The double life of a chemotherapy drug: Immunomodulatory functions of gemcitabine in cancer.

Although the development of immunotherapies has been revolutionary in the treatment of several cancers, many cancer types remain unresponsive to immune-based treatment and are largely managed by chemotherapy drugs. However, chemotherapeutics are not infallible and are frequently rendered ineffective as resistance develops from prolonged exposure. Recent investigations have indicated that some chemotherapy drugs have additional functions beyond their normative cytotoxic capacity and are in fact immune-modifying agents.

Gemcitabine Modulates HLA-I Regulation to Improve Tumor Antigen Presentation by Pancreatic Cancer Cells.

Pancreatic cancer is a lethal disease, harboring a five-year overall survival rate of only 13%. Current treatment approaches thus require modulation, with attention shifting towards liberating the stalled efficacy of immunotherapies. Select chemotherapy drugs which possess inherent immune-modifying behaviors could revitalize immune activity against pancreatic tumors and potentiate immunotherapeutic success.

Pilot Study to Investigate the Benefits of the InnoSpire Go Mesh Nebulizer Compared to Jet Nebulizers in the Treatment of Stable COPD.

Nebulizers are widely used for the delivery of aerosols to patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The InnoSpire Go mesh nebulizer has been designed to improve upon the ease of use and convenience of existing nebulizers for the treatment of COPD. This was a pilot, single-center, randomized, open-label crossover study conducted over 2 months to investigate the use of the InnoSpire Go mesh nebulizer compared to the patient's own compressor driven jet nebulizer in ambulatory patients with stable COPD.

Wirelessly controlled, bioresorbable drug delivery device with active valves that exploit electrochemically triggered crevice corrosion.

Implantable drug release platforms that offer wirelessly programmable control over pharmacokinetics have potential in advanced treatment protocols for hormone imbalances, malignant cancers, diabetic conditions, and others. We present a system with this type of functionality in which the constituent materials undergo complete bioresorption to eliminate device load from the patient after completing the final stage of the release process. Here, bioresorbable polyanhydride reservoirs store drugs in defined reservoirs without leakage until wirelessly triggered valve structures open to allow release.