Flavoured and nicotine-containing e-liquids impair homeostatic properties of an alveolar-capillary cell model.

Most people consider that electronic cigarettes are safer than tobacco and are marketed as quit-smoking products. The e-liquid, which usually contains propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG) in different ratios, nicotine and a wide variety of flavours, is heated by a coil and the aerosol droplets are primarily delivered to the alveolar area where nicotine and other molecules cross the alveolar-capillary barrier (ACB). However, e-cigarettes effects on the ACB are not yet established.

Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability: Is 5-Hydroxytryptamine Receptor Type 4 a Game Changer?

Serotonin affects many functions in the body, both in the central nervous system (CNS) and the periphery. However, its effect on the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in separating these two worlds has been scarcely investigated. The aim of this work was to characterize the serotonin receptor 5-HT in the hCMEC/D3 cell line, in the rat and the human BBB.

Sirolimus Pharmacokinetics Variability Points to the Relevance of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring in Pediatric Oncology.

Sirolimus is widely used in transplantation, where its therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is well established. Evidence of a crucial role for sirolimus in the PI3K/AkT/mTor pathway has stimulated interest in its involvement in neoplasia, either as monotherapy or in combination with other antineoplastic agents. However, in cancer, there is no consensus on sirolimus TDM.

SFCE-RAPIRI Phase I Study of Rapamycin Plus Irinotecan: A New Way to Target Intra-Tumor Hypoxia in Pediatric Refractory Cancers.

Hypoxic environment is a prognostic factor linked in pediatric cancers to a worse outcome, favoring tumor progression and resistance to treatments. The activation of mechanistic Target Of Rapamycin (mTor)/hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1 pathway can be targeted by rapamycin and irinotecan, respectively. Therefore, we designed a phase I trial associating both drugs in pediatric refractory/relapsing solid tumors.