The video animations below depict the mechanism of action of GnRH agonists and antagonists in the treatment of prostate cancer. The three movies will start playing at the same time, you can right-click on each of them and deselect “play” in case you want to stop any of them. This excerpt from the Wikipedia article…
Category Archives: Hematology, cancer chemotherapy and related
P-glycoprotein: animation showing its role in chemotherapy resistance
Some introductory information about MDR1, the protein that mediates resistance to chemotherapeutic agents, from Wikipedia: P-glycoprotein (plasma gycoprotein, abbreviated as P-gp or Pgp) is a well-characterized ABC-transporter of the MDR/TAP subfamily. P-gp is also called ABCB1, ATP-binding cassette sub-family B member 1, MDR1, and PGY1. P-glycoprotein has also recently been designated CD243 (cluster of differentiation 243)….
Anticoagulants MCQs for test review
Here are a couple of questions related to the pharmacology of coagulation. These questions from the UMKC School of Medicine have a different degree of difficulty, but are useful to review the topic. To get a better understanding on the topic, you can read about antiplatelet agents and thrombolytic drugs. Item Number: 10968 correct answer:…
FDA recommendations on clopidogrel (Plavix) because of decreased response and PPI interactions
Pharmamotion has now a new page containing updates on clopidogrel PPI interactions. The FDA issued today an early communication about an ongoing safety review of the antiplatelet agent clopidogrel bisulfate (Plavix). The backgroung to this is the recent evidence of: A decreased response to clopidogrel in some patients. Since clopidogrel is a prodrug, genetic polymorphisms…
EMEA recommends new contraindications for toremifene (Fareston): long QT interval and related heart diseases
In a recent press release, EMEA made clear the new contraindications for the selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) toremifene (Fareston): Completing the review of the available data during its 19-22 January 2009 meeting, the CHMP concluded that the benefits of Fareston are greater than its risks, but that its use should be restricted. The CHMP…
Protein bound paclitaxel (Abraxane) mechanism of action. 3D video animations
What is Protein bound paclitaxel (Abraxane) ? Source: National Cancer Institute protein-bound paclitaxel (PROH-teen… PAK-lih-TAK-sil) A drug used to treat breast cancer that has spread or that has come back within 6 months after chemotherapy. It is also being studied in the treatment of newly diagnosed breast cancer and other types of cancer. Protein-bound paclitaxel…
Thrombin inhibition: video animation explaining bivalirudin (Angiomax, Angiox) mechanism of action
Chemistry and mechanism of action of bivalirudin (Angiox, Angiomax), from Wikipedia: Chemically it constitutes a synthetic congener of the naturally occurring drug hirudin (found in the saliva of the medicinal leech Hirudo medicinalis). Both bivalirudin and hirudin directly inhibit thrombin by specifically binding as well to the catalytic site and to the anion-binding exosite of…
Rivaroxaban (Xarelto) for the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE): SMC review
The Scottish Medicines Consortium issued on 7th November, 2008 an advice on rivaroxaban (Xarelto): ADVICE: following a full submissionrivaroxaban (Xarelto®) is accepted for use within NHS Scotland for the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in adult patients undergoing elective hip or knee replacement surgery.In three large phase III studies in patients undergoing either total knee…
Bivalirudin (Angiox) for acute coronary syndromes: SMC review
The Scottish Medicines Consortium issued on 7th December, 2008 an advice on bivalirudin (Angiox): Bivalirudin (Angiox) is accepted for restricted use within NHS Scotland for the treatment of adult patients with acute coronary syndromes (unstable angina/non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction) planned for urgent or early intervention. It is restricted to use in patients who would …
Nilotinib (Tasigna) for chonic myeloid leukemia: Health Canada evaluation
Information from Health Canada issued October 14, 2008 about the recently approval of nilotinib (Tasugna) On September 9, 2008, Health Canada issued a Notice of Compliance under the Notice of Compliance with Conditions (NOC/c) Policy to Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. for the drug product Tasigna*. The product was authorized under the NOC/c Policy on the…
Methylnaltrexone (Relistor) for opioid induced constipation: SMC review
The Scottish Medicines Consortium issued on 8th December, 2008 an advice on the recently approved opioid antagonist methylnaltrexone ADVICE: following a full submissionMethylnaltrexone (Relistor) is accepted for restricted use within NHS Scotland for treatment of opioid-induced constipation in advanced illness patients who are receiving palliative care when response to usual laxative therapy has not been…
Recomendations for the use of erlotinib (Tarceva) in patients with liver disease
Letter dated December 12, 2008 published on the Health Canada website on erlotinib adverse effects: Dear Health Care Professional, Hoffmann-La Roche Limited, in consultation with Health Canada would like to inform prescribers of important new safety information regarding the use of TARCEVA® (erlotinib) in patients with moderate hepatic impairment and advanced solid tumors. TARCEVA is…
Off-label intravitreal use of bevacizumab (Avastin): reports of ocular side effects
Letter from Roche to health care professionals dated December 16, 2008. Related to off- label uses in ophtalmology of bevacizumab (Avastin): Reports of Eye Inflammation, Endophthalmitis, and Toxic Anterior Segment Syndrome (TASS) Following Off-label Intravitreal Use of AVASTIN® (bevacizumab)
Dabigatran (Pradaxa, Pradax) for the prevention of VTE. Mechanism of action, indications, contraindications, pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics.
Information about dabigatran (Pradaxa in Europe, Pradax in Canada) for the prevention of venous thromboembolic events (VTE), from Health Canada. On June 10, 2008, Health Canada issued a Notice of Compliance to Boehringer Ingelheim Canada Ltd. for the drug product, Pradax. Pradax contains the medicinal ingredient dabigatran etexilate used in its salt form, dabigatran etexilate…
