Photoactivatable prodrugs of antimelanoma agent Vemurafenib

In this study, we report on novel photoactivatable caged prodrugs of vemurafenib. This kinase inhibitor was the first approved drug for the personalized treatment of BRAF-mutated melanoma and showed impressive results in clinical studies. However, the occurrence of severe side effects and drug resistance illustrates the urgent need for innovative therapeutic approaches. To conquer these limitations, we implemented photoremovable protecting groups into vemurafenib. In general, this caging concept provides spatial and temporal control over the activation of molecules triggered by ultraviolet light. Thus, higher inhibitor concentrations in tumor tissues might be reached with less systemic effects. Our study describes the first development of caged vemurafenib prodrugs useful as pharmacological tools. We investigated their photochemical characteristics and photoactivation. <i>In vitro</i> evaluation proved the intended loss-of-function and the light-dependent recovery of efficacy in kinase and cellular assays. The reported vemurafenib photo prodrugs represent a powerful biological tool for novel pharmacological approaches in cancer research

Solution and molecular modeling studies on some bivalent metal complexes of higher analogues of biologically active 1,3-diaryl-4, 5, 6-pyrimidinetrione- 2-thioxo-5-oxime

1076-1081Thermodynamic proton-ligand stability constants of 1,3-diethylphenyl-4,5,6- pyrimidinetrione-2-thioxo-5-oxime (and the thermodynamic metal ligand stability constants) with some bivalent metal ions were determined by potentiometric measurements in 75% (v/v) aqueous-dioxan medium at different temperatures ranging from 25° C to 35° C. The acidity and stability constants vary according to the kind of substitution at the 1- and 3- positions of the pyrimidine ring. The order of stability constants is UO22+> Cu2+>Ni2+>Co2+ >Zn2+ >Cd2+ >Mn2+ >Mg2+. The values of Smin (χ2) have also been calculated. The thermodynamic functions for the stepwise complexation processes are calculated at 25±0.5oC. Molecular modeling studies have also been carried out on the ligand and complexes, the results of which corroborate the experimental findings

Anaesthesia in Congenital Facial Anomalies in a Rural Set up of a Developing Country

Background: India has an estimated backlog of 1000000 cleft patients. A total of 35000 new cleft patients are born each year. With the capacity to operate on approximately 50000 patients each year only 15000 patients from the national backlog can be operated upon each year if capability is not augmented. Objectives: To reach the population at large we meticulously planned an out-reach programme and operated on patients even in rural set ups with lack of modern facilities. We operated on patients at sub divisional centres, where apparatus for providing sevoflurane was not available. Institutional Ethical clearance was taken before conduction of the study. Patients who required prolonged surgery were taken to the tertiary centre. Working ventilators were also not available at peripheral centres. Materials and Methods: This interventional study was carried in a time span of four years on nineteen hundred and nine patients, after taking approval from the Institutional Ethical Committee. Patients were screened and some were operated at rural centers and others at a tertiary care centre. Patients who could not afford to come to the tertiary care centre were operated at different rural centers. Informed consent was taken. Results: There were 1909 patients with Congenital Facial Anomalies (CFA) over four years period out of which 918 patients were of either unilateral or bilateral cleft lip. They were successfully operated at rural health centers with limited facilities. This could reduce the total load of surgeries for CFA at tertiary care hospital ensuring safe surgeries for all with CFA for all age groups and both genders.No mortality was recorded and post operative complications consisted of nausea and vomiting, three had delayed recovery and one had laryngospasm. Conclusion: Outreach programmes can increase the efficacy of Smile Train Project and effective screening of patients before surgery can result in fruitful outcomes even in a rural set up with lack of modern anaesthetic facilities

Supplementary Material for: Pharmacoeconomic Implications of Lenalidomide Maintenance Therapy in Multiple Myeloma

We compared the three arms of the MM-015 randomized phase III clinical trial [melphalan and prednisone (MP), MP plus lenalidomide (MPR), and MPR plus lenalidomide maintenance (MPR-R)] to determine whether the addition of lenalidomide maintenance therapy for primary treatment of multiple myeloma is cost-effective. We used progression-free survival and adverse event data from the MM-015 study for the analysis. Two novel measures of cost-effectiveness termed the Average Cumulative Cost per Patient (ACCP) and the Average Cumulative Cost per Progression-Free Survivor (ACCPFS) were developed for the purpose of this analysis. The ACCP of MP was USD 18,218, compared to USD 167,862 for MPR and USD 309,173 for MPR-R. The ACCPFS was highest with MPR at USD 1,555,443, while MP was USD 313,592 and MPR-R was USD 690,111. MPR-R is superior to MPR in terms of preventing the first progression after initial therapy. However, the addition of lenalidomide to MP in the induction and also in the maintenance setting leads to significant costs