Severe and prolonged cyclophosphamide-induced hepatotoxicity in a breast cancer patient carrying a CYP2B6*7 variant.

As a widely used alkylating agent, cyclophosphamide often leads to various toxicities. Severe hepatotoxicity has been rarely reported in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy containing cyclophosphamide. Differences in cyclophosphamide metabolism may contribute to variability in adverse events of patients. Here, we report on a case of a 68-year-old Chinese female with breast cancer who experienced severe and prolonged hepatotoxicity induced by cyclophosphamide. Pharmacogenetic tests showed that she was a carrier of CYP2B6*7 allele and this is the first case of a CYP2B6*7 variant in the Han Chinese population so far reported. In addition, the patient was also a carrier of an ALDH3A1*2 variant potentially contributing to the occurrence of hepatotoxicity. CYP2B6 and ALDH3A1 genotyping may play a role in guiding cyclophosphamide therapy.

Advances in identification of Chinese medicines by NIRS / 中国中药杂志

This review addresses the latest situations and advances of near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in which detection of counterfeits and imitations, as well as monitoring origin and quality of Chinese crude drugs and Chinese patent medicines (CCDM) through consultation and summarization of relative literatures. On the one hand, NIRS gradually reveals its advantages and discriminating ability in the ways of nondestructive, rapid, simple, easy, and handy assessment. However NIRS still has some problems in representative samples and models stability for practice of CCDM. In order to keep up with popularization of NIRS in other areas, applications in detection of precious and/or priceless herbals, on-line quality control of valuable herbs, and screening of some chemicals illegally mixed into herbal preparations may be focused preferentially.