Comparison of the Effect of Skin Preparation Pads on Transepidermal Water Loss in Ex Vivo Human Skin.

Introduction: Pre-treatment of the skin to remove scales and crusts prior to photodynamic therapy (PDT) is essential to enhance the uptake of topically applied methyl aminolevulinate (MAL) and to improve treatment efficacy. This study compared the effect of two different skin preparation pads on skin integrity in ex vivo human skin.

Methods: Ex vivo human skin samples from three donors were pre-treated in triplicates with PREPSTER™ (PR) skin preparation pad (6, 8, and 10 passages) or Ambu Unilect™ (A-UN) skin preparation pad (6, 8, and 10 passages).

Dose escalation of CPT-11 in combination with oxaliplatin using an every two weeks schedule: a phase I study in advanced gastrointestinal cancer patients.

Background: To determine the dose-limiting toxicity of CPT-11 in combination with oxaliplatin, and the maximal tolerated dose (MTD) and the recommended dose (RD) of CPT-11 using an every two weeks schedule.

Patients And Methods: The study was designed to evaluate escalated doses of CPT-11 starting at 100 mg/m2 with a fixed clinically-relevant dose of 85 mg/m2 oxaliplatin given every two weeks.

Results: Twenty-three patients and 186 cycles were evaluable for toxicity (median per patient: 7, range: 1-13).

Antibodies raised against peptide fragments of CD16 reacting with membrane and soluble form of CD16. I: Production and characterization.

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were generated against human CD16 (Fc gamma RIII) by fusion of NS1 myeloma cells with spleen cells from BALB/c mice immunized with synthetic peptide sequences derived from the CD16 genes. After screening, four hybridomas secreting MAbs (2 IgM and 2 IgG) were selected, cloned and characterized for their activity against CD16 by ELISA test, flow cytometry, rosette inhibition and immuno-blotting. MAbs reacted strongly in ELISA with a soluble form of CD16 (sCD16) present in human serum and to a lesser degree with soluble recombinant CD16 (srCD16).