Shaare Zedek Medical Center

About: Shaare Zedek Medical Center is a healthcare organization based out in Jerusalem, Israel. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Pregnancy. The organization has 2532 authors who have published 4437 publications receiving 123687 citations. The organization is also known as: Merkaz Refu'i Sha'arei Tzedek.

X-linked neonatal diabetes mellitus, enteropathy and endocrinopathy syndrome is the human equivalent of mouse scurfy.

Abstract: To determine whether human X-linked neonatal diabetes mellitus, enteropathy and endocrinopathy syndrome (IPEX; MIM 304930) is the genetic equivalent of the scurfy (sf) mouse, we sequenced the human ortholog (FOXP3) of the gene mutated in scurfy mice (Foxp3), in IPEX patients. We found four non-polymorphic mutations. Each mutation affects the forkhead/winged-helix domain of the scurfin protein, indicating that the mutations may disrupt critical DNA interactions.

Pharmacokinetics of pegylated liposomal Doxorubicin: review of animal and human studies.

Abstract: Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (doxorubicin HCl liposome injection; Doxil® or Caelyx®) is a liposomal formulation of doxorubicin, reducing uptake by the reticulo-endothelial system due to the attachment of polyethylene glycol polymers to a lipid anchor and stably retaining drug as a result of liposomal entrapment via an ammonium sulfate chemical gradient. These features result in a pharmacokinetic profile characterised by an extended circulation time and a reduced volume of distribution, thereby promoting tumour uptake. Preclinical studies demonstrated one- or two-phase plasma concentration-time profiles. Most of the drug is cleared with an elimination half-life of 20–30 hours. The volume of distribution is close to the blood volume, and the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) is increased at least 60-fold compared with free doxorubicin. Studies of tissue distribution indicated preferential accumulation into various implanted tumours and human tumour xenografts, with an enhancement of drug concentrations in the tumour when compared with free drug. Clinical studies of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin in humans have included patients with AIDS-related Kaposi’s sarcoma (ARKS) and with a variety of solid tumours, including ovarian, breast and prostate carcinomas. The pharmacokinetic profile in humans at doses between 10 and 80 mg/m2 is similar to that in animals, with one or two distribution phases: an initial phase with a half-life of 1–3 hours and a second phase with a half-life of 30–90 hours. The AUC after a dose of 50 mg/m2 is approximately 300-fold greater than that with free drug. Clearance and volume of distribution are drastically reduced (at least 250-fold and 60-fold, respectively). Preliminary observations indicate that utilising the distinct pharmacokinetic parameters of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin in dose scheduling is an attractive possibility. In agreement with the preclinical findings, the ability of pegylated liposomes to extravasate through the leaky vasculature of tumours, as well as their extended circulation time, results in enhanced delivery of liposomal drug and/or radiotracers to the tumour site in cancer patients. There is evidence of selective tumour uptake in malignant effusions, ARKS skin lesions and a variety of solid tumours. The toxicity profile of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin is characterised by dose-limiting mucosal and cutaneous toxicities, mild myelosuppression, decreased cardiotoxicity compared with free doxorubicin and minimal alopecia. The mucocutaneous toxicities are dose-limiting per injection; however, the reduced cardiotoxicity allows a larger cumulative dose than that acceptable for free doxorubicin. Thus, pegylated liposomal doxorubicin represents a new class of chemotherapy delivery system that may significantly improve the therapeutic index of doxorubicin.

Challenges and Key Considerations of the Enhanced Permeability and Retention Effect for Nanomedicine Drug Delivery in Oncology

Abstract: Enhanced permeability of the tumor vasculature allows macromolecules to enter the tumor interstitial space, whereas the suppressed lymphatic filtration allows them to stay there. This phenomenon, enhanced permeability and retention (EPR), has been the basis of nanotechnology platforms to deliver drugs to tumors. However, progress in developing effective drugs using this approach has been hampered by heterogeneity of EPR effect in different tumors and limited experimental data from patients on effectiveness of this mechanism as related to enhanced drug accumulation. This report summarizes the workshop discussions on key issues of the EPR effect and major gaps that need to be addressed to effectively advance nanoparticle-based drug delivery.

Pediatric modification of the Montreal classification for inflammatory bowel disease: the Paris classification.

Abstract: Background: Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are complex disorders with some shared and many unique predisposing genes. Accurate phenotype classification is essential in determining the utility of genotype–phenotype correlation. The Montreal Classification of IBD has several weaknesses with respect to classification of children. The dynamic features of pediatric disease phenotype (change in disease location and behavior over time, growth failure) are not sufficiently captured by the current Montreal Classification. Methods: Focusing on facilitating research in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and creating uniform standards for defining IBD phenotypes, an international group of pediatric IBD experts met in Paris, France to develop evidence-based consensus recommendations for a pediatric modification of the Montreal criteria. Results: Important modifications developed include classifying age at diagnosis as A1a (0 to 40 years), distinguishing disease above the distal ileum as L4a (proximal to ligament of Treitz) and L4b (ligament of Treitz to above distal ileum), allowing both stenosing and penetrating disease to be classified in the same patient (B2B3), denoting the presence of growth failure in the patient at any time as G1 versus G0 (never growth failure), adding E4 to denote extent of ulcerative colitis that is proximal to the hepatic flexure, and denoting ever severe ulcerative colitis during disease course by S1. Conclusions: These modifications are termed the Paris Classification. By adhering to the Montreal framework, we have not jeopardized or altered the ability to use this classification for adult onset disease or by adult gastroenterologists. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2011)