Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2026
16:40
A New Single Chamber Implantable Defibrillator with Atrial Sensing: A Practical Demonstration of Sensing and Ease of Implantation
Published on: February 28, 2012
Insights into defibrotide: an updated review
1Unità Operativa Complessa di Ematologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Interna, Azienda Ospedaliera di Cosenza, Viale della Repubblica, Cosenza 87100, Italy. fortunato_morabito@tin.it
Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy
|May 22, 2009
Summary
Defibrotide, an oligonucleotide, shows promise in treating cardiovascular issues and preventing complications after stem-cell transplants. Emerging research suggests potential anticancer effects, warranting further clinical study.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Oncology
Background:
- Defibrotide is an oligonucleotide with diverse therapeutic actions including antiatherosclerotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-ischaemic, pro-fibrinolytic, and antithrombotic effects.
- It is clinically utilized for various cardiovascular disorders and particularly for endothelial complications following allogeneic stem-cell transplantation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and consolidate existing data on the mechanism of action and clinical applications of defibrotide.
- To explore and highlight potential new therapeutic uses for defibrotide, including its antineoplastic effects.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature review of published papers on defibrotide from November 1982 to January 2008, sourced via PubMed.
- Inclusion of recent meeting abstracts to incorporate the latest findings and emerging applications.
Main Results:
- Defibrotide has demonstrated clinical efficacy in the treatment and prophylaxis of hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome post-stem-cell transplantation.
- Animal models indicate a potential antineoplastic effect of defibrotide, suggesting a novel therapeutic avenue.
Conclusions:
- Defibrotide possesses a multifaceted pharmacological profile beneficial for cardiovascular and transplantation-related conditions.
- The potential antineoplastic activity of defibrotide requires further investigation through rigorous clinical trials to validate its efficacy and safety in cancer treatment.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Dysrhythmias VI: Management of Dysrhythmias
Dysrhythmia management involves a multifaceted approach, incorporating pharmacological treatments, medical procedures, surgical interventions, lifestyle modifications, and patient education.Pharmacological ManagementAntiarrhythmic Drugs:Class I (Sodium Channel Blockers): This class includes quinidine and procainamide, which reduce the speed of impulse conduction in the heart, stabilize the cardiac membrane, and control arrhythmias. Quinidine and procainamide are Class IA agents that prolong the...
01:19Depolarizing Blockers: Pharmocokinetics
Depolarizing blockers are administered through intravenous injection. Succinylcholine is the most common choice of depolarizing blockers in emergency clinical practices. Although they have a rapid onset, they readily diffuse away from the motor end plate into the extracellular fluid. They are metabolized by enzymes such as liver butyrylcholinesterase and plasma pseudocholinesterases. This produces a short duration of action, typically 5-10 minutes long, unlike nondepolarizing blockers, which...
01:26Heart Failure Drugs: Inotropic Agents
Positive inotropic agents are commonly used as the first line of treatment for heart failure. One such agent is digoxin, derived from the genus Digitalis, which has been known for centuries but effectively utilized since 1785. However, these cardiac glycosides can have potentially toxic effects due to their mechanism of action, which involves inhibiting Na+/K+-ATPase and increasing contractility. Digoxin is absorbed orally and distributed in various tissues, including the CNS. It has a long...
01:22Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class I Agents as Sodium Channel Blockers
Class I antiarrhythmic drugs are used to treat various types of arrhythmias or irregular heart rhythms. These drugs block the sodium (Na+) channels in the cardiac cells, thereby affecting the movement of electrical impulses across the heart. Class I antiarrhythmic drugs are divided into three subgroups: Class IA, Class IB, and Class IC, each with distinct mechanisms of action and effects on the heart.
Class 1A Antiarrhythmic Drugs: These drugs work by moderately blocking sodium channels,...
Class 1A Antiarrhythmic Drugs: These drugs work by moderately blocking sodium channels,...
01:26Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Treatment Strategies
Treatment strategies for poisoning are a critical aspect of emergency medicine, focusing on preventing the absorption of toxins and enhancing their elimination. When a poisoning incident occurs, the first response is to halt exposure and decontaminate the patient, particularly through gastrointestinal (GI) methods if the poison was ingested.Gastrointestinal Decontamination Techniques:Activated charcoal is the cornerstone of GI decontamination. It works through adsorption, binding the toxin to...
01:21Pharmacodynamics: Overview and Principles
Pharmacodynamics is a scientific field that delves into drugs' intricate biochemical, cellular, and physiological effects on the human body. The study of pharmacodynamics helps us understand how drugs interact with the body and elicit various responses.
Most drugs' effects result from their interactions with drug receptors or targets within the body. These interactions trigger specific responses at the cellular or systemic level. Drug receptors can be found on the surfaces of cells or within...
Most drugs' effects result from their interactions with drug receptors or targets within the body. These interactions trigger specific responses at the cellular or systemic level. Drug receptors can be found on the surfaces of cells or within...