Phase I study of the aurora A kinase inhibitor alisertib with induction chemotherapy in patients with acute myeloid leukemia

Aberrant expression of aurora kinase A is implicated in the genesis of various neoplasms, including acute myeloid leukemia. Alisertib, an aurora A kinase inhibitor, has demonstrated efficacy as monotherapy in trials of myeloid malignancy, and this efficacy appears enhanced in combination with conventional chemotherapies. In this phase I, dose-escalation study, newly diagnosed patients received conventional induction with cytarabine and idarubicin, after which alisertib was administered for 7 days. Dose escalation occurred via cohorts. Patients could then receive up to four cycles of consolidation, incorporating alisertib, and thereafter alisertib maintenance for up to 12 months. Twenty-two patients were enrolled. One dose limiting toxicity occurred at dose level 2 (prolonged thrombocytopenia), and the recommended phase 2 dose was established at 30mg twice daily. Common therapy-related toxicities included cytopenias and mucositis. Only three (14%) patients had persistent disease at mid-cycle, requiring “5+2” reinduction. The composite remission rate (complete remission and complete remission with incomplete neutrophil recovery) was 86% (nineteen of twenty-two patients; 90% CI 68–96%). Among those over age 65 and those with high-risk disease (secondary acute leukemia or cytogenetically high-risk disease), the composite remission rate was 88% and 100%, respectively. The median follow up was 13.5 months. Of those treated at the recommended phase 2 dose, the 12-month overall survival and progression-free survival were 62% (90% CI 33–81%) and 42% (90% CI 17–65%), respectively. Alisertib is well tolerated when combined with induction chemotherapy in acute myeloid leukemia, with a promising suggestion of efficacy. (clinicaltrials.gov Identifier:01779843)

Treatments of reverse osmosis concentrate using natural zeolites

The purpose of the current study is to experimentally investigate the reduction of sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) from a concentrated stream of reversed osmosis (RO) using natural zeolites. In order to reduce the salinity of solution, experiments were carried out using zeolites of varying concentration, pretreatment of adsorbents, and the addition of Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). The results show that both zeolites can be used in an RO brine treatment; however, Rhyolitic tuff is more effective than clinoptilolite for the reduction of water salinity. The experiments show that Rhyolitic tuff decreases salinity of RO concentrate to nearly one – third of the initial value. Statistical analyses show that the effect of zeolite concentration is negligible. Furthermore, the addition of EDTA and pretreatment of zeolite increase the SAR values

High-Dose Vitamin E Supplementation Has No Effect on Ethanol-Induced Pathological Liver Injury1

ABSTRACT ABBREViATIONS

Efficacy of Camellia sinensis extract against Candida species in patients with denture stomatitis

Background and Purpose: Denture stomatitis is a chronic inflammation disease of the oral mucosa, which is specified by erythematous lesions mainly in the upper palate. Nystatin as a polyene, a class of antifungal agents, is one of the effective drugs to treat denture stomatitis. Considering the expansion of utilizing herbal drugs to cure many kinds of diseases, the present study was conducted to investigate the effects of Camellia sinensis (green tea), which has the most chemical and influence similarity with nystatin, against denture stomatitis. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 22 patients with a positive mycological evidence for denture stomatitis caused by Candida species. The study population was divided into two groups, namely green tea and nystatin, receiving green tea mouthwash 0.5% and nystatin suspension 100,000 U/ml, respectively. The lesion size and number of yeast colonies were measured before and after the treatment. Results: According to the results, both groups showed reduced lesion size, clinical improvement, and significant reduction of Candida colony count in both group of patients were showedafter the therapeutic. Based on the results of polymerase chain reaction, Candida albicans was the most common species isolated from denture stomatitis. There was no significant difference between the two study groups in terms of Candida species distribution (P=0.700). Conclusion: Green tea demonstrated a comparable anti-Candida activity with regard to nystatin; therefore, it could be recommended as an alternative treatment. Keywords: Camellia sinensis, Candidiasis, Denture stomatitis, Green tea, Nystati