SN-38, the active metabolite of irinotecan, inhibits the acute inflammatory response by targeting toll-like receptor 4.

Purpose: Anticancer-drug efficacy seems to involve the direct interaction with host immune cells. Although topoisomerase I (Top I) inhibitors have been suggested to block LPS-evoked inflammation, the interaction between these drugs and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is unaddressed.

Methods: SN-38, the active metabolite of the Top I inhibitor irinotecan, and TLR4 interaction was assessed using the in vitro luciferase nuclear factor-κB reporter assay, neutrophil migration to murine air-pouch, in silico simulation, and the thermal shift assay (TSA).

Molecular epidemiology of Clostridium difficile infection in a Brazilian cancer hospital.

Clostridium difficile is a Gram-positive spore forming anaerobic bacterium and the main cause of healthcare-associated diarrhea. This study aimed to perform the phenotypic characterization and molecular typing of Clostridium difficile isolates among patients at a cancer hospital in Brazil. During 18 months, 48 diarrheic fecal samples were collected, of these 48% were positive in either one or both of the performed tests: detection of toxins A/B and culture.

Community-acquired diarrhea associated with Clostridium difficile in an HIV-positive cancer patient: first case report in Latin America.

Clostridium difficile is the most important cause of nosocomial diarrhea, mainly associated with antibiotic use and immunodeficiency. Although, an increased incidence of community-acquired C. difficile infection (CA-CDI) has been reported worldwide, this infection has been under-diagnosed in Latin America.