Slovo úvodem

MUDr. Jan Novotný

Klin Farmakol Farm. 2010;24(3):115  

Combinations of penicillins with beta-lactamase inhibitor: utilization and expenditures

Vladimíra Vojtová, Karel Urbánek

Klin Farmakol Farm. 2010;24(3):117-120  

in the Czech Republic in 1997–2008 The aim of this study was to measure the development of utilization and costs of potentiated penicillins (J01CR) in the Czech Republic in 1997–2008. Standard methods for Drug Utilization Review studies was used, the data being obtained from the State Institute for Drug Control database. Although total antibiotic utilisation remains stable, utilization of penicillin combinations increased in the followed period from 1.77 DID in 1997 to 4.33 DID in 2008. Costs of them were 18.8 % of total antibiotic expenditures in 1997, and raised to 25.6 % in 2008. Utilization of potentiated penicillins makes...

Determination of imipenem plasmatic concentrations by high-performance liquid chromatography

Michal Šiller, Michal Lipš, Karel Urbánek

Klin Farmakol Farm. 2010;24(3):121-123  

Imipenem is a high-effective broad-spectrum carbapenem antibiotic. The aim of our study was to introduce a reliable and simple method for determination of imipenem plasma concentrations in our scientific laboratory. Plasma samples were stabilized by MOPS. Elution was performed in gradient mode, mobile phase composed of potassium dihydrogenphosphate and methanol. Imipenem was detected at 313 nm, no intereference of cilastatin or thienamycin was found. The basic validation parameters of method presented here have been also determined.

Tumor angiogenesis

Jan Novotný, Michal Zikán

Klin Farmakol Farm. 2010;24(3):124-126  

Tumor angiogenesis represents efficient mechanism that allows survival of tumor cells and promotes tumor growth. Antiangiogenic strategies are widely tested in various tumor types. The initial therapeutic attempts were focused on the inhibition of vascular epithelial growth factor signalling cascade and now research continues on other angiogenic signalling pathways (Tie, FGF).

Anti-angiogenic drugs in clinical practice

Tomáš Svoboda

Klin Farmakol Farm. 2010;24(3):127-134  

Because of the need of neoangiogenesis provided by the VEGF-receptors family they seem to be one of the key target structrures. Their activation is envolved in the tumor growth proces and development of metastases. The effort to protect prior this undesirable influence started by unblocked angiogenesis is a logical step in a majority diseases in oncology. Anti-VEGF and other structures targeted drugs with a similar mode of action become a standard part of anticancer therapy already in monotherapy as far as in combination with chemotherapy or radiation. The greatest amount of data available we do have with bevacizumab; however, sunitinib and...

Vascular disrupting (targeting) drugs

Jan Novotný

Klin Farmakol Farm. 2010;24(3):135-137  

In clinical practice, we have many products intervening on the level of blood vessel formation. It the so-called anti-angiogenic drugs. In this article, we deal with drugs targeted against the blood vessels, vascular disrupting drugs (EAD). The aim of these drugs is to make rapid destruction of existing blood vessels, causing a sharp drop in tumor perfusion and thus induce tumor necrosis. While many antiangiogenic drug delivery has undergone clinical phase III study, and are routinely used drugs before the second group are at the very beginning of clinical trials and only one of them advanced to the second phase of tests.

Faslodex 500 and new treatment options

Katarína Petráková

Klin Farmakol Farm. 2010;24(3):138-140  

One of the principal therapeutic procedures in metastatic breast cancer is hormonal therapy. In patients with positive oestrogen receptors, it should be considered as first-line therapy, particularly due to its efficacy and good tolerability. Visceral metastases should not be a criterion in favour of chemotherapy over hormonal therapy. Since they are well tolerated, aromatase inhibitors are recommended as first-line hormonal therapy in postmenopausal patients. However, tamoxifen remains an acceptable option. The results of the recent CONFIRM and FIRST clinical trials support the use of 500 mg fulvestrant every four weeks in patients in whom...

Results of a long-term clinical trial: extended survival in patients with metastatic prostate

Petr Beneš

Klin Farmakol Farm. 2010;24(3):142-144  

cancer treated with clodronate Bisphosphonates are part of comprehensive therapeutic strategy in all oncological diagnoses resulting in tumorous bone disease. Bisphosphonates have been used since the 1980s and are still very beneficial for the patients. The present study evaluated the benefit of first-generation bisphosphonates, i. e. clodronate, not only in terms of its effect on bone events, but also with respect to the results of long-term survival of patients. The data from the study confirm that survival was extended in the group of patients using clodronate.

Teratogenity of drugs and its importance for rational pharmacotherapy

Jana Schwarzová, Mária Belovičová, Martin Wawruch

Klin Farmakol Farm. 2010;24(3):145-151  

The knowledge on the importance of drugs´ teratogenity plays a significant role in the process of rational pharmacotherapy. Women represent almost half of adult patients and a part of them is in fertile period when the potential teratogenity risk should be considered. The drugs could be administered for a long time or for a short term treatment of acute conditions. The teratogenic effect of a drug depends on: the period of pregnancy in time when the drug is applied, the duration of drug administration, genotype of mother and foetus, dosage of active substance which is effecting on foetus. It is estimated that drugs contribute to development...

Aprepitant

Šárka Kozáková, Roman Goněc

Klin Farmakol Farm. 2010;24(3):152-154  

An antagonist of neurokinine NK1 receptors, aprepitant is indicated for the prevention of acute and delayed nausea and vomiting in adults related to moderate or high emetic risk anti-cancer chemotherapy. Chemotherapy induces nausea and vomiting by the means of peripheral mechanisms that start in the course of day 1 and in which 5-HT3 receptors play the major role, as well as by the means of central mechanisms that are triggered in the course of following days and in which neurokinine receptors are crucial. In clinical studies, the combination of aprepitant, a corticosteroid, and a 5-HT3 antagonist proved to lead to better overall response than...

Certolizumab pegol

Jan Strojil, Hana Ciferská

Klin Farmakol Farm. 2010;24(3):155-160  

Certolizumab pegol is a humanized anti-TNFα Fab’ fragment with two conjugated PEG molecules which extend its half-life significantly. In the EU, it is currently authorized for use in rheumatoid arthritis, where it has demonstrated rapid and sustained effect both in combination with methotrexate and in monotherapy. In the US and some other countries it is also authorized for use in Crohn’s disease where its effects are also comparable with other anti-TNFα drugs, even though direct comparison is still lacking. Certolizumab pegol is administered by subcutaneous injection once in 2–4 weeks; it is well tolerated with...

Blahopřejeme k životnímu jubileu prof. Květinovi

Jan Solich

Klin Farmakol Farm. 2010;24(3):164-165  

Beginnings of clinical pharmacology in the Czech lands

Jiří Elis

Klin Farmakol Farm. 2010;24(3):161-163  

The grounds of the new medical specialization – clinical pharmacology – were laid in the Czech Republic, similarly as in USA or in Great Britain, in fifties and sixties of the last century. The fast development occurred in the seventh decade of 20th century. Nowadays, it is highly recognized and much needed medical discipline.

Čest jej pamiatke!

PharmDr. Vlasta Kákošová

Klin Farmakol Farm. 2010;24(3):166