Role of Reactive Oxygen Species in the Synergistic Cytotoxicity of Safingol-Based Combination Regimens With Conventional Chemotherapeutics.

Role of reactive oxygen species in the synergistic cytotoxicity of safingol-based combination regimens with conventional chemotherapeutics.

Filed under: Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation

Oncol Lett. 2011 Sep 1; 2(5): 905-910
Ling LU, Tan KB, Chiu GN

Exploiting the sensitivity of cancer cells to reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been suggested as a strategy for the selective elimination of cancer cells. In this study, the ROS-generating sphingolipid safingol was combined with various conventional chemotherapeutics, and the potential synergism of the safingol-based combination regimen was assessed using a panel of cancer cell lines. The IC(50) values of safingol using as a single agent were 1.4-6.3 µM, which are concentrations that are clinically achievable. While synergism was dependent on the drug molar ratios, a 4:1 molar ratio of safingol to conventional chemotherapeutics exhibited a moderate to strong synergism in MDA-MB-231, JIMT-1, SKOV-3, U937 and KB cells, with combination indices ranging from 0.07 to 0.77. Furthermore, the addition of safingol may reduce the concentrations of conventional chemotherapeutics required to achieve 90% cell-kill by 1 to >3 log-folds. A significant reduction in the cytotoxicity of safingol-based drug combinations was observed in the presence of N-acetyl-L-cysteine, suggesting that ROS is an important factor in mediating the observed synergism. Taken together, our results suggest that the use of safingol-based drug combinations is promising as an effective strategy for cancer therapy and should be investigated.
HubMed – drug

 

Revisiting cutaneous adverse reactions to pemetrexed.

Filed under: Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation

Oncol Lett. 2011 Sep 1; 2(5): 769-772
Piérard-Franchimont C, Quatresooz P, Reginster MA, Piérard GE

Pemetrexed (Alimta®) is a multitargeted antifolate drug approved as a single agent or in combination with cisplatin for the treatment of a small number of malignancies including advanced and metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and malignant pleural mesothelioma. This review reports the recent peer-reviewed publications and original findings regarding cutaneous adverse reactions (CARs) to pemetrexed. Pemetrexed-related CARs are frequently reported under the unspecific term ‘skin rash’. However, more specific diseases were tentatively identified as alopecias, urticarial vasculitis, acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis, toxic epidermal necrolysis, radiation recall dermatitis and pityriasis lichenoides. Most of the skin reactions occur shortly after pemetrexed administration. As with methotrexate-related CARs, the cell cycle arrest in the S phase may be regarded as a direct and major cause of the cytotoxic pathobiology. An adverse immune reaction is unlikely. In conclusion, pemetrexed is responsible for CARs exhibiting a variety of clinical presentations. Their origin is likely attributed to direct cytotoxicity following the cell cycle arrest in the S phase and cell necrosis.
HubMed – drug

 

Burden of Crohn’s disease: economics and quality of life aspects in Italy.

Filed under: Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation

Clinicoecon Outcomes Res. 2012; 4: 209-218
Benedini V, Caporaso N, Corazza GR, Rossi Z, Fornaciari G, Cottone M, Frosini G, Caruggi M, Ottolini C, Colombo GL

BACKGROUND: This was a prospective observational study designed to evaluate direct and indirect costs and quality of life for patients with Crohn’s disease in Italy from the perspectives of the National Health System and of society. METHODS: A total of 162 male and female subjects aged 18-70 years with Crohn’s disease in the active phase and a Crohn’s Disease Activity Index score ?150 were included in the study. Subjects were recruited from 25 Italian centers on a consecutive basis. The study consisted of four visits undertaken every 6 months with a follow-up period of 18 months. The study started on September 1, 2006 and was completed on April 12, 2010. Multivariate analyses were carried out on demographic characteristics, treatment costs based on the prescribed daily dose, resource use and other cost parameters, and changes in quality of life using the EQ5D questionnaire. RESULTS: Cost of illness per subject with Crohn’s disease in Italy was estimated to be €15,521 per year, with direct costs representing 76% of total costs. Nonhealth care costs and loss of productivity accounted for 24% of total costs. Societal costs during the first months of enrolment were higher compared with costs in the final months of the study. Quality of life measured by the EQ-5D was 0.558 initially and then increased to 0.739, with a mean value of 0.677 during the enrolment period. The cost of illness was not correlated with age or gender. CONCLUSION: The cost of illness was correlated with quality of life; Crohn’s disease had a negative impact on subjects’ quality of life, and higher costs corresponded to a lower quality of life as measured with the EQ5D. Drug treatment may improve quality of life and reduce hospitalization costs. Our results appear to be in line with the results of other international cost-of-illness studies.
HubMed – drug

 

Gabapentin for once-daily treatment of post-herpetic neuralgia: a review.

Filed under: Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation

Clin Interv Aging. 2012; 7: 249-55
Beal B, Moeller-Bertram T, Schilling JM, Wallace MS

Post-herpetic neuralgia is a neuropathic pain syndrome resulting from an insult to the peripheral and central nervous systems caused by the varicella zoster virus. Spontaneous pain may result in the persistent sensation of burning, tingling, or aching and may be associated with thermally or mechanically provoked pain, resulting in hyperalgesia or allodynia. The majority of cases occur in patients over the age of 50 years. Gabapentin is a structural analog of gamma aminobutyric acid that binds to the ?(2)-? site of voltage-dependent calcium channels and modulates the influx of calcium, with a resulting reduction in excitatory neurotransmitter release. Gabapentin is effective in reducing neuropathic pain due to post-herpetic neuralgia when given at least three times per day, due to its short half-life, resulting in demonstrable fluctuations in plasma levels. Gabapentin has dose-limiting side effects that prevent some patients from achieving therapeutic plasma levels, such as somnolence (27.4%), dizziness (23.9%), and ataxia (7.1%). Gralise™ is a once-daily extended-release formulation of gabapentin that has been developed using AcuForm™ technology. AcuForm is a polymer-based drug delivery system that retains the tablet in the stomach and upper gastrointestinal tract for a sustained period of time. Once-daily dosing has been shown to provide comparable drug exposure with an identical daily dose of the immediate-release formulation when administered three times daily. Participants given Gralise 1800 mg daily had a statistically significant reduction in average daily pain intensity scores compared with placebo, reduced sleep interference due to pain, and a greater percent of participants reporting being much or very much improved on the patient global impression of change. An analysis comparing the efficacy and safety profiles in the aging population (?65 years) with those younger than 65 years showed that Gralise is effective and well tolerated in both age groups.
HubMed – drug

 


 

Staff Bio – Danuelle S. Las Vegas Drug and Alcohol rehab, call (702) 228-8520 – Danuelle Shiflet discusses her role on the admission team at Solutions Recovery, Inc. a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. To find out more about addictions and how to treat them visit our website at www.solutions-recovery.com

 

Gateway Rehabilitation CEO to retire in 2013

Filed under: Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation

Kenneth Ramsey, who oversaw the drug and alcohol rehabilitation center for 44 years, said Friday that he will remain involved as a consultant until December 2013. Gateway, a not-for-profit organization headquartered in Moon, began as a 28-day program …
Read more on Pittsburgh Post Gazette

 

'I didn't know I had a problem… until I ran out'

Filed under: Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation

Of the Keizertimes. “I didn't know I had a problem with cocaine until I ran out of it.” Statements like that are common among drug and alcohol rehabilitation patients, said Jerry Gjesvold, employee services manager at narcotic treatment center Serenity …
Read more on Keizertimes

 

Bucca rehab centre approved

Filed under: Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation

The development will be used for residential rehabilitation programs for men recovering from drug and alcohol problems and would provide short term accommodation for persons participating in registered programs of the group home operator.
Read more on Coffs Coast Advocate

 

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