Chiral, triformylphenol-derived salen-type [4 + 6] organic cages.

A one-pot synthesis of chiral [4 + 6] tetrahedral cage compounds containing a salen fragment on each face is presented. The formation of the [4 + 6] products remains in contrast to the reaction of 1,3,5-triformylphloroglucinol with chiral diamines where [2 + 3] keto-enamine pseudocyclophanes are formed exclusively. The presence of OH groups determines the structural and spectroscopic properties of these cage compounds while a change in the reaction conditions facilitates the isolation of the microcrystalline products of the specific surface area varying from 5 to 578 m(2) g(-1).

An array of virtual Frisch-grid CdZnTe detectors and a front-end application-specific integrated circuit for large-area position-sensitive gamma-ray cameras.

We developed a robust and low-cost array of virtual Frisch-grid CdZnTe detectors coupled to a front-end readout application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) for spectroscopy and imaging of gamma rays. The array operates as a self-reliant detector module. It is comprised of 36 close-packed 6 × 6 × 15 mm(3) detectors grouped into 3 × 3 sub-arrays of 2 × 2 detectors with the common cathodes. The front-end analog ASIC accommodates up to 36 anode and 9 cathode inputs. Several detector modules can be integrated into a single- or multi-layer unit operating as a Compton or a coded-aperture camera. We present the results from testing two fully assembled modules and readout electronics. The further enhancement of the arrays' performance and reduction of their cost are possible by using position-sensitive virtual Frisch-grid detectors, which allow for accurate corrections of the response of material non-uniformities caused by crystal defects.

Hematologic malignancies.

This article reviews highlights in the field of hematologic malignancies presented at the 2001 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Targeted therapies continue to proceed from the laboratory to the clinic. Monoclonal antibody-based therapies predominate, and further data on radioimmunoconjugates (RICs) (tositumomab and Iodine 131 tositumomab [Bexxar] and ibritumomab tiuxetan [Zevalin]) are presented. Both agents have high response rates in relapsed B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Results from the first trial directly comparing an RIC (Zevalin) to an unconjugated antibody (rituximab) are presented. A novel application of RIC therapy as part of high-dose therapy for mantle cell NHL is described. A new fusion toxin, BL22, targets the CD22 antigen and shows marked activity in the treatment of hairy cell leukemia. Similarly, the Hu1D10 monoclonal antibody has activity in B-cell NHL and might have a relatively unique mechanism of action. Finally, advances in the treatment of mucositis are described. These abstracts all describe therapies derived from our enhanced understanding of tumor immunology and molecular biology.

Treatment of metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma: a comprehensive review.

The current standard therapy for metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma is the single-agent gemcitabine, by the increasingly used fixed rate infusion of 10 mg/m2/min. There is strong reason to anticipate that additional benefits will accrue with gemcitabine-based combination chemotherapy. Gemcitabine and CPT-11 are synergistic with many drugs and non-cross-resistant with each other. Rigorous clinical investigations will be performed in an effort to identify optimal drug sequence and schedules for these novel combinations.

Therapy for regionally unresectable pancreatic cancer.

Chemoradiotherapy for unresectable LAPA is associated with a median survival time of 9 months or more and manageable toxic side effects. Experience with RT-FSP provides evidence that chemoradiotherapy may extend survival time with or without resection. Chemoradiotherapy or entry into clinical trials is the standard for LAPA. The next generation of clinical trials for LAPA will incorporate newer agents, such as gemcitabine and irinotecan into chemoradiotherapy regimens. Novel agents, such as matrix-metaloproteinase inhibitors, transcription factor inhibitors, antiangiogenic factors, cyclooxegenase-2 inhibitors, and agents that target the K-ras point mutations associated with 90% of pancreatic cancers, are in early phases or clinical development and may have activity for micrometastic or minimal residual disease. Lower toxicity makes these drugs attractive agents for maintenance therapies. The multitude of new agents provides hope to patients and a welcome challenge for further investigation.

Rituximab therapy of B-cell neoplasms.

The development of rituximab, an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, represents a revolutionary advance in the therapy of hematological malignancies. Rituximab was approved in 1997 by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of relapsed or refractory, CD20(+), B-cell, low-grade or follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Recent studies have documented activity of rituximab in other CD20-expressing hematological malignancies including mantle cell lymphoma, small lymphocytic lymphoma, aggressive NHL, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia. When used in combination with cytotoxic chemotherapy, rituximab achieves response rates of 90%-95% in low-grade follicular and aggressive NHL patients. Currently, rituximab is undergoing intensive investigation in several large phase II and III trials, both as a single agent and in combination with chemotherapy. Clinical research will help define the ultimate role of this agent and its potential impact on survival of patients with B-cell neoplasms. This article describes current clinical trials with rituximab and discusses their significance.