=0.048), thus low miR-146b-5p expression level was associated with poor prognosis in NSCLC patients. Univariate Cox hazard regression analysis demonstrated that miR-146b-5p expression levels tended to be a significant prognostic indicator of NSCLC (adjusted hazard ratio=0.482, 95% CI: 1.409- 29.593, P=0.016). Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis showed that miR-146b-5p expression levels were an independent prognostic factor for NSCLC patients (hazard ratio=0.259, 95% CI: 0.083-0.809, P=0.020). Furthermore, the effects of miR-146b-5p and miR-146b-3p on NSCLC cell growth and invasion in vitro were investigated. Our findings demonstrate that ectopic expression of miR-146b-5p suppressed cell proliferation, clonogenicity, migration/ invasion and also induced G1 arrest in vitro, but did not induce cell apoptosis; whereas enforced expression of miR-146b-3p did not have a significant effect on cell growth and metastasis. Further experiments indicated that miR-146b-5p could reduce mRNA levels of MMP16 and TRAF6 in vitro and was negatively related to the expression of TRAF6 in human NSCLC tissues. In a mouse model, Ago-miR-146b-5p could significantly inhibit the growth of lung cancer xenografts in nude mice. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that miR-146b-5p functions as a suppressor miRNA and prognosis predictor in NSCLC.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the potential effect of environmental exposure to cadmium on pregnancy outcome and fetal growth. Normal pregnant women were selected from Da-ye city of Hubei province, a cadmium-polluted area, from November 2002 through January 2003. Whole blood of pregnant women, cord blood, and placenta were collected and cadmium levels were determined by inductively coupled plasma emission mass spectroscopy. Incidence rate of preterm labor (gestational age < or = 37 weeks) and neonatal asphyxia, neonatal birth height, and birth weight were compared between lower and higher cadmium exposure level groups. Whole blood cadmium of 44 mothers ranged from 0.80 to 25.20 microg/L. Cadmium concentration in maternal blood was significantly higher than that in cord blood (t = 11.44, P < 0.01). Placenta cadmium ranged from 0.084 to 3.97 microg/g dry weight. After adjustment for maternal age, history of gestation, abortion and lactation, Logistic regression analysis showed that there was no significant association between cadmium exposure levels and pregnancy outcome (premature labor or neonatal asphyxia). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that, cord blood cadmium level, but not maternal blood cadmium and placenta cadmium, was significantly negatively associated with neonatal birth height (t= -2.33, P < 0.05). Compared with lower cord blood cadmium level (< or = 0.40 microg/L), higher level of cord blood cadmium (>0.40 microg/L) was associated with 2.24cm decrease in neonatal birth height. There was no significant association between cadmium exposure and birth weight. It was concluded that environmental exposure to cadmium significantly lower neonatal birth height.

BackgroundLung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death and has become an enormous economic burden in China. Low-dose spiral computed tomography (LDCT) screening could reduce lung cancer mortality. The feasibility of conducting a population-based lung cancer screening with LDCT in China is uncertain.MethodsIn 2010, a demonstration program of lung cancer screening was initiated in China. High-risk individuals were enrolled in a cluster sampling design in different centers. Participants received baseline and annual screening with spiral CT and follow-up information was collected. The objective of this program is to evaluate the feasibility of conducting population-based LDCT lung cancer screening in the Chinese context. The rates of detection, early diagnosis and treatment are defined as indicators of program performance. The optimal management strategies for nodules are explored in the Chinese context based on experiences in other studies overseas.ResultsA demonstration program of ongoing prospective, multi-center, population-based lung cancer screening is being performed in China.ConclusionsThis demonstration program will provide opportunities to explore the feasibility of LDCT lung cancer screening in the Chinese setting.

The microRNA miR-182, belonging to the miR-183 family, is one of the most frequently studied cancer-related oncogenic miRNAs that is dysregulated in various cancer tissues, and it plays a crucial role in tumorigenesis and tumor progression. Studies

Background: The National Central Cancer Registry of China (NCCR) is responsible for cancer surveillance. Local cancer registries in each province submit data for annual publication. The incidence and mortality of lung cancer in China in 2010 by age, gender, and area is reported in this article. Methods: In 2013, 145 of 219 population-based cancer registries' 2010 data were selected after quality evaluation. Classification included Western, Middle, and Eastern areas, and the crude incidence and mortality rates of lung cancer were calculated by age, gender, and urban and rural. Age-standardized rates were determined by China and World standard population data. The 6th National Population Census data of China was used, combined with the registries' data to estimate the lung cancer burden in China in 2010. Results: Lung cancer had the highest incidence and mortality in China for men and women. It was estimated that 605 946 lung cancer cases were diagnosed in China in 2010, with a crude incidence rate of 46.08/100 000, and 486 555 patients died from lung cancer, with a crude mortality rate of 37.00/100 000. Age-standardized rates for incidence were 35.23/100 000 and 35.04/100 000, respectively. Incidence and mortality rates for lung cancer were higher in men and urban areas than those in women and rural areas, reaching a peak for subjects of 80-84 years old. Conclusion: Lung cancer has the highest incidence and mortality of all cancers in China, especially for males in urban areas. Our findings justify the need to plan and develop effective interventions, such as air pollution control and smoking deterrents, to control and prevent the spread of lung cancer in China.

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