Anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, and anti-breast cancer properties unraveled in yeast carotenoids produced via cost-effective fermentation technique utilizing waste hydrolysate

Introduction

Natural carotenoids are well known for their anti-oxidant property and also shown to have antimicrobial and anticancer efficacy. Production of carotenoids from microbial resources mainly from yeast has attracted commercial interest. Breast cancer has the highest incidence among women, and therapy resistance and lack of effective therapeutic strategies are major treatment bottlenecks, particularly for triple-negative subtypes. Yeast carotenoids are recently being evaluated for affordable, non-toxic, natural product-based therapies. In the present study, we have shown an environment-friendly and inexpensive method for carotenoid production from yeasts, utilizing "mandi" wastes, and investigated the biomedical properties of carotenoids, particularly antineoplastic properties.

Methods

Vegetable "mandi" waste was used to prepare waste hydrolysate, a culture medium, in which oleaginous red yeast Rhodosporidium sp. was grown. Carotenoid pigments were extracted using the solvent extraction method and analyzed by UV spectroscopy, thin-layer chromatography (TLC), and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer activities of the extract were evaluated, followed by in silico docking and absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion/toxicity (ADME/T) studies.

Results

Carotenoid extract was found to be composed of three main pigments-β-carotene, torulene, and torularhodin. Extract exhibited significant antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-breast cancer activities in vitro while being biocompatible. Interestingly, carotenoids have shown better efficacy in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells than ER+PR+ cells. In silico evaluation predicted binding with breast cancer-specific molecular targets, specifically the three components showed good binding energy toward VEGF receptors and good drug likeliness properties, as well as less toxicity.

Discussion

This is the first report on anti-breast cancer activities, particularly targeting TNBC cells by red yeast carotenoids (β-carotene, torulene, and torularhodin) produced via a sustainable environment-friendly bioprocess utilizing waste hydrolysate.

One-Step Colloidal Synthesis of Non-Toxic Electroactive Carbon Dots with a Better Threshold Cytotoxicity and Cytocompatibility

Carbon dots (CDs), because of their characteristic size (<10 nm) and highly fluorescent nature, can be internalized in biological cells or can be tagged to the key components of a living system. While these attributes can be potentially exploited for biomedical applications, the toxicity of CDs remains an important issue to be addressed. Both the synthesis approach and morphological attributes critically determine the dose-dependent toxicity and cytocompatibility of CDs. Against this perspective, we report herein a one-step colloidal synthesis of CDs using different reaction solvents that lead to the formation of three types of CDs (type I, type II, and type III CDs). The cytocompatibility and cellular uptake of CDs in human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are dependent on the nature of functionalization and concomitantly on the type of precursors. In particular, type I CDs are synthesized using citric acid, hexadecylamine, and octadecene that are immiscible in culture media. The type II CDs synthesized using citric acid and octadecene emit green fluorescence at a 488 nm excitation and were found to be agglomerated when internalized in hMSCs, whereas the type III CDs, synthesized using citric acid and deionized water, exhibit an agglomeration-free behavior. Further, type III CDs show a wide particle distribution, wide emission bandwidth range of 280-700 nm, threshold toxicity of 1 mg/mL, and good cytocompatibility with hMSCs, much better than those in the published reports. When benchmarked against commercial graphene quantum dots, the as-synthesized type III CDs have better electrical conductivity and cytocompatibility at a given dosage. Thus, the electroactive nature of synthesized type III CDs along with their inherent fluorescent property and less cytotoxicity would enable their potential applications in bio-imaging, directional lineage commitment, and cell-based therapy.

Is cancer significant comorbid condition in COVID 19 infected patients? -A retrospective analysis experienced in a tertiary care center in Eastern India

Background

It was formerly thought that patients with a history of active cancer were more likely to acquire COVID-19; however, new research contradicts this belief due to the impact of economic stress, malnutrition, fear of hospitalization, or therapeutic discontinuation. A cohort-based study was undertaken in Indian regional cancer centre to understand cancer-covid link in patients.

Method

A total of 1565 asymptomatic patients were admitted based on thermal screening and evaluation from the screening form from June 2020 to November 2020. The RT-PCR technology was used to assess the COVID 19, and patients who tested positive for COVID 19 were transported to a hospital designated by the government for COVID 19 patients. Patients who tested negative for the COVID 19 virus were transferred to the normal cancer unit to complete their treatment. Patients who tested positive for COVID 19 were referred to the COVID hospital, where their findings were analyzed and correlated with patient age, gender, and cancer stage.

Findings

Out of 1565 patients, 54 patients (3.4%) tested positive. Most of the patients are in 45-59 years age group. As female patients admitted were more in number than males, so predominance of disease is higher in female. 3 patients were symptomatic after admission and 2 were severe and were admitted to the ICU with ventilations. 8 patients died in Cancer and one patient died in COVID 19.

Interpretation

As only 3.4% patients tested positive and only one patient out of 54 had died, so cancer is found not to be a comorbid condition towards COVID 19 patients in the Indian population studied.Funding: This project is not funded.

Bacterioboat-A novel tool to increase the half-life period of the orally administered drug

The short half-life in the GI tract necessitates an excess of drugs causing side effects of oral formulations. Here, we report the development and deployment of Bacterioboat, which consists of surface-encapsulated mesoporous nanoparticles on metabolically active Lactobacillus reuteri as a drug carrier suitable for oral administration. Bacterioboat showed up to 16% drug loading of its dry weight, intestinal anchorage around alveoli regions, sustained release, and stability in physiological conditions up to 24 hours. In vivo studies showed that oral delivery of 5-fluorouracil leads to increased potency, resulting in improved shrinkage of solid tumors, enhanced life expectancy, and reduced side effects. This novel design and development make this system ideal for orally administrable drugs with low solubility or permeability or both and even making them effective at a lower dose.

In-vitro antiviral action of Eupatorium perfoliatum against dengue virus infection: Modulation of mTOR signaling and autophagy

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Dengue virus (DENV) is a re-emerging mosquito-borne flavivirus that has recently engendered large epidemics around the world. Consequently antivirals with effective anti-DENV therapeutic activity are urgently required. In the 18th century, Europeans, as well as native inhabitants of North America, were known to adapt the medicinal property of the common perennial plant Eupatorium perfoliatum L. to treat fever and infections. Previous studies have shown that Eupatorium perfoliatum L. possesses anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, anti-plasmodial, anti-bacterial and antiviral activities. However, to the best of our knowledge, no anti-DENV activity of E. perfoliatum L. has been investigated at the molecular level so far.

AIM OF STUDY

Here, for the first time we have attempted to study the action of E. perfoliatum extract and its few bioactive components i.e., quercetin, caffeic acid and eupafolin against wild primary clinical isolate of DENV-2 infection in an in vitro model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The presence of the bioactive components in the E. perfoliatum extract, were analyzed by HPLC- DAD. Then, CC₅₀ as well as IC₅₀ values of the extract and its bioactive components were measured against DENV in HepG2 cell line. After that, the antiviral activity was studied by Time of addition assay using qRT-PCR. Further, the downstream signalling action of E. perfoliatum extract, was studied by Human phosphorylation MAPK antibody array, followed by immunofluorescence microscopy. Moreover, a molecular docking analysis was done to study the binding affinity of bioactive components of E. perfoliatum extract with TIM-1 transmembrane receptor protein, which is known for viral internalization.

RESULT

We found that E. perfoliatum extract has marked antiviral activity during pre-treatment against DENV infection in HepG2 cell line. The extract also significantly reduced the DENV induced autophagy in HepG2 cell line as detected by LC3 II localization. The presence of different bioactive compounds in E. perfoliatum extract were confirmed by HPLC-DAD. In the bioactive components, in parallel to earlier studies, quercetin showed the most significant preventive action against DENV infection. Further, in molecular docking analysis also, quercetin showed the strongest binding affinity towards DENV membrane receptor TIM-1 protein.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggests that E. perfoliatum extract has significant potential to be an anti-DENV therapeutic agent. Moreover, among the bioactive components, quercetin may have a prophylaxis role in executing the antiviral activity of E. perfoliatum extract against DENV infection.

Ellagic acid-loaded, tween 80-coated, chitosan nanoparticles as a promising therapeutic approach against breast cancer: In-vitro and in-vivo study

AIMS

Among polyphenolic phytoconstituents with anticancer properties, Ellagic acid (EA) is widely reported for its translational potential in vitro but efficient in vivo delivery of EA has been a challenge. We, for the first time, used a tween 80 coated nano delivery of Ellagic acid to evaluate its preclinical efficacy in vitro and in vivo for breast cancer.

MAIN METHODS

To overcome the challenges of in vivo delivery, two batches of chitosan-based nanoformulations of EA (with and without tween 80 coating) were prepared by the ionotropic gelation method. The nanoformulations were characterized and further evaluated in vitro against breast cancer cells (MCF7) and in vivo with EAC tumor-bearing mice for establishing their anticancer efficacy compared to Ellagic acid alone. A quantitative simulation study was undertaken to understand if the observed antitumor efficacy is due to the synergistic efficacy of the Chitosan-Ellagic acid combination.

KEY FINDINGS

Results revealed that nanoformulations consist of good nano-sized encapsulation of EA and showed good drug entrapment-release capacity. Nano-encapsulated EA is biocompatible and exhibited higher cytotoxicity in vitro compared to EA alone. Similarly, significantly higher tumor regression was observed in nano-EA treated mice compared to EA alone, and best efficacy was observed with the nanoformulation with tween 80 coating. Furthermore, nanoformulations showed higher apoptosis in tumor tissues with no significant tissue toxicity in vital organs.

SIGNIFICANCE

We report synergism of Chitosan-Ellagic acid combination in the tween 80 coated nanoparticles of Ellagic acid resulting in enhanced anti-breast tumor efficacy that may be of translational value for other tumor types, too.

Scheduling nab-paclitaxel combined with gemcitabine as first-line treatment for metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine (nabP+gemcitabine) offers modest survival gains for patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Sequential scheduling of nabP+gemcitabine in a PDAC mouse model improved efficacy; this hypothesis was tested in a clinical trial.

METHODS

Patients with previously untreated metastatic PDAC were randomised to receive nabP+gemcitabine administered either concomitantly on the same day, or sequentially, with gemcitabine administered 24 h after nabP. The primary outcome measure was progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary outcome measures were objective response rate (ORR), overall survival (OS), safety, quality of life (QoL) and predictive biomarkers.

RESULTS

In total, 71 patients received sequential (SEQ) and 75 concomitant (CON) treatment. Six-month PFS was 46% with SEQ and 32% with CON scheduling. Median PFS (5.6 versus 4.0 months, hazard ratio [HR] 0.67, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.47-0.95, p = 0.022) and ORR (52% versus 31%, p = 0.023) favoured the SEQ arm; median OS was 10.2 versus 8.2 months (HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.65-1.33, p = 0.70). CTCAE Grade ≥3 neutropaenia incidence doubled with SEQ therapy but was not detrimental to QoL. Strongly positive tumour epithelial cytidine deaminase (CDA) expression favoured benefit from SEQ therapy (PFS HR 0.31, 95% CI 0.13-0.70).

CONCLUSIONS

SEQ delivery of nabP+gemcitabine improved PFS and ORR, with manageable toxicity, but did not significantly improve OS.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

ISRCTN71070888; ClinialTrials.gov (NCT03529175).

A novel triazole, NMK-T-057, induces autophagic cell death in breast cancer cells by inhibiting γ-secretase-mediated activation of Notch signaling

Notch signaling is reported to be deregulated in several malignancies, including breast, and the enzyme γ-secretase plays an important role in the activation and nuclear translocation of Notch intracellular domain (NICD). Hence, pharmacological inhibition of γ-secretase might lead to the subsequent inhibition of Notch signaling in cancer cells. In search of novel γ-secretase inhibitors (GSIs), we screened a series of triazole-based compounds for their potential to bind γ-secretase and observed that 3-(3'4',5'-trimethoxyphenyl)-5-(N-methyl-3'-indolyl)-1,2,4-triazole compound (also known as NMK-T-057) can bind to γ-secretase complex. Very interestingly, NMK-T-057 was found to inhibit proliferation, colony-forming ability, and motility in various breast cancer (BC) cells such as MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-468, 4T1 (triple-negative cells), and MCF-7 (estrogen receptor (ER)/progesterone receptor (PR)-positive cell line) with negligible cytotoxicity against noncancerous cells (MCF-10A and peripheral blood mononuclear cells). Furthermore, significant induction of apoptosis and inhibition of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and stemness were also observed in NMK-T-057-treated BC cells. The in silico study revealing the affinity of NMK-T-057 toward γ-secretase was further validated by a fluorescence-based γ-secretase activity assay, which confirmed inhibition of γ-secretase activity in NMK-T-057-treated BC cells. Interestingly, it was observed that NMK-T-057 induced significant autophagic responses in BC cells, which led to apoptosis. Moreover, NMK-T-057 was found to inhibit tumor progression in a 4T1-BALB/c mouse model. Hence, it may be concluded that NMK-T-057 could be a potential drug candidate against BC that can trigger autophagy-mediated cell death by inhibiting γ-secretase-mediated activation of Notch signaling.

Design, synthesis and identification of novel coumaperine derivatives for inhibition of human 5-LOX: Antioxidant, pseudoperoxidase and docking studies

5-Lipoxygenase (5-LOX) is a key enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of pro-inflammatory leukotrienes, leading to asthma. Developing potent 5-LOX inhibitors especially, natural product based ones, are highly attractive. Coumaperine, a natural product found in white pepper and its derivatives were herein developed as 5-LOX inhibitors. We have synthesized twenty four derivatives, characterized and evaluated their 5-LOX inhibition potential. Coumaperine derivatives substituted with multiple hydroxy and multiple methoxy groups exhibited best 5-LOX inhibition. CP-209, a catechol type dihydroxyl derivative and CP-262-F2, a vicinal trihydroxyl derivative exhibited, 82.7% and 82.5% inhibition of 5-LOX respectively at 20 µM. Their IC₅₀ values are 2.1 ± 0.2 µM and 2.3 ± 0.2 µM respectively, and are comparable to zileuton, IC₅₀ = 1.4 ± 0.2 µM. CP-155, a methylenedioxy derivative (a natural product) and CP-194, a 2,4,6-trimethoxy derivative showed 76.0% and 77.1% inhibition of 5-LOX respectively at 20 µM. Antioxidant study revealed that CP-209 and 262-F2 (at 20 µM) scavenged DPPH radical by 76.8% and 71.3% respectively. On the other hand, CP-155 and 194 showed very poor DPPH radical scavenging activity. Pseudo peroxidase assay confirmed that the mode of action of CP-209 and 262-F2 were by redox process, similar to zileuton, affecting the oxidation state of the metal ion in the enzyme. On the contrary, CP-155 and 194 probably act through some other mechanism which does not involve the disruption of the oxidation state of the metal in the enzyme. Molecular docking of CP-155 and 194 to the active site of 5-LOX and binding energy calculation suggested that they are non-competitive inhibitors. The In-Silico ADME/TOX analysis shows the active compounds (CP-155, 194, 209 and 262-F2) are with good drug likeliness and reduced toxicity compared to existing drug. These studies indicate that there is a great potential for coumaperine derivatives to be developed as anti-inflammatory drug.

Novel nano-insulin formulation modulates cytokine secretion and remodeling to accelerate diabetic wound healing

Little is known about insulin's wound healing capability in normal as well as diabetic conditions. We here report specific interaction of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with insulin by making a ~2 nm thick coat around the AgNPs and its potent wound healing efficacy. Characterization of the interaction of human insulin with silver nanoparticles showed confirmed alteration of amide-I in insulin whereas amide-II and III remained unaltered. Further, nanoparticles protein interaction kinetics showed spontaneous interaction at physiological temperature with ΔG, ΔS, Ea and Ka values -7.48, 0.076, 3.84 kcal mol^-1 and 6 × 10⁵ s^-1 respectively. Insulin loaded AgNPs (IAgNPs) showed significant improvement in healing activity in vitro (HEKa cells) and in vivo (Wister Rats) in comparison with the control in both normal and diabetic conditions. The underlying mechanism was attributed to a regulation of the balance between pro (IL-6, TNFα) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10) at the wound site to promote faster wound remodeling.

Vistusertib (dual m-TORC1/2 inhibitor) in combination with paclitaxel in patients with high-grade serous ovarian and squamous non-small-cell lung cancer

Background

We have previously shown that raised p-S6K levels correlate with resistance to chemotherapy in ovarian cancer. We hypothesised that inhibiting p-S6K signalling with the dual m-TORC1/2 inhibitor in patients receiving weekly paclitaxel could improve outcomes in such patients.

Patients and methods

In dose escalation, weekly paclitaxel (80 mg/m2) was given 6/7 weeks in combination with two intermittent schedules of vistusertib (dosing starting on the day of paclitaxel): schedule A, vistusertib dosed bd for 3 consecutive days per week (3/7 days) and schedule B, vistusertib dosed bd for 2 consecutive days per week (2/7 days). After establishing a recommended phase II dose (RP2D), expansion cohorts in high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) and squamous non-small-cell lung cancer (sqNSCLC) were explored in 25 and 40 patients, respectively.

Results

The dose-escalation arms comprised 22 patients with advanced solid tumours. The dose-limiting toxicities were fatigue and mucositis in schedule A and rash in schedule B. On the basis of toxicity and pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) evaluations, the RP2D was established as 80 mg/m2 paclitaxel with 50 mg vistusertib bd 3/7 days for 6/7 weeks. In the HGSOC expansion, RECIST and GCIG CA125 response rates were 13/25 (52%) and 16/25 (64%), respectively, with median progression-free survival (mPFS) of 5.8 months (95% CI: 3.28-18.54). The RP2D was not well tolerated in the SqNSCLC expansion, but toxicities were manageable after the daily vistusertib dose was reduced to 25 mg bd for the following 23 patients. The RECIST response rate in this group was 8/23 (35%), and the mPFS was 5.8 months (95% CI: 2.76-21.25).

Discussion

In this phase I trial, we report a highly active and well-tolerated combination of vistusertib, administered as an intermittent schedule with weekly paclitaxel, in patients with HGSOC and SqNSCLC.

Clinical trial registration

ClinicialTrials.gov identifier: CNCT02193633.

Early Phase Clinical Trial Designs - State of Play and Adapting for the Future

The process of anti-cancer drug development is complex, with high attrition rates. Factors that may optimise this process include well-constructed and relevant pre-clinical testing and use of biomarkers for patient selection. However, the design of early phase clinical trials will probably play a vital role in both the robust clinical investigation of new targeted therapies and in streamlining drug development. In this overview, we assess current concepts in phase I clinical trials, highlighting issues and opportunities to improve their meaningfulness. The particular challenge of how to design combination trials is addressed, with focus on the potential of new adaptive and model-based designs.

Arsenic load in rice ecosystem and its mitigation through deficit irrigation

Rice the staple food is a notable intake source of arsenic to the rural population of eastern India through food-chain. A field survey was carried out to study the variation of arsenic load in different parts of rice genotype Shatabdi (most popular genotype of the region) exposed to varying level of arsenic present in the irrigation water and soil. As irrigation is the primary source of arsenic contamination, a study was conducted to assess arsenic load in rice ecosystem under deficit irrigation practices like intermittent ponding (IP), saturation (SAT) and aerobic (AER) imposed during stress allowable stage (16-40 days after transplanting) of the crop (genotype Shatabdi). Present survey showed that arsenic content in water and soil influenced the arsenic load of rice grain. Variation in arsenic among different water and soil samples influenced grain arsenic load to the maximum extent followed by straw. Deviation in root arsenic load due to variation in water and soil arsenic content was lowest. Arsenic concentration of grain is strongly related to the arsenic content of both irrigation water and soil. However, water has 10% higher impact on grain arsenic load over soil. Translocation of arsenic from root to shoot decreased with the increase in arsenic content of water. Imposition of saturated and aerobic environment reduced both yield and grain arsenic load. In contrast under IP a marked decrease in grain arsenic content recorded with insignificant reduction in yield. Deficit irrigation resulted in significant reduction (17.6-25%) in arsenic content of polished rice and the values were lower than that of the toxic level (<0.2 mg kg^-1). In contrast the decrease in yield was to the tune of 0.9% under IP regime over CP.

Mechanistic contribution of electroconductive hydroxyapatite–titanium disilicide composite on the alignment and proliferation of cells

We elucidate here the mechanistic contribution of a novel electroconductive hydroxyapatite-20 wt.% titanium disilicide (HA–TiSi2) composite system in favorably modulating osteoblast functions in relation to the monolithic HA. The higher electrical conductivity of HA–TiSi2 (σDC ∼ 67.117 ± 3.57 S/m) in comparison to glass sample effectively guided the electroactive myoblast, leading to their significant alignment and proliferation. This favorable behavior is attributed to the formation of small electrochemical cells between HA and TiSi2 phase, which produce a small electric field, directing the electroactive myoblast to migrate and grow in a particular direction. In contrast, no impact of TiSi2 on osteoblast function was observed because of their inability to respond to small electric field. However, the in vitro bioactivity in simulated body fluid indicated the nucleation and growth of apatite crystals. Moreover, in the context of load-bearing capability, the presence of 20 wt.% TiSi2 in HA led to increase in the fracture toughness by ∼100%. This study underscores the effectiveness of HA–TiSi2 in favorably modulating the cellular activity, myoblast in particular.

A comprehensive study of the delay vector variance method for quantification of nonlinearity in dynamical systems

Although vibration monitoring is a popular method to monitor and assess dynamic structures, quantification of linearity or nonlinearity of the dynamic responses remains a challenging problem. We investigate the delay vector variance (DVV) method in this regard in a comprehensive manner to establish the degree to which a change in signal nonlinearity can be related to system nonlinearity and how a change in system parameters affects the nonlinearity in the dynamic response of the system. A wide range of theoretical situations are considered in this regard using a single degree of freedom (SDOF) system to obtain numerical benchmarks. A number of experiments are then carried out using a physical SDOF model in the laboratory. Finally, a composite wind turbine blade is tested for different excitations and the dynamic responses are measured at a number of points to extend the investigation to continuum structures. The dynamic responses were measured using accelerometers, strain gauges and a Laser Doppler vibrometer. This comprehensive study creates a numerical and experimental benchmark for structurally dynamical systems where output-only information is typically available, especially in the context of DVV. The study also allows for comparative analysis between different systems driven by the similar input.

MnO2 nanowires anchored on amine functionalized graphite nanosheets: highly active and reusable catalyst for organic oxidation reactions

MnO₂ nanowires were synthesized on amine functionalized graphite nanosheet and excellent catalytic efficiency of as-prepared composite towards organic oxidation reactions was demonstrated.

Environment-friendly route for stable aqueous dispersion of reduced graphene oxide for heat transfer application

A simultaneous functionalization and reduction route to prepare stable dispersion of reduced graphene oxide from graphene oxide has been described. Diethanol amine has been introduced for the first time as an environment friendly reducing agent in a simple reflux reaction. Diethanol amine acts as a reducing agent and helps to enhance the stability of dispersion, making hydrogen bonding by virtue of two functional groups. The prepared dispersion of 0.025 mg/mL concentration is stable for months together and has a zeta potential value -45 V at room temperature. UV-Vis study shows peak at 264 nm that is signatory for reduced graphene oxide. TEM images confirm spread thin sheets of graphene of few hundred nanometer lateral dimension. Thermal diffusivity studies suggest nearly 60% enhancement for the dispersion in comparison to base fluid, water. This suggests graphene dispersion is promising for heat transfer applications.

Creatinine clearance is associated with toxicity from molecularly targeted agents in phase I trials

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate any correlations between baseline creatinine clearance and the development of grade 3/4 toxicities during treatment within oncology phase I trials of molecularly targeted agents where entry criteria mandate a serum creatinine of ≤1.5 × the upper limit of normal.

Methods

Documented toxicity and creatinine clearance (calculated by the Cockcroft-Gault formula) from all patients treated with molecularly targeted agents in the context of phase I trials within our centre over a 5-year period were analyzed.

Results

Data from 722 patients were analyzed; 116 (16%) developed at least one episode of grade 3/4 toxicity. Patients who developed a late-onset (>1 cycle) grade 3/4 toxicity had a lower creatinine clearance than those who did not (82.69 ml/min vs. 98.97 ml/min; p = < 0.001).

Conclusion

Creatinine clearance (even when within normal limits) should be studied as a potential factor influencing late toxicities in the clinical trials of molecularly targeted anti-cancer drugs.

Inhibition of MT1-MMP activity using functional antibody fragments selected against its hemopexin domain

The membrane associated MMP, MT1-MMP, is a critical pericellular protease involved in tumour cell invasion and angiogenesis and is highly up-regulated in numerous human cancers. It therefore represents an exciting new therapeutic cancer-specific target. We have generated recombinant human scFv antibodies against the non-catalytic, hemopexin domain of MT1-MMP that modulate its interactions with collagen. One of these is an effective inhibitor of the invasive capacity of cancer cells and of angiogenesis in model systems. This demonstrates that targeting sites outside the catalytic domain presents a potential novel approach to proteinase inhibition that could have applications in cancer therapeutics.

Targeting angiogenesis in melanoma: prospects for the future

Angiogenesis has been identified as a relevant target for melanoma experimental therapeutics, based on preclinical and clinical studies. A variety of angiogenesis inhibitors are currently being tested in both metastatic and adjuvant melanoma clinical trials. To date, the most promising evidence of benefit is based on a statistically nonsignificant trend in survival gain reported in a randomized phase II trial combining bevacizumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting vascular endothelial growth factor, with cytotoxic chemotherapy. Larger phase III studies are required to determine the true extent of clinical benefit with this class of agents. Key to these clinical trials is the need to include translational endpoints, since correlation of biological and clinical data will provide the opportunity to identify biomarkers predictive of treatment response. These biological studies will also aid our, as yet, poor understanding of the mechanism of action of angiogenesis inhibitors, as well as drug-related side effects. Finally, if these trials show meaningful clinical benefit, then careful consideration will need to be given when designing second-generation trials, in the light of novel gene-directed therapies currently showing promise in melanoma.

Dopamine regulates angiogenesis in normal dermal wound tissues

Cutaneous wound healing is a normal physiological process and comprises different phases. Among these phases, angiogenesis or new blood vessel formation in wound tissue plays an important role. Skin is richly supplied by sympathetic nerves and evidences indicate the significant role of the sympathetic nervous system in cutaneous wound healing. Dopamine (DA) is an important catecholamine neurotransmitter released by the sympathetic nerve endings and recent studies have demonstrated the potent anti-angiogenic action of DA, which is mediated through its D₂ DA receptors. We therefore postulate that this endogenous catecholamine neurotransmitter may have a role in the neovascularization of dermal wound tissues and subsequently in the process of wound healing. In the present study, the therapeutic efficacy of D₂ DA receptor antagonist has been investigated for faster wound healing in a murine model of full thickness dermal wound. Our results indicate that treatment with specific D₂ DA receptor antagonist significantly expedites the process of full thickness normal dermal wound healing in mice by inducing angiogenesis in wound tissues. The underlined mechanisms have been attributed to the up-regulation of homeobox transcription factor HoxD3 and its target α5β1 integrin, which play a pivotal role in wound angiogenesis. Since D₂ DA receptor antagonists are already in clinical use for other disorders, these results have significant translational value from the bench to the bedside for efficient wound management along with other conventional treatment modalities.

Newer versus Conventional Methods in the Diagnosis of Malaria: A Comparison

BACKGROUND

This study attempts to evaluate and compare the efficacy of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and quantitative buffy coat (QBC) assay with conventional Giemsa stained peripheral blood smear (PBS) examination in the diagnosis of malaria.

METHODS

The study was conducted on 50 cases of smear positive malaria (group 1), 50 cases of clinically suspected malaria (group 2) and 15 healthy controls. All were subjected to Giemsa stain slide examination both thick and thin smear, QBC assay and PCR. PBS examination by Giemsa stain was taken as gold standard.

RESULT

In this study the overall sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV) of QBC assay in group 1 was 100% and that of PCR was 60% and 100% respectively. In group 2 the sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of QBC assay was 100% and that of PCR was 71%, 100%, 100% and 73% respectively as compared to the gold standard. All the 15 healthy controls were negative by all the three assays showing 100% specificity.

CONCLUSION

QBC assay was an excellent alternative to the conventional method as it is rapid and less time consuming and can directly demonstrate the parasite. Utility of PCR lies in species-specific diagnosis of falciparum malaria especially when there is a high degree of clinical suspicion and the report is negative by the other two methods.