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International Journal of Immunogenetics Feb 2022Kidney dysfunction is a highly significant disease, both in the United Kingdom and globally. Many previous studies have reported associations between human leukocyte... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Kidney dysfunction is a highly significant disease, both in the United Kingdom and globally. Many previous studies have reported associations between human leukocyte antigens (HLA) and renal function; this systematic review attempts to identify, summarize and appraise all published studies of these associations.
METHODS
A literature search was performed using Medline, Embase and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials to identify papers whose keywords included each of the following concepts: HLA, renal failure and genetic association. A total of 245 papers were identified and assessed for eligibility; 35 of these were included in the final study.
RESULTS
A total of 95 HLA types and 14 three-locus haplotypes were reported to be associated with either increased or decreased renal function. A number of these findings were replicated by independent studies that reported 16 types were protective against renal dysfunction and 15 types were associated with reduced renal function. A total of 20 HLA types were associated with both increased risk of renal disease and decreased risk by independent studies.
DISCUSSION
There is very little consensus on which HLA types have a protective or deleterious effect on renal function. Ethnicity may play a role, with HLA types possibly having different effects among different populations, and it is possible that the different primary diseases that lead to ESRD may have different HLA associations. Some of the studies may contain type I and type II errors caused by insufficient sample sizes, cohort selection and statistical methods. Although we have compiled a comprehensive list of published associations between renal function and HLA, in many cases, it is unclear which associations are reliable. Further studies are required to confirm or refute these findings.
Topics: Ethnicity; HLA Antigens; Haplotypes; Humans; Kidney; United Kingdom
PubMed: 34919330
DOI: 10.1111/iji.12566 -
Frontiers in Neurology 2018In recent years, new antibodies have been discovered which mediate autoimmune encephalitis. This immunological response can be triggered by an infection or a tumor.... (Review)
Review
In recent years, new antibodies have been discovered which mediate autoimmune encephalitis. This immunological response can be triggered by an infection or a tumor. Classical onconeuronal antibodies are directed against intracellular neuronal agents but recently, a novel group of antibodies to neuronal cell-surface and synaptic antigens associated with different CNS-syndromes, has been discovered. Interestingly, the syndromes in this group can be successfully treated with immunotherapy and frequently do not have underlying tumors. The aim of this review is to describe the current state of knowledge about autoimmune encephalitis, in order to provide clinicians with a concise, up-to-date overview. Thus, a comprehensive literature search was performed in medical databases. The literature was carefully studied and new findings focusing on the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment were summarized and interpreted. Even though it might be challenging in some cases, the awareness of certain symptom constellations and demographic information, in combination with laboratory- and MRI-results, allows clinicians to make the diagnosis of probable autoimmune encephalitis at an early stage. Treatment can therefore be initiated faster, which significantly improves the outcome. Further investigations could define the underlying pathogenic mechanisms. Randomized controlled trials, paired with increasing clinical experience, will be necessary to improve the identification of affected patients, treatment strategies, and outcomes in the years to come.
PubMed: 30233481
DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2018.00706 -
International Journal of Surgery... Nov 2023Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third-most lethal malignant tumor worldwide. The rapid development of immunotherapy utilizing immune checkpoint inhibitors for... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Clinico-characteristics of patients which correlated with preferable treatment outcomes in immunotherapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third-most lethal malignant tumor worldwide. The rapid development of immunotherapy utilizing immune checkpoint inhibitors for advanced HCC patients has been witnessed in recent years, along with numerous randomized clinical trials demonstrating the survival benefits for these individuals. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to identify specific clinico-pathological characteristics of advanced HCC patients that may lead to preferable responses to immunotherapy in terms of overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and objective response rate (ORR).
METHODS
The included clinical trials were retrieved from PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane library, and the Web of Science databases published in English between 1 January 2002 and 20 October 2022. A systematic review and meta-analysis for first-line and second-line phase II/III studies were conducted on immunotherapy for patients with advanced HCC by using OS as the primary outcome measure, and PFS and ORR as the secondary outcome measures to obtain clinico-pathological characteristics of patients which might be preferable responses to programmed death-1 (PD-1) and programmed cell death-Ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors. Toxicity and specific treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were also determined.
RESULTS
After screening 1392 relevant studies, 12 studies were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis to include 5948 patients. Based on the analysis of interaction, the difference in OS after first-line immunotherapy between the subgroups of viral hepatitis [hazard ratio (HR)=0.73 vs 0.87, P for interaction=0.02] and macrovascular invasion and/or extrahepatic spread (HR=0.73 vs 0.89, P for interaction=0.02) were significant. The difference in PFS between the subgroups of viral hepatitis was highly significant (pooled HR=0.55 vs 0.81, P for interaction=0.007). After second-line immunotherapy, the difference in ORR between the subgroups of Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer was significant (pooled ES=0.12 vs 0.23, P for interaction=0.04). Compared with PD-L1 inhibitors, PD-1 inhibitors may have a higher probability to cause TRAEs. Diarrhea, increased aspartate aminotransferase, and hypertension were the top three TRAEs.
CONCLUSIONS
This systematic review and meta-analysis represents the first pilot study aimed at identifying crucial clinico-pathological characteristics of patients with advanced HCC that may predict favorable treatment outcomes in terms of OS, PFS, and ORR to immunotherapy. Findings suggest that patients with viral hepatitis positivity (especially hepatitis B virus) and macrovascular invasion and/or extrahepatic spread may benefit more in OS when treated with PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Topics: Humans; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; B7-H1 Antigen; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors; Pilot Projects; Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor; Liver Neoplasms; Treatment Outcome; Immunotherapy; Hepatitis, Viral, Human; Lung Neoplasms
PubMed: 37598406
DOI: 10.1097/JS9.0000000000000652 -
Journal of Clinical and Experimental... Sep 2014Rapid point-of-care tests provide plausible diagnostic strategy for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in low resource areas. However, their utility depends upon their... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Rapid point-of-care tests provide plausible diagnostic strategy for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in low resource areas. However, their utility depends upon their overall performance. Our objective was to meta-analyze the diagnostic accuracy of rapid point-of-care tests for HBsAg.
METHODS
Literature search was done with the help of a metasearch engine Mettā, a query interface for retrieving articles from five leading medical databases. Studies that employed rapid point-of-care tests for detection of HBsAg and compared the results with reference test were included. Two reviewers performed quality assessment of the studies and extracted data for estimating test accuracy. Twenty-seven studies were meta-analyzed and stratified by multiple parameters.
RESULTS
Twenty-seven studies had evaluated 49 test brands and generated 76 data points. Sensitivity of individual tests varied widely and were heterogeneous (range 43.5%-99.8%); while specificity estimates were more robust and close to 100% (range 90%-100%). Overall pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (LR), negative LR and diagnostic odds ratio for all tests were 97.1% (95% CI, 96.1%-97.9%), 99.9% (CI, 99.8%-100%), 118.4 (CI, 84.7-165.5), 0.032 (CI, 0.023-0.045) and 4094.7 (CI, 2504.1-6600.8) respectively. This suggested high pooled accuracy for all studies. We found substantial heterogeneity between studies. Three factors (study location, reference standard and study score) appeared most strongly associated with test estimates and observed heterogeneity. The Determine test showed consistency in performance in studies done across developed and developing countries and the Determine and the BinaxNOW tests had significantly higher estimates than pooled estimates of remaining tests. Tests revealed analytical sensitivity of 4 IU/ml against manufacturer's claim of 0.5 IU/ml; reduced sensitivity with HBsAg mutants and poor performance in seroconversion panels.
CONCLUSIONS
Tests with better analytical sensitivity need to be developed and their feasibility and outcomes in various clinical settings need to be addressed.
PubMed: 25755565
DOI: 10.1016/j.jceh.2014.07.008 -
Blood Transfusion = Trasfusione Del... Jul 2021Following the first reports in the literature, the association between the ABO blood group and SARS-CoV-2 infection has been investigated by a number of studies,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Following the first reports in the literature, the association between the ABO blood group and SARS-CoV-2 infection has been investigated by a number of studies, although with varying results. The main object of this systematic review was to assess the relationship between the ABO blood group and the occurrence and severity of COVID-19.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A systematic literature search using appropriate MeSH terms was performed through Medline and PubMed. The outcomes considered were the prevalence of the blood group O vs non-O types in SARS-CoV-2 infected and non-infected subjects, and the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection according to ABO group. The methodological quality of the studies included in the analysis was assessed with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, and the overall quality of the available evidence using the GRADE system. Benchmarks used to evaluate the effect size were odd ratios (ORs) for case control studies and risk ratios (RRs) for cohort studies.
RESULTS
Twenty-one studies were included in the analysis. Overall, individuals with group O had a lower infection rate compared to individuals of non-O group (OR: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.75, 0.86). However, the difference in the effect size was significantly lower in cohort studies compared to case control studies. No evidence was found indicating an effect of the O type on the disease severity in the infected patients.
DISCUSSION
We have found low/very low evidence that group O individuals are less susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to those in the non-O group. No evidence was found indicating an effect of the O type on disease severity in SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Topics: ABO Blood-Group System; Benchmarking; COVID-19; Case-Control Studies; Cohort Studies; Humans; Odds Ratio; SARS-CoV-2; Severity of Illness Index
PubMed: 34059188
DOI: 10.2450/2021.0049-21 -
Breast (Edinburgh, Scotland) Oct 2023Cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK4/6) inhibitors have an extremely important impact on the treatment of hormone-sensitive breast cancer (BC) and have radically changed... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
INTRODUCTION
Cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK4/6) inhibitors have an extremely important impact on the treatment of hormone-sensitive breast cancer (BC) and have radically changed the first-line treatment for metastatic disease with increased rates of treatment response, overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS). We performed a pooled analysis of randomized trials to validate or refute the hypothesis that there is a significant survival benefit of adding anti-CDK4/6 inhibitors to standard endocrine therapy (ET) in older patients with advanced BC.
METHODS
We selected only English-language phase II/III randomized controlled trials that compared ET alone with ET with anti-CDK4/6 inhibitors in the treatment of advanced BC, with subgroups reporting the outcomes of elderly patients (usually at least 65 years). The primary endpoint was OS.
RESULTS
The review process led to the inclusion of 12 articles and two meeting abstracts, including a total of 10 trials. The addition of CDK4/6 inhibitors to ET (letrozole or fulvestrant) significantly reduced mortality risk by 20% in younger patients (fixed-effect model; HR 0.80; 95% CI 0.72-0.9; p < 0.01) and 21% in older BC patients (HR 0.79; 95% CI 0.69-0.91; p < 0.01). No OS data were available for patients ≥70 years.
CONCLUSION
This large, pooled analysis is the first to demonstrate that CDK4/6 inhibitors confer OS and PFS benefits in elderly patients (those aged ≥65 years) with advanced ER + BC and to indicate that it should be discussed with and offered to all patients after geriatric assessment and according to the toxicity profile.
Topics: Aged; Humans; Female; Breast Neoplasms; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4; Receptor, ErbB-2; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 6; Fulvestrant; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols
PubMed: 37198053
DOI: 10.1016/j.breast.2023.05.002 -
Archivum Immunologiae Et Therapiae... Jun 2021Breast cancer is the leading cause of women's death among all cancers. The main reason associated with this is the development of metastasis and therapy-resistant breast...
Breast cancer is the leading cause of women's death among all cancers. The main reason associated with this is the development of metastasis and therapy-resistant breast carcinoma (BC), which pose the main challenge of oncology nowadays. Evidence suggest that these tumors seem to have inhibitory mechanisms that may favor their progression and surveillance. Cancer cells can evade antitumor T cell responses by expressing some immune inhibitory molecules such as the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4), whose clinical meaning has emerged in the last few years and is poorly understood in the BC context. This systematic literature review aims at identifying studies on CTLA-4 expression in BC, and address what is known about its clinical meaning. A literature search was performed in PubMed and LILACS databases, using the MESH terms "breast cancer"; "CTLA-4 Antigen/antagonists and inhibitors"; and "Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/immunology", published in the last 10 years. In total, 12 studies were included in this review. Systematic review used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Despite the small number of eligible studies, the literature reports some associations between CTLA-4 expression in the tumor microenvironment and worse BC outcomes, regardless of its molecular subtype. CTLA-4 expression in BC is a putative marker of clinical significance and a rationale therapeutic target in the emerging field of immunotherapy.
Topics: Biomarkers, Tumor; Breast Neoplasms; CTLA-4 Antigen; Cell Line, Tumor; Clinical Decision-Making; Disease-Free Survival; Female; Humans; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors; Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Prognosis; Tumor Escape; Tumor Microenvironment
PubMed: 34148159
DOI: 10.1007/s00005-021-00618-5 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2021The presence of anti-desmocollin (Dsc) antibodies is rarely described in autoimmune blistering diseases patients. Moreover, several clinical phenotypes of pemphigus may...
The presence of anti-desmocollin (Dsc) antibodies is rarely described in autoimmune blistering diseases patients. Moreover, several clinical phenotypes of pemphigus may be associated with these antibodies. In this review we analyze clinicopathological, immunologic and outcome features of anti-Dsc autoimmune blistering diseases patients, to improve their diagnosis and management. We conducted a systematic search of PubMed and Embase (1990-present) for studies reporting cases of autoimmune blistering diseases with anti-Dsc antibodies. We classified the selected patients as patients with exclusively anti-Dsc autoantibodies, and patients with anti-Dsc and other autoantibodies. Of 93 cases with anti-Dsc autoantibodies included, 38 (41%) had exclusively these antibodies. Only 18% of patients presented with the typical clinicopathological phenotype of pemphigus vulgaris or pemphigus foliaceous. Mucosal involvement was seen in approximately half of the patients. Up to 18% of cases were associated with neoplasms. Acantholysis was described in 54% of cases with histopathological information. Treatments and outcomes vary in the different clinical phenotypes. The presence of anti-Dsc antibodies must be suspected mainly in those patients with either atypical pemphigus, in special with clinical pustules, or in cases showing intraepithelial or dermal neutrophilic/eosinophilic infiltrate on histological examination and dual pattern by direct immunofluorescence examination.
Topics: Acantholysis; Animals; Autoantibodies; Autoimmunity; Desmocollins; Desmogleins; Eosinophils; Humans; Neutrophils; Pemphigus; Phenotype; Skin
PubMed: 34567003
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.740820 -
Cancer Gene Therapy Jun 2023Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cell therapy is an effective treatment approach for patients with relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (R/R B-ALL).... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Long-term response to autologous anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T cells in relapsed or refractory B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cell therapy is an effective treatment approach for patients with relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (R/R B-ALL). However, identifying the factors that influence long-term response to this therapy is necessary to optimize patient selection and treatment allocation. We conducted a literature review and meta-analysis to investigate the use of autologous anti-CD19 CAR T cell therapy in both pediatric and adult patients with R/R B-ALL, using several databases including MEDLINE, Cochrane Central, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Journals@Ovid, Embase, and clinicaltrial.gov. A total of 38 reports were analyzed, which enrolled 2134 patients. Time-to-event endpoints were estimated using reconstructed patient survival data. The study explored key modulators of response, including costimulatory domains, disease status, age, and lymphodepletion. The median overall survival and event-free survival were 36.2 months [95% CI 28.9, NR] and 13.3 months [95% CI 12.2, 17], respectively. The overall response rate was 76% [95% CI 71, 81]. The use of 4-1BB costimulatory domain in the CAR construct, administration of low-dose cyclophosphamide lymphodepletion, and pretreatment morphologic remission were associated with better overall survival, with hazard ratios of 0.72, 0.56, and 0.66, respectively. Morphologic remission and 4-1BB domain were associated with better event-free survival, with hazard ratios of 0.66 and 0.72, respectively. These findings suggest that CAR T cell therapy may offer long-term benefits to patients with R/R B-ALL. However, further research is needed to optimize patient selection and better understand the impact of various factors on the outcome of CAR T cell therapy.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Child; Receptors, Chimeric Antigen; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; Immunotherapy, Adoptive; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma; Antigens, CD19; T-Lymphocytes
PubMed: 36750666
DOI: 10.1038/s41417-023-00593-3 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2023Identification of modulators of the immune response with inhibitory properties that could be susceptible for therapeutic intervention is a key goal in cancer research.... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
INTRODUCTION
Identification of modulators of the immune response with inhibitory properties that could be susceptible for therapeutic intervention is a key goal in cancer research. An example is the human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G), a nonclassical major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecule, involved in cancer progression.
METHODS
In this article we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis on the association between HLA-G expression and outcome in solid tumors. This study was performed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines and registered in PROSPERO.
RESULTS
A total of 25 studies met the inclusion criteria. These studies comprised data from 4871 patients reporting overall survival (OS), and 961 patients, reporting disease free survival (DFS). HLA-G expression was associated with worse OS (HR 2.09, 95% CI = 1.67 to 2.63; P < .001), that was higher in gastric (HR = 3.40; 95% CI = 1.64 to 7.03), pancreatic (HR = 1.72; 95% CI = 0.79 to 3.74) and colorectal (HR = 1.55; 95% CI = 1.16 to 2.07) cancer. No significant differences were observed between the most commonly utilized antibody (4H84) and other methods of detection. HLA-G expression was associated with DFS which approached but did not meet statistical significance.
DISCUSSION
In summary, we describe the first meta-analysis associating HLA-G expression and worse survival in a variety of solid tumors.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD42022311973.
Topics: Humans; Disease-Free Survival; HLA-G Antigens; Neoplasms; Prognosis; Progression-Free Survival
PubMed: 37275862
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1165813