Targeted treatment of folate receptor-positive platinum-resistant ovarian cancer and companion diagnostics, with specific focus on vintafolide and etarfolatide

Among the gynecological malignancies, ovarian cancer is the leading cause of mortality in developed countries. Treatment of ovarian cancer is based on surgery integrated with chemotherapy. Platinum-based drugs (cisplatin and carboplatin) comprise the core of first-line chemotherapy for patients with advanced ovarian cancer. Platinum-resistant ovarian cancer can be treated with cytotoxic chemotherapeutics such as paclitaxel, topotecan, PEGylated liposomal doxorubicin, or gemcitabine, but many patients eventually relapse on treatment. Targeted therapies based on agents specifically directed to overexpressed receptors, or to selected molecular targets, may be the future of clinical treatment. In this regard, overexpression of folate receptor-α on the surface of almost all epithelial ovarian cancers makes this receptor an excellent “tumor-associated antigen”. With appropriate use of spacers/linkers, folate-targeted drugs can be distributed within the body, where they preferentially bind to ovarian cancer cells and are released inside their target cells. Here they can exert their desired cytotoxic function. Based on this strategy, 12 years after it was first described, a folate-targeted vinblastine derivative has now reached Phase III clinical trials in ovarian cancer. This review examines the importance of folate targeting, the state of the art of a vinblastine folate-targeted agent (vintafolide) for treating platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, and its diagnostic companion (etarfolatide) as a prognostic agent. Etarfolatide is a valuable noninvasive diagnostic imaging agent with which to select ovarian cancer patient populations that may benefit from this specific targeted therapy

Hyaluronic Acid Conjugates as Vectors for the Active Targeting of Drugs, Genes and Nanocomposites in Cancer Treatment

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally-occurring glycosaminoglycan and a major component of the extracellular matrix. Low levels of the hyaluronic acid receptor CD44 are found on the surface of epithelial, hematopoietic, and neuronal cells; it is overexpressed in many cancer cells, and in particular in tumor-initiating cells. HA has recently attracted considerable interest in the field of developing drug delivery systems, having been used, as such or encapsulated in different types of nanoassembly, as ligand to prepare nano-platforms for actively targeting drugs, genes, and diagnostic agents. This review describes recent progress made with the several chemical strategies adopted to synthesize conjugates and prepare novel delivery systems with improved behaviors

Ozonated oils as antimicrobial systems in topical applications. Their characterization, current applications, and advances in improved delivery techniques

The search for a wide spectrum of antimicrobial agents that can avoid resistance while maintaining reasonable side effects has led to ozonated oils experiencing an increase in scientific interest and clinical applications. The treatment of vegetable oils with ozone leads to the creation of a reservoir of ozone that slowly releases into the skin thanks to the fact that ozone can be held as ozonides of unsaturated fatty acids. Interest in the use of ozonated oils has meant that several ozonated-vegetable-oil-containing products have been commercialized as cosmetic and pharmaceutical agents, and in innovative textile products with antibacterial activity. New approaches to the delivery of ozonated oils have very recently appeared in an attempt to improve their characteristics and reduce drawbacks, such as an unpleasant odor, high viscosity and undesired effects on skin, including irritation and rashes. The present review focuses on the current status of delivery agents that use ozonated oils as antimicrobial agents in topical (dermal, skin, and soft tissues) treatments. Challenges and future opportunities for these delivery systems will also be discussed

Avatares dos vínculos de transferência na pandemia de Covid-19 e no pós-pandemia

As part of the research project "Teacher’s subjectivities and transference links in the classroom", from the Psychology chair of Human Sciences College at National University of La Pampa, we systematized information from autobiographical narratives collected during the seminar “Tansference links in the neopandemic. Subjective effects on children, youth and adults and educational institutions”. The stories about school situations in pandemic, and after the return to face-to-face, enabled the analysis of the challenges of this transfer during times of exceptionality, as well as the subjective impact and link in the return to the classroom. Subjective differences, socioeconomic inequalities, affective disconnection or bond fragility, although they were observed prior to MPSI (Mandatory Preventive Social Isolation), seem to have deepened during the pandemic. Consequently, new challenges arise to strengthen the pedagogical bond in the face-to-face modality and, when applied, in the hybrid modality.Como parte del proyecto de investigación “Subjetividades docentes y vínculos transferenciales en el aula” de la cátedra de Psicología de la Facultad de Ciencias Humanas de la UNLPam, sistematizamos información a partir de narraciones autobiográficas recogidas durante el seminario Los vínculos transferenciales en la neopandemia. Efectos subjetivantes en niñes, jóvenes y adultas/os/es e instituciones educativas.Los relatos sobre situaciones escolares en pandemia, y tras el regreso a la presencialidad, permitieron analizar los avatares de la transferencia durante los tiempos de excepcionalidad, así como el impacto subjetivo y vincular en el regreso a las aulas. Las diferencias subjetivas, las desigualdades socioeconómicas, la desconexión afectiva o la fragilidad vincular, si bien se observaban previo al ASPOi, parecen haberse profundizado durante la pandemia.En consecuencia, se presentan nuevos desafíos para fortalecer el vínculo pedagógico en la modalidad presencial y, cuando se aplica, en la modalidad híbrida.Como parte do projeto de pesquisa "Ensinando subjetividades e vínculos de transferência em sala de aula" do Departamento de Psicologia da Faculdade de Ciências Humanas da UNLPam, sistematizamos informações a partir de narrativas autobiográficas coletadas durante o seminário Os vínculos de transferência na neopandemia. Efeitos subjetivos em crianças, jovens e adultos e instituições educacionais. As histórias sobre situações escolares em pandemia, e após o regresso ao presencial, permitiram analisar as vicissitudes da transferência em tempos de excecionalidade, bem como o impacto subjetivo e o vínculo no regresso à sala de aula. Diferenças subjetivas, desigualdades socioeconômicas, desconexão afetiva ou fragilidade de vínculos, embora observadas antes da ASPO, parecem ter se aprofundado durante a pandemia. Consequentemente, surgem novos desafios para fortalecer o vínculo pedagógico na modalidade presencial e, quando aplicado, na modalidade híbrida