Lack of Cetuximab induced skin toxicity in a previously irradiated field: case report and review of the literature

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Mutation, amplification or dysregulation of the EGFR family leads to uncontrolled division and predisposes to cancer. Inhibiting the EGFR represents a form of targeted cancer therapy.</p> <p>Case report</p> <p>We report the case of 79 year old gentlemen with a history of skin cancer involving the left ear who had radiation and surgical excision. He had presented with recurrent lymph node in the left upper neck. We treated him with radiation therapy concurrently with Cetuximab. He developed a skin rash over the face and neck area two weeks after starting Cetuximab, which however spared the previously irradiated area.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The etiology underlying the sparing of the previously irradiated skin maybe due to either decrease in the population of EGFR expressing cells or decrease in the EGFR expression.</p> <p>We raised the question that "Is it justifiable to use EGFR inhibitors for patients having recurrence in the previously irradiated field?" We may need further research to answer this question which may guide the physicians in choosing appropriate drug in this scenario.</p

Bio-relevant complexes of novel N2O2 type heterocyclic ligand: Synthesis, structural elucidation, biological evaluation and docking studies

Organic and inorganic entities [Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II)] have been bridged by N2O2 type heterocyclic imine (-C=N) ligand for the synthesis of novel organic-inorganic bridged complexes of the type [M(H2L)]. The synthesized complexes were characterized by spectral techniques such as FT-IR, UV-visible, H-1 NMR, C-13 NMR, EPR, ESI-Mass, elemental analysis, magnetic susceptibility and molar conductivity measurements. The metal complexes adopt square planar geometrical arrangement around the metal ions. DNA binding ability of these complexes has been explored by different techniques viz, electronic absorption, fluorescence, cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry and viscosity measurements. These studies prove that CT DNA interaction of the complexes follows intercalation mode. The oxidative cleavage of the complexes with pUC19 DNA has been investigated by gel electrophoresis. Molecular docking calculations have been performed to understand the nature of binding of the complexes with DNA. Moreover, the anti-pathogenic actions of the complexes were tested in vitro against few bacteria and fungi by disk diffusion method. The data reveal that the complexes have higher anti-pathogenic activity than the ligand. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Evaluation of the effectiveness of a novel oral formulation of sarolaner (Simparica™) for the treatment and control of fleas on dogs

AbstractThe efficacy of a single oral dose of a novel isoxazoline, sarolaner (Simparica™, Zoetis), for the treatment and control of flea infestations on dogs was confirmed in five laboratory studies. The studies were conducted using adult purpose-bred Beagles and/or mixed breed dogs. All animals were individually identified and housed, and were allocated randomly to treatment with either placebo or sarolaner (eight to 10 per group) based on pretreatment parasite counts. Three studies used cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis felis) strains recently isolated from the field from the US, EU, or Australia; in the fourth study a laboratory strain (KS1) with documented tolerance to a number of insecticides such as fipronil, imidacloprid, and permethrin was used. In the fifth study, dogs were infested with dog fleas, Ctenocephalides canis. Dogs were treated orally on Day 0 with a placebo or a sarolaner tablet providing a minimum dose of 2mg/kg. Dogs were infested with approximately 100 unfed, adult fleas prior to treatment and at weekly intervals post-treatment. Comb counts were conducted to determine the numbers of viable fleas at 24h after treatment and after each subsequent infestation. Efficacy against C. felis and C. canis was 99.8–100% from treatment through Day 35. In all five studies, elimination of existing infestations was achieved within 24h after dosing, with only a single live C. felis found on one dog on Day 1. Similarly, control of flea challenges was achieved within 24h after infestation throughout the 35day study periods, with only single live C. felis found on two dogs on Day 28 in one study, and on a single dog on Day 35 in another study. There were no adverse reactions to treatment with sarolaner. These studies confirmed that a single oral dose of sarolaner at 2mg/kg provided highly effective treatment of existing C. felis infestations and persistent control of C. felis on dogs for 35days after treatment. Efficacy equivalent to that seen with C. felis was confirmed against C. canis and a known insecticide-tolerant strain of C. felis