Radiation exposure induces inflammasome pathway activation in immune cells.

Radiation exposure induces cell and tissue damage, causing local and systemic inflammatory responses. Because the inflammasome pathway is triggered by cell death and danger-associated molecular patterns, we hypothesized that the inflammasome may signal acute and chronic immune responses to radiation. Using a mouse radiation model, we show that radiation induces a dose-dependent increase in inflammasome activation in macrophages, dendritic cells, NK cells, T cells, and B cells as judged by cleaved caspase-1 detection in cells.

Correlation between human tear cytokine levels and cellular corneal changes in patients with bacterial keratitis by in vivo confocal microscopy.

Purpose: We investigated bilateral tear cytokine levels in patients with unilateral bacterial keratitis (BK) as associated with in vivo confocal microscopic (IVCM) alterations in corneal nerves and dendritiform immune cells (DCs).

Methods: A total of 54 (13 BK, 13 contralateral, 28 healthy controls) tear samples was collected prospectively and analyzed by multiplex microbeads assay. The IVCM of the central cornea was performed on the same day, and assessed for corneal nerve and DC alterations.

The safety and tolerability of intravenous ASA404 when administered in combination with docetaxel (60 or 75 mg/m²) in Japanese patients with advanced or recurrent solid tumors.

Objective: This Phase I study was carried out to assess the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and preliminary efficacy of the flavonoid tumor-vascular disrupting agent ASA404 (vadimezan) in combination with docetaxel in Japanese patients with advanced or recurrent solid tumors.

Methods: Nine Japanese patients were given ASA404 (1800 mg/m(2)) plus two doses of docetaxel, 60 or 75 mg/m(2), administered every 3 weeks.

Results: Dose-limiting toxicity of Grade 3 febrile neutropenia was observed in one patient during Cycle 1 at Level 2 of ASA404 (1800 mg/m(2)) and docetaxel (75 mg/m(2)) treatment.