Current Pharmaceutical Design - Volume 8, Issue 20, 2002

The high level expression of somatostatin receptors (SSTR) on various tumor cells has provided the molecular basis for successful use of radiolabeled octreotide / lanreotide analogs as tumor tracers in nuclear medicine. Other (nontumoral) potential indications for SSTR scintigraphy are based on an increased lymphocyte binding at sites of inflammatory or immunologic diseases such as thyroidassociated ophtalmolog Read More

From the prospective of a major oncology center in the United States, somatostatin analog radiopeptides currently have limited diagnostic and therapeutic utility. Diagnostic modalities utilitizing Somatostatin Receptor Imaging are now commercially available and the role of this type of method is currently being evaluated. Unlike the unique properties of thyroid tissue facilitating I-131 uptake, targeting of other tissues ha Read More

Until recently, imaging acute thrombus, especially the very prevalent condition of acute deep vein thrombosis relied on conventional imaging techniques utilizing either ultrasonography or contrast venography. The former procedure is limited by accuracy and the latter by technical considerations. Newer modalities such as magnetic resonance and computed tomographic scanning are yet to be validated in a prospec Read More

Globally, lung cancer has risen to the leading cause of cancer mortality in both sexes. Currently, the only potentially curable stage of the disease is the pulmonary nodule. Since numerous studies have documented that in any population of nodules only approximately fifty percent ultimately prove to be neoplastic, non-invasive evaluation of nodules to reduce surgical morbidity, mortality and cost is desirable. Recent nuclear Read More

A wealth of both clinical and pre-clinical data has strongly implicated the eosinophil in the pathogenesis of asthma, highlighting this cell type as a potential target for novel anti-inflammatory approaches to asthma therapy. The Th2 lymphocyte derived cytokine Interleukin-5 (IL-5) has emerged as the key regulator of eosinophil production, thus identifying IL-5 as the principal molecular target for therapeutic intervention. This revi Read More

In the complex pathogenesis of airway inflammation seen in asthma, several cytokines are recognized to play a crucial role. Modulation of the effect of these cytokines can provide alternative and more specific treatment approach to currently widely-used systemic immunosuppression by glucocorticoids. Theoretically, cytokine modulation can be achieved via several pathways, including inhibition of released cytokines by us Read More

Several chronic inflammatory airway diseases are characterized by an increased number of neutrophils in the airways. There is evidence that the recruitment of these neutrophils can be controlled by certain T-lymphocytes. However, the mechanisms behind this T-cell control of airway neutrophilia are poorly understood. In this review, we summarize the evidence that interleukin (IL)-17 released from T-lymphocytes of th Read More

Asthma is characterised by a chronic inflammatory process involving the airway wall leading to airflow limitation and bronchial hyperresponsiveness. This review describes the cellular molecular events underlying airway inflammation and remodelling in asthma and focuses on the distinct mechanisms of action of corticosteroids in beta agonists in asthma pathophysiology. In particular it discusses the evidenc Read More

NK cells have been associated with immune surveillance of tumor cells and defense mechanisms against various pathogens. However, by their capacity for immunoregulation NK cells may also play a role in determining the response to allergens. The novel possibility that NK cell activity may in part decide development of allergic airway inflammation and thus potentially be involved in the inception of asthma is discussed in thi Read More