-
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment Dec 2023Onychomycosis is difficult to treat due to long treatment durations, poor efficacy rates of treatments, high relapse rates, and safety issues when using systemic... (Review)
Review
Onychomycosis is difficult to treat due to long treatment durations, poor efficacy rates of treatments, high relapse rates, and safety issues when using systemic antifungal agents. Device-based treatments are targeted to specific regions of the nail, have favorable safely profiles, and do not interfere with systemic agents. They may be an effective alternative therapy for onychomycosis especially with increasing reports of squalene epoxidase gene mutations and potential resistance to terbinafine therapy. In this review, we discuss four devices used as antifungal treatments and three devices used as penetration enhancers for topical agents. Lasers, photodynamic therapy, microwaves, and non-thermal plasma have the capacity to inactivate fungal pathogens demonstrated through studies. Efficacy rates for these devices, however, remain relatively low pointing toward the need to further optimize device or usage parameters. Ultrasound, nail drilling, and iontophoresis aid in improving the permeability of topical agents through the nail and have been investigated as adjunctive therapies. Due to the paucity in clinical data, their efficacy in treating onychomycosis has not yet been established. While the results of clinical studies point toward the potential utility of devices for onychomycosis, further large-scale randomized clinical trials following regulatory guidelines are required to confirm current results.
Topics: Humans; Onychomycosis; Antifungal Agents; Terbinafine; Nails; Photochemotherapy; Administration, Topical
PubMed: 37807661
DOI: 10.1080/09546634.2023.2265658 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Jun 2023Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is an invasive cancer accounting for <1% of all cancers and 10-15% of primary liver cancers. Intrahepatic CCA (iCCA) is associated with poor... (Review)
Review
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is an invasive cancer accounting for <1% of all cancers and 10-15% of primary liver cancers. Intrahepatic CCA (iCCA) is associated with poor survival rates and high post-surgical recurrence rates whilst most diagnosed patients are not surgical candidates. There is a growing literature suggesting percutaneous ablative techniques for the management of patients with iCCA measuring ≤3 cm with contraindications to surgery as well as for recurrent or residual tumors aiming to provide local cancer treatment and control. Most used ablative therapies for iCCA include radiofrequency and microwave ablation with irreversible electroporation, cryoablation and reversible electroporation (electrochemotherapy) being less commonly encountered techniques. Due to the infiltrative margins of the lesion, there is a need for larger safety margins and ablation zone; multi-apparatus ablation or other variations of the technique such as balloon-assisted approaches can be utilized aiming to increase size of the zone of necrosis. The present review paper focuses upon the current role of percutaneous ablative techniques for the therapeutic management of iCCA. The purpose of this review is to present the current minimally invasive ablative techniques in the treatment of iCCA, including local control and survival rates.
Topics: Humans; Cholangiocarcinoma; Cryosurgery; Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic; Bile Duct Neoplasms; Catheter Ablation
PubMed: 37511998
DOI: 10.3390/medicina59071186 -
Lung Cancer (Amsterdam, Netherlands) Aug 2023Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is the standard of care for inoperable early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Use of image guided thermal ablation... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
RATIONALE
Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is the standard of care for inoperable early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Use of image guided thermal ablation (IGTA; including microwave ablation [MWA] and radiofrequency ablation [RFA]) has increased in NSCLC, however there are no studies comparing all three.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the efficacy of IGTA (including MWA and RFA) and SBRT for the treatment of NSCLC.
METHODS
Published literature databases were systematically searched for studies assessing MWA, RFA, or SBRT. Local tumor progression (LTP), disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) were assessed with single-arm pooled analyses and meta-regressions in NSCLC patients and a stage IA subgroup. Study quality was assessed with a modified methodological index for non-randomized studies (MINORS) tool.
RESULTS
Forty IGTA study-arms (2,691 patients) and 215 SBRT study-arms (54,789 patients) were identified. LTP was lowest after SBRT at one and two years in single-arm pooled analyses (4% and 9% vs. 11% and 18%) and at one year in meta-regressions when compared to IGTA (OR = 0.2, 95%CI = 0.07-0.63). MWA patients had the highest DFS of all treatments in single-arm pooled analyses. In meta-regressions at two and three-years, DFS was significantly lower for RFA compared to MWA (OR = 0.26, 95%CI = 0.12-0.58; OR = 0.33, 95%CI = 0.16-0.66, respectively). OS was similar across modalities, timepoints, and analyses. Older age, male patients, larger tumors, retrospective studies, and non-Asian study region were also predictors of worse clinical outcomes. In high-quality studies (MINORS score ≥ 7), MWA patients had better clinical outcomes than the overall analysis. Stage IA MWA patients had lower LTP, higher OS, and generally lower DFS, compared to the main analysis of all NSCLC patients.
CONCLUSIONS
NSCLC patients had comparable outcomes after SBRT and MWA, which were better than those with RFA.
Topics: Humans; Male; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Retrospective Studies; Treatment Outcome; Radiosurgery; Lung Neoplasms; Catheter Ablation; Liver Neoplasms
PubMed: 37321074
DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2023.107259 -
International Journal of Surgery... Mar 2024There is currently a lack of convincing evidence for microwave ablation (MWA) and laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) for patients ≥60 years old with 3-5 cm...
A multicenter case-controlled study on laparoscopic hepatectomy versus microwave ablation as first-line therapy for 3-5 cm hepatocellular carcinoma in patients aged 60 and older.
BACKGROUND
There is currently a lack of convincing evidence for microwave ablation (MWA) and laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) for patients ≥60 years old with 3-5 cm hepatocellular carcinoma.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Patients were divided into three cohorts based on restricted cubic spline analysis: 60-64, 65-72, and ≥73 years. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to balance the baseline variables in a 1:1 ratio. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were assessed, followed by a comparison of complications, hospitalization, and cost.
RESULTS
Among 672 patients, the median age was 66 (IQR 62-71) years. After PSM, two groups of 210 patients each were selected. During the 36.0 (20.4-52.4) month follow-up period, the 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year OS rates in the MWA group were 97.6, 80.9, and 65.3% and 95.5, 78.7, and 60.4% in the LLR group (HR 0.98, P =0.900). The corresponding DFS rates were 78.6, 49.6, and 37.5% and 82.8, 67.8, and 52.9% (HR 1.52, P =0.007). The 60-64 age cohort involved 176 patients, with no a significant difference in OS between the MWA and LLR groups (HR 1.25, P =0.370), MWA was associated with a higher recurrence rate (HR 1.94, P =0.004). A total of 146 patients were matched in the 65-72 age cohort, with no significant differences in OS and DFS between the two groups (OS (HR 1.04, P =0.900), DFS (HR 1.56, P =0.110)). In 76 patients aged ≥73 years after PSM, MWA provided better OS for patients (HR 0.27, P =0.015), and there were no significant differences in DFS between the two groups (HR 1.41, P =0.380). Taken together, for patients older than 65 years, the recurrence rate of MWA was comparable with LLR. Safety analysis indicated that LLR was associated with more postoperative bleeding ( P =0.032) and hypoproteinemia ( P =0.024).
CONCLUSIONS
MWA was comparable to LLR in patients aged 65 years and older. MWA could be an alternative for the oldest old or the ill patients who cannot afford LLR, while LLR is still the first option of treatments for early-stage 3-5 cm hepatocellular carcinoma in capable elderly's.
Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Humans; Middle Aged; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Catheter Ablation; Hepatectomy; Laparoscopy; Liver Neoplasms; Microwaves; Propensity Score; Retrospective Studies; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38320101
DOI: 10.1097/JS9.0000000000000839 -
International Journal of Molecular... Aug 2023Despite the advances made in treatment, the prognosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains dismal, even in the locoregional and locally advanced stages,... (Review)
Review
Despite the advances made in treatment, the prognosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains dismal, even in the locoregional and locally advanced stages, with high relapse rates after surgery. PDAC exhibits a chemoresistant and immunosuppressive phenotype, and the tumor microenvironment (TME) surrounding cancer cells actively participates in creating a stromal barrier to chemotherapy and an immunosuppressive environment. Recently, there has been an increasing use of interventional radiology techniques for the treatment of PDAC, although they do not represent a standard of care and are not included in clinical guidelines. Local approaches such as radiation therapy, hyperthermia, microwave or radiofrequency ablation, irreversible electroporation and high-intensity focused ultrasound exert their action on the tumor tissue, altering the composition and structure of TME and potentially enhancing the action of chemotherapy. Moreover, their action can increase antigen release and presentation with T-cell activation and reduction tumor-induced immune suppression. This review summarizes the current evidence on locoregional therapies in PDAC and their effect on remodeling TME to make it more susceptible to the action of antitumor agents.
Topics: Humans; Tumor Microenvironment; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal
PubMed: 37628865
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612681 -
Journal of the American Heart... May 2024Transcatheter renal denervation (RDN) has had inconsistent efficacy and concerns for durability of denervation. We aimed to investigate long-term safety and efficacy of... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
BACKGROUND
Transcatheter renal denervation (RDN) has had inconsistent efficacy and concerns for durability of denervation. We aimed to investigate long-term safety and efficacy of transcatheter microwave RDN in vivo in normotensive sheep in comparison to conventional radiofrequency ablation.
METHODS AND RESULTS
Sheep underwent bilateral RDN, receiving 1 to 2 microwave ablations (maximum power of 80-120 W for 240 s-480 s) and 12 to 16 radiofrequency ablations (180 s-240 s) in the main renal artery in a paired fashion, alternating the side of treatment, euthanized at 2 weeks (acute N=15) or 5.5 months (chronic N=15), and compared with undenervated controls (N=4). Microwave RDN produced substantial circumferential perivascular injury compared with radiofrequency at both 2 weeks [area 239.8 (interquartile range [IQR] 152.0-343.4) mm versus 50.1 (IQR, 32.0-74.6) mm, <0.001; depth 16.4 (IQR, 13.9-18.9) mm versus 7.5 (IQR, 6.0-8.9) mm <0.001] and 5.5 months [area 20.0 (IQR, 3.4-31.8) mm versus 5.0 (IQR, 1.4-7.3) mm, =0.025; depth 5.9 (IQR, 1.9-8.8) mm versus 3.1 (IQR, 1.2-4.1) mm, =0.005] using mixed models. Renal denervation resulted in significant long-term reductions in viability of renal sympathetic nerves [58.9% reduction with microwave (=0.01) and 45% reduction with radiofrequency (=0.017)] and median cortical norepinephrine levels [71% reduction with microwave ( <0.001) and 72.9% reduction with radiofrequency ( <0.001)] at 5.5 months compared with undenervated controls.
CONCLUSIONS
Transcatheter microwave RDN produces deep circumferential perivascular ablations without significant arterial injury to provide effective and durable RDN at 5.5 months compared with radiofrequency RDN.
Topics: Animals; Microwaves; Sympathectomy; Renal Artery; Kidney; Sheep; Catheter Ablation; Time Factors; Disease Models, Animal; Blood Pressure; Female; Radiofrequency Ablation
PubMed: 38664237
DOI: 10.1161/JAHA.123.031795 -
Life (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2024Surgical resection remains the cornerstone of curative treatment for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA), but this option is only available to a small percentage of... (Review)
Review
Surgical resection remains the cornerstone of curative treatment for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA), but this option is only available to a small percentage of patients. For patients with unresectable iCCA, systemic therapy with gemcitabine and platinum-based agents represents the mainstay of treatment; however, the armamentarium has grown to include targeted molecular therapies (e.g., FGFR2 inhibitors), use of adjuvant therapy, liver transplantation in select cases, immunotherapy, and locoregional liver-directed therapies. Despite advances, iCCA remains a challenge due to the advanced stage of many patients at diagnosis. Furthermore, given the improving options for systemic therapy and the fact that the majority of iCCA patients succumb to disease progression in the liver, the role of locoregional therapies has increased. This review will focus on the expanding role of interventional radiology and liver-directed therapies in the treatment of iCCA.
PubMed: 38398726
DOI: 10.3390/life14020217 -
Frontiers in Oncology 2023Ablation is a common treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to assess research trends in the ablation treatment of HCC using bibliometric...
OBJECTIVE
Ablation is a common treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to assess research trends in the ablation treatment of HCC using bibliometric analysis.
METHODS
Publications between January 1, 1993 and December 31, 2022 were retrieved from the Web of Science database. The bibliometrix package from R software, CiteSpace, VOSviewer and an online analytical platform were used for data analysis and plotting.
RESULTS
A total of 4,029 publications were retrieved from the Web of Science database between 1993 and 2022. The annual growth rate of publication numbers was 10.14%. China had the largest number of publications in the field of HCC ablation. China and the United States of America have the most notable cooperation. Sun Yat-sen University had the largest number of publications in the field of HCC ablation. The most relevant journals were , , , and . High-frequency keywords mainly focused on "therapy," "resection," "radiofrequency ablation" and "survival".
CONCLUSIONS
With the increase in related publications, the research direction of ablation treatment of HCC is mainly focused on "therapy," "resection," "radiofrequency ablation" and "survival", and the ablation treatment method has gradually changed from percutaneous ethanol injection to radiofrequency ablation and microwave ablation. Irreversible electroporation may become the main method of ablation therapy in the future.
PubMed: 37427105
DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1166775 -
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders Aug 2023Our objective was to summarize, synthesize, and integrate the evidence evaluating the effectiveness of biophysical agents compared to other conservative treatments, for... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Our objective was to summarize, synthesize, and integrate the evidence evaluating the effectiveness of biophysical agents compared to other conservative treatments, for the management of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).
METHODS
This was an overview of systematic reviews (SRs). We searched several online databases and obtained SRs relating to managing CTS using biophysical agents. Two independent researchers screened and appraised the quality of the SRs using the A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews-2 appraisal tool. We extracted information related to study characteristics as well as the effectiveness of biophysical agents for CTS, the effect sizes, and between-group significances. We categorized the information based on the type of biophysical agent. We also performed a citation mapping and calculated the corrected covered area index.
RESULTS
We found 17 SRs addressing 12 different biophysical agents. The quality of the SRs was mainly critically low (n = 16) or low (n = 1). The evidence was inconclusive for the effectiveness of Low-level Laser therapy and favorable for the short-term efficacy of non-thermal ultrasound in improving symptom severity, function, pain, global rating of improvement, satisfaction with treatment, and other electrophysiological measures compared to manual therapy or placebo. Evidence was inconclusive for Extracorporeal Shockwave therapy, and favorable for the short-term effectiveness of Shortwave and Microwave Diathermy on pain and hand function. The corrected covered area index was lower than 35% indicating a low overlap of the SRs.
CONCLUSIONS
The findings were based on low-quality primary studies, with an unclear or high risk of bias, small sample sizes, and short follow-ups. Therefore, no recommendations can be made for the long-term effectiveness of any biophysical agents. High-quality evidence is needed to support evidence-based recommendations on the use of biophysical agents in the management of CTS.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42022319002, registered on 17/04/2022.
Topics: Humans; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome; Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy; Low-Level Light Therapy; Pain Management; Systematic Reviews as Topic
PubMed: 37563725
DOI: 10.1186/s12891-023-06778-z