Effect of cell rupturing methods on the drying characteristics and lipid compositions of microalgae

This paper investigated the effect of cell rupturing methods on the drying characteristics and the lipid compositions of a green algae consortium grown in an open raceway pond. The ruptured microalgae samples obtained from French press, autoclave and sonication methods were used for conducting thin layer drying experiment at four drying temperatures (30, 50, 70 and 90 °C). The rate of moisture removal at each drying condition was recorded until no change in moisture loss. A typical drying curve for a microalgae consortium indicated that the rate of drying was limited by diffusion. Among three drying models (Newton, Page and Henderson-Pabis) used to fit the drying data, Page model fitted well on the experimental drying data with a coefficient of determination (R(2)) of 0.99. Solvent extraction of French press ruptured cells produced the highest total lipid yield with no significant change in lipid compositions.

Eribulin mesilate, a halichondrin B analogue, in the treatment of breast cancer

Eisai is developing eribulin mesilate (E-7389), a synthetic macrocyclic ketone analogue of the tubulin inhibitor halichondrin B, for the treatment of a variety of solid tumors that include but are not limited to breast and lung cancer. In this context, eribulin is in phase III clinical trials in breast cancer; however, it has also progressed to phase II for nonsmall cell lung cancer, soft tissue sarcomas, pancreatic, prostate, head and neck cancer, bladder and ovarian and related gynecological tumors. Eribulin has shown synergistic in vitro antiproliferative activity in combination with the breast cancer drugs gemcitabine, epirubicin, trastuzumab, docetaxel and vinorelbine. Clinical trials have established efficacy, safety and a distinct survival advantage of 2.5 months with eribulin as compared to other treatments of physician's choice in metastatic breast cancer patients with heavy pretreatment and taxane resistance. It has a manageable side effect profile, consisting mostly of neutropenia and fatigue, with distinct tolerance at full doses in renal dysfunction, a lower incidence of peripheral neuropathy, minimal chances of drug-drug interactions and hypersensitivity. It appears to be a suitable candidate for third-line monotherapy and beyond for locally advanced and metastatic breast cancer. This review will focus on published and peer-reviewed data on breast cancer.

Percutaneous external jugular vein catheterization in piglets using a triangulation technique

Chronic jugular vein or central venous cannulation is routinely performed in human and animal patients for access to blood circulation. In mature swine, chronic catheter placement techniques have typically involved venous isolation via extensive cut-down, blunt dissection and manipulation of ventral neck tissues prior to catheter placement. More recently, guide-wire-assisted percutaneous techniques have become standard practice in human and veterinary medicine due to the minimization of soft tissue and vessel damages. Laboratory animal piglets are becoming more popular research models because of their immature immunological system, ease of handling and costs. However, external jugular veins are very difficult to catheterize in paediatric animals including freshly weaned piglets. The objective of this study was to develop a simple, safe and efficient method for external jugular vein cannulation in young piglets. In total, 20 piglets were anaesthetized and percutaneously catheterized with a guide-wire technique using palpable anatomical landmarks and triangulation. With this minimally invasive catheterization, it has allowed our veterinarians and veterinary technicians to quickly and easily obtain central venous access in piglets undergoing operative procedures.

Dose escalation and pharmacodynamic study of intravenous adminstration of Reolysin, a live replication competent RNA virus in patients with advanced solid tumors

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Background: Reolysin is reovirus serotype 3 - Dearing strain, a double-stranded replication- competent RNA non-enveloped icosahedral virus. It induces cytopathic and anti-cancer effects in cells with an activating mutation in the ras proto-oncogene. Methods: This was a single center dose escalation trial of Reolysin administered intravenously every four weeks in doses ranging from 1X108 to 3X1010 tissue culture infective dose (TCID)50. Serum for neutralizing antibody, and serum, stool, saliva, and urine for viral shedding were collected. Tumor samples were analyzed for activating mutations in the ras and braf oncogenes. Results: Eighteen patients received 27 doses of Reolysin in 6 dose cohorts accomplishing a 300 fold dose escalation without a protocol-defined dose limiting toxicity. Drug related grade 2 toxicities included fatigue and fever (1 patient each). All patients developed neutralizing antibody during the course of the study. Viral shedding was observed in 6 patients [urine (5), serum (4), saliva (3), and stool (2)]. One patient with anthracycline and taxane refractory breast cancer experienced a partial response (PR) and her tumor had a mutation in the ras oncogene. Biopsy from a chest wall mass showed evidence of necrosis and viral replication by electron microscopy. The overall clinical benefit rate was 45% and appeared higher in patients with viral shedding (67%) than those without (33%). Conclusions: Reolysin administered as a one hour infusion on a monthly schedule is safe and well-tolerated even in multiple doses. Reolysin has anti-tumor activity as a single agent warranting further evaluation, including in combination with chemotherapy. Viral shedding may suggest intrapatient replication yielding a benefit and should be studied carefully in future studies.

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Assessment of quality of life using FACT-G survey in a phase I trial in cancer patients

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Background: Quality of life (QoL) assessment in clinical trials has been gaining more attention. FACT-G surveys have been validated to assess QoL in clinical trials involving oncology patient (Cella DF et al, J Clin Oncol 11:570–579, 1993). However, there is paucity of evaluation of QoL in patients with advanced cancer participating in Phase I clinical trials. Methods: FACT-G surveys were conducted within the context of a Phase I trial to identify a safe dose and potential drug-drug interations of capecitabine and irinotecan combination (Goel, S et al, Invest New Drugs 25:237–245, 2007). The FACT-G survey consists of 28 questions in 5 sections, namely, physical well-being, social/family well-being, emotional well-being, relationship with doctor, and functional well-being). Patients were requested to complete the FACT-G surveys at baseline and every two cycles thereafter (each cycle of 3 weeks duration). Results: Forty-one of 47 patients with advanced solid tumors who participated in the clinical trial completed FACT-G surveys. Mean scores were calculated for each time point. The mean QoL scores at baseline and post cycle 2 were 53 and 58, respectively (p = 0.1). Post cycle 4, the mean QoL score was 62 [p = 0.01, (vs. baseline)]. Following cycle 4, the number of respondents decreased to the extent where we were unable to ascertain any further changes in the QoL scores. Conclusions: It is feasible to use FACT-G survey as a tool to assess QoL in patients participating in an oncology phase I clinical trial. Although the sample size of the patient population was not powered for any statistical significance, there was a trend toward improving QoL based on FACT-G survey scores. This suggests that phase I clinical trials may provide improvement of QoL for some patients. FACT-G is a useful tool in assessing QoL in oncology phase I trial study population.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Novel neurosensory testing in cancer patients treated with the epothilone B analog, ixabepilone

BACKGROUND

We have previously established the recommended phase II dose (RPTD) of ixabepilone as 40 mg/m(2) administered over 1 h repeated every 3 weeks with neuropathy as a cumulative dose-limiting toxicity. We expanded the cohort at the RPTD to include detailed assessment of nerve damage in these patients. We report our findings on vibration perception threshold (VPT) and neuropathy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Forty-four patients were treated with a median (range) of three (1-14) cycles of ixabepilone. The VPT (5-min duration) and nerve conduction test (NCT, 10-min duration) were carried out in the office, before ixabepilone dosing, and every two cycles thereafter.

RESULTS

Neuropathy (grade 1 and grades 2-3) was observed in 17 (38.6%) and 11 (25%) patients, respectively. The mean increase in VPT as a function of grade 0-1 versus grades 2-3 neuropathy was 0.235 +/- 0.03 versus 0.869 +/- 0.09 (P = 0.049) vibration units. The F-wave frequency and distal motor latency, as assessed using the NCT, did not correlate with clinical neurotoxicity.

CONCLUSION

The change in VPT is observed early and likely reflects early vibration perception change. Mean change in VPT correlates with the severity of clinical neuropathy. Whether VPT change predicts onset of severe neuropathy warrants prospective testing and validation.