Document vVKEOXbVv87QVRkzzZ5GZnoe9

NEWS OF THE WEEK Inhaled multiwalled carbon nanotubes (shown expanded) travel to and become embedded in the pleural tissue (left) and are encapsulated by phagocytes (right). * 50 nnii . mm NANOTUBES SCAR MOUSE LUNGS toxicologists are particularly concerned with the pleural region because the rare cancer mesothelioma, which is frequently associated with asbestos exposure, develops there. Scientists have expressed concern that nanotubes NANOTOXICOLOGY: Inhalation of carbon structures causes unique physiological effects maybehave like asbestos because oftheir fiberlike shape. To see how far multiwalled carbon nanotubes travel when inhaled, Bonner's team subjected mice to a single inhalation exposure to the tubes at a concentration of30 mg/m3. They then collected lung tissue after one day, as well as two, six, and 14 weeks after exposure. F INHALED, multiwalled carbon nanotubes can The researchers found that the nanotubes traveled to Itravel to the lunglining ofmice and cause scarring, just beneath the pleura, where scarring developed two, according to a paperfrom James C. Bonner ofNorth six, and 14 weeks after exposure. The team observed no Carolina State University and coworkers (Nat. Nanotech., mesothelioma but notes that the slow-growing cancer DOI: 10.1038Znnan0.2009.305). The results suggest extra is unlikely to show up in their experimental time frame. caution should be exercised to Similar experiments carried Offtwith carbon-black avoid inhaling carbon nanotubes nanoparticles produced no scarring. 50 nm....... m VL when handling the material. "This is the first published "The take-home message is that we should be careful in the waywe handle carbon nanotubes because based study to demonstrate that on our mouse study, these fiberlike structures will inhaled carbon nano reach the outer lining ofthe lung and remain there for tubes reach" the lung weeks or months," Bonner tells C8cEN. lining, also known as "This is an important paper," comments nanotoxicol the pleura, note Ken ogy expert David B. Warheit ofthe DuPont Haskell Labo Donaldson and Craig ratoryfor Health 8c Environmental Sciences, in Newark, A. Poland ofthe Uni Del. However, "the effects were manifested following versity ofEdinburgh's an extremelyhigh exposure concentration ofcarbon Center for Inflamma nanotubes," he adds. "It will be important to ascertain tion Research, in Scotland, in a commen whether the observed potency occurs at relevant occu tary that accompanies the paper. Nano pational exposure levels."-- BETHANY HALFORD EMERGENCY DRUG FILLS VACCINE VOID are being supported by $180 million in Department of Health 8c Human Services (HHS) funding. BioCryst's partner, Shionogi, has completed late-stage studies in Japan and is filing for approval there. PANDEMIC: FDA allows use of unapproved flu drug while vaccine supplies lag "BioCryst has worked with HHS to enable the gov ernment to rapidly deploy an initial supply ofperami vir, and we are prepared to deliver more," says the firm's CEO, Jon P. Stonehouse. The company already has provided HHS with 1,200 courses oftreatment, each consisting of600 mg per day for five days. ELIEVING THAT the possible benefit outweighs In preparation for orders from the U.S. or other gov Bany risk, FDA is allowing BioCryst Pharmaceu ernments, BioCryst is completing production ofabout ticals' unapproved drug peramivir to be used in 130,000 more treatment courses. According to analysts treating hospitalized flu patients. The new antiviral at the investment firm Leerink Swann, this could trans agent has been made available to battle the novel H1N1 late into about $39 million in sales for the company. influenza virus at a time when vaccines are overdue. Under the emergency use authorization, BioCryst is Just about a week ago, FDA issued an emergency use not allowed to promote its drug. CDC will control how authorization for peramivir, following a request from and where peramivir is distributed. the Centers for Disease Control 8c Prevention (CDC). Meanwhile, producers ofH1N1 vaccines continue With no adequate approved alternative, FDA says, the to have difficulty supplying as many doses as they once drug is meant for patients who aren't responding to or promised. As of Oct. 28, about 23.2 million doses were can't take Roche's oral drug Tamiflu or GlaxoSmith available, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said in a Kline's inhaled product Relenza. press briefing. Although the number ofdoses grew Discovered by Birmingham, Ala.-based BioCryst, by about 9 million in one week, it is much below the peramivir inhibits neuraminidase, an enzyme that is 45 million doses that were anticipated to be on hand critical to the replication ofthe flu virus. In the U.S., the by mid-October and the total of250 million doses re company has the drug in Phase III clinical trials, which served under contracts.--ANN THAYER If)WWW.CEN-ONLINE.ORG NOVEMBER 2, 2009