Bevacizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody that targets vascular endothelial growth factor and inhibits angiogenesis, can cause hypertension. Although blood pressure generally rises in winter and falls in summer, seasonal patterns of bevacizumab-related hypertension (BRHT) remain unclear. We investigated these patterns using Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report data from July 2007 to June 2025. Cases where bevacizumab was reported as a “suspected drug” were identified using the Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities preferred terms “hypertension,” “blood pressure increased,” or “systolic blood pressure increased.” Monthly relative BRHT frequencies were calculated by dividing BRHT reports by the total adverse event reports and compared with mean monthly temperatures obtained from the Japan Meteorological Agency. Seasons were defined as spring (March–May), summer (June–August), autumn (September–November), and winter (December–February), and were visualized using mosaic plots. Between April 2004 and September 2025, 985,999 reports were registered, of which 956 met the BRHT criteria. The median time-to-onset (TTO) was 21.0 days (interquartile range, 7.0–45.0). The Weibull scale parameter (α) was 40.8 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 37.4–44.5), and the shape parameter (β) was 1.06 (95% CI: 0.99–1.13). BRHT reports peaked in September and October and were least frequent in summer. No significant differences were observed in either TTO or clinical outcomes across seasons of adverse event onset. BRHT occurred more frequently in autumn, particularly in September and October, than in winter. Healthcare professionals should be aware of this seasonal risk and ensure appropriate blood pressure monitoring and preventive measures during autumn.

Liposomes have been widely utilized as drug carriers to achieve the efficient tumor accumulation of anticancer drugs through the enhanced permeability and retention effect. However, due to their rigid lipid membranes, drug release from liposomes is limited in tumor tissues, thereby compromising anti-tumor efficacy. Therefore, the development of technologies that selectively promote drug release from liposomes in tumors is required. We previously demonstrated that polyethylene glycol (PEG)-modified sorbitan monooleate (Span 80) niosomes (PEG-Span 80 niosomes) enabled the triggered release of doxorubicin from the aqueous core of PEG-modified liposomes (PEG-liposomes). In the present study, we investigated whether PEG-Span 80 niosomes also promote the release of paclitaxel (PTX) from the lipid bilayer of PEG-liposomes. In addition, the triggering effect of PEG-modified sorbitan trioleate (Span 85) niosomes (PEG-Span 85 niosomes) on PTX release from PEG-liposomes was evaluated. PTX release from PEG-liposomes was significantly enhanced from early time points in the presence of PEG-Span 80 niosomes, and the amount released at 48 h was approximately 3.9-fold larger than that in the absence of PEG-Span 80 niosomes. Moreover, PEG-Span 85 niosomes promoted PTX release from PEG-liposomes, and the amount of PTX released in the presence of PEG-Span 85 niosomes was approximately 2.1-fold larger than that in the presence of PEG-Span 80 niosomes. In addition, the triggered release of PTX from PEG-liposomes induced by PEG-Span 85 niosomes was partially attributable to membrane fusion between these particles. These results provide valuable information for the realization of safe and effective liposome-based cancer chemotherapy.

Environmental contamination from antineoplastic drugs poses a significant occupational health risk to healthcare professionals. Herein, we evaluated the efficacy of a recently developed decontamination method using hypochlorous acid (HClO) water and alkaline electrolyzed water (AEW) compared to conventional cleaning, focusing on the physicochemical properties of target drugs. Decontamination efficacy was assessed on work desks and clean benches using an ATP bioluminescence assay (RLU values). Additionally, a wipe test was conducted on stainless-steel plates contaminated with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), gemcitabine (GEM), and paclitaxel (PTX) to quantify residual drug concentrations after cleaning with either distilled water/ethanol or HClO/AEW. Cleaning with HClO and AEW significantly reduced the RLU values compared to those from conventional cleaning (distilled water and ethanol) (p < 0.05), achieving levels below the standard threshold of 200 RLU. Regarding the wipe test, HClO and AEW demonstrated superior removal efficacy for the hydrophilic drugs 5-FU and GEM (p < 0.05). Conversely, residual levels of the highly lipophilic drug PTX (log P = 2.5) were significantly higher following HClO/AEW cleaning than those from the ethanol-based method. The combination of HClO and AEW provides excellent baseline cleanliness and is highly effective for decontaminating surfaces with hydrophilic antineoplastic drugs. However, its efficacy in removing lipophilic agents, such as PTX which may form hydrophobic films, is limited. These findings suggest that a multilayered decontamination strategy, such as HClO treatment with an ethanol wipe, is essential for comprehensive safety, and provide a scientific basis for selecting cleaning protocols based on the log P-values of handled hazardous drugs.

Distinguishing between disease-induced and drug-associated hyponatremia is important in patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections. This study aimed to characterize the specific reporting profile of linezolid (LZD)-associated hyponatremia using the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report (JADER) database. Data from the JADER database (April 2004‒May 2025) were analyzed. Crude reporting odds ratios (cRORs) for hyponatremia were calculated to confirm the safety signal for LZD. Subsequently, multivariate logistic regression and Weibull distribution analyses were performed for LZD-associated cases to explore demographic factors associated with the reporting and temporal reporting profiles, respectively. Among 4,480 reports of hyponatremia, 117 were associated with anti-MRSA agents (LZD, tedizolid, vancomycin, teicoplanin, daptomycin, and arbekacin). LZD demonstrated a significant reporting signal for hyponatremia (cROR, 10.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 8.19–12.31). This signal persisted even in the oral administration subgroup (cROR, 3.41; 95% CI, 1.83–6.38). The multivariate logistic regression analysis restricted to LZD-associated cases identified age ≥ 70 years (adjusted reporting odds ratio [aROR], 1.73; p < 0.001) and female sex (aROR, 1.52; p < 0.05) as demographic factors associated with the reporting. The median time to onset was 5.5 days. The Weibull shape parameter (β) was 1.34, indicating an increasing reporting hazard profile over time during the acute treatment period. These hypothesis-generating findings suggest that cumulative exposure to LZD may lead to hyponatremia, supporting the need for careful serum sodium monitoring, particularly in elderly and female patients.