Literacy for Folklore and Cultural Reformations: It’s Perspective in the Control of HIV/AIDS

Since the inception of HIV/AIDS Programmes, massive awareness campaigns aimed at educating the populace on the dangers of HIV/AIDS have been on. It is observed that these awareness campaigns have not been matched with corresponding change in behaviour modification. Reports on HIV sentinel surveillance survey on Akwa Ibom State revealed a prevalence rate of 12.5% in 1999, 10.7% in 2001, 7.2% in 2003 and 8.0 in 2005. It is also documented that the Sub-Saharan African region records 2/3 of the total infection globally and constitutes 83% of death in the global index. The marginal increase from 7.2% to 8% in Akwa Ibom State and the high prevalence rate in the Sub-Saharan African is disturbing. This increase, as a matter of fact, is traceable to certain cultural/folklore inbuilt in lifestyles which has refused to change significantly with time. The writers advocate literacy for Folklore and Cultural Reformation viz a viz – Cultural dialogue and Behaviour Change Communication for HIV/AIDS Awareness, prevention and management. The paper argues that this approach could stem the alarming spread of HIV/AIDS, and its scourge on humanity

Phase I study of saracatinib (AZD0530) in combination with paclitaxel and/or carboplatin in patients with solid tumours

Background: As a prelude to combination studies aimed at resistance reversal, this dose-escalation/dose-expansion study investigated the selective Src kinase inhibitor saracatinib (AZD0530) in combination with carboplatin and/or paclitaxel. Methods: Patients with advanced solid tumours received saracatinib once-daily oral tablets in combination with either carboplatin AUC 5 every 3 weeks (q3w), paclitaxel 175 mg m−2 q3w, paclitaxel 80 mg m−2 every 1 week (q1w), or carboplatin AUC 5 plus paclitaxel 175 mg m−2 q3w. The primary endpoint was safety/tolerability. Results: A total of 116 patients received saracatinib 125 (N=20), 175 (N=44), 225 (N=40), 250 (N=9), or 300 mg (N=3). There were no clear dose-related trends within each chemotherapy regimen group in number or severity of adverse events (AEs). However, combining all groups, the occurrence of grade 3 asthenic AEs (all causality) was dose-related (125 mg, 10%; 175 mg, 20%; 225 mg, 33%), and grade 3 neutropenia occurred more commonly at doses 225 mg. There was no evidence that saracatinib affected exposure to carboplatin or paclitaxel, or vice versa. Objective responses were seen in 5 out of 44 patients (11%) receiving carboplatin plus paclitaxel q3w, and 5 out of 24 (21%) receiving paclitaxel q1w. Conclusion:  Saracatinib doses up to 175 mg with paclitaxel with/without carboplatin showed acceptable toxicity in most patients, and are suitable for further trials