Probiotics to prevent gastrointestinal toxicity from cancer therapy: an interpretive review and call to action.

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Probiotics to prevent gastrointestinal toxicity from cancer therapy: an interpretive review and call to action.

Curr Opin Support Palliat Care. 2015 Jun;9(2):157-62

Authors: Ciorba MA, Hallemeier CL, Stenson WF, Parikh PJ

Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: There is currently an unmet need for agents that can prevent the gastrointestinal toxicity (mucositis and enteritis) associated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy of abdominal and pelvic cancers. Herein we provide an overview of how manipulation of the gut microbiota by probiotic administration affects these gastrointestinal symptoms. We focus this review on published human trials and also provide suggestions on how the field can move forward.
RECENT FINDINGS: Several clinical trials of varying design, patient populations and probiotic products have been reported. Lactobacillus probiotics of adequate dosage demonstrate a potential to reduce gastrointestinal toxicity when administered prophylactically. Common study limitations prevent the widespread adoption of this practice at this point but are informative for rational design of future trials.
SUMMARY: No single probiotic strain or product has emerged from human clinical trials for this indication. Further human studies are required to address limitations in the current literature. Preclinical model data should be used to inform the rational design of these new clinical trials to adequately address this important question.

PMID: 25872116 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Adenoviral-mediated imaging of gene transfer using a somatostatin receptor-cytosine deaminase fusion protein.

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Adenoviral-mediated imaging of gene transfer using a somatostatin receptor-cytosine deaminase fusion protein.

Cancer Gene Ther. 2015 Mar;22(4):215-21

Authors: Lears KA, Parry JJ, Andrews R, Nguyen K, Wadas TJ, Rogers BE

Abstract
Suicide gene therapy is a process by which cells are administered a gene that encodes a protein capable of converting a nontoxic prodrug into an active toxin. Cytosine deaminase (CD) has been widely investigated as a means of suicide gene therapy owing to the enzyme's ability to convert the prodrug 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) into the toxic compound 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). However, the extent of gene transfer is a limiting factor in predicting therapeutic outcome. The ability to monitor gene transfer, non-invasively, would strengthen the efficiency of therapy. In this regard, we have constructed and evaluated a replication-deficient adenovirus (Ad) containing the human somatostatin receptor subtype 2 (SSTR2) fused with a C-terminal yeast CD gene for the non-invasive monitoring of gene transfer and therapy. The resulting Ad (AdSSTR2-yCD) was evaluated in vitro in breast cancer cells to determine the function of the fusion protein. These studies demonstrated that both the SSTR2 and yCD were functional in binding assays, conversion assays and cytotoxicity assays. In vivo studies similarly demonstrated the functionality using conversion assays, biodistribution studies and small animal positron-emission tomography (PET) imaging studies. In conclusion, the fusion protein has been validated as useful for the non-invasive imaging of yCD expression and will be evaluated in the future for monitoring yCD-based therapy.

PMID: 25837665 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Psychological help-seeking and homeless adolescents.

Collins, P.M.; (2004) Psychological help-seeking and homeless adolescents. Doctoral thesis, University of London. Green open access

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Perspective Taking in Definite Reference Resolution

Zheng, X; (2015) Perspective Taking in Definite Reference Resolution. Doctoral thesis, UCL (University College London). Green open access

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Animal procurement in the Late Neolithic of the Yangtze River Basin: Integrating the fish remains into a case-study from Tianluoshan

Zhang, Y; (2015) Animal procurement in the Late Neolithic of the Yangtze River Basin: Integrating the fish remains into a case-study from Tianluoshan. Doctoral thesis, UCL (University College London).

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Structural studies of neuropilin-1

Yelland, TS; (2015) Structural studies of neuropilin-1. Doctoral thesis, UCL (University College London).

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An investigation of the stem cell potential of skeletal muscle satellite cells.

Collins, C.A.; (2004) An investigation of the stem cell potential of skeletal muscle satellite cells. Doctoral thesis, University of London. Green open access

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