Randomized phase II trial of docetaxel plus prednisone in combination with placebo or AT-101, an oral small molecule Bcl-2 family antagonist, as first-line therapy for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: AT-101 (A), a small molecule oral inhibitor of the Bcl-2 family, has activity alone and in combination with docetaxel (Taxotere) and prednisone (DP) in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase II trial compared DP combined with either AT-101 (A) or placebo in chemonaive mCRPC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Men with progressive mCRPC despite androgen deprivation were eligible and randomized 1:1. Patients received docetaxel (75 mg/m2 day 1) and prednisone 5 mg orally twice daily every 21 days with either AT-101 (40 mg) or placebo twice daily orally on days 1-3. The primary end point was overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty-one patients were randomly assigned. Median OS for AT-101 plus docetaxel-prednisone (ADP) and placebo-DP was 18.1 versus 17.8 months [hazard ratio (HR) 1.07, 95% confidence interval 0.72-1.55, P=0.63]. Secondary end points were also not statistically different. Grade 3/4 toxic effects for ADP versus placebo-DP were cardiac events (5% versus 2%), lymphopenia (23% versus 16%), neutropenia (47% versus 40%), ileus (2% versus 0%) and pulmonary embolism (6% versus 2%). In a subgroup of high-risk mCRPC (n=34), outcomes appeared to favor ADP (median OS 19 versus 14 months). CONCLUSIONS: AT-101 was tolerable but did not extend OS when combined with DP in mCRPC; a potential benefit was observed in high-risk patients.

[Immunometabolic activity of fluoroquinolones immobilized into cell carriers in toxic lesion of the kidneys due to staphylococcal infection].

The study of immunomodulating, antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity of some fluoroquinolones (norfloxacin, ofloxacin, levofloxacin) immobilized into erythrocyte and leukocyte carriers was made on Wistar rats with body mass about 150-180 g. It is shown that toxic action on the kidneys of mercury dichloride, especially a combined action of mercury dichloride and staphylococcal infection, raised the levels of urea and creatinine, caused immunosuppression, activated hepatotoxic, cytolytic and oxidative processes, decreased antioxidant and energetic potentials of erythrocytes. Unbound fluoroquinolones intensified the above processes. Introduction of fluoroquinolones immobilized into erythrocyte and leukocyte carriers, respectively, decreased and normalized intensity of lipid peroxidation, cholestasis, cytolysis, improved and normalized immune system functions, antioxidant and energetic potentials of erythrocytes.