Publications by authors named "Imogen A Ball"

Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a curative approach for blood cancers, yet its efficacy is undermined by a range of acute and chronic complications. In light of mounting evidence to suggest that these complications are linked to a dysbiotic gut microbiome, we aimed to evaluate the feasibility of faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) delivered during the acute phase after HSCT. Of note, this trial opted for FMT prepared using the individual's own stool (autologous FMT) to mitigate the risks of disease transmission from a donor stool.

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  • This study investigates the adverse effects of fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy and aims to identify genetic and non-genetic predictors of these side effects.
  • Researchers analyzed genomic DNA for 25 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and collected demographic and treatment data from 155 Australian participants.
  • Results showed associations between multiple genetic and non-genetic predictors with various adverse effects, particularly highlighting diarrhea as the most common severe side effect, and suggest further research is needed to understand these predictors' clinical significance.
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Background: Neratinib is a pan-ErbB tyrosine kinase inhibitor used for extended adjuvant treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer. Diarrhea is the main adverse event associated with neratinib treatment. We aimed here to determine whether antibiotic-induced gut microbial shifts altered development of neratinib-induced diarrhea.

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Background: Neratinib is a potent irreversible pan-ErbB tyrosine kinase inhibitor, approved by the FDA for extended adjuvant treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer. Diarrhea is the most frequently observed adverse event with tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy. In this study, we developed a reproducible model for neratinib-induced diarrhea in male and female rats.

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Background: Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are potential biomarkers for many diseases. However, they can originate from non-disease specific sources, such as blood cells, and compromise the investigations for miRNA biomarkers. While small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) have been suggested to provide a purer source of circulating miRNAs for biomarkers discovery, the most suitable blood sample for sEV miRNA biomarker studies has not been defined.

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Background: The common cytotoxic mechanisms that underpin chemoefficacy and toxicity have hampered efforts to deliver effective supportive care interventions, particularly for gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated in both tumor growth and GI toxicity, and as such MMP inhibitors present as a novel therapeutic avenue to simultaneously enhance treatment efficacy and reduce toxicity.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of an MMP-9/12 inhibitor, AZD3342, on tumor growth and GI toxicity in a rat model.

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Purpose: Neratinib is an irreversible pan-ErbB tyrosine kinase inhibitor used for the extended adjuvant treatment of early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer. Its use is associated with the development of severe diarrhea in up to 40% of patients in the absence of proactive management. We previously developed a rat model of neratinib-induced diarrhea and found inflammation and anatomical disruption in the ileum and colon.

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Dacomitinib, an irreversible small-molecule pan-ErbB TKI, has a high incidence of diarrhea, which has been suggested to be due to chloride secretory mechanisms. Based on this hypothesis, crofelemer, an antisecretory agent may be an effective intervention. T84 monolayers were treated with 1 µM dacomitinib and 10 µM crofelemer, and mounted into Ussing chambers for electrogenic ion analysis.

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Dacomitinib-an irreversible pan-ErbB tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)-causes diarrhoea in 75% of patients. Dacomitinib-induced diarrhoea has not previously been investigated and the mechanisms remain poorly understood. The present study aimed to develop an in-vitro and in-vivo model of dacomitinib-induced diarrhoea to investigate underlying mechanisms.

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  • The study aimed to assess whether blocking TLR4 signaling with (-)-naloxone would reduce gut toxicity caused by irinotecan and affect tumor growth in rats.
  • Female Dark Agouti rats were treated with irinotecan alone, (-)-naloxone alone, or a combination of both, with daily monitoring of weight loss, diarrhea, and tumor growth.
  • Results showed that (-)-naloxone did not mitigate irinotecan-induced gut toxicity and actually increased tumor growth, suggesting potential safety concerns for patients using both medications simultaneously.
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We have previously shown increased intestinal permeability, to 4-kDa FITC-dextran, in BALB/c mice treated with irinotecan. Importantly, genetic deletion of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4; Tlr4) protected against loss of barrier function, indicating that TLR4 is critical in tight junction regulation. The current study aimed (i) to determine the molecular characteristics of intestinal tight junctions in wild-type and Tlr4 BALB/c mice and (ii) to characterize the secretory profile of the distal colon.

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