-
Clinical Lymphoma, Myeloma & Leukemia Jan 2021In the present systematic literature review, we sought to describe the burden and treatment practices of adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in India, which reflect...
BACKGROUND
In the present systematic literature review, we sought to describe the burden and treatment practices of adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in India, which reflect the realities and outcomes in a middle-income country.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We conducted a search for reported studies using terms such as "adult ALL," "epidemiology," and "treatment" in the Medline, Embase, Cochrane, and other database sources. We obtained 249 articles and 18 conference abstracts reported until December 2019. A total of 40 studies were selected to qualitatively summarize the data.
RESULTS
The proportion of ALL among adult patients diagnosed with acute leukemia at reporting institutions from 16 Indian studies ranged from 7.3% to 57.8%. Most studies were performed in Northern India (n = 12), had a male preponderance (range, 57%-80%), and had a predominance of B-ALL (range, 65.2%-75.9%). The treatment protocols used for ALL included MCP-841, BFM (Berlin-Frankfurt-Münster)-90, chemotherapy plus a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, GMALL (German Multicenter Study Group for Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia), and hyper-CVAD (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, dexamethasone). The complete remission rates and median overall survival for these protocols ranged from 46.7% to 91.4% and 7 to 46 months, respectively. The overall relapse rates were 24.3% to 57.1% within median time of 9 to 24 months, with bone marrow the most frequent relapse site. After relapse, most patients had chosen palliative therapy (range, 78.7%-96.0%). The major treatment-related toxicities included neutropenia, myelosuppression, and infection.
CONCLUSIONS
The results from Indian studies on adult ALL are heterogeneous, reporting a diverse incidence and poor overall outcomes using varied non-contemporaneous treatment protocols adapted from the developed world. A comprehensive countrywide approach to diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up and the potential incorporation of novel therapies could improve the prognosis and outcomes of adult ALL in India.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Female; Humans; India; Male; Middle Aged; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma; Survival Analysis; Young Adult
PubMed: 33189603
DOI: 10.1016/j.clml.2020.08.023 -
Updates in Surgery Dec 2022To evaluate the short- and long-term survival of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in the patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC) through randomized... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
The short- and long-term survival of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in the advanced gastric cancer with/without peritoneal carcinomatosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
To evaluate the short- and long-term survival of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in the patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC) through randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We analyzed the endpoints of AGC patients including 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival (OS), intestinal anastomotic leakage, myelosuppression, nausea and vomiting from included studies. And we retrieved RCTs from medical literature databases. Risk ratios (RR) was used to calculated the endpoints. Totally, we retrieved 13 articles (14 trial comparisons) which contained 1091 patients. They were randomized to HIPEC group and control group. The results showed that there was no significant differences in survival rates between HIPEC group and control group at 1-, 2- and 3-year follow-up, while a statistical significant overall survival effect was found at the 5-year follow-up [RR: 1.20, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.43, I = 0.0%]. And there is no significant difference in the risk of intestinal anastomotic leakage, myelosuppression and nausea and vomiting. Compared with the control group, HIPEC could improve the long-term OS without increasing the risk of adverse effect in AGC patients with/without peritoneal carcinomatosis, but there was no benefit at short-term OS.
Topics: Humans; Peritoneal Neoplasms; Stomach Neoplasms; Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy; Hyperthermia, Induced; Anastomotic Leak; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Survival Rate; Nausea; Vomiting; Combined Modality Therapy; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Cytoreduction Surgical Procedures
PubMed: 36116077
DOI: 10.1007/s13304-022-01376-5 -
Expert Opinion on Drug Metabolism &... Apr 2024High-dose methotrexate (HDMTX) therapy poses challenges in various neoplasms due to individualized pharmacokinetics and associated adverse effects. Our purpose is to...
INTRODUCTION
High-dose methotrexate (HDMTX) therapy poses challenges in various neoplasms due to individualized pharmacokinetics and associated adverse effects. Our purpose is to identify early risk factors associated with HDMTX-induced toxicities, paving the way for personalized treatment.
AREAS COVERED
A systematic review of PubMed and Cochrane databases was conducted for articles from inception to July 2023. Eligible studies included reviews, clinical trials, and real-world analyses. Irrelevant studies were excluded, and manual searches and citation reviews were performed. Factors such as MTX exposure, drug interactions, demographics, serum albumin, urine pH, serum calcium, and genetic polymorphisms affecting MTX transport (e.g. SLCO1B1), intracellular folate metabolism (MTHFR), cell development (ARID5B), metabolic pathways (UGT1A1, PNPLA3), as well as epigenetics were identified.
EXPERT OPINION
This comprehensive review aids researchers and clinicians in early identification of HDMTX toxicity risk factors. By understanding the multifaceted risk factors associated with hematologic malignancies, personalized treatment approaches can be tailored to optimize therapeutic outcomes.
Topics: Humans; Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Interactions; Hematologic Neoplasms; Methotrexate; Polymorphism, Genetic; Precision Medicine; Risk Factors
PubMed: 38501267
DOI: 10.1080/17425255.2024.2332366 -
Evidence-based Complementary and... 2020Aidi injection (ADI) is being used widely for breast cancer in China. However, the efficacy and safety of it need to be summarized. We conducted a systematic review and... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Aidi injection (ADI) is being used widely for breast cancer in China. However, the efficacy and safety of it need to be summarized. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare ADI and non-ADI treatment for advanced breast cancer.
METHODS
We searched PubMed, EMBASE, CNKI, SinoMed, and CENTRAL from inception to Jan 2020 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with diagnosis of advanced breast cancer that compared the efficacy of ADI with non-ADI treatment. Two researchers screened the literature, extracted data, and evaluated risk of bias separately. The primary outcomes were overall response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR). The secondary outcomes included the QOL, immune cells, and adverse events. Review Manager software was used for estimating risks of bias of included studies, data analysis, and plotting. The sensitivity analysis and the publication bias test were performed using the language. and chi-square tests were used to estimate heterogeneity. If > 0.1 or < 40%, the fixed-effect model meta-analysis was performed. A random or fixed-effect analysis was used depending on the heterogeneity testing. Weighted mean difference (WMD) or standard mean difference (SMD) was used for analysis of continuous data, and the rate ratio (RR) was calculated for the dichotomous variable, respectively.
RESULTS
We included 14 studies with 1006 patients diagnosed as advanced breast cancer in total. The pooled effect showed that ADI increased ORR in advanced BC patients as an add-on therapy with little heterogeneity ( = 1.14, 95% CI 1.03-1.27). DCR in BC patients could not be improved by ADI. ADI improved the KPS score in BC patients compared with chemotherapy alone (MD = 3.26, 95% CI 1.74-4.78). There were no improvements on immune markers except CD4/CD8 and NK%. Serum tumor markers CEA and CA153 were decreased while treated with ADI, but only one trial was involved. ADI decreased the numbers of myelosuppression in advanced BC patients, and AST, ALT, -GT, and CK-MB were all decreased. The sensitivity evaluation indicated that the result of the pooled effect size had good stability.
CONCLUSION
This meta-analysis suggested that based on the existing evidence, treatment with ADI significantly changed the ORR of patients with advanced BC and improved their quality of life with few side effects. However, more randomized trials involving larger samples should be considered, and detailed mechanisms are needed to be uncovered.
PubMed: 32904623
DOI: 10.1155/2020/2871494 -
Phytomedicine : International Journal... Jun 2020Aderivative of Shiitake mushrooms, Lentinan is used to control malignant pleural effusion (MPE) through intrathoracic infusion. (Review)
Review
Intrathoracic infusion therapy with Lentinan and chemical irritants for malignant pleural effusion: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 65 randomized controlled trials.
BACKGROUND
Aderivative of Shiitake mushrooms, Lentinan is used to control malignant pleural effusion (MPE) through intrathoracic infusion.
PURPOSE
To determine the clinical response, survival and safety of Lentinan plus chemical irritants, and the optimal combinations with chemical irritants, indication, threshold and optimal regimen for achieving the desired responses.
STUDY DESIGN
We performed a new systematic review and meta-analysis following the PRISMA guidelines.
METHODS
We collected all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding Lentinan plus chemical irritants from Chinese and English electronic databases (from inception until March 2019). We evaluated their bias risk, synthesized data using meta-analysis, and summarized evidence quality following the Grades of Recommendation Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach.
RESULTS
We included 65 RCTs involving 4,080 patients and nine chemical irritants. Most trials had unclear bias risk. Lentinan with cisplatin significantly improved complete response [Risk ratio (RR) = 1.68, 95% confidence intervals (CI) (1.51 to 1.87), p < 0.00001, Fig.3a] and quality of life [RR = 1.51 95% CI (1.41 to 1.62), p < 0.00001, Fig.4], and decreased the risk of treatment failure, myelosuppression, gastrointestinal reaction, and chest pain. For patients with moderate to large volume of the pleural effusion, primary treatment, KPS score ≥ 50-60, or anticipated survival time ≥ 3months, Lentinan (3-4 mg/time, once a week for three to four times) withcisplatin (30-40 mg/m or 50-60 mg/m) significantly improved complete response and decreased failure. Most results were robust and moderate quality.
CONCLUSION
The results suggest that Lentinan with chemical irritants, especially cisplatin is beneficial to the patient with MPE, and provide evidence for the indication, threshold, and optimal regimen that may achieve success and decrease failure.
PubMed: 32535483
DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2020.153260 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Oct 2023This study focuses on the use of thiopurines for treating inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). These drugs undergo enzymatic changes within the body, resulting in active... (Review)
Review
This study focuses on the use of thiopurines for treating inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). These drugs undergo enzymatic changes within the body, resulting in active and inactive metabolites that influence their therapeutic effects. The research examines the role of genetic polymorphisms in the enzyme thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT) in predicting the therapeutic response and adverse effects of thiopurine treatment. The TPMT genotype variations impact the individual responses to thiopurines. Patients with reduced TPMT activity are more susceptible to adverse reactions (AEs), such leukopenia, hepatotoxicity, pancreatitis, and nausea, which are common adverse effects of thiopurine therapy. The therapeutic monitoring of the metabolites 6-thioguanine nucleotides (6-TGN) and 6-methyl mercaptopurine (6-MMP) is proposed to optimize treatment and minimize AEs. Patients with higher 6-TGN levels tend to have better clinical responses, while elevated 6-MMP levels are linked to hepatotoxicity. Genotyping for TPMT before or during treatment initiation is suggested to tailor dosing strategies and enhance treatment efficacy while reducing the risk of myelosuppression. In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of considering genetic variations and metabolite levels in optimizing thiopurine therapy for IBD patients, focusing on balance therapeutic efficacy with the prevention of adverse effects and contributing to personalized treatment and better patient outcomes.
PubMed: 37959208
DOI: 10.3390/jcm12216742 -
Cureus Dec 2023Ovarian cancer, being one of the prevalent gynecological cancers, warrants a therapy that's both effective and well tolerated. After extensive drug testing, combination... (Review)
Review
Comparison of the Efficacy of Cisplatin/Paclitaxel Versus Carboplatin/Paclitaxel in Improving Survival and Quality of Life in the Advanced Ovarian Cancer Patient Population: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Control Trials.
Ovarian cancer, being one of the prevalent gynecological cancers, warrants a therapy that's both effective and well tolerated. After extensive drug testing, combination regimens with paclitaxel plus platinum-based agents such as cisplatin/carboplatin and taxanes, have shown promising results for advanced ovarian cancer. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to compare the efficacy of two treatment regimens for advanced ovarian cancer: cisplatin/paclitaxel and carboplatin/paclitaxel. PubMed (Medline), Science Direct, and Cochrane Library were searched from inception to March 2023. The meta-analysis included patients with histologically verified International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stages IIB to IV ovarian carcinoma who received either carboplatin/paclitaxel or cisplatin/paclitaxel. The primary outcomes were progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), quality of life (QOL), complete response rate (CRR), and partial response rate (PRR). The revised Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool 2.0 was used to assess the quality of the RCTs The five RCTs chosen for this statistical analysis consisted of a total of 2239 participants, with 1109 receiving paclitaxel/cisplatin for treatment and the remaining 1130 receiving carboplatin/paclitaxel. Among all included outcomes, these reported significant findings: QoL (p-value=0.0002), thrombocytopenia (p=<0.00001), neurological toxicity (p-value=0.003), nausea/vomiting (p-value=<0.00001), myalgia/arthralgia (p-value=0.02), and febrile neutropenia (p-value=0.01). We concluded that the carboplatin/paclitaxel doublet endows a better quality of life (QOL) to patients along with significantly fewer gastrointestinal and neurological toxicities when compared with the cisplatin/paclitaxel combination. However, the myelosuppressive effects of carboplatin/paclitaxel remain a point of concern and may require clinical management.
PubMed: 38264391
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.51011 -
Transplantation Reviews (Orlando, Fla.) Dec 2023Despite its use to prevent acute rejection, lifelong immunosuppression can adversely impact long-term patient and graft outcomes. In theory, immunosuppression withdrawal... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Despite its use to prevent acute rejection, lifelong immunosuppression can adversely impact long-term patient and graft outcomes. In theory, immunosuppression withdrawal is the ultimate goal of kidney transplantation, and is made possible by the induction of immunological tolerance. The purpose of this paper is to review the safety and efficacy of immune tolerance induction strategies in living-donor kidney transplantation, both chimerism-based and non-chimerism-based. The impact of these strategies on transplant outcomes, including acute rejection, allograft function and survival, cost, and immune monitoring, will also be discussed.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, as well as additional online resources such as EBSCO, were exhaustively searched. Adult living-donor kidney transplant recipients who developed chimerism-based tolerance after concurrent bone marrow or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation or those who received non-chimerism-based, non-hematopoietic cell therapy using mesenchymal stromal cells, dendritic cells, or regulatory T cells were studied between 2000 and 2021. Individual sources of evidence were evaluated critically, and the strength of evidence and risk of bias for each outcome of the transplant tolerance study were assessed.
RESULTS
From 28,173 citations, 245 studies were retrieved after suitable exclusion and duplicate removal. Of these, 22 studies (2 RCTs, 11 cohort studies, 6 case-control studies, and 3 case reports) explicitly related to both interventions (chimerism- and non-chimerism-based immune tolerance) were used in the final review process and were critically appraised. According to the findings, chimerism-based strategies fostered immunotolerance, allowing for the safe withdrawal of immunosuppressive medications. Cell-based therapy, on the other hand, frequently did not induce tolerance except for minimising immunosuppression. As a result, the rejection rates, renal allograft function, and survival rates could not be directly compared between these two groups. While chimerism-based tolerance protocols posed safety concerns due to myelosuppression, including infections and graft-versus-host disease, cell-based strategies lacked these adverse effects and were largely safe. There was a lack of direct comparisons between HLA-identical and HLA-disparate recipients, and the cost implications were not examined in several of the retrieved studies. Most studies reported successful immunosuppressive weaning lasting at least 3 years (ranging up to 11.4 years in some studies), particularly with chimerism-based therapy, while only a few investigators used immune surveillance techniques. The studies reviewed were often limited by selection, classification, ascertainment, performance, and attrition bias.
CONCLUSIONS
This review demonstrates that chimerism-based hematopoietic strategies induce immune tolerance, and a substantial number of patients are successfully weaned off immunosuppression. Despite the risk of complications associated with myelosuppression. Non-chimerism-based, non-hematopoietic cell protocols, on the other hand, have been proven to facilitate immunosuppression minimization but seldom elicit immunological tolerance. However, the results of this review must be interpreted with caution because of the non-randomised study design, potential confounding, and small sample size of the included studies. Further validation and refinement of tolerogenic protocols in accordance with local practice preferences is also warranted, with an emphasis on patient selection, cost ramifications, and immunological surveillance based on reliable tolerance assays.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Kidney Transplantation; Living Donors; Immune Tolerance; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Transplantation, Homologous; Transplantation Tolerance
PubMed: 37709652
DOI: 10.1016/j.trre.2023.100792 -
Surgical Oncology Sep 2021To evaluate the analgesic efficacy, safety, and local tumor control of iodine-125 (I) seed brachytherapy (BT) for the management of spine and bone metastases. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
AIM
To evaluate the analgesic efficacy, safety, and local tumor control of iodine-125 (I) seed brachytherapy (BT) for the management of spine and bone metastases.
METHODS
A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Scopus databases. Data regarding patient demographics, tumor characteristics, procedural parameters, and clinical outcomes were extracted and analyzed.
RESULTS
Fourteen studies (7 prospective, 7 retrospective) were included, accounting for 689 patients, in our review. Analgesic efficacy was assessed at baseline and various postoperative time points. Significant improvement in pain was noted at 4- and 24-week follow-ups (p < 0.01). Interestingly, all studies that combined I seed BT with cement augmentation reported relatively higher levels of pain reduction (mean pain reduction ≥4 points) as compared to the studies which applied I seed BT as a stand-alone therapy (mean pain reduction ≥2 points), at the last follow-up. Local tumor control rates ranged widely from 14% to 100% at varying follow-ups. Median overall survival ranged between 10 months and 25 months. The overall complication rate was 19% (130/689) and mainly included minor subcutaneous hemorrhage, fever, myelosuppression, and seed displacement. Metrics assessing performance and quality of life demonstrated significant improvements from baseline to posttreatment.
CONCLUSION
I seed BT, alone or in conjunction with cement augmentation, may be a viable salvage therapy in appropriately selected patients. However, further studies are needed to analyze the long-term efficacy of this intervention as a palliative and curative modality.
Topics: Bone Neoplasms; Brachytherapy; Humans; Iodine Radioisotopes; Neoplasm Seeding; Spinal Neoplasms
PubMed: 34153905
DOI: 10.1016/j.suronc.2021.101618 -
BMJ Open Mar 2021Despite remarkable advances in the treatment of oesophageal cancer (OC), the role of antiepidermal growth factor receptor (anti-EGFR) agents in treating OC remains... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVES
Despite remarkable advances in the treatment of oesophageal cancer (OC), the role of antiepidermal growth factor receptor (anti-EGFR) agents in treating OC remains controversial. Herein, a systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to elucidate the efficacy and safety of anti-EGFR agents in patients with OC.
DESIGN
Meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) identified by searching the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.gov, Cochrane Library, Chinese Biology Medicine, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform databases from inception to December 2019. We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.
SETTING
RCTs from any country and healthcare setting.
PARTICIPANTS
Patients with OC.
INTERVENTIONS
Combination therapy with anti-EGFR agents and conventional treatments versus conventional treatments alone in patients with OC.
PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES
Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were primary outcome measures, and objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR) and treatment toxicities were secondary outcome measures.
RESULTS
In total, 25 RCTs comprising 3406 patients with OC were included. Overall, anti-EGFR treatment significantly improved the OS (HR: 0.81, 95% CI 0.74 to 0.89, p<0.00001), ORR (relative risk (RR): 1.33, 95% CI 1.16 to 1.52, p<0.0001) and DCR (RR: 1.22, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.34, p<0.0001) but not PFS (HR: 0.91, 95% CI 0.76 to 1.08, p=0.26). Anti-EGFR treatment was significantly associated with higher incidences of myelosuppression, diarrhoea, acne-like rash and hypomagnesaemia.
CONCLUSIONS
Overall, anti-EGFR agents have positive effects on OS, the ORR and DCR in OC. However, considering the high incidence of adverse effects, such as myelosuppression, diarrhoea, acne-like rashes and hypomagnesaemia, careful monitoring of patients with OC is recommended during anti-EGFR treatment.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42020169230.
Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; China; ErbB Receptors; Esophageal Neoplasms; Humans; Lung Neoplasms
PubMed: 33753446
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046352