Sustained Release of Hydrogen Sulfide (HS) from Poly(Lactic Acid) Functionalized 4-Hydroxythiobenzamide Microparticles to Protect Against Oxidative Damage.

Hydrogen sulfide (HS) has emerged as a gaseous mediator capable of exhibiting many beneficial properties including cytoprotection, anti-inflammation, and vasodilation. The study presented here provides characterization of a poly(lactic acid) polymer with a functionalized 4-hydroxythiobenzamide (PLA-4HTB) capable of extended HS release. The polymer was used to fabricate microparticles that can be potentially loaded with a drug allowing for co-release of the drug and HS.

Synthetically lethal nanoparticles for treatment of endometrial cancer.

Uterine serous carcinoma, one of the most aggressive types of endometrial cancer, is characterized by poor outcomes and mutations in the tumour suppressor p53. Our objective was to engender synthetic lethality to paclitaxel (PTX), the frontline treatment for endometrial cancer, in tumours with mutant p53 and enhance the therapeutic efficacy using polymeric nanoparticles (NPs). First, we identified the optimal NP formulation through comprehensive analyses of release profiles and cellular-uptake and cell viability studies.

The impact of local and regional disease extent on overall survival in patients with advanced stage IIIB/IV non-small cell lung carcinoma.

Purpose: Patients with advanced stage IIIB or stage IV non-small cell lung carcinoma are typically treated with initial platinum-based chemotherapy. A variety of factors (eg, performance status, gender, age, histology, weight loss, and smoking history) are generally accepted as predictors of overall survival. Because uncontrolled pulmonary disease constitutes a major cause of death in these patients, we hypothesized that clinical and radiographic factors related to intrathoracic disease at diagnosis may be prognostically significant in addition to conventional factors.