Long-acting microspheres of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin hormone: In-vitro and in-vivo evaluation.

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) hormone is used to cause ovulation, treat infertility in women, and increase sperm count in men. Conventional hCG solution formulations require multiple administration of hCG per week and cause patient noncompliance. The long-acting PLGA depot microspheres (MS) approach with hCG can improve patient compliance, increase the efficacy of hCG with a lower total dose and improve quality of life. Therefore, hCG was encapsulated by a modified double emulsion solvent evaporation technique within PLGA MS by high-speed homogenizer and industrially scalable in-line homogenizer, respectively. MS was characterized for particle size, encapsulation efficiency (EE), surface morphology, and in-vitro release. The spherical, dense, non-porous microspheres were obtained with a size of 58.88 ± 0.18 µm. Microspheres showed high EE (77.4% ± 5.9%) with low initial burst release (12.82% ± 2.07%). Circular Dichroism and SDS-PAGE analysis indicated good stability and structural integrity of hCG in the microspheres. Its bioactivity was proven further by a bioassay study in immature Wistar rats. Pharmacokinetic analysis showed that the hCG PLGA MS maintained serum hCG concentration up to 13 days compared to multiple injections of a marketed conventional parenteral injectable formulation of hCG. Thus, it can be ascertained that the hCG PLGA MS may have great potential for clinical use in long-term therapy.

Clinicopathological characteristics and outcomes of rare histologic subtypes of gallbladder cancer over two decades: A population-based study.

BACKGROUND: There is limited literature about the clinicopathological characteristics and outcomes of rare histologic variants of gallbladder cancer (GBC). METHODS: Using SEER database, surgically managed GBC patients with microscopically confirmed adenocarcinoma, adenosquamous/squamous cell carcinoma and papillary carcinoma were identified from 1988 to 2009. Patients with second primary cancer and distant metastasis at presentation were excluded. The effect of clinicopathological variables on overall survival (OS) and disease specific survival (DSS) were analyzed using univariate and multivariate proportional hazards modeling. All associations were considered statistically significant at an alpha error of 0.01. RESULTS: Out of 4738 cases, 217 adenosquamous/squamous (4.6%), 367 papillary (7.7%), and 4154 adenocarcinomas (87.7%) were identified. Median age was 72 years. Higher tumor grade (grade 2, 3, 4 versus grade 1), higher T stage (T2, T3, T4 versus T1), lymph node positivity (N1 versus N0) and adenosquamous/squamous histology (versus adenocarcinoma) had worse OS and DSS (p < .001). Papillary GBC had better OS and DSS than adenocarcinoma (HR = 0.7; p < .001). Radical surgery (versus simple cholecystectomy) had better OS (HR = 0.83, p = 0.002) in multivariate analysis. OS rates at 3 and 5 years were 0.56 and 0.44 for papillary, 0.3 and 0.22 for adenocarcinoma, and 0.14 and 0.12 for adenosquamous/squamous histology, while DSS rates at 3 and 5 years were 0.67 and 0.61 for papillary, 0.38 and 0.31 for adenocarcinoma, and 0.17 and 0.16 for adenosquamous/squamous subtypes respectively. CONCLUSION: Papillary GBC had better survival outcomes while adenosquamous/squamous GBC had worse survival outcomes compared to gallbladder adenocarcinoma.

A Multicenter Phase II Study of Gemcitabine, Capecitabine, and Bevacizumab for Locally Advanced or Metastatic Biliary Tract Cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Vascular endothelial growth factor overexpression, seen in 42% to 76% of biliary tract cancers (BTCs), correlates with poor survival. We explored the safety/efficacy and potential biomarkers for bevacizumab in combination with gemcitabine-capecitabine in advanced BTCs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Inoperable stage III/IV BTC patients in our prospective study were given 1000 mg/m of gemcitabine (on days 1, 8), 650 mg/m of capecitabine (on days 1 to 14), and 15 mg/kg of bevacizumab (on day 1) in 21-day cycles. Circulating tumor cells and quality of life were assessed at baseline and before cycle 2 and 3. RESULTS: In total, 50 patients with gallbladder cancer (22%), intrahepatic (58%), and extrahepatic (20%) cholangiocarcinoma, received a median of 8 treatment cycles for median treatment duration of 5.8 months. Common grade 3/4 toxicities were neutropenia (36%), thrombocytopenia (16%), fatigue (20%), infections (14%), and hand-foot syndrome (10%). There were 12 partial response (24%), 24 stable disease (48%) with clinical benefit rate of 72%. Median progression-free survival was 8.1 months (95% confidence interval, 5.3-9.9). Median overall survival was 10.2 months (95% confidence interval, 7.5-13.7). Circulating tumor cells were identified at baseline in 21/46 patients (46%), who had lower median overall survival compared with those without (9.4 vs. 13.7 mo; P=0.29). Patients with quality of life scores greater than the group median by the end of first cycle of treatment had improved survival compared with those who did not (13.3 vs. 9.4 mo; P=0.39). CONCLUSIONS: Addition of bevacizumab to gemcitabine/capecitabine did not improve outcome in an unselected group of patients with advanced BTC compared with historical controls. The selective benefit of vascular endothelial growth factor inhibition in BTC remains to be explored.

Efficacy, Safety, and Potential Biomarkers of Sunitinib and Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE) Combination in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC): Phase II Trial.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the safety/efficacy and explore biomarkers for a rationally designed combination of sunitinib and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in a prospective phase 2 study of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: Inoperable HCC patients with Child-Pugh A disease received 37.5 mg sunitinib from days 1 to 7 followed by TACE on day 8. Sunitinib was resumed from days 15 to 36 followed by 2 weeks off. Patients received subsequent sunitinib cycles of 4 weeks on and 2 weeks off. Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging and circulating soluble biomarkers were assessed at baseline, day 8, day 10, and day 36. RESULTS: Sixteen patients with liver only (n=10) and extrahepatic disease (n=6) were enrolled. After a median follow-up of 12.8 months, 2 partial responses, 11 stable disease, and 3 clinical deteriorations were seen for a clinical benefit rate of 81%. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 8 months (95% CI, 4.3-9.3) and overall survival was 14.9 months (95% CI, 6.3-27.1). Eleven of 16 patients (69%) had grade 3/4 toxicities attributable to sunitinib, the most frequent being thrombocytopenia, amylase/lipase elevations, lymphopenia, and fatigue. Mean K (volume transfer constant) and viable tumor percent in consented patients decreased by 27% and 14.8%, respectively, with combination therapy. Soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (sVEGFR2) levels, cytokines (interleukin-8, interleukin-21), and monocytes decreased with combination therapy. Estimated sunitinib IC50 values of 15 and 10 ng/mL modulated K and AUC90. sVEGFR2 levels decreased with K and AUC90. CONCLUSIONS: Encouraging progression-free survival and overall survival were seen with acceptable toxicity in our study of sunitinib and TACE combination in advanced HCC. Potential imaging and serum biomarkers showed increased benefit with combination therapy.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study to evaluate analgesic activity of Terminalia chebula in healthy human volunteers using a mechanical pain model.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: To evaluate analgesic activity and safety of single oral dose (1000 mg) of Terminalia chebula using a mechanical pain model in healthy human volunteers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twelve healthy volunteers were randomized to receive either single oral dose of 2 capsules of T. chebula 500 mg each or identical placebo capsules in a double-blinded manner. Mechanical pain was assessed using Ugo basile analgesy meter (Randall-Selitto test) before and 3 h after administration of test drug. The parameters evaluated were pain threshold force and time; pain tolerance force and time. A washout period of 1-week was given for crossover between active drug and placebo. RESULTS: Terminalia chebula significantly increased the mean percentage change for pain threshold force and time, and pain tolerance force and time compared to placebo (P < 0.001). The mean percentage change for pain threshold force and time (20.8% and 21.0%) was increased more than that of pain tolerance force and time (13.4% and 13.4%). No adverse drug reaction was reported with either of the study medications during the study period. CONCLUSION: T. chebula significantly increased pain threshold and pain tolerance compared to placebo. Both the study medications were well tolerated. Further multiple dose studies may be needed to establish the analgesic efficacy of the drug in patients suffering from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and other painful conditions.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-, and positive-controlled clinical pilot study to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of standardized aqueous extracts of Terminalia chebula and Terminalia bellerica in subjects with hyperuricemia.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of standardized aqueous extracts of Terminalia chebula and Terminalia bellerica versus febuxostat and placebo on reduction in serum uric acid levels in subjects with hyperuricemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 110 eligible subjects with hyperuricemia were enrolled and randomized to either of the five treatment groups - T. chebula 500 mg twice a day (BID), T. bellerica 250 mg BID, T. bellerica 500 mg BID, placebo BID, and febuxostat 40 mg once daily plus an identical placebo - for a duration of 24 weeks. Serum uric acid levels were measured at baseline and at the end of 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 weeks. Statistical analysis was done using GraphPad Prism Software 4. RESULTS AND INTERPRETATION: All active treatment groups showed a reduction in serum uric acid levels compared to baseline and placebo. Significant reduction in mean serum uric acid levels started as early as 4 weeks following treatment, compared to baseline, with T. bellerica (500 and 250 mg), febuxostat (P<0.001), and T. chebula 500 mg (P<0.01); an increase in serum uric acid levels was seen with placebo (P<0.05). The serum uric acid levels became steady after 16 weeks of treatment and remained the same until the end of 24 weeks. The reduction of serum uric acid levels in the T. bellerica 500 mg group was nearly twice that of the T. chebula 500 mg group as well as T. bellerica 250 mg group at all time points. T. bellerica 500 mg reduced serum uric acid levels from 8.07±0.87 to 5.78±0.25 compared to febuxostat, which reduced serum uric acid levels from 8.53±0.97 to 4.28±0.67 (P<0.001) at the end of 24 weeks. The efficacy of T. bellerica appeared to be dose dependent. All the formulations were well tolerated. CONCLUSION: T. bellerica has the potential for treating hyperuricemia as it was devoid of any serious adverse effects in the present study. Further studies are needed to confirm this potential.

Ki67 score as a potential predictor in the selection of liver-directed therapies for metastatic neuroendocrine tumors: a single institutional experience.

BACKGROUND: Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) metastatic to the liver are treated with transarterial radioembolization (TARE) using yttrium-90 (Y-90) microspheres or transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). However the criteria for patient selection are not well defined. We sought to determine if Ki67 score could help select patients for one therapy over the other in the management of hepatic neuroendocrine metastases. METHODS: Single institution analysis of patients treated with Y-90 or TACE between 2001 and 2014. Pathologists blinded to clinical information performed Ki67 staining. Data were analyzed using multivariate association for survival outcomes. RESULTS: Amongst 72 patients (male: 39, female: 33, median age: 57 years) with metastatic NET, the most common site of origin was small bowel (n=35, 49%), while pancreas constituted 32% (n=23). Forty-four patients were treated with Y-90 (61%) and 28 patients received TACE (39%). Ki67 score was available in 28 patients (64%) treated with Y-90 and 16 patients (57%) with TACE. Within Y-90 group, there was greater use of Sandostatin (95% vs. 75%, P=0.02) and less number of total treatments completed (89% vs. 46%, P<0.001). There was no significant difference in overall survival (OS) between Y-90 and TACE when used without selection (median, 69 vs. 82 months, P=0.47). When adjusted for Ki67, patients with Ki67 score ≥3% had better OS with Y-90 compared to TACE (HR, 0.1; CI, 0.01-0.9), however for Ki67 <3%, OS was better when treated with TACE compared to Y-90 (HR, 13.5; CI, 1.22-148.87). CONCLUSIONS: There is significant interaction between Ki-67 score and liver-directed treatment benefit in patients with hepatic neuroendocrine metastases. Ki-67 score ≥3% predicts greater benefit with Y-90 and a Ki-67 score <3% predicts greater benefit with TACE.

A novel treatment approach prolonging survival in an uncommon metastatic primary bladder adenocarcinoma.

Primary bladder adenocarcinoma (PBA) is an epithelial malignancy with pure glandular differentiation, without evidence of typical urothelial (transitional cell) carcinoma. PBA is rare, accounting for 0.5%-2% of all malignant bladder neoplasms, and it is seen more frequently in men than in women and is commonly diagnosed in the sixth decade of life.¹â»³ Clinical presentation includes hematuria and symptoms of bladder irritation.² PBA is common in schistosomiasis-endemic regions and among patients with congenital bladder exstrophy (ectopia vesicae); it mostly arises in the trigone and posterior bladder wall.4 In contrast, urachal adenocarcinomas arise within urachal remnants (residual tissues from the embryonic allantoic stalk connecting the umbilicus and bladder), close to the dome and anterior wall of the bladder. Morphologically, PBA is classifed into enteric and nonenteric types, which includes mucinous, signetring cell variant, clear-cell type, hepatoid, and mixed forms.² Currently, there is no standard of care in the management of PBA. We present the case of a patient with metastatic PBA with intestinal differentiation and wild-type KRAS, who was treated with colorectal cancer regimens.

Octreotide and Lanreotide in Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors.

Neuroendocrine tumors are heterogeneous, rare malignancies that arise most commonly in the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas. They often secrete vasoactive substances resulting in carcinoid syndrome and the tumor cells exclusively express somatostatin receptors. Octreotide and lanreotide are the two synthetic somatostatin analogs used for the control of carcinoid symptoms and tumor progression in advanced inoperable disease. Recent pivotal trials (PROMID and CLARINET studies) established their antitumor activity. We discuss the available data to support their use as symptom controlling and antiproliferative agents. This article also reviews the guidelines (National Comprehensive Cancer Network and North American Neuro Endocrine Tumor Society), cost-analysis (suggesting the cost-effectiveness of lanreotide autogel compared to higher doses of octreotide long acting release formulation in refractory patients), and future directions of somatostatin analogs in the management of patients refractory to conventional doses of octreotide and lanreotide.

Predictors of Complete Pathologic Response (pT0) to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Muscle-invasive Bladder Carcinoma.

UNLABELLED: No predictors of a complete pathologic response (pT0) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in muscle-invasive bladder carcinoma have been established. We performed a retrospective analysis of 50 patients to identify potential predictors. Our results showed that the presence of additional transitional cell variants on pathologic examination (mixed tumors) predicted against pT0, suggesting the avoidance of NAC and its morbidity in these patients with mixed tumors. BACKGROUND: Randomized trials have supported the use of cisplatin-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in muscle-invasive bladder carcinoma (MIBC) owing to the survival advantage, which has correlated with downstaging of the cancer to pT0. Only 30% to 40% of patients receiving NAC have attained a pT0 response at cystectomy; the remaining have either residual disease or progression. We aimed to identify the factors that could predict a pT0 response to NAC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Of 336 patients who had undergone robotic cystectomy at our institute from May 2007 to March 2014, we identified 50 patients who had undergone NAC for MIBC. We conducted a retrospective study, dividing these 50 patients into 2 groups, those with and without a pT0. Factors, including age, histologic features, hydronephrosis at initial presentation, and chemotherapy type, were examined by both univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Of the 50 patients, 14 (28%) had pT0 at cystectomy, 20 (40%) had progressive disease, and 16 (32%) had residual disease. The median age was 67.5 years, the median glomerular filtration rate at presentation was 87.5 mL/min, the patients had undergone a median of 3 NAC cycles, and the median time from the end of chemotherapy to surgery was 4 weeks. The odds of a pT0 response for pure urothelial carcinoma (UC) were approximately 11 times greater relative to cancers with transitional cell variant histologic features or mixed tumors (odds ratio 0.09, 95% confidence interval 0.021-0.380; P = .0011), including squamous, glandular differentiation, small cell, micropapillary, sarcomatoid, nested component, lymphoepithelioma-like, and plasmacytoid variants. CONCLUSION: The presence of pure UC favored a pT0 response to NAC compared with those with variant histologic features or mixed tumors. These potential predictors warrant prospective validation to allow the ideal selection of patients for NAC.

Evaluation of the Analgesic Activity of Standardized Aqueous Extract of Terminalia chebula in Healthy Human Participants Using Hot Air Pain Model.

BACKGROUND: Pain affects millions of people worldwide, opioid analgesics have been used for chronic painful conditions. Due to their adverse effects, safer alternatives would be beneficial. Terminalia chebula, with proven analgesic action has been evaluated in the hot air pain model for its analgesic activity. AIM: To evaluate analgesic activity and safety of single oral dose of Terminalia chebula using hot air pain model in healthy human participants. SETTING AND DESIGN: Randomized, Double blind, Placebo controlled, Cross over study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After taking written informed consent to IEC approved protocol, 12 healthy human participants were randomized to receive either single oral dose of two capsules of Terminalia chebula 500 mg each or identical placebo capsules in a double blinded manner. Thermal pain was assessed using hot air analgesiometer, to deliver thermal pain stimulus. Mean Pain Threshold time and Mean Pain Tolerance time measured in seconds at baseline and 180 minutes post drug. A washout period of two weeks was given for cross-over between the two treatments. RESULTS: Terminalia chebula significantly increased mean pain threshold and tolerance time compared to baseline and placebo. Mean pain threshold time increased from 34.06±2.63 seconds to 41.00±2.99 seconds (p<0.001) and mean pain tolerance time increased from 49.67± 3.72 seconds to 57.30±3.07 seconds (p<0.001). The increase in mean percentage change for pain threshold time is 20.42% (p<0.001) and for pain tolerance time is 17.50% (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: In the present study, Terminalia chebula significantly increased Pain Threshold time and Pain Tolerance time compared to Placebo. Study medications were well tolerated.

Strategies to Circumvent Testosterone Surge and Disease Flare in Advanced Prostate Cancer: Emerging Treatment Paradigms.

The testosterone surge and disease flare is a feared complication from initiation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist treatment in advanced prostate adenocarcinoma. It is a common practice to start an average 7-day pretreatment regimen with an antiandrogen agent before initiating GnRH agonist therapy, to circumvent disease flare from testosterone surge. However, this might not be the best strategy and can be harmful, especially in patients at high risk of imminent organ damage from minimal testosterone surge. Surgical castration is a simple and cost-effective method that should be considered in these scenarios. But most patients refuse this procedure because of the permanent and psychologic impact of surgery. Novel GnRH antagonists, such as degarelix, and cytochrome P450 17 (CYP17) enzyme inhibitors, such as ketoconazole, achieve castrate-equivalent serum testosterone levels much faster than traditional GnRH agonists without the need for coadministration of antiandrogens. This article reports on 3 cases of impending oncologic emergencies in advanced prostate adenocarcinoma treated promptly with degarelix and ketoconazole without any disease flare related to testosterone surge. In the setting of symptomatic hormone-naïve metastatic prostate cancer, the authors suggest clinical trials using abiraterone, orteronel, and other newer agents that target the CYP17 axis (eg, ketoconazole) for fine-tuning the emergent medical castration methods and avoiding the dangers from the flare phenomenon.

Interdigitating dendritic cell sarcoma.

Interdigitating dendritic cell sarcoma (IDCS) is an extremely rare dendritic cell tumor with slightly more than 100 cases reported in the English literature. This report discusses a case of localized IDCS involving cervical lymph nodes and provides a literature review of clinicopathologic aspects and treatment outcomes.

A case of unusual mast cell response with interstitial cystitis-like symptoms to neoadjuvant chemotherapy for muscle-invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.

Randomized trials support the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in muscle-invasive bladder cancer based on a noted survival advantage, which appeared to be strongly related to downstaging of the cancer to pT0 (complete pathologic response). This report presents a case of an unusual mast cell response along with bladder wall thickening after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. However, the final cystectomy specimen did not reveal any residual tumor (pT0). The authors hypothesize that neoadjuvant chemotherapy could have caused the diffuse mast cell response, and that this profound inflammatory response can be used as a biomarker of complete response to chemotherapy.