First-in-Human Assessment of cRGD-ZW800-1, a Zwitterionic, Integrin-Targeted, Near-Infrared Fluorescent Peptide in Colon Carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Incomplete oncologic resections and damage to vital structures during colorectal cancer surgery increases morbidity and mortality. Moreover, neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy has become the standard treatment modality for locally advanced rectal cancer, where subsequent downstaging can make identification of the primary tumor more challenging during surgery. Near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging can aid surgeons by providing real-time visualization of tumors and vital structures during surgery. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We present the first-in-human clinical experience of a novel NIR fluorescent peptide, cRGD-ZW800-1, for the detection of colon cancer. cRGD-ZW800-1 was engineered to have an overall zwitterionic chemical structure and neutral charge to lower nonspecific uptake and thus background fluorescent signal. We performed a phase I study in 11 healthy volunteer as well as a phase II feasibility study in 12 patients undergoing an elective colon resection, assessing 0.005, 0.015, and 0.05 mg/kg cRGD-ZW800-1 for the intraoperative visualization of colon cancer. RESULTS: cRGD-ZW800-1 appears safe, and exhibited rapid elimination into urine after a single low intravenous dose. Minimal invasive intraoperative visualization of colon cancer through full-thickness bowel wall was possible after an intravenous bolus injection of 0.05 mg/kg at least 2 hours prior to surgery. Longer intervals between injection and imaging improved the tumor-to-background ratio. CONCLUSIONS: cRGD-ZW800-1 enabled fluorescence imaging of colon cancer in both open and minimal invasive surgeries. Further development of cRGD-ZW800-1 for widespread use in cancer surgery may be warranted given the ubiquitous overexpression of various integrins on different types of tumors and their vasculature.

Safety Assessment of Polyquaternium-22 and Polyquarternium-39 as Used in Cosmetics.

Polyquaternium-22 and polyquaternium-39 are polymers that function as antistatic agents, film formers, and hair fixatives in cosmetic products. These ingredients are being used at concentrations up to 2% (polyquaternium-22, in a rinse-off product) and up to 3% (polyquaternium-39, in rinse-off and leave-on products). The unreacted monomer content of these ingredients was considered low and of no toxicological concern. Limited data showed no skin irritation/sensitization. Although these ingredients were nongenotoxic in bacterial assays, mammalian genotoxicity, carcinogenicity, and reproductive and developmental toxicity data were not available. These polymers, however, are large, highly polar molecules that would likely not be absorbed, and neither local effects in the respiratory tract nor systemic toxicity are expected following product application/exposure. The Expert Panel concluded that polyquaternium-22 and polyquaternium-39 are safe in the present practices of use and concentration in cosmetic formulations.

Assessment of didecyldimethylammonium chloride as a ballast water treatment method.

Ballast water-mediated transfer of aquatic invasive species is considered a major threat to marine biodiversity, marine industry and human health. A ballast water treatment is needed to comply with International Maritime Organization (IMO) ballast water discharge regulations. Didecyldimethylammonium chloride (DDAC) was tested for its applicability as a ballast water treatment method. The treatment of the marine phytoplankton species Tetraselmis suecica, Isochrysis galbana and Chaetoceros calcitrans showed that at 2.5 µL L(-1) DDAC was able to inactivate photosystem II (PSII) efficiency and disintegrate the cells after 5 days of dark incubation. The treatment of natural marine plankton communities with 2.5 µL L(-1) DDAC did not sufficiently decrease zooplankton abundance to comply with the IMO D-2 standard. Bivalve larvae showed the highest resistance to DDAC. PSII efficiency was inactivated within 5 days but phytoplankton cells remained intact. Regrowth occurred within 2 days of incubation in the light. However, untreated phytoplankton exposed to residual DDAC showed delayed cell growth and reduced PSII efficiency, indicating residual DDAC toxicity. Natural marine plankton communities treated with 5 µL L(-1) DDAC showed sufficient disinfection of zooplankton and inactivation of PSII efficiency. Phytoplankton regrowth was not detected after 9 days of light incubation. Bacteria were initially reduced due to the DDAC treatment but regrowth was observed within 5 days of dark incubation. Residual DDAC remained too high after 5 days to be safely discharged. Two neutralization cycles of 50 mg L(-1) bentonite were needed to inactivate residual DDAC upon discharge. The inactivation of residual DDAC may seriously hamper the practical use of DDAC as a ballast water disinfectant.

Final report on the safety assessment of Basic Blue 99.

Basic Blue 99 is a direct, nonoxidative hair colorant used in temporary and semipermanent hair dyes. According to current reported usage data, Basic Blue 99 is used at concentrations from 0.004% to 2% and the most often reported use is in hair tints. Hair dyes containing Basic Blue 99, as "coal tar" hair dye products, are exempt from the principal adulteration provision and from the color additive provision of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act of 1938 when the label bears a caution statement and "patch test" instructions for determining whether the product causes skin irritation. Preliminary testing on or by individuals should be done using an open patch test that is evaluated at 48 h after application of the test material. Users, therefore, would be able to determine their individual reactions to hair dye products containing Basic Blue 99. Basic Blue 99 dye is approximately 60% to 63% dye, whereas the remainder of the mixture is composed of sugar ( approximately 25.7%), volatile matter/water crystallization ( approximately 1.8%), and inorganic salts (bringing the mixture to 100%). The dermal absorption of Basic Blue 99 is low in both rats and humans. The LD(50) values of Basic Blue 99 in mice and rats were 2.7 g/kg and between 1.0 g/kg and greater than 2.0 g/kg, respectively. Mice and rats orally administered Basic Blue 99 for 90 days did not show any indications of cumulative toxicity. Discoloration of organs involved in the elimination of Basic Blue 99 from the animals was noted in both test species. In rabbits, Basic Blue 99 did not cause ocular irritation, but some discoloration was noted. Basic Blue 99 caused minimal dermal irritation in rabbits. Sensitization occurred in animals exposed to Basic Blue 99 in a DMSO vehicle, but not in a water vehicle in guinea pigs and mice. Basic Blue 99 administered by gavage did not cause developmental toxicity in rats. Basic Blue 99 was a weak mutagen with and without metabolic activation in the Ames test, producing both reverse and frameshift mutations, but did not induce mutations in Escherichia coli or in any mammalian cells tested. In a modified repeated-insult patch test (RIPT), no volunteers had any reaction to Basic Blue 99 after a 1-h occlusive challenge. Case reports have documented positive patch test results to 1% Basic Blue 99 in three patients. A current review of the hair dye epidemiology literature identified that use of direct hair dyes, although not the focus in all investigations, appears to have little evidence of an association with cancer or other adverse events. The Panel recognizes that hair dye epidemiology studies do not address the safety of individual hair dyes. Based on the available safety test data on Basic Blue 99, however, the Panel determined that this ingredient would not likely have carcinogenic potential as used in hair dyes. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel concluded that Basic Blue 99 is safe as a hair dye ingredient in the practice of use and concentration as described in this safety assessment.