Association between genetic variants of transmembrane transporters and susceptibility to anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity: Current understanding and existing evidence.

Anthracyclines remain the cornerstone of numerous chemotherapeutic protocols, with beneficial effects against haematological malignancies and solid tumours. Unfortunately, the clinical usefulness of anthracyclines is compromised by the development of cardiotoxic side effects, leading to dose limitations or treatment discontinuation. There is no absolute linear correlation between the incidence of cardiotoxicity and the threshold dose, suggesting that genetic factors may modify the association between anthracyclines and cardiotoxicity risk.

Retrospective analysis of tigecycline shows that it may be an option for children with severe infections.

Aim: This study assessed the efficacy and safety of tigecycline in children with life-threatening infections.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of patients treated with tigecycline from June 2012 to May 2014 in a Chinese tertiary centre.

Results: The study comprised 24 patients (14 male) with a median age of four years (range, 50 days-12 years).

Thymosin-loaded enteric microspheres for oral administration: preparation and in vitro release studies.

Thymosin, a water-soluble polypeptide compound, was encapsulated within enteric microspheres of acrylic acid resin II by modified oil in oil (o/o) emulsion solvent evaporation method. The mixture emulsifier composed of lecithin and Span 80 was critical to the formation of sphere-shaped thymosin microparticles. Optimizing process parameters, such as the volume ratio of organic solvent to water, initial drug feed and polymer concentration, resulted in high drug encapsulation efficiency of 89.