Access to Methotrexate Monitoring in Latin America: A Multicountry Survey of Supportive Care Capacity.

High-dose methotrexate (HDMTX) is used to treat a broad spectrum of cancers. Methotrexate (MTX) monitoring and adequate supportive care are critical for safe drug administration; however, MTX level timing is not always possible in low- and middle-income countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate HDMTX supportive care capacity and MTX monitoring practices in Latin America (LATAM) to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement.

Response assessment by positron emission tomography-computed tomography as compared with contrast-enhanced computed tomography in childhood Hodgkin lymphoma can reduce the need for radiotherapy in low- and middle-income countries.

Introduction: The InPOG-HL-15-01, a multicentric prospective study, used a risk-stratified and response-based approach with doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD) backbone to treat children and adolescents with newly diagnosed Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and reduce the use of radiation therapy (RT). Children/adolescents with bulky disease or inadequate response at early response assessment (ERA) after two cycles of chemotherapy were assigned to receive RT. For ERA, positron emission tomography computed tomography (PET-CT) was recommended but not mandatory in view of limited access.

A Comparative Evaluation of 2 Videolaryngoscopes as an Intubation Aid in a Simulated Difficult Airway: A Prospective Randomised Study.

Objective: Several videolaryngoscopes have been developed for using in difficult airway. We conducted this study to evaluate the performance of McGrath® MAC and King Vision® videolaryngoscopes in a simulated difficult airway.

Methods: This prospective, randomised, comparative study was conducted in 140 surgical patients.

Empirical Antitubercular Treatment for Lymphadenopathy: Are We Missing Lymphoma?

Objective: To evaluate the proportion of patients who received empirical treatment with antitubercular therapy (ATT) prior to the diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) in the first multicentric, prospective study on HL from India, and to assess its impact on extent of disease at diagnosis and outcomes.

Methods: Children < 18 y with biopsy proven HL were enrolled in InPOG-HL-15-01. Along with other clinical and epidemiological data, history of prior treatment with ATT was documented.

Hodgkin Lymphoma in Children Under 5 Years: Do They Behave Differently?

The median age of presentation for Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is lower in developing countries with a higher proportion under 5 years of age possibly attributable to the high prevalence of Epstein-Barr virus-driven disease. It is unclear whether the clinical presentation and outcomes of this cohort are different with concern regarding late effects being most pronounced in this age group. We report the outcome of children under 5 years of age enrolled in the InPOG-HL-15-01, the first multicentric collaborative study for newly diagnosed children and adolescents with HL from India.

Risk based and response adapted radiation therapy for children and adolescents with newly diagnosed advanced stage Hodgkin lymphoma treated with ABVD chemotherapy: a report from the Indian pediatric oncology group study InPOG-HL-15-01.

This multi-centric prospective study (InPOG-HL-15-01) assessed epidemiological, clinical and outcome data of advanced stage Hodgkin Lymphoma (IIB, III and IV) in children and adolescents ( = 262). Chemotherapy regimen was ABVD (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine) and radiotherapy (RT) was restricted to patients with bulky disease at diagnosis or with suboptimal response at early response assessment (ERA). ERA revealed complete response in 175 (68.

Treating early-stage Hodgkin lymphoma in resource-limited settings: InPOG-HL-15-01 experience.

Background: Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) in childhood is an eminently curable disease. Excellent outcomes can be achieved even in resource-limited settings and increasingly, the focus is on limiting long-term toxicity. Contemporary treatment incorporates a risk-stratified, response-adapted approach using multiagent chemotherapy with or without low-dose radiotherapy (RT).

A study analyzing the health-related quality of life of retinoblastoma survivors in India.

Purpose: : Retinoblastoma (RB) is the commonest intraocular tumor in children. Despite high cure rates, data on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of RB survivors are limited. This study aimed to analyze parent's perspective and self-report of HRQoL of RB survivors, using healthy siblings as controls.

Role of a novel multifunctional excipient poly(ethylene glycol)-block-oligo(vinyl sulfadimethoxine) in controlled release of lysozyme from PLGA microspheres.

This study investigated the effect of ion-pairing of anionic polyelectrolytes: our novel poly(ethylene glycol)-block-oligo(vinyl sulfadimethoxine) (PEG-OVSDM) and poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(l-aspartic acid) (PEG-PAA) with cationic lysozyme on retention of protein stability during emulsification. Soluble lysozyme recovery after exposure to the deleterious interface was 42-88% (when ion-paired with PEG-OVSDM, PEG-OVSDM concentration dependent) compared to only 30% for free lysozyme. PEG-OVSDM provided a higher stabilization of lysozyme than PEG-PAA (36-60%).

Role of a novel excipient poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(L-histidine) in retention of physical stability of insulin at aqueous/organic interface.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether a cationic polyelectrolyte, poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(L-histidine) diblock copolymer (PEG-polyHis), can stabilize insulin, at the aqueous/methylene chloride interface formed during the microencapsulation process. Insulin aggregation at this interface was monitored spectrophotometrically at 276 nm. The effects of protein concentration, pH of the aqueous medium, and the presence of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) in methylene chloride (MC) on insulin aggregation were observed.

Role of a novel excipient poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(L-histidine) in retention of physical stability of insulin in aqueous solutions.

Purpose: This study is to investigate whether poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-b-poly(L-histidine) [PEG-polyHis] can reduce aggregation of insulin in aqueous solutions on agitation by forming ionic complexes.

Materials And Methods: Insulin aggregation on agitation was monitored spectrophotometrically and by fibrillation studies with a dye Thioflavin T. Pluronic F-127 as a control and PEG-polyHis as a novel multifunctional excipient were added to prevent destabilization of insulin.

Stability of bovine serum albumin complexed with PEG-poly(L-histidine) diblock copolymer in PLGA microspheres.

The aim of this study was to examine the stability of bovine serum albumin (BSA) in poly(DL-lactic acid-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres upon addition of a new excipient, poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(L-histidine) diblock copolymer (PEG-PH). Poly(L-histidine) component can form an ionic complex with BSA under acidic conditions within a narrow pH range. To optimize the ionic complexation conditions for BSA with PEG-PH, the resulting complex sizes were monitored using the Zetasizer.