Drug Repurposing in Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma: Old Solutions for New Problems

Lung cancer is the second most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in 2022. The majority (80%) of lung cancer cases belong to the non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) subtype. Despite the increased screening efforts, the median five-year survival of metastatic NSCLC remains low at approximately 3%. Common treatment approaches for NSCLC include surgery, multimodal chemotherapy, and concurrent radio and chemotherapy. NSCLC exhibits high rates of resistance to treatment, driven by its heterogeneity and the plasticity of cancer stem cells (CSCs). Drug repurposing offers a faster and cheaper way to develop new antineoplastic purposes for existing drugs, to help overcome therapy resistance. The decrease in time and funds needed stems from the availability of the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs to be repurposed. This review provides a synopsis of the drug-repurposing approaches and mechanisms of action of potential candidate drugs used in treating NSCLC, including but not limited to antihypertensives, anti-hyperlipidemics, anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-diabetics, and anti-microbials

Azo Pigment and a Basal Cell Carcinoma at the Thumb

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common malignant neoplasm of the skin, whereas the localization at the nail unit is very rare. We report the case of a 58-year-old patient with a periungual basal cell carcinoma at the thumb. The specific feature of the reported case is the frequent exposure to fishing baits that the patient had stained with an unknown colorant. The use of chromatography, mass spectrometry and infrared spectroscopy revealed the colorant as the azo pigment Solvent Red 8. Solvent Red 8 is a widespread synthetic azo pigment that is applied to stain consumer products. Compounds such as Solvent Red 8 can be cleaved to carcinogenic amines under, for example, light exposure, in particular after incorporation into the human body. As a result of the frequent skin contact to this azo pigment, this hazard compound might have induced the basal cell carcinoma in our patient

Data_Sheet_1_The under investigated facet of the COVID-19 pandemic: Molecular analysis of secondary bacterial infections at a COVID dedicated intensive care unit within a tertiary care center in Lebanon.PDF

BackgroundThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread worldwide. Secondary bacterial infections are associated with unfavorable outcomes in respiratory viral infections. This study aimed at determining the prevalence of secondary bacterial infections in COVID-19 patients admitted at a tertiary medical center in Lebanon.MethodologyFrom May till November, 2020, a total of 26 Gram-negative isolates were recovered from 16 patients during the course of their COVID-19 infection with Escherichia coli being the most prevalent. The isolates were assessed for their antimicrobial susceptibility by broth microdilution against 19 antimicrobial agents from different classes. Whole genome sequencing of 13 isolates allowed the mining of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) determinants as well as mobile genetic elements and sequence types (ST). Finally, broth microdilution with three different efflux pump inhibitors [theobromine, conessine and PheArg-β-naphthylamide (PAβN)] was done.ResultsAntimicrobial susceptibility testing showed that out of the 26 Gram-negative isolates, 1 (4%) was extensively drug resistant and 14 (54%) were multi-drug resistant (MDR). Whole genome sequencing results revealed a plethora of AMR determinants among the 13 sequenced isolates. Moreover, the 9 Enterobacterales and 4 Pseudomonas aeruginosa sequenced isolates belonged to 9 and 2 different ST, respectively. Using a variety of efflux pump inhibitors we demonstrated that only PAβN had a significant effect when combined with levofloxacin, and the latter regained its activity against two P. aeruginosa isolates.ConclusionThe identification of carbapenem and colistin resistant Gram-negative bacilli causing secondary bacterial infections in critical patients diagnosed with COVID-19 should be of high concern. Additionally, it is crucial to monitor and track AMR, post-COVID pandemic, in order to better understand the effect of this disease on AMR exacerbation.</p

Health risks of tattoo colors

The number of tattooed individuals has increased significantly, especially among youth. In the United States ∼24% of the population is tattooed [1], whereas in Europe it is ∼10% [2]. Cosmetic tattoos (permanent make up) to mimic eye, lip or eyebrow-liner, have also become increasingly popular [3]. Tattoos or permanent make-up are simply performed by injection of colorants into the skin using solid needles. Injury of the skin and the application of unregulated colorants cause health problems in humans [4]. A survey is being performed by the Department of Dermatology of the University of Regensburg in order to elucidate the frequency of medical problems with tattoos [5], in particular after laser treatment [6]