Claudio Minoia

Bio: Claudio Minoia is an academic researcher from University of Pavia. The author has contributed to research in topics: Population & Environmental exposure. The author has an hindex of 43, co-authored 172 publications receiving 5466 citations. Previous affiliations of Claudio Minoia include University of Milan.

Distribution Of Paclitaxel Within The Nervous System Of The Rat After Repeated Intravenous Administration

Abstract: The distribution of paclitaxel (Taxol(R)) within the central and peripheral nervous system after repeated administration of this antineoplastic agent is still largely unknown. In this study we determined for the first time paclitaxel tissue concentration in the brain, spinal cord, dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and sciatic nerve using an experimental paradigm in the rat which reproduces the features of paclitaxel peripheral neurotoxicity in humans. Pathological confirmation of the onset of paclitaxel-induced peripheral neurotoxicity was performed. In order to achieve reliable results even with low concentrations of paclitaxel, a newly reported analytical method (high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry) was used. We demonstrated that paclitaxel has easy access to the DRG, where it accumulates, while the lowest concentrations of the drug were measured in the brain. The intermediate concentrations of paclitaxel observed in the sciatic nerve and spinal cord may be due to paclitaxel transport along the centrifugal and centripetal branches of the DRG neuron axons.

Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine

Abstract: The 11th edition of Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine welcomes Anthony Fauci to its editorial staff, in addition to more than 85 new contributors. While the organization of the book is similar to previous editions, major emphasis has been placed on disorders that affect multiple organ systems. Important advances in genetics, immunology, and oncology are emphasized. Many chapters of the book have been rewritten and describe major advances in internal medicine. Subjects that received only a paragraph or two of attention in previous editions are now covered in entire chapters. Among the chapters that have been extensively revised are the chapters on infections in the compromised host, on skin rashes in infections, on many of the viral infections, including cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus, on sexually transmitted diseases, on diabetes mellitus, on disorders of bone and mineral metabolism, and on lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly. The major revisions in these chapters and many

Beneficial Effects of Green Tea—A Review

Abstract: Tea is the most consumed drink in the world after water. Green tea is a 'non-fermented' tea, and contains more catechins, than black tea or oolong tea. Catechins are in vitro and in vivo strong antioxidants. In addition, its content of certain minerals and vitamins increases the antioxidant potential of this type of tea. Since ancient times, green tea has been considered by the traditional Chinese medicine as a healthful beverage. Recent human studies suggest that green tea may contribute to a reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease and some forms of cancer, as well as to the promotion of oral health and other physiological functions such as anti-hypertensive effect, body weight control, antibacterial and antivirasic activity, solar ultraviolet protection, bone mineral density increase, anti-fibrotic properties, and neuroprotective power. Increasing interest in its health benefits has led to the inclusion of green tea in the group of beverages with functional properties. However, although all the evidence from research on green tea is very promising, future studies are necessary to fully understand its contributions to human health, and advise its regular consumption in Western diets, in which green tea consumption is nowadays limited and sporadic.

The Next Generation of Platinum Drugs: Targeted Pt(II) Agents, Nanoparticle Delivery, and Pt(IV) Prodrugs

Abstract: The platinum drugs, cisplatin, carboplatin, and oxaliplatin, prevail in the treatment of cancer, but new platinum agents have been very slow to enter the clinic. Recently, however, there has been a surge of activity, based on a great deal of mechanistic information, aimed at developing nonclassical platinum complexes that operate via mechanisms of action distinct from those of the approved drugs. The use of nanodelivery devices has also grown, and many different strategies have been explored to incorporate platinum warheads into nanomedicine constructs. In this Review, we discuss these efforts to create the next generation of platinum anticancer drugs. The introduction provides the reader with a brief overview of the use, development, and mechanism of action of the approved platinum drugs to provide the context in which more recent research has flourished. We then describe approaches that explore nonclassical platinum(II) complexes with trans geometry or with a monofunctional coordination mode, polynuclea...

The role of autophagy in neurodegenerative disease

Abstract: This Review provides an overview of the role of autophagy, a key lysosomal degradative process, in neurodegenerative diseases. The study of various neurodegenerative diseases has shown that defects in autophagy can arise at different points in the pathway, and this has implications for the successful modulation of autophagy for therapeutic purposes. The Review also discusses the latest developments in targeting alterations in autophagy as a therapeutic strategy for neurodegenerative diseases.

The status of platinum anticancer drugs in the clinic and in clinical trials.

Abstract: Since its approval in 1979 cisplatin has become an important component in chemotherapy regimes for the treatment of ovarian, testicular, lung and bladder cancers, as well as lymphomas, myelomas and melanoma. Unfortunately its continued use is greatly limited by severe dose limiting side effects and intrinsic or acquired drug resistance. Over the last 30 years, 23 other platinum-based drugs have entered clinical trials with only two (carboplatin and oxaliplatin) of these gaining international marketing approval, and another three (nedaplatin, lobaplatin and heptaplatin) gaining approval in individual nations. During this time there have been more failures than successes with the development of 14 drugs being halted during clinical trials. Currently there are four drugs in the various phases of clinical trial (satraplatin, picoplatin, Lipoplatin™ and ProLindac™). No new small molecule platinum drug has entered clinical trials since 1999 which is representative of a shift in focus away from drug design and towards drug delivery in the last decade. In this perspective article we update the status of platinum anticancer drugs currently approved for use, those undergoing clinical trials and those discontinued during clinical trials, and discuss the results in the context of where we believe the field will develop over the next decade.