Initialin vivotesting of TPO-receptor agonist eltrombopag in osteosarcoma patient-derived xenograft models by the pediatric preclinical testing consortium
PEDIATRIC HEMATOLOGY AND ONCOLOGY
Authors: Nevil, Grace; Roth, Michael; Gill, Jonathan; Zhang, Wendong; Teicher, Beverly; Erickson, Stephen W.; Gatto, Gregory; Smith, Malcom; Kolb, E. Anders; Gorlick, Richard
Abstract
Eltrombopag is a small molecule, thrombopoietin receptor agonist approved for the treatment of patients with aplastic anemia and chronic immune thrombocytopenia. It is also a polyvalent cation chelator and inhibits leukemia cell proliferation via reduction of intracellular iron. Thein vivoefficacy of eltrombopag was tested against a panel of six Pediatric Preclinical Testing Consortium osteosarcoma xenografts at doses of 5 mg/kg/day (moderate dose) and 50 mg/kg/day (high dose). Eltrombopag, at moderate doses, failed to significantly improve event-free survival (EFS) in 6/6 models. At high doses, eltrombopag significantly prolonged EFS in 2/2 models, though the effect size was small. All models tested demonstrated progressive disease. While eltrombopag did not meaningfully inhibit osteosarcoma growth, it also did not stimulate tumor growth, suggesting it may be safely investigated as a supportive care agent to enhance platelet recovery post chemotherapy.
The decarbonization of coal tar via microwave-initiated catalytic deep dehydrogenation
FUEL
Authors: Yan, Yuqiang; Gonzalez-Cortes, Sergio; Yao, Benzhen; Jie, Xiangyu; AlMegren, Hamid; Cao, Fahai; Dilworth, Jon; Slocombe, Daniel R.; Xiao, Tiancun; Edwards, Peter P.
Abstract
Coal tar, a major by-product of the coal industry, presents considerable difficulties in its refining and conversion into fuels due to its complex chemical composition and physical properties, such as high viscosity, corrosiveness, thermal instability, etc. Here we report a new route for producing hydrogen-rich gases together with carbonaceous materials, including carbon nanotubes, through the microwave-initiated catalytic deep dehydrogenation of coal tar using inexpensive iron catalysts. The resulting carbonaceous materials generated over the catalyst were investigated using a variety of techniques including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), temperature programmed oxidation (TPO) and Raman spectroscopy. Importantly, we have found that an aqueous emulsion feed of the coal tar enables considerably easier handling and an enhanced hydrogen production whilst also significantly reducing the extent of catalyst deactivation. This behaviour is shown to be assisted by the phenomenon of micro-explosion that enhances mass and heat transfer during the catalytic reactions.