FOLFOX (oxaliplatin and 5fluorouracil/leucovorin) in patients with untreated metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma Phase II study.

Background: Oxaliplatin has shown promising activity in metastatic gastric cancer (MGC) and has synergism with 5 fluorouracil. This phase II study was performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of FOLFOX4 regimen in MGC. Materials and Methods: Patients with MGC, aged 18-70 years, performance status ≤2, no prior chemotherapy, received FOLFOX4 regimen every 2 weeks as oxaliplatin 85 mg/m 2 IV infusion on day 1 and leucovorin 200 mg/m 2 IV infusion followed by fluorouracil 400 mg/m 2 IV bolus and 600 mg/m 2 22-hour continuous infusion on days 1 and 2. Treatment was administered until progression, unacceptable toxicity, patient's refusal or for a maximum of 12 cycles. Results: From August 2007 to June 2010, 34 patients were prospectively enrolled. The median age was 52 years (28-69). In total, 293 cycles were administered with a median of 8 cycles per patient (range 1-12 cycles) and 33 of 34 patients were assessable for treatment response. The overall response rate were 53% with one patient(3%) had complete response, 17 patients (50%) had partial responses and 6 patients (18%) had stable disease. The median survival of all patients was 12.1 months and the median time to progression was 9.4 months. The most common grade 3/4 toxic effects were neutropenia in four patients (12%), diarrhea in three patients (9%), vomiting in two patients (6%) and peripheral neuropathy occurred in three patients (9%). Conclusions: The FOLFOX4 combination chemotherapy showed a very promising antitumor activity and was generally well-tolerated as a first-line treatment of patients with MGC.

Effects of chitosan and salvadora persica on blood lipids in the wistar rat

Hypercholesterolemia is a metabolic disorder that ultimately results in arterial sclerosis and complications like hypertension and coronary arterial diseases. Various drugs have been used for treatment of this condition and many studies are underway to be used in the future. Chitosan and Salvadora Persica are two such drugs. Chitosan is produced by deacetylation of chitin which is present mainly in the exoskeleton of crustaceans. The aim of this in vitro study was to study the effects of these two drugs on blood lipid levels. In this Interventional Laboratory Trial, 30 mature vistar rats weighing 200-250 grams were selected and after a period of two weeks of adaptation to the surroundings, they were allotted randomly to 6 groups. The rats were then fed for a period of 15 days with normal or fatty diet, with or without the drugs. Chitosan in pure powder form and persica in the form of hydro alcoholic, Salvadora persica stem extract were added to the diet of the respective study groups. At the end of this period, blood samples were taken in order to measure cholesterol, triglyceride, and HDL and LDL levels. Data were analyzed statistically using SPSS software program and Scheffe, ANOVA and Descriptive statistical tests. Both chitosan and persica decreased cholesterol and LDL levels in the groups ingesting fatty diet [P < 0.05] and the mean reduction was not statistically different for the two drugs [P > 0.05]. The two drugs had no effect on triglyceride and HDL levels [P > 0.05]. Both chitosan and persica had no effect on blood lipid levels of subjects on normal diet whose cholesterol levels were normal [P > 0.05]. Persica and chitosan have similar effects on reduction of cholesterol and LDL levels in cases of hypercholesterolemia, but have no effect on triglyceride and HDL levels