Voltage controlled terahertz transmission through GaN quantum wells

We report measurements of radiation transmission in the 0.220--0.325 THz frequency domain through GaN quantum wells grown on sapphire substrates at room and low temperatures. A significant enhancement of the transmitted beam intensity with the applied voltage on the devices under test is found. For a deeper understanding of the physical phenomena involved, these results are compared with a phenomenological theory of light transmission under electric bias relating the transmission enhancement to changes in the differential mobility of the two-dimensional electron gas

Phase II study of single-agent bosutinib, a Src/Abl tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer pretreated with chemotherapy

Background: This phase II study evaluated single-agent bosutinib in pretreated patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer. Patients and methods: Patients received oral bosutinib 400 mg/day. The primary end point was the progression-free survival (PFS) rate at 16 weeks. Secondary end points included objective response rate, clinical benefit rate, 2-year overall survival rate, safety, and changes in levels of bone resorption/formation biomarkers. Results: Seventy-three patients were enrolled and treated. Median time from diagnosis of metastatic disease to initiation of bosutinib treatment was 24.5 months. For the intent-to-treat population, the PFS rate at 16 weeks was 39.6%. Unexpectedly, all responding patients (n = 4) were hormone receptor positive. The clinical benefit rate was 27.4%. The 2-year overall survival rate was 26.4%. The main toxic effects were diarrhea (66%), nausea (55%), and vomiting (47%). Grade 3-4 laboratory aminotransferase elevations occurred in 14 (19%) patients. Myelosuppression was minimal. No consistent changes in the levels of bone resorption/formation biomarkers were seen. Conclusions: Bosutinib showed promising efficacy in prolonging time to progression in chemotherapy-pretreated patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer. Bosutinib was generally well tolerated, with a safety profile different from that of the Src/Abl tyrosine kinase inhibitor dasatinib in a similar patient population

Phase I-II study of plitidepsin and dacarbazine as first-line therapy for advanced melanoma

BACKGROUND: This phase I–II trial compared plitidepsin 1-h infusion alone or combined with dacarbazine (DTIC) 1-h infusion as front-line therapy for advanced melanoma. METHODS: The recommended dose (RD) for plitidepsin/DTIC was defined in the first stage. In the second stage, patients were randomised to receive single-agent plitidepsin 3.2 mg m(−2) (n=20) on days 1, 8 and 15 every 4 weeks (q4wk) or plitidepsin 2.4 mg m(−2) on days 1, 8 and 15 q4wk combined with DTIC 800 mg m(−2) q4wk (n=38). RESULTS: The overall response rate with plitidepsin/DTIC was 21.4% all responders had normal serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels and performance status ⩽1 at baseline. Median progression-free survival (PFS) with plitidepsin/DTIC was 3.3 months in all patients, and 4.3 months in those with baseline normal LDH. No responses occurred with single-agent plitidepsin and median PFS was 1.5 months. Both regimens were well tolerated. Haematological abnormalities were more common and transaminase increases more severe with plitidepsin/DTIC. Treatment-related transaminase increases leading to infusion omission on day 8 were relatively common. No drug–drug pharmacokinetic interactions were found. CONCLUSION: This plitidepsin/DTIC schedule has antitumour activity and manageable toxicity in advanced melanoma. Further evaluation of plitidepsin 2.4 mg m(−2) fortnightly and DTIC 800 mg m(−2) q4wk is recommended