Galectin-3C Inhibits Tumor Growth and Increases the Anticancer Activity of Bortezomib in a Murine Model of Human Multiple Myeloma

Galectin-3 is a human lectin involved in many cellular processes including differentiation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, neoplastic transformation, and metastasis. We evaluated galectin-3C, an N-terminally truncated form of galectin-3 that is thought to act as a dominant negative inhibitor, as a potential treatment for multiple myeloma (MM). Galectin-3 was expressed at varying levels by all 9 human MM cell lines tested. In vitro galectin-3C exhibited modest anti-proliferative effects on MM cells and inhibited chemotaxis and invasion of U266 MM cells induced by stromal cell-derived factor (SDF)-1α. Galectin-3C facilitated the anticancer activity of bortezomib, a proteasome inhibitor approved by the FDA for MM treatment. Galectin-3C and bortezomib also synergistically inhibited MM-induced angiogenesis activity in vitro. Delivery of galectin-3C intravenously via an osmotic pump in a subcutaneous U266 cell NOD/SCID mouse model of MM significantly inhibited tumor growth. The average tumor volume of bortezomib-treated animals was 19.6% and of galectin-3C treated animals was 13.5% of the average volume of the untreated controls at day 35. The maximal effect was obtained with the combination of galectin-3C with bortezomib that afforded a reduction of 94% in the mean tumor volume compared to the untreated controls at day 35. In conclusion, this is the first study to show that inhibition of galectin-3 is efficacious in a murine model of human MM. Our results demonstrated that galectin-3C alone was efficacious in a xenograft mouse model of human MM, and that it enhanced the anti-tumor activity of bortezomib in vitro and in vivo. These data provide the rationale for continued testing of galectin-3C towards initiation of clinical trials for treatment of MM

A Review on Oral Strip Technology: A Feasible Technique to Improve Patient Compliance by Oral Route

Oral Strip Technology (OST) is one of the Oral drug delivery systemwhichever the currentyears gaining much attention and this technology is attracting many of the research groups toconcentrate their research onit. Dysphasia is common problem seen in pediatrics and geriatric patient’s population due to administration of monolithic solid dosage forms which are also seen in the case of fast dissolving tablets considering the size of the tablets and this problem is eliminated with introduction of OST. OST is mainly used for buccoadhesive systems in which they are retained in the oral cavity to release drug in controlled manner. This technology has also been used for local action and rapid release products.Strips are ease of handling and administration, transportability, high stability, no special packaging material and/or processing requirements, no requirement of water for application. The advantage of OST over Orally Disintegrating Tablets is that the OST is relatively easy to fabricate whereas ODTs requires complicated and expensive process used to manufacture thus increasing the overall cost of the therapy. This review article enlightens the present and future perspective of OST along with its materials used for formulation, method of preparation, evaluation and benefits.