No abstract

Enantiomerically and diastereomerically pure bis-chelated imine-alkoxytitanium complexes 6 and 7 have been synthesized and used as chiral dopants for converting nematic into cholesteric phases. The dopants were tested in mainly commercially available nematic liquid crystalline compounds or mixtures: LC1 (BASF), ZLI-1695 and ZLI-1840 (Merck), as well as N-(4-methoxybenzylidene)-4'-butylaniline (MBBA). The values of the helical twisting power (HTP) were determined by the Grandjean-Cano method. Exceptionally high helical twisting powers were obtained. Thus, the titanium complex 6 h displayed a HTP value of 740 microm(-1) in MBBA, the highest HTP value reported. The helical twisting power has been found to depend strongly on the structure of the nematic phase and the substitution pattern of the chiral ligand in the titanium complexes 6 and 7. Crystal structure analysis of 6 f confirmed the A,R,R configuration of the metal complex. The chiral imine ligands 4 and 5 were derived from the regioisomeric amino alcohols 1 and 2.

Background Core needle biopsy plays a crucial role as diagnostic tool for BC. Both Ki67 and likely tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in the near future are determining the kind of systemic therapy. The role of TILs in BC is still an issue for clinical research, albeit preliminary results of neoadjuvant and adjuvant clinical studies already now highlight the crucial impact of TILs on therapy response and survival. Methods Evaluation of related publications (pubmed) and meeting abstracts (ASCO, SABCS). Results The monoclonal antibody Ki67 recognizing a nuclear antigene in proliferating cells is a positive marker of therapy response and superior survival. Endocrine responsive tumors of low proliferation (Ki67 < 14%/11%) respond to tamoxifen, in contrast postmenopausal tumors with higher proliferation respond better to aromatase-inhibitors. Pathological complete response (pCR)-rates increase in tumors with higher proliferation (Ki67 > 19%) vs. tumors with lower proliferation after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). pCR-rates of up to 60% can be seen in TNBC and HR-, HER2+BC, lower pCR-rates, however, in HR+, HER2- BC. Increased stromal TILs are found in 30% of TNBC and in 19% of HR-, HER2+BC. The percentage of TILs is a significant independent parameter for pCR after NAC. Lymphocyte-predominant BC (LPBC) respond with higher pCR-rates than non-LPBC or tumors without any TILs. Increased TILs in TN and HR-, HER2+ subtypes predict benefit from addition of carboplatin to NAC. TILs are also associated with improved DFS and OS among patients with TNBC and HR-, HER2+ BC. Conversly and interestingly increased TILs in patients with HR+, HER2-(luminal) BC are associated with a 10% higher risk of death per 10% increase of TILs. Interactions between immune system and cancer are complex. The cancer-immunity cycle characterizes these interactions. BC subtypes with higher number of mutations such as TNBC and HR-, HER2+BC are considered to provide a raising number of tumor-associated antigens, thereby capable to build up a higher endogenous immune response. TILs may serve as surrogate marker of both an existing endogenous immune response and the probability to respond to cancer immune therapies. As cancer co-opt immune checkpoint-pathways as a major mechanism of immune resistance, in particular, against cytotoxic T-cells, blockades of checkpoint-pathways by antibodies are one of the goals of the current cancer immunotherapy studies. Therapy studies with antigene-based strategies (vaccines) and antibodies against the immune checkpoints PD-1 and CTLA-4 and their inhibitory pathways in order to enhance cytotoxic T-cell activities against cancer cells with or without chemotherapy are underway. Conclusions It can be suggested that the use of multigene expression testing will increase in order to select more clearly primary HR+, HER2- BC patients with intermediate recurrence risk who likely may benefit from chemotherapy. Furthermore Ki67 and the multigene expression test Oncotype DX can act as dynamic markers to avoid cytostatic overtreat...

Background: The objective of the IMPROVE study was patients' preference for either endocrine-based therapy or combined chemo-and anti-angiogenic therapy in advanced HR-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer. Methods: In this randomized, cross-over phase IV study, 77 patients were recruited in 26 sites in Germany. Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive either capecitabine plus bevacizumab (Cap+Bev) as first-line therapy followed by cross-over to everolimus plus exemestane (Eve+Exe) as second-line therapy (Arm A) or the reverse sequence (Arm B). The primary endpoint was patients' preference for either regimen, assessed by the Patient Preference Questionnaire 12 weeks after cross-over. Key secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), safety, and quality of life (QoL).

The first route to 5-alkyl substituted and purely transconfigurated 1,4-dioxanecarboxylic acids 3 is described. The mesogenic properties of the esters 17 and 20, which are derived from the acids 3 and esters 19 (prepared from the hemiacetal 8a), are studied and compared. An enantioselective route to 1,4-dioxanecarboxylic acid 3a is explained, and takes advantage of the stereoselective addition of the bromolithioalkene 11b to heptanal.