Caspofungin in the treatment of symptomatic candiduria.

Background: Because the urine concentrations achieved by echinocandin antifungal agents are low, drugs from this class are excluded from consideration when candiduria treatment is selected.

Methods: We performed a retrospective view (sponsored by Merck Research Laboratories) of case records of patients participating in phase II-III clinical studies of caspofungin to identify patients with candiduria.

Results: Of 12 case records collected by Merck Research Laboratories, 6 met the criteria for significant candiduria, allowing the evaluation of caspofungin therapy as judged by J.

Retrospective study of the hepatic safety profile of patients concomitantly treated with caspofungin and cyclosporin A.

Background: Mild, transient alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevations were seen in Phase I studies of caspofungin and cyclosporin A (CsA).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review at four sites to characterize the hepatic safety in patients receiving > or =1 day of both drugs over a 20-month period. Investigators assessed reasons for discontinuing concomitant therapy and the presence/etiology of any hepatotoxicity.

Impairment of the antiproliferative effect of glucocorticosteroids by 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 overexpression in MCF-7 breast-cancer cells.

To verify the relevance of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11beta-HSD2) activity in controlling breast-cancer cell growth, we have evaluated the correlation of 11beta-HSD2 expression and antiproliferative effects of glucocorticosteroids (GCs) on breast cancer cell proliferation. We cloned human 11beta-HSD2 cDNA into the expression vector pBK-CMV. The interspersing lac promoter region was deleted, achieving differential translational efficiency.

Second-line therapy with caspofungin for mucosal or invasive candidiasis: results from the caspofungin compassionate-use study.

Objectives: To prospectively assess the efficacy and safety of caspofungin as second-line therapy for mucosal or invasive candidiasis in patients enrolled in the caspofungin compassionate-use study.

Materials And Methods: Thirty-seven patients with mucosal or invasive candida infections (17 oesophageal, four oropharyngeal and 16 invasive candidiasis) were enrolled in the caspofungin compassionate-use study. All patients were refractory to or intolerant of intravenous amphotericin B or lipid amphotericin formulation(s).

Seasonal and daily variations in concentrations of methyl-tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) at Cranberry Lake, New Jersey.

Methyl-tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE), an additive used to oxygenate gasoline, has been detected in lakes in northwestern New Jersey. This occurrence has been attributed to the use of gasoline-powered watercraft. This paper documents and explains both seasonal and daily variations in MTBE concentrations at Cranberry Lake.