Francesco Pepe

Bio: Francesco Pepe is an academic researcher from University of Naples Federico II. The author has contributed to research in topics: Medicine & Adsorption. The author has an hindex of 31, co-authored 145 publications receiving 2385 citations. Previous affiliations of Francesco Pepe include University of Sannio.

Modeling Carbon Dioxide Adsorption on Microporous Substrates: Comparison between Cu-BTC Metal-Organic Framework and 13X Zeolitic Molecular Sieve

Abstract: In this work, CO2 adsorption on a laboratory-synthesized polymeric copper(II) benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate (Cu-BTC) metal-organic framework was modeled by means of the semiempirical Sips equation in order to obtain parameters of engineering interest. Produced Cu-BTC samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry, and microporosimetric analysis; high crystallinity and very high specific surface area and pore volume were found. CO2 adsorption isotherms on Cu-BTC were evaluated at T ) (283, 293, 318, and 343) K for p e 1 bar by means of a volumetric technique. In order to establish a comparison, CO2 adsorption isotherms on samples of commercial 13X zeolite were determined under the same experimental conditions and then modeled in the same way as those for Cu-BTC. The modeling and experimental results indicated that relative to 13X zeolite, Cu-BTC showed higher CO2 adsorption capacities at near-ambient temperature and a lower heat release during the adsorption phase.

Development of a gene panel for next-generation sequencing of clinically relevant mutations in cell-free DNA from cancer patients

Abstract: Development of a gene panel for next-generation sequencing of clinically relevant mutations in cell-free DNA from cancer patients

CO2 adsorption by functionalized nanoporous materials: a review.

Abstract: This review highlights the recent advances in the development of functionalized nanoporous adsorbents for CO2 capture. Three main classes of materials are taken into account: zeolites, mesoporous silicates, and metal organic frameworks (MOFs). Proper modification of the cation content of zeolites, as well as the introduction of functional groups such as amine groups into ordered mesoporous silicates and MOFs, greatly enhance the CO2 adsorptive properties of these substrates. Specifically, cation-exchanged zeolites can be currently considered the benchmark for ordered nanoporous CO2 adsorbents, finding application also on a plant scale. Amino-functionalized mesoporous silicates tend to show a high affinity toward CO2: while this could be an advantage when pushed purification is needed, it also implies that full regeneration of the adsorbent can be achieved only by putting its surface in contact with a completely CO2-free environment. On the contrary, similarly modified MOFs show higher CO2 adsorption working capacities: this potentially makes them even better candidates than their mesoporous inorganic homologues for a plant scale use. However, the persisting lack of reliable methods for the pelletization of both ordered mesoporous silicates and MOFs creates a care for further development efforts in the next future.

Carbon Dioxide Capture in Metal–Organic Frameworks

Abstract: Kenji Sumida, David L. Rogow, Jarad A. Mason, Thomas M. McDonald, Eric D. Bloch, Zoey R. Herm, Tae-Hyun Bae, Jeffrey R. Long

Patterns of Somatic Mutation in Human Cancer Genomes

Abstract: AACR Centennial Conference: Translational Cancer Medicine-- Nov 4-8, 2007; Singapore PL02-05 All cancers are due to abnormalities in DNA. The availability of the human genome sequence has led to the proposal that resequencing of cancer genomes will reveal the full complement of somatic mutations and hence all the cancer genes. To explore the nature of the information that will be derived from cancer genome sequencing we have sequenced the coding exons of the family of 518 protein kinases, ~1.3Mb DNA per cancer sample, in 210 cancers of diverse histological types. Despite the screen being directed toward the coding regions of a gene family that has previously been strongly implicated in oncogenesis, the results indicate that the majority of somatic mutations detected are “passengers”. There is considerable variation in the number and pattern of these mutations between individual cancers, indicating substantial diversity of processes of molecular evolution between cancers. The imprints of exogenous mutagenic exposures, mutagenic treatment regimes and DNA repair defects can all be seen in the distinctive mutational signatures of individual cancers. This systematic mutation screen and others have previously yielded a number of cancer genes that are frequently mutated in one or more cancer types and which are now anticancer drug targets (for example BRAF , PIK3CA , and EGFR ). However, detailed analyses of the data from our screen additionally suggest that there exist a large number of additional “driver” mutations which are distributed across a substantial number of genes. It therefore appears that cells may be able to utilise mutations in a large repertoire of potential cancer genes to acquire the neoplastic phenotype. However, many of these genes are employed only infrequently. These findings may have implications for future anticancer drug development.

Phase III study of afatinib or cisplatin plus pemetrexed in patients with metastatic lung adenocarcinoma with EGFR mutations

Abstract: Purpose The LUX-Lung 3 study investigated the efficacy of chemotherapy compared with afatinib, a selective, orally bioavailable ErbB family blocker that irreversibly blocks signaling from epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR/ErbB1), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/ErbB2), and ErbB4 and has wide-spectrum preclinical activity against EGFR mutations. A phase II study of afatinib in EGFR mutation-positive lung adenocarcinoma demonstrated high response rates and progression-free survival (PFS). Patients and Methods In this phase III study, eligible patients with stage IIIB/IV lung adenocarcinoma were screened for EGFR mutations. Mutation-positive patients were stratified by mutation type (exon 19 deletion, L858R, or other) and race (Asian or non-Asian) before two-to-one random assignment to 40 mg afatinib per day or up to six cycles of cisplatin plus pemetrexed chemotherapy at standard doses every 21 days. The primary end point was PFS by independent review. Secondary end points included tumor response, overall survival, adverse events, and patient-reported outcomes (PROs). Results A total of 1,269 patients were screened, and 345 were randomly assigned to treatment. Median PFS was 11.1 months for afatinib and 6.9 months for chemotherapy (hazard ratio [HR], 0.58; 95% CI, 0.43 to 0.78; P = .001). Median PFS among those with exon 19 deletions and L858R EGFR mutations (n = 308) was 13.6 months for afatinib and 6.9 months for chemotherapy (HR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.34 to 0.65; P = .001). The most common treatmentrelated adverse events were diarrhea, rash/acne, and stomatitis for afatinib and nausea, fatigue, and decreased appetite for chemotherapy. PROs favored afatinib, with better control of cough, dyspnea, and pain. Conclusion Afatinib is associated with prolongation of PFS when compared with standard doublet chemotherapy in patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma and EGFR mutations.