We have examined a similar crosslinkable polymer system, poly(propylene fumerate)-co-(propylene maleate) (PPFcPM), derived from maleic anhydride (MA) and 1,2-propylene diol (PD). This copolymer system uses a less expensive monomer as well as leads to varied ratios of fumerate to maleate groups, allowing tuning of the crosslinked polymer properties such

as degradation rate. Two different reaction conditions were used to synthesize the copolymer from MA and PD. In the Selisistat first case (Method A), toluene was used as a solvent to azeotropically (85 degrees C) remove water to drive the acid catalyzed esterification reaction. In the second case (Method B), the initial ring opening reaction was conducted, followed by addition of catalyst and removal of water to produce polymer of higher molecular weight. Both polymer systems had glass transition temperatures (T-g) below room temperature. The low T-g PPFcPM was dissolved in chloroform along with the photoinitiator phenylbis(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoy1)-phosphine oxide (BAPO) and electrospun. The polymer fibers were crosslinked soon after they formed to produce noncalendaring 3D porous scaffolds. Control experiments without the BAPO photoinitiator did not produce fiber mats. (C) 2010 Wiley

Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 117: 1984-4991, 2010″
“Background: For multiple chemotherapeutics, 17-AAG in vitro cardiotoxicity is dose limiting and can lead to substantial morbidity and mortality. Early cardiac intervention has the potential to positively affect clinical course.

Methods and Results: We reviewed 247 consecutive patients referred to the Stanford

this website cardiology clinic for cancer therapy-associated cardiac abnormalities from 2004 to 2012. A comprehensive review of records was performed, with documentation of baseline characteristics, cardiac imaging, medications, and clinical course. Seventy-nine patients who had left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) declines temporally associated with cancer therapy were included. The most common malignancies were breast (46%) and hematologic (35%); 71% of the patients were female, and overall mean age was 52 years. The primary cancer therapeutics associated with LVEF decline included anthracyclines, trastuzumab, and tyrosine kinase inhibitors. The mean LVEF was 60% before cancer therapy and 40% after cancer therapy. The most common cardiac interventions included beta-blockers (84%) and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers (83%). Mean LVEF after cardiac intervention rose to 53%; 77% of patients had LVEF recovery to >= 50% and 68% of these patients had recovery within 6 months of starting cardiac therapy; 76% of patients were able to continue their planned cancer therapy.

Conclusions: With appropriate cardiac intervention, the majority of patients with LVEF decline from cancer therapy can achieve LVEF recovery and complete their cancer therapy.