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Journal of Diabetes and Its... Jun 2020
Topics: Biomarkers; Cardiovascular Diseases; Female; Humans; Insulin Resistance; Male; Vascular Stiffness
PubMed: 32307220
DOI: 10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2019.107491 -
Seminars in Ophthalmology 2022Retinoblastoma (RB) is the most common intraocular malignancy in children. The diagnosis of RB is mainly based on clinical features and imaging characteristics.... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
Retinoblastoma (RB) is the most common intraocular malignancy in children. The diagnosis of RB is mainly based on clinical features and imaging characteristics. Prognosis is based on stage of disease and response to treatment. In salvaged globes, direct tumor biopsy for genetic analysis and prognostication is an absolute contraindication at this point of time for the fear of extraocular tumor spread. Currently, there is a search for surrogate markers to allow accurate diagnosis and for prognostication, to predict the chances of globe salvage in RB. Therefore, biofluids such as plasma or aqueous humor have been studied to detect circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) or cell-free DNA (cfDNA), respectively, to allow for treatment decision making, monitoring treatment response, and prognostic counselling.
METHODS
A search of electronic databases (PubMed, Google Scholar and MEDLINE) of all articles on liquid biopsy in retinoblastoma published in English was performed. The keywords used for the search included "retinoblastoma", "liquid biopsy", "aqueous humor" "circulating tumor cells", "cell-free DNA", "cfDNA", "circulating tumor DNA", "ctDNA", "tumor fraction", " mutation" and "SNCA". Additionally, historic articles on the advent of liquid biopsy in medicine were also reviewed. Pertinent cross-references from the studies were reviewed. Retrospective interventional and observational case series, observational case series, prospective cohort studies, reviews, case reports, surgical techniques, invited commentary and letters were included.
RESULTS
A total of 40 relevant articles were selected. Biomarkers in aqueous humor, serum and cerebrospinal fluid and their clinical applications are discussed.
CONCLUSION
Harvesting aqueous humor from eyes with retinoblastoma has been found safe and superior to blood for the detection of chromosomal changes. cfDNA from aqueous can be a surrogate marker to detect somatic copy number alterations and other genetic alterations in RB. ctDNA in plasma also has potential to help in diagnosis and prognosis of RB. Liquid biopsy in RB is an emerging topic, which could pave way for a better understanding of mechanisms for treatment response, resistance and recurrence in RB as well as possibly provide specific therapeutic targets to improve globe salvage.
Topics: Child; Humans; Retrospective Studies; Prospective Studies; Biomarkers, Tumor; Retinoblastoma; Circulating Tumor DNA; Mutation; Biopsy; Retinal Neoplasms
PubMed: 35604935
DOI: 10.1080/08820538.2022.2078165 -
Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical... Feb 2020The current understanding of eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) has developed rapidly over the past decades. Classification of CRS based on the inflammatory... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
The current understanding of eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) has developed rapidly over the past decades. Classification of CRS based on the inflammatory endotype more accurately reflects the underlying pathophysiology and better directs treatment. Corticosteroids and more recently biologic agents, target the eosinophil inflammatory that drives this subtype of CRS. Tissue sampling is not always accessible or available and surrogate markers are sought to define this endotype of CRS. The purpose of this review is to assess current systemic predictors of eosinophilic CRS (eCRS) diagnosis.
RECENT FINDINGS
Blood eosinophils are a moderate surrogate predictor of eCRS. A blood eosinophil count of more than 0.24 × 10/l predicts eCRS with tissue eosinophilia of more than 10 eosinophils per high-power field. It has been further shown that a blood eosinophil count more than 0.45 × 10/l is associated with need for long-term systemic therapy following endoscopic sinus surgery. Other biomarkers reviewed include IgE, eosinophilic cationic protein, eosinophil-derived neurotoxin, eosinophil peroxidase, IL-5, periostin, eotaxin-3 and IL-16.
SUMMARY
There remains limited data surrounding the prognostic use of biomarkers in eCRS. However, peripheral eosinophilia best predicts the eosinophilic density that best predicts the eCRS phenotype. In addition, it is also prognostic of need for more intensive therapy. Simple haematoxylin and eosin stained sinus mucosa still remains the most reliable tissue for assessment and is more accessible than bronchial biopsies.
Topics: Biomarkers; Chronic Disease; Eosinophil Cationic Protein; Eosinophil-Derived Neurotoxin; Eosinophils; Humans; Immunoglobulin E; Nasal Polyps; Rhinitis; Sinusitis
PubMed: 31688152
DOI: 10.1097/ACI.0000000000000602 -
Protein and Peptide Letters 2020Biological markers (biomarkers) play a key role in drug development, regulatory approval and clinical care of patients and are linked to clinical and surrogate outcomes.... (Review)
Review
Biological markers (biomarkers) play a key role in drug development, regulatory approval and clinical care of patients and are linked to clinical and surrogate outcomes. Both acromegaly and Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD) are pathological conditions related to important comorbidities that, in addition to having stringent diagnostic criteria, require valid markers for the definition of treatment, treatment monitoring and follow-up. GH and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) are the main biomarkers of GH action in children and adults while, in acromegaly, both GH and IGF-I are established biomarkers of disease activity. However, although GH and IGF-I are widely validated biomarkers of GHD and acromegaly, their role is not completely exhaustive or suitable for clinical classification and follow-up. Therefore, new biological markers for acromegaly and GH replacement therapy are strongly needed. The aim of this paper is to review and summarize the current state in the field pointing out new potential biomarkers for acromegaly and GH use/abuse.
Topics: Acromegaly; Adult; Biomarkers; Child; Female; Hormone Replacement Therapy; Human Growth Hormone; Humans; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; Male
PubMed: 32310036
DOI: 10.2174/0929866527666200420103816 -
Archivos de Cardiologia de Mexico 2023This review summarizes the impact of gender affirming hormone therapy used in the transgendered population and the classic and emerging risk factors on cardiovascular... (Review)
Review
This review summarizes the impact of gender affirming hormone therapy used in the transgendered population and the classic and emerging risk factors on cardiovascular outcomes and surrogate markers of cardiovascular health. There is a growing body of evidence that people who are transgender and gender diverse are impacted by disparities across a variety of cardiovascular risk factors compared with their peers who are cisgender. Previously, disparities have been reported in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality across this group as a result of a higher prevalence of non-healthy life style. However, recent research suggests that there are additional factors playing a role in this differences: there is the hypothesis that the excess of cardiovascular morbility and mortality has been driven by psychosocial stressors across the lifespan at multiple levels, as structural violence (e.g., discrimination, lack of affordable housing, lack of access to health care, etc.). Lack of information and research in this population is an important limitation; therefore, a multifaceted approach that integrates best practice into research, health promotion and cardiovascular care for this understudied and growing population is clearly needed.
Topics: Humans; Transgender Persons; Cardiovascular Diseases; Risk Factors; Biomarkers
PubMed: 37992700
DOI: 10.24875/ACM.M23000091 -
Comprehensive Physiology Mar 2020The scientific community has searched for years for ways of examining neuronal tissue to track neural activity with reliable anatomical markers for stimulated neuronal... (Review)
Review
The scientific community has searched for years for ways of examining neuronal tissue to track neural activity with reliable anatomical markers for stimulated neuronal activity. Existing studies that focused on hypothalamic systems offer a few options but do not always compare approaches or validate them for dependence on cell firing, leaving the reader uncertain of the benefits and limitations of each method. Thus, in this article, potential markers will be presented and, where possible, placed into perspective in terms of when and how these methods pertain to hypothalamic function. An example of each approach is included. In reviewing the approaches, one is guided through how neurons work, the consequences of their stimulation, and then the potential markers that could be applied to hypothalamic systems are discussed. Approaches will use features of neuronal glucose utilization, water/oxygen movement, changes in neuron-glial interactions, receptor translocation, cytoskeletal changes, stimulus-synthesis coupling that includes expression of the heteronuclear or mature mRNA for transmitters or the enzymes that make them, and changes in transcription factors (immediate early gene products, precursor buildup, use of promoter-driven surrogate proteins, and induced expression of added transmitters. This article includes discussion of methodological limitations and the power of combining approaches to understand neuronal function. © 2020 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 10:549-575, 2020.
Topics: Animals; Biomarkers; Humans; Hypothalamus; Neurons
PubMed: 32163202
DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c170021 -
Balkan Medical Journal Feb 2020Cardiovascular diseases are one of the most common causes of death in both developing and developed countries worldwide. Even though there have been improvements in...
Cardiovascular diseases are one of the most common causes of death in both developing and developed countries worldwide. Even though there have been improvements in primary prevention, the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases continues to increase in recent years. Hence, it is crucial to both investigate the molecular pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases in-depth and find novel biomarkers regarding the early and proper prevention and diagnosis of these diseases. MicroRNAs, or miRNAs, are endogenous, conserved, single-stranded non-coding RNAs of 21-25 nucleotides in length. miRNAs have important roles in various cellular events such as embryogenesis, proliferation, vasculogenesis, apoptosis, cell growth, differentiation, and tumorigenesis. They also have potential roles in the cardiovascular system, including angiogenesis, cardiac cell contractility, control of lipid metabolism, plaque formation, the arrangement of cardiac rhythm, and cardiac cell growth. Circulating miRNAs are promising novel biomarkers for purposes of the diagnosis and prognosis of cardiovascular diseases. Cell or tissue specificity, stability in serum or plasma, resistance to degradative factors such as freeze-thaw cycles or enzymes in the blood, and fast-release kinetics, provide the potential for miRNAs to be surrogate markers for the early and accurate diagnosis of disease and for predicting middle- or long-term prognosis. Moreover, it may be a logical approach to combine miRNAs with traditional biomarkers to improve risk stratification and long-term prognosis. In addition to their efficacy in both diagnosis and prognosis, miRNA-based therapeutics may be beneficial for treating cardiovascular diseases using novel platforms and computational tools and in combination with traditional methods of analysis. microRNAs are promising, novel therapeutic agents, which can affect multiple genes using different signaling pathways. miRNAs therapeutic modulation techniques have been used in the settings of atherosclerosis, acute myocardial infarction, restenosis, vascular remodeling, arrhythmias, hypertrophy and fibrosis, angiogenesis and cardiogenesis, aortic aneurysm, pulmonary hypertension, and ischemic injury. This review presents detailed information about miRNAs regarding structure and biogenesis, stages of synthesis and functions, expression profiles in serum/plasma of living organisms, diagnostic and prognostic potential as novel biomarkers, and therapeutic applications in various diseases.
Topics: Biomarkers; Cardiovascular Diseases; Humans; MicroRNAs; Prognosis
PubMed: 32018347
DOI: 10.4274/balkanmedj.galenos.2020.2020.1.94 -
Medicine and Pharmacy Reports Nov 2021Hepatic steatosis with inflammation, inflated hepatocytes, and potential fibrosis defines non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which can possibly lead to liver...
BACKGROUND
Hepatic steatosis with inflammation, inflated hepatocytes, and potential fibrosis defines non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which can possibly lead to liver cirrhosis. Although liver biopsy is still the gold standard for diagnosing NASH, numerous non-invasive surrogate markers have been investigated to reduce the need for this invasive technique. In this review we present several currently assessed biomarkers, scores, and indexes in assessing NASH.
METHODS
A search in the main medical literature databases was conducted. We searched for observational studies evaluating non-invasive markers, scores, and panels in predicting NASH.
RESULTS
Several proinflammatory markers, inflammation and apoptosis biomarkers, as well as complex models have been studied in predicting NASH. Proinflammatory markers include C-reactive protein, ferritin, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, pentraxin-3, and neutrophil extracellular traps. Inflammation and apoptosis biomarkers include cytokineratin-18, adipocytokines, lipid oxidation panels, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, and products of free radical-mediated oxidation of linoleic acid. Moreover, several studied complex models such as NashTest, NashTest-2, pairing CK18 fragments with other biomarkers such as ALT and the presence of MetS, the HAIR model, acNASH, NAFIC score, Visceral Adiposity Index have also been studied.
CONCLUSION
A variety of diagnostic panels have shown good predictive values for diagnosing NASH. Nevertheless, non-invasive surrogate markers are currently unable to replace liver biopsy. However, their clinical significance is mainly in triaging patients for liver biopsy, reducing the financial burden associated with the procedure.
PubMed: 38912403
DOI: 10.15386/mpr-2511 -
Pediatric Allergy and Immunology :... May 2024Food allergy (FA) is a widespread issue, affecting as many as 10% of the population. Over the past two to three decades, the prevalence of FA has been on the rise,... (Review)
Review
Food allergy (FA) is a widespread issue, affecting as many as 10% of the population. Over the past two to three decades, the prevalence of FA has been on the rise, particularly in industrialized and westernized countries. FA is a complex, multifactorial disease mediated by type 2 immune responses and involving environmental and genetic factors. However, the precise mechanisms remain inadequately understood. Metabolomics has the potential to identify disease endotypes, which could beneficially promote personalized prevention and treatment. A metabolome approach would facilitate the identification of surrogate metabolite markers reflecting the disease activity and prognosis. Here, we present a literature overview of recent metabolomic studies conducted on children with FA.
Topics: Humans; Food Hypersensitivity; Metabolomics; Child; Biomarkers; Metabolome; Allergens
PubMed: 38727629
DOI: 10.1111/pai.14133 -
Brain and Behavior Nov 2023Therapeutic hypothermia is a promising candidate for stroke treatment although its efficacy has not yet been demonstrated in patients. Changes in blood molecules could...
INTRODUCTION
Therapeutic hypothermia is a promising candidate for stroke treatment although its efficacy has not yet been demonstrated in patients. Changes in blood molecules could act as surrogate markers to evaluate the efficacy and safety of therapeutic cooling.
METHODS
Blood samples from 54 patients included in the EuroHYP-1 study (27 treated with hypothermia, and 27 controls) were obtained at baseline, 24 ± 2 h, and 72 ± 4 h. The levels of a panel of 27 biomarkers, including matrix metalloproteinases and cardiac and inflammatory markers, were measured.
RESULTS
Metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), fatty-acid-binding protein (FABP), and interleukin-8 (IL-8) increased over time in relation to the hypothermia treatment. Statistically significant correlations between the minimum temperature achieved by each patient in the hypothermia group and the MMP-3 level measured at 72 h, FABP level measured at 24 h, and IL-8 levels measured at 24 and 72 h were found. No differential biomarker levels were observed in patients with poor or favorable outcomes according to modified Rankin Scale scores.
CONCLUSION
Although the exact roles of MMP3, FABP, and IL-8 in hypothermia-treated stroke patients are not known, further exploration is needed to confirm their roles in brain ischemia.
Topics: Humans; Ischemic Stroke; Matrix Metalloproteinase 3; Interleukin-8; Hypothermia; Stroke; Hypothermia, Induced; Biomarkers
PubMed: 37721534
DOI: 10.1002/brb3.3230