Assessment of intratumor non-antibody directed iron oxide nanoparticle hyperthermia cancer therapy and antibody directed IONP uptake in murine and human cells.

Hyperthermia, as an independent modality or in combination with standard cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation, has been established in vitro and in vivo as an effective cancer treatment. However, despite efforts over the past 25 years, such therapies have never been optimized or widely-accepted clinically. Although methods continue to improve, conventionally-delivered heat (RF, ultrasound, microwave etc) can not be delivered in a tumor selective manner. The development of antibody-targeted, or even nontargeted, biocompatible iron oxide nanoparticles (IONP) now allows delivery of cytotoxic heat to individual cancer cells. Using a murine mouse mammary adenocarcinoma (MTGB) and human colon carcinoma (HT29) cells, we studied the biology and treatment of IONP hyperthermia tumor treatment. METHODS: Cancer cells (1 × 106) with or without iron oxide nanoparticles (IONP) were studied in culture or in vivo via implanted subcutaneously in female C3H mice, Tumors were grown to a treatment size of 150 mm3 and tumors volumes were measured using standard 3-D caliper measurement techniques. Mouse tumors were heated via delivery of an alternating magnetic field, which activated the nanoparticles, using a cooled 36 mm diameter square copper tube induction coil which provided optimal heating in 1.5 cm wide region of the coil. The IONPs were dextran coated and had a hydrodynamic radius of approximately 100 nm. For the in vivo studies, intra-tumor, peritumor and rectal (core body) temperatures were continually measured throughout the treatment period. RESULTS: Although some eddy current heating was generated in non-target tissues at the higher field strengths, our preliminary IONP hyperthermia studies show that whole mouse AMF exposure @160 KHz and 400 or 550 Oe, for a 20 minutes (heat-up and protocol heating), provides a safe and efficacious tumor treatment. Initial electron and light microscopic studies (in vitro and in vivo) showed the 100 nm used in our studies are rapidly taken up and retained by the tumor cells. Additional in vitro studies suggest antibodies can significantly enhance the cellular uptake of IONPs.

Conversation across paradigms: unitary-transformative and critical feminist perspectives.

The purpose of this article is to convey a conversation that occurred over a period of months between a unitary-transformative scholar and a critical feminist scholar. The intention of our conversation was to uncover, through dialogue and engagement, ways in which these two paradigms might help us understand the forces and conditions which impede and may liberate full expression of health and well-being. Areas of essential tensions addressed were the relationships of action and theory, sense and soul, stories and numbers, and aesthetics and empirics. Critical conversational points were notions of liberation, consciousness and social conditions, unpredictability and acausality, and potentials for reconciliation that would serve nursing and society. We concluded that although there are significant differences that exist between the two paradigms, there are areas in which we might begin to speak with one voice for the betterment of nursing and health care.

In vitro IgE inhibition in B cells by anti-CD23 monoclonal antibodies is functionally dependent on the immunoglobulin Fc domain.

CD23, the low affinity receptor for IgE (FcvarepsilonRII), is involved in regulation of IgE synthesis by B-lymphocytes. Five monoclonal antibodies to human CD23 were generated from cynomolgus macaques immunized with purified soluble CD23 (sCD23). Four of the five primate antibodies blocked the binding of IgE complexes to CD23 positive cells and also inhibited the production of IgE in vitro by IL-4 induced human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). The variable domains of several primate antibodies were utilized to construct chimeric macaque/human (PRIMATIZED((R))) monoclonal antibodies. PRIMATIZED((R)) p5E8G1, containing human gamma 1 constant region, inhibited IgE production in vitro as efficiently as the parent primate antibody, but the human gamma 4 constant version, PRIMATIZED((R)) p5E8G4, was not as effective in IgE inhibition. An F(ab')(2) of p5E8G1 did not inhibit IgE production but did interfere with IgE inhibition by the intact anti-CD23 antibody in a dose dependent fashion. The murine monoclonal antibody MHM6 recognizes human CD23 at a different epitope than primate antibody 5E8, and inhibits IgE production by IL-4 induced PBMC. As with the F(ab')(2) of p5E8G1, the F(ab')(2) of MHM6 also failed to inhibit IgE production. These data imply that the mechanism by which anti-CD23 antibodies inhibit IgE production requires cross-linking of CD23 to an IgG receptor. These data also imply that neither bivalent cross-linking of CD23 alone or inhibition of CD23 binding to its natural ligands is sufficient to inhibit IgE production.

Preclinical evaluation of 90Y-labeled anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody for treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

A high-affinity IgG1 kappa murine monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody (IDEC-2B8) was developed for radioimmunotherapy of non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphoma. A stable immunoconjugate (Zevalintrade mark) was prepared by reacting IDEC-2B8 with a derivative of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, designated MX-DTPA, a chelator exhibiting high affinity and retention for 90Y. Zevalin exhibited antigen specificity, human tissue reactivity, and preclinical safety profile comparable to the native antibody. The conjugate radiolabeled with 90Y (90Y-Zevalin) or 111In (111In-Zevalin) exhibited excellent retention of immunoreactivity with radioincorporations >95%. The radiolabeled conjugates formulated in PBS containing human serum albumin were stable in vitro at 4 degrees C for 48 h as indicated by negligible loss of radioisotope and retention of binding to CD20+ cells. In vitro human serum stability studies at 37 degrees C with 90Y-Zevalin indicated that loss of 90Y from the conjugate was minimal, averaging 1% per day. Biodistribution studies in BALB/c mice confirmed the in vitro stability of 90Y-Zevalin and 111In-Zevalin. In particular, excellent in vivo retention of 90Y by the conjugate was demonstrated by minimal bone accumulation (

Aesthetic inquiry and the art of nursing.

This article describes the development of aesthetic inquiry and the emerging conceptualization of the art of nursing as an art form. Aesthetic knowing, which emerges from aesthetic inquiry, is described as connoisseurship of the art of nursing and includes appreciation of the art form and insight into meanings of the art. A method of aesthetic criticism is described that links artistic experience, history, form, alternate meanings, and future possibilities. The inquiry yielded two essential elements of the art of nursing, movement and narrative, which, when manifested as an art form have the capacity to shift experience into a different realm.

Yttrium-90-labeled anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody therapy of recurrent B-cell lymphoma.

A Phase I/II dose escalation study of 90Y-murine anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (mAb) in patients with recurrent B-cell lymphoma was performed. The primary objectives of the study were: (a) to determine the effect of the preinfusion of unlabeled anti-CD20 mAb on the biodistribution of 111In-anti-CD20 mAb; (b) to determine the maximal tolerated dose of 90Y-anti-CD20 mAb that does not require bone marrow transplantation; and (c) to evaluate the safety and antitumor effect of 90Y-anti-CD20 mAb in patients with recurrent B-cell lymphoma. Eighteen patients with relapsed low- or intermediate-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were treated. Biodistribution studies with 111In-anti-CD20 mAb were performed prior to therapy. Groups of three or four patients were treated at dose levels of approximately 13.5, 20, 30, 40, and 50 mCi 90Y-anti-CD20 mAb. Three patients were retreated at the 40-mCi dose level. The use of unlabeled antibody affected the biodistribution favorably. Nonhematological toxicity was minimal. The only significant toxicity was myelosuppression. The overall response rate following a single dose of 90Y-anti-CD20 mAb therapy was 72%, with six complete responses and seven partial responses and freedom from progression of 3-29+ months following treatment. Radioimmunotherapy with

Doctoral education in nursing: evaluation of a nontraditional program option.

Selected outcomes of an intensive, summer-only doctoral program in nursing were assessed using quantitative and qualitative data obtained from program-specific questionnaires and Educational Testing Service (ETS) Graduate Program Self-Assessment (GPSA) student and faculty questionnaires. Students evaluated the overall program as successful, satisfying, and stimulating, but also as stressful. Educational interventions to ameliorate student stress did not impact student evaluations of reported stress levels. Comparisons of summer-only and regular academic year students showed no differences in demographics, although differences between groups were found in long-term goals. Overall ETS questionnaire data were consistent with the Holzemer and Chambers (1986) baseline data for schools of nursing and showed no unusual patterns or trends. Summer-only and regular program student ratings were similar on all ETS scales.