Retraction: a novel combination of Chinese medicines to treat advanced cancers and lymphomas tested in rats

<p>Abstract</p> <p/> <p>The author has withdrawn this article <abbrgrp><abbr bid="B1">1</abbr></abbrgrp> from the public domain because they did not have permission to use the data that was presented within. In the light of this situation, BioMed Central regrets that this article is no longer available. The author apologises to all parties for the inconvenience.</p

Brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål), genome: putative underpinnings of polyphagy, insecticide resistance potential and biology of a top worldwide pest

Background Halyomorpha halys (Stål), the brown marmorated stink bug, is a highly invasive insect species due in part to its exceptionally high levels of polyphagy. This species is also a nuisance due to overwintering in human-made structures. It has caused significant agricultural losses in recent years along the Atlantic seaboard of North America and in continental Europe. Genomic resources will assist with determining the molecular basis for this species’ feeding and habitat traits, defining potential targets for pest management strategies. Results Analysis of the 1.15-Gb draft genome assembly has identified a wide variety of genetic elements underpinning the biological characteristics of this formidable pest species, encompassing the roles of sensory functions, digestion, immunity, detoxification and development, all of which likely support H. halys’ capacity for invasiveness. Many of the genes identified herein have potential for biomolecular pesticide applications. Conclusions Availability of the H. halys genome sequence will be useful for the development of environmentally friendly biomolecular pesticides to be applied in concert with more traditional, synthetic chemical-based controls

Antisense oligonucleotides as therapeutics for the treatment of aggressive breast cancer

There are many drugs currently available for the treatment of aggressive breast cancer. These include anthracyclines, taxanes, alkylating agents, anti-metabolites, plant alkaloids, nucleoside analogues and anti-hormonal agents. Unfortunately, even armed with this impressive arsenal, there has been little ground gained in terms of disease free years or reduced mortality for what is an essentially incurable disease in the metastatic state. Clearly, we need to improve upon the therapies available for these patients. A key step toward this goal is the development of reproducible and relevant models in which newly developed drugs may be tested. This thesis outlines the characterisation of what is anticipated to be a powerful human xenograft model of aggressive breast cancer, that of the MDA435/LCC6 cell line. This cell line may be grown easily in vitro, as well as an ascitic or as a solid tumour in mice. In order to have a major impact in the field of breast cancer treatment, it will not suffice to develop yet another cytotoxic agent. Instead, we must turn to the newer technologies, including gene targeted therapies, which target the molecular root of the disease. This work includes the use of both free antisense oligonucleotides (ODN), as well as those formulated within a lipid carrier. These encapsulated ODN are retained in the circulation for a longer period of time, are less susceptible to the actions of nucleases, and due to pharmacokinetic and pharmacodistribution properties of the liposomal carrier, result in enhanced tumour cell uptake of the ODN. Finally, ODN, both free and liposome encapsulated, were administered to tumour bearing female SCID/Rag2m mice, either singly or in combination with a commonly used anticancer agent (doxorubicin). It is shown that ODN are capable of mediating the specific down-regulation of the target protein as well as impacting the rate of tumour growth. It is the intention of the author to demonstrate the necessity for not only good models and newly developed and specifically targeted therapeutic agents, but that we must also consider the use of combination strategies in the treatment of aggressive breast cancer such that current mortality statistics may be improved.Medicine, Faculty ofPathology and Laboratory Medicine, Department ofGraduat

A novel combination of Chinese medicines to treat advanced cancers and lymphomas in rats

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Chinese medicine often targets more than one system and as such comprises several compounds, often in non-purified form, with treatments therefore consisting of whole extracts of herbs rather than isolated compounds. The additive and synergistic effects of the phytochemicals in OMN54, a novel mixture of extracts from three commonly used Chinese medicine components; <it>Ganoderma lucidum</it>, <it>Salvia miltiorrhiza </it>and <it>Scutellaria barbata</it>, were previously demonstrated to have potent anti-cancer activity. This study aims to test whether this heterogeneous, multifunctional and multitargeted agent has an acceptable toxicity profile.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We conducted preliminary and formal preclinical tolerability determination of OMN54 in Sprague-Dawley rats. In the preliminary study rats were given OMN54 by oral feeding daily for 14 days at doses of 1000 mg/kg, 1750 mg/kg, 2500 mg/kg or 3000 mg/kg per day. A subsequent daily dosing (x 28, 60, 120 or 180) formal toxicology study was conducted in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats at a dose of single dose of 2000 mg/kg/day.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Significant body weight loss was noted in one of the rats treated at 3000 mg/kg/day, with decline beginning study day 11. This animal experienced mild GI toxicity in the form of diarrhoea. Gross observation indicated kidney damage (pale kidneys) in both this group and in one rat treated at 2500 mg/kg/day. For the later studies, no body weight loss was noted over the course of the study. Blood counts and chemistry were not substantially altered following administration of OMN54, nor were there any findings on histological assessment of organs.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>OMN54 was found to be well tolerated in rat models. OMN54 did not cause any microscopic, anatomic or pathologic changes in exposed animals at the concentrations and under the conditions employed in this study.</p