Genetic Polymorphisms Associated with Cyclophosphamide Outcome and Risk of Toxicity in Patients with Lupus Nephritis.

A 6-month cyclophosphamide induction therapy followed by maintenance therapy every three months is the first-line treatment for Class III, IV, and V lupus nephritis. Among the 139 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with cyclophosphamide, four SNPs, namely rs4244285, rs4802101, rs7254579 and rs3957356, are related to the response and risk of toxicity in patients with lupus nephritis. Although pharmacogenetic studies in patients with lupus nephritis (LN) have not been conducted previously in Indonesia, data on rs4244285 are available for several ethnic groups, including Papuans, Bataks, Balinese, Dayaks, Javanese, Bugis, Chinese, Timorese and Malays, even though direct evidence in LN patients is less detectable. However, this can be followed up prior to cyclophosphamide therapy based on the identification of genetic markers. Therefore, clinical studies in patients with lupus nephritis are deemed necessary to evaluate the potential of these markers.

Activity and Toxicity of Eleutherine palmifolia (L.) Merr. Extract on BALB/c Mice Colitis-Associated Colon Cancer Model.

OBJECTIVE: Eleutherine palmifolia (L.) Merr. extract (EPE) containing isoliquiritigenin and oxyresveratrol is believed to be an anticancer agent. This study evaluates colon histopathology, TNF-α, TGF-ß, and hepatotoxicity on BALB/c mice colitis-associated colon cancer (CAC) model treated with EPE. METHODS: In vivo study was performed on BALB/c mice CAC model induced by 10 mg/kgBW AOM on the first day followed by administration that each cycle consisted of 5% DSS in water for seven days and regular water for seven days. The indicators of the formation of CAC were observed by a fecal occult blood test (FOBT) and serum amyloid α (SAA) test. The treatment was conducted once a week started from the seventh week up to the twentieth week with six treatment groups: I was administrated by regular water only (negative control), II was administrated by AOM and DSS only (positive control), III was administrated by doxorubicin,  IV-VI were treated by EPE (0.25 mg/kg BW, 0.50 mg/kg BW, and 1.00 mg/kg BW) respectively. The colon and liver's histopathology was observed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, TNF-α with immunohistochemistry (IHC), and level measurement of TGF-ß colon with ELISA reader. The data were used one-way ANOVA followed by post hoc as statistical analysis. RESULTS: The administration of EPE increased the expression of TNF-α, the total of goblet cells of the colon, and decreased the level of TGF-ß. Administration of EPE 0.50 mg/20g BW decreased a liver histopathological score but induced a histopathological alteration of the liver at a dose of 1.00 mg/20g BW. CONCLUSION: This study indicate that EPE could be recommended as a colon anticancer through increase the goblet cells, induce apoptosis through increase TNF-α, and decrease TGF-ß.