Clinical role of obinutuzumab in the treatment of naive patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Sonia Cerquozzi,1 Carolyn Owen2 1Department of Hematology, University of Calgary, 2Department of Hematology, Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Calgary, AB, Canada Abstract: The introduction of targeted therapy against CD20+ with the monoclonal antibody rituximab has dramatically improved the survival of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma including chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/small lymphocytic lymphoma. Unfortunately, CLL remains incurable with chemoimmunotherapy, with many patients having refractory or relapsing disease after rituximab-containing therapy. Obinutuzumab (GA101) is a novel humanized Type II anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody that has been investigated and compared to rituximab. Here, we provide an overview of obinutuzumab, including its mechanisms of action, preclinical data, and Phase I to III clinical studies. Preclinical data illustrate obinutuzumab's higher potency compared to rituximab through antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and direct cell death. Recently, the CLL11 study presented a significant benefit from obinutuzumab chemoimmunotherapy and supports its use for treatment-naive unfit CLL patients. Herein, we review that obinutuzumab is both a safe and effective alternative to rituximab. Keywords: CLL, GA101, antibody, CD20&nbsp

Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm: challenges and future prospects

Amy M Trottier, Sonia Cerquozzi, Carolyn J Owen Division of Hematology and Hematological Malignancies, University of Calgary, Foothills Medical Centre, Calgary, AB, Canada Abstract: Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare CD4+ CD56+ myeloid malignancy that is challenging to diagnose and treat. BPDCN typically presents with nonspecific cutaneous lesions with or without extra-cutaneous manifestations before progressing to leukemia. Currently, there is no standard of care for the treatment of BPDCN and various approaches have been used including acute myeloid leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and lymphoma-based regimens with or without stem cell transplantation. Despite these treatment approaches, the prognosis of BPDCN remains poor and there is a lack of prospective data upon which to base treatment decisions. Recent work examining the mutational landscape and gene expression profiles of BPDCN has identified a number of potential therapeutic targets. One such target is CD123, the α subunit of the human interleukin-3 receptor, which is the subject of intervention studies using the novel agent SL-401. Other investigational therapies include UCART123, T-cell immunotherapy, and venetoclax. Prospective trials are needed to determine the best treatment for this uncommon and aggressive neoplasm. Keywords: BPDCN, myeloid, neoplasm, cutaneous, dendritic cel

Programma AGCOM ISBUL WP 1.1 - Infrastrutture di rete fissa NGAN

Questo documento è il Rapporto delle attività effettuate dal Politecnico di Milano nell’ambito del programma di studio e ricerca "Infrastrutture e Servizi a Banda Larga e Ultralarga" (ISBUL) per il Work Package 1.1. Lo studio riguarda l’infrastruttura della rete di accesso di nuova generazione (Next Generation Access Network, NGAN), ossia la sezione di accesso in fibra ottica delle reti NGN (Next Generation Network). Le NGN comprendono, inoltre, altre due sezioni di rete: la rete metropolitana (Metro Network) e la rete dorsale a lunga distanza (Backbone Network). La NGAN prevede l’impiego di sistemi in fibra ottica sia nella attuale rete di giunzione (collegamenti SGU-SL tra Stadi di Gruppo e Stadi di Linea) che nella rete di distribuzione d’utente. L’infrastruttura NGAN realizzerà in modo integrato sia gli allacciamenti a banda ultralarga (almeno 30 Mbit/s) per l’utenza residenziale e affari, con architetture del tipo FTTx (Fiber To The X), sia la connettività (mobile backhaul) tra le numerose stazioni radio necessarie per i sistemi wireless 3G/4G, tipicamente HSPA e LTE. Il corpo del documento è articolato nei seguenti cinque capitoli. Inoltre, due annessi presentano informazioni aggiuntive che completano la trattazione svolta nei capitoli precedenti

The cooperation agreement beetwen the university of l'Aquila, Italy and the Marat Ospanov west-Kazakistan stare medical university, the republic of Kazakistan: a successful story fron academy to bench

During the spring-summer of 2014, the first exchange program foreseen the research mobility from Kazakhstan to Italy. An academic staff member and a PhD student of the Marat Ospanov WestKazakhstan State Medical University spent three months of research internship to the Laboratories of Reproductive Biotechnology, University of L’Aquila. The research topic focused on one of the most dramatic environmental problems, the desiccation of the Aral Sea, which is having serious effects on the human health due to the consequent abuse of pesticides for agricultural purposes. The project, activated in the framework of the Cooperation Agreement, was finalized to study the female reproductive toxicity, with a morphological approach, of one of the most persistent pesticide found in the Aral Sea area, the γ-exachloroexane or Lindane. Thank to the use of Scanning Electron Microscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy of the Centre for Electron Microscopies, University of L’Aquila and the Laboratory of Electron Microscopy “Pietro Motta”, La Sapienza University of Rome, it have been producing evidences of the dose-dependant harmful effects against granulosa cells and oocytes in mammals. Part of results has been used for an undergraduate thesis and a PhD dissertation. The study is still ongoing but preliminary results have been diffused to national (Italian) and international Congresses as oral communication and poster presentations. Manuscripts to be submitted in peer reviewed journals are in preparation