Cetuximab is a chimeric mouse-human antibody targeted against EGFR and induces potent antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). The action of cetuximab against MPM cells has not been well studied. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the antitumor activity of cetuximab

against MPM cell lines, particularly with respect to ADCC activity in vitro and in vivo. EGFR expression of MPM cells was measured by a quantitative flow cytometric analysis and immunohistochemistry. The effect of cetuximab on growth inhibition was assessed using a modified MTT assay. The ADCC activity was measured by a 4-h Cr-51 release assay using fresh or IL-2-activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. In vivo antitumor activity of cetuximab was evaluated using an orthotopic implantation mouse model. Cetuximab-mediated ADCC activity against MPM cells was observed at low concentration (0.25 mg/ml) and was enhanced CA4P order by IL-2, whereas no direct effect on growth inhibition was detected. A logarithmic correlation was observed between the number of EGFRs on MPM cells and ADCC activity. Low EGFR expression on the MPM cells, which was weakly detectable by immunohistochemistry, was sufficient for maximum ADCC activity. In the Kinase Inhibitor Library mouse

model, cetuximab treatment with or without IL-2 significantly inhibited intrathoracic tumor growth and prolonged their survival. Our study shows that cetuximab has potent anti-MPM activity both in vitro and in vivo, mainly through the immunologic mechanism of ADCC. Cetuximab has the potential to be used as a novel therapy for MPM patients.”
“Self-assembled nanogels of cholesterol-bearing mannan (CHM) containing phosphodiester bonds in its structure were used as templates for calcium phosphate mineralization to prepare novel organic-inorganic hybrid nanocarriers for drug-delivery systems. These hybrid materials were synthesized from a solution of calcium phosphate

in the presence of CHM nanogels. The size and crystallinity of the nanomaterials were controlled by changing the calcium ion concentration. Spherical amorphous calcium phosphate learn more (ACP) nanoparticles of similar to 20nm in size and needle- shaped hydroxyapatite (HAp) crystals similar to 80nm in length were formed from solutions of [Ca2+] = 0.8 and 2.0 mM, respectively. These hybrid nanomaterials showed excellent colloidal stability in solution, which was supported by the polymer chains of CHM on the outer surface of the hybrid nanomaterials. It was also found that an amorphous-to-crystalline transformation occurred during the formation of CHM nanogel-HAp hybrid nanomaterials.”
“Small RNAs play important roles in plant development, metabolism, signal transduction and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses by affecting gene expression. Tea (Camellia sinensis L.) is an important commercial crop in the world.