Antitumor activity of yulangsan polysacchrides in mice bearing S180 sarcoma tumors.

Sarcoma is one of the most prevalent pediatric tumors and the therapeutic role of chemotherapy has yet to be elucidated. It has been reported that extracts of Longyanshen (Yulangsan) may enhance the sensitivity of drug-resistant cancer cell lines, and improve the immune dysfunction induced by cyclophosphamide (CTX) in mice. The present in vivo study investigated the antitumor effects of Yulangsan polysaccharides (YLSPS) and their interaction with CTX in murine sarcoma 180 (S180)-bearing mice. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of apoptosis-related proteins. The ultrastructure of sarcoma cells was examined by transmission electron microscopy and the tumor growth rate was determined by measuring the tumor weight. A dose-dependent inhibition of sarcoma growth was observed in S180-bearing mice following administration of YLSPS. In combination with CTX, an additive antitumor effect was obtained, which was accompanied by amelioration of immune function. YLSPS also potentiated the tumor suppression effect of CTX while avoiding cytotoxicity against immune cells. YLSPS inhibited sarcoma growth in S180-bearing mice through the induction of apoptosis in S180 sarcoma cells. YLSPS also attenuated CTX-induced cytotoxicity to the immune system while potentiating the tumor suppression effect. These results provide additional information regarding combination therapy with YLSPS and chemotherapy for the treatment of sarcoma.

Limited sampling strategy for predicting area under the concentration-time curve for mycophenolic Acid in Chinese adults receiving mycophenolate mofetil and tacrolimus early after renal transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the study was to investigate the pharmacokinetics of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in Chinese adults early after renal transplantation by an enzyme multiplied immunoassay technique and to establish a limited sampling strategy to predict the area under the concentration-time curve for plasma levels of mycophenolic acid (MPA-AUC). METHODS: Fifty-eight recipients who underwent renal transplantation with an organ donated after cardiac death used a triple immunosuppressant strategy of MMF, tacrolimus, and prednisone. On the seventh day posttransplantation, plasma samples were collected at 0 hours (pre-dose) and at 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 hours postdose (C0h, C0.5h, C1h, C1.5h, C2h, C4h, C6h, C8h, C10h, and C12h, respectively). Enzyme multiplied immunoassay technique was used to measure mycophenolic acid concentration, and model equations were generated by multiple stepwise regression analysis to determine MPA-AUC0-12h. RESULTS: The 3-point equation obtained by multiple linear regression analysis was MPA-AUC = 7.951 + 4.04C6h + 1.893C2h + 4.542C10h (adjusted r = 0.863); the 4-point equation was MPA-AUC = 4.272 + 4.074C6h + 1.896C2h + 4.680C10h + 0.859C0.5h (adjusted r = 0.918). The % mean prediction error, % mean absolute error, and % root mean squared prediction error for the best-fit formula using C6h, C2h, C10h, and C0.5h were -0.2%, 8.7%, and 14.2%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In Chinese adults receiving MMF and tacrolimus early after renal transplantation, the best equation for predicting MPA-AUC0-12h is 4.272 + 4.074C6h + 1.896C2h + 4.680C10h + 0.859C0.5h.