Comparison of the efficacy of gemcitabine with capecitabine and gemcitabine with erlotinib combination chemotherapy in recurrent or advanced pancreatic cancer as first-line treatment: Single-center experience

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Background: We compared the efficacy and toxicity of gemcitabine with capecitabine (GX), and gemcitabine with erlotinib (GT) chemotherapy for recurrent or advanced pancreatic cancer by retrospective analysis.

Methods: Between October 2006 and June 2010, 44 patients with recurrent or advanced pancreatic cancer, diagnosed at Seoul St. Mary's hospital were enrolled. In GT group, gemcitabine 1000mg/m2 was administered on days 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 36, 43 followed by a 1-week rest in first treatment cycle (8 weeks), and then D1, 8, 15 followed by a 1-week rest. Erlotinib was taken orally at 150mg daily through the entire cycle. In GX group, gemcitabine 1000mg/m2 was administered on days 1 and 8. Capecitabine was taken orally at 650mg/m2 twice daily on day 1-14 of a 21-day cycle.

Results: In 44 patients, 26 patients were treated with GT, and 18 patients treated with GX. The median age was 56.58 years in GT and 57.67 years in GX. Median number of cycle was 3.04 in GT and 3.57 in GX, and the dose reduction was significantly more common in GX than GT (50% vs. 19%, p=0.031). No complete response was achieved in either group. In GT, partial response and stable disease were achieved in 6 (23.1%) and 8 (30.8%) patients. In GX, partial response and stable disease were shown in 4 (22.2%) and 7 (38.9%) patients, respectively. No significant differences in two patients groups (p=0.442). GX had more favorable clinical outcome of the time to progression (6.1 months vs. 3.0 months, p=0.002) and the overall survival (11.13 months vs. 6.1 months, p=0.012) than GT. The most common grade 3 or 4 toxicity in GT and GX treatment were hematologic toxicity: anemia (8.3%:0%), neutropenia (34.6%:38.8%), thrombocytopenia (15.4%:11.1%). Grade 3 or 4 hand-foot-syndrome of GX was reported in only one patient.

Conclusions: GX showed better time to progression and overall survival outcome than GT, but dose reduction was more common. Although there was no significant difference in response rate, and the less dose intensity, GX regimen may be more effective than GT in advanced pancreatic cancer. Further prospective, randomized trials would be warranted in large scale.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Enhanced electroluminescence from nanoscale silicon p+ -n junctions made with an anodic aluminum oxide pattern

An enhancement of the electroluminescence (EL) from nanoscale silicon p(+)-n junctions made with an anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) pattern was demonstrated. The nanoporous AAO pattern with a pore density of 1.4 x 10(10) cm(-2) and a pore diameter of 50 +/- 10 nm was fabricated by the two-step anodic oxidation method on a n-type silicon wafer. The nanoscale AAO patterned Si p(+)-n junctions achieved an EL enhancement factor up to about 5 compared to the unpatterned Si p(+)-n junctions. The enhancement may originate from a reduction of nonradiative recombination due to partial passivation of the Si surface by the AAO pattern and improvement of the light extraction due to surface nanotextures.

Phase I study of preoperative (pre-op) short course chemoradiation (CRT) with proton beam therapy (PBT) and capecitabine (cape) for resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) of the head

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Background: Standard adjuvant 6 week CRT may delay and reduce tolerability of adjuvant gemcitabine-based chemotherapy. We explore the feasibility of a one-week course of pre-op CRT with PBT and cape followed by pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). Methods: 15 pts with radiographically resectable, biopsy-proven PDAC of the head were enrolled from May 2007- September 2008. Eligibility included no CT involvement of SMA or celiac artery; adequate renal, hepatic and hematopoetic function; and ECOG PS 0/1. Dose level 1 consisted of PBT delivered 3 Gy x 10 Monday to Friday. Pts in subsequent dose levels received 5 Gy x 5 in progressively shortened schedules: level 2 (wk 1 M W F, wk 2 T Th), level 3 (wk 1 M T Th F, wk 2 M), level 4 (wk 1 M-F). Radiation was targeted at pancreatic mass with elective nodal coverage. Pts received Cape 825 mg/m2 BID wk 1 and 2 M-F. PD was performed 1–6 wks after completion of chemotherapy. Results: 15 pts were enrolled on study. 3 pts were treated at each of dose levels 1–3. 6 pts were at dose level 4, which was selected as MTD. No dose limiting toxicities were observed. Gr 3 toxicity was noted in 4 pts (pain-1, GI-1, stent obstruction/infxn- 2). 11 pts underwent resection. Reasons for no resections were: metastatic disease-3 and unresectable tumor- 1. Mean time from last therapy to surgery was 28 d (10–44). Mean post-PD length of stay was 6 days (range 5–10). No unexpected 30-d post-op complications, including leak or infection, were noted in comparison to historical controls. 9/11 resected pts had R0 resection. 9/11 had positive nodes. Mean resected tumor diameter was 2.9 cm (2.2–4.3). Average percentage of fibrosis in tumor mass was 74%. Conclusions: Pre-op CRT with 1 wk of PBT and capecitabine followed by early surgery is feasible. A phase II study is underway.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

The metabolic effects of once daily extended-release metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes: a multicentre study

AIM

To investigate the effects of extended-release metformin (MXR) compared with immediate-release metformin (MIR) on post-prandial glycaemic excursion, chronic glycaemia, lipid profiles, insulin resistance and islet function in type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

A randomised, open-labelled, positive-controlled multicentre study was conducted on 150 Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes. After 2 weeks of run-in period with MIR, 150 subjects were randomised into MXR group and MIR group. The patients in MXR group were assigned to take MXR 1500 mg once daily after dinner, while the patients in MIR group were assigned to continue MIR 500 mg thrice daily after meals for 12 weeks. Standard meal tests were carried out at baseline and at the end of this study. Plasma glucose, serum insulin, HbA1c and lipid profiles were measured. Homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) was used to evaluate insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) and islet beta-cell function index (HOMA-B).

RESULTS

Either MIR or MXR modestly, but significantly decreased HbA1c levels and body mass index (BMI) after 12 weeks of treatment. However, there were no significant differences between two groups. The post-prandial glycaemia at 120 min after a standard meal in MXR group was higher than in MIR group (11.02 +/- 3.08 mmol/l vs. 9.74 +/- 2.61 mmol/l, p < 0.05). Moreover, no differences in the areas under curve of insulin release response, HOMA-B, HOMA-IR and lipid profiles were found within or between groups after 12 weeks of treatment.

CONCLUSION

The effects of once daily MXR on chronic glycaemia, BMI, lipid profiles, insulin resistance and islet function are comparable with that of thrice daily MIR in oriental population.

The role of charged amphipathic helices in the structure and function of surfactant protein B

Surfactant protein B (SP-B) is essential for normal lung surfactant function. Theoretical models predict that the disulfide cross-linked, N- and C-terminal domains of SP-B fold as charged amphipathic helices, and suggest that these adjacent helices participate in critical surfactant activities. This hypothesis is tested using a disulfide-linked construct (Mini-B) based on the primary sequences of the N- and C-terminal domains. Consistent with theoretical predictions of the full-length protein, both isotope-enhanced Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and molecular modeling confirm the presence of charged amphipathic alpha-helices in Mini-B. Similar to that observed with native SP-B, Mini-B in model surfactant lipid mixtures exhibits marked in vitro activity, with spread films showing near-zero minimum surface tensions during cycling using captive bubble surfactometry. In vivo, Mini-B shows oxygenation and dynamic compliance that compare favorably with that of full-length SP-B. Mini-B variants (i.e. reduced disulfides or cationic residues replaced by uncharged residues) or Mini-B fragments (i.e. unlinked N- and C-terminal domains) produced greatly attenuated in vivo and in vitro surfactant properties. Hence, the combination of structure and charge for the amphipathic alpha-helical N- and C-terminal domains are key to SP-B function.

Phase I dose escalation, pharmacokinetic, and biomarker study of imatinib mesylate plus capecitabine in advanced solid tumor malignancies

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Background: Preclinical data have suggested at least additive antitumor effects when imatinib (I) and 5-FU are combined. The goals of this study were to determine the maximal tolerated dose for the combination of I and capecitabine (C) in solid tumor patients (pts), as well as to describe non-dose limiting toxicities (non-DLT), pharmacokinetics (PK), and pharmacodynamics (PDGFR inhibition in granulation tissue). Methods: 24 pts (12 M, 12 F) with solid tumor malignancies received C plus I using a 21 day (d) cycle. C was dosed BID for 14/21 d. I was dosed QD x 21d. Results: 24 of 24 pts were fully evaluable for toxicity and efficacy. 6 pts were treated at dose level 1 (C 1000 mg/m2 BID, I 300 mg QD). The only dose limiting toxicity (DLT) at dose level 1 was grade (gr) 3 diarrhea in 1 patient; however 5 of 6 pts required dose reductions in a subsequent cycle. Therefore, the next 18 pts were treated at dose level -1 (C 750 mg/m2 BID and I 300 mg QD). One DLT (gr 3 fatigue) was seen at dose level -1. Non-DLT gr ¾ toxicities at any point at dose level -1 were gr 4 anemia (n=1) and gr 3 lymphopenia (n=6). Toxicities requiring dose reductions at any point on dose level -1 occurred in 7/18 patients. Gr ½ toxicities found in > 10% of all patients at any point in the trial were anemia (46%), leukopenia (17%), neutropenia (21%), lymphopenia (29%), thrombocytopenia (29%), nausea (71%), anorexia (41%), edema (42%), diarrhea (38%), hand foot syndrome (33%), vomiting (33%), headache (25%), insomnia (25%), skin rash (25%), constipation (21%), stomatitis (17%), lightheadedness (13%), fatigue (13%), numbness/tingling (13%), taste change (13%), and elevated transaminases (13%). 1 pt with carcinoid tumor had a partial response. 1 pt with non-small cell lung cancer had a minor response, and 5/21 pts had stable disease as their best response. 1 pt had stable disease for 8 months and another pt was stable for 6 months. Conculsions: On a 21 d cycle, the recommended phase 2 dose of C plus I is C 750 mg/m2 BID for 14 d, and I 300 mg QD.

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Observation of a near-threshold enhancement in the pp mass spectrum from radiative J/psi-->gammapp decays

We observe a narrow enhancement near 2m(p) in the invariant mass spectrum of pp pairs from radiative J/psi-->gammapp decays. No similar structure is seen in J/psi-->pi(0)pp decays. The results are based on an analysis of a 58 x 10(6) event sample of J/psi decays accumulated with the BESII detector at the Beijing electron-positron collider. The enhancement can be fit with either an S- or P-wave Breit-Wigner resonance function. In the case of the S-wave fit, the peak mass is below 2m(p) at M=1859(+3)(-10) (stat)+5-25(syst) MeV/c(2) and the total width is Gamma<30 MeV/c(2) at the 90% confidence level. These mass and width values are not consistent with the properties of any known particle.

Measurements of the cross section for e(+)e(-) --> hadrons at center-of-mass energies from 2 to 5 GeV

We report values of R = sigma(e(+)e(-)-->hadrons)/sigma(e(+)e(-)-->mu(+)mu(-)) for 85 center-of-mass energies between 2 and 5 GeV measured with the upgraded Beijing Spectrometer at the Beijing Electron-Positron Collider.