Docetaxel (DTX) is an antineoplastic agent of the second generation of the taxoid family. It is a semi-synthetic drug prepared from a precursor extracted of the plant Taxus baccata. The commercial formulation of DTX, Taxotere®, employs the surfactant polysorbate 80, due to the low water solubility of the drug, causing several side effects. Therefore, there is a need to develop delivery systems to reduce the side effects of DTX. In addition, this drug has been qualitative and quantitatively analyzed in pharmaceutical formulations and biological samples. Thus, several techniques and analytical methods have been reported with the aim of optimizing the analytical signal, increasing sensitivity, selectivity and reducing the effects of interference. Herein, we highlight immunoassay, capillary electrophoresis and chromatographic methods. This review presents a summary of physicochemical and pharmacokinetics properties, mechanisms of action, drug delivery systems and analytical methods used in quantification of DTX in diverse matrices such as blood, plasma, oral fluid, urine, carcinoma cells, pharmaceutical formulations and delivery systems.

Cetuximab (CTX) is a chimeric monoclonal antibody (mAb) able to selectively bind to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), resulting in inhibition of EGF linkage and phosphorylation cascade interruption. As a result, it is able to prevent cell proliferation, angiogenesis and metastasis, usually related to cancer malignization. As the EGFR is overexpressed in many human tumors, its use has been approved by FDA since 2006. Clinical use of CTX has been proved to cause skin rash which is related to the better prognosis. Thus, currently strategies also focus on the development of safe and effective drug delivery systems and on quantification methods for CTX in a variety of matrices. Based on the challenges to quantify CTX, immunoassays, spectrophotometric assays, electrophoretic assays and chromatographic assays are under study. Among them, the spectrophotometric/colorimetric techniques, used in near 32% of the papers investigated, followed by chromatographic techniques and immunoassay methods, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), used in 29% and 26%, respectively, and electrophoretic techniques used in near 13%. Herein, we will describe and discuss CTX main aspects and highlight the main quantification methods that are currently used for its quantification in different matrices.

Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar o potencial alelopático do extrato metanólico e da fração hexana, clorofórmio, acetato de etila e fração hidrometanólica das folhas de Stryphnodendron adstringens, conhecida como barbatimão, na germinação e crescimento inicial de picãopreto, assim como também o teor de flavonóides e fenóis. As sementes de picão-preto foram distribuídas sobre papel germitest, umedecido com 2 mL dos extratos, em placas de petri e estas mantidas em câmara do tipo B.O.D. regulada a temperatura de 25 ºC e luz branca constante. As avaliações consistiram de: porcentagem de germinação, comprimento de raiz primária e de hipocótilo das plântulas. O extrato metanólico apresentou efeito supressivo mais efetivo sobre a germinação e o crescimento de plântulas de picão-preto, indicando que somente o efeito sinérgico dos compostos das folhas de barbatimão pode ser capaz de inibir o estabelecimento do picão-preto. O extrato apresentou alto teor de fenóis e flavonóides.