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Dermatology Online Journal Mar 2020New treatment options for warts include intralesional wart injection with agents such as vitamin D, measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine antigen, Bacillus...
BACKGROUND
New treatment options for warts include intralesional wart injection with agents such as vitamin D, measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine antigen, Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) antigen, and candida antigen but there have been limited studies to compare their efficacies.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this systematic review is to compare the efficacy and safety of injectable agents used for the treatment of warts.
METHODS
A PubMed search included terms "intralesional wart therapy," "wart injection" and "verruca injection." Articles reviewed were published over 10 years.
RESULTS
A total of 43 articles were reviewed; 30 covered studies with more than 10 participants and 13 were case reports, case series, and reviews. In comparison studies intralesional agents have equal or superior efficacy (66%-94.9%) compared to first-line salicylic acid or cryotherapy (65.5-76.5%). One advantage of intralesional injections is the rate of complete resolution of distant warts.
LIMITATIONS
Each study varied in their agents, treatment interval, and treatment dose, making comparisons difficult.
CONCLUSIONS
Intralesional wart injections are safe, affordable, and efficacious treatments for warts. Physicians should consider intralesional injections for patients with refractory warts, multiple warts, or warts in sensitive areas.
Topics: Aminolevulinic Acid; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antiviral Agents; BCG Vaccine; Bacterial Vaccines; Humans; Injections, Intralesional; Interferon-alpha; Mycobacterium; Tuberculin; Vitamin D; Warts
PubMed: 32609439
DOI: No ID Found -
Journal of Clinical and Experimental... Mar 2022Dentists now have access to a wide range of unique treatment methods as a result of substantial scientific and technological breakthroughs in the field of dentistry.... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Dentists now have access to a wide range of unique treatment methods as a result of substantial scientific and technological breakthroughs in the field of dentistry. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a non-invasive treatment procedure that use photosensitizers, a specific wavelength of light, and the production of singlet oxygen and reactive oxygen species (ROS) to kill undesired eukaryotic cells (such as oral tumors) and harmful microbes. In several disciplines of dentistry, it is seen as a valid therapeutic option. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness and side effects of PDT in the treatment of oral premalignant lesions.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Three search engines (PubMed, ISI Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library) were used to conduct a systematic review using the phrases photodynamic therapy and PDT in combination with other terms. To define our study eligibility criteria, we used the Population, Intervention and Comparison, Outcomes, and Study design technique.
RESULTS
Initial results were 33. Definitely, 18 studies met our selection criteria.
CONCLUSIONS
Our analysis suggests ALA- PDT as a promising therapeutic modality for OEL lesions which should be treated first with the topical ALA-PDT using either the LED or laser light for successful clinical outcome for OEL lesions. Photodynamic Therapy, Photosensitizer, Aminolevulinic Acid (ALA), Methylene Blue (MB), Toludine Blue, Oral Leukoplakia, Oral Erythroplakia, Oral Verrucous hyperplasia, Oral Lichen Planus.
PubMed: 35317296
DOI: 10.4317/jced.59348 -
Acta Dermato-venereologica Jan 2021A systematic literature review was conducted to identify and qualitatively assess randomized controlled trials in immunocompetent patients ≥ 18 years with head-... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
A systematic literature review was conducted to identify and qualitatively assess randomized controlled trials in immunocompetent patients ≥ 18 years with head- region lesions of actinic keratoses who were treated with field-directed, lesion-directed and other therapies. Network meta-analysis was used to quantitatively evaluate field-directed therapies (5-fluorouracil formulations, diclofenac sodium, imiquimod, ingenol mebutate, 5-aminolevulinic acid or methyl aminolevulinate plus photodynamic therapy) using complete clearance or partial clearance of actinic keratoses lesions, and adverse event-related withdrawals as a proxy of acceptability. Of 2,863 references identified, 75 trials reported in 151 publications were included. In summary, comparative network meta-analysis evaluation showed that 5-fluorouracil formulations were the most efficacious interventions examined. 5-fluorouracil 4%, which was recently approved, showed a comparable efficacy profile to 5-fluorouracil 5%, and had satisfactory acceptability outcomes.
Topics: Diterpenes; Humans; Imiquimod; Keratosis, Actinic; Network Meta-Analysis; Photochemotherapy; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 33170301
DOI: 10.2340/00015555-3690 -
European Urology Focus Jul 2021The main challenge in radical prostatectomy is complete excision of malignant tissue, while preserving continence and erectile function. Positive surgical margins (PSMs)... (Review)
Review
CONTEXT
The main challenge in radical prostatectomy is complete excision of malignant tissue, while preserving continence and erectile function. Positive surgical margins (PSMs) occur in up to 38% of cases, are associated with tumour recurrences, and may result in debilitating additional therapies. Despite surgical developments for prostate cancer (PCa), no technology is yet implemented to assess surgical margins of the entire prostatic surface intraoperatively.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this systematic review is to provide an overview of novel imaging methods developed for intraoperative margin assessment in PCa surgery, which are compared with standard postoperative histopathology.
EVIDENCE ACQUISITION
A literature search of the last 10 yr was conducted in the Scopus, PubMed, and Embase (Ovid) databases. Eligible articles had to report the PSM rate according to their intraoperative margin assessment technology in comparison with standard histopathology.
EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS
The search resulted in 616 original articles, of which 11 were included for full-text review. The main technical developments in PCa margin assessment included optical coherence tomography, photodynamic diagnosis with 5-aminolevulinic acid, spectroscopy, and enhanced microscopy. These techniques are described and their main advantages, limitations, and applications in the clinical setting are discussed.
CONCLUSIONS
Several imaging methods are suggested in literature for the detection of positive margins during PCa surgery. Despite promising qualifications of the mentioned technologies, many struggle to find implementation in the clinic. Surgical conditions hampering the signal, long imaging times, and comparison with histopathology are mutual challenges. The next step towards reduction of PSMs in PCa surgery includes evaluation of these technologies in large clinical trials.
PATIENT SUMMARY
In this review, new technologies are reported that can assist the surgeon by detecting insufficient removal of all tumorous tissue during surgery, instead of the standard postoperative histopathological assessment. Currently, it is not clear whether these technologies improve the patient outcome directly; however, the review shows potential future implementations.
Topics: Humans; Male; Margins of Excision; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Prostate; Prostatectomy; Technology
PubMed: 32088139
DOI: 10.1016/j.euf.2020.02.004 -
Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) Dec 2020: A very important aspect in the treatment of high-grade glioma is gross total resection to reduce the risk of tumor recurrence. One of the methods to facilitate this... (Review)
Review
: A very important aspect in the treatment of high-grade glioma is gross total resection to reduce the risk of tumor recurrence. One of the methods to facilitate this task is intraoperative fluorescence navigation. The aim of the study was to compare the dyes used in this technique fluorescent intraoperative navigation in terms of the mechanism of action and influence on the treatment of patients. : The review was carried out on the basis of articles found in PubMed, Google Scholar, and BMC search engines, as well as those identified by searched bibliographies and suggested by experts during the preparation of the article. The database analysis was performed for the following phrases: "glioma", "glioblastoma", "ALA", "5ALA", "5-ALA", "aminolevulinic acid", "levulinic acid", "fluorescein", "ICG", "indocyanine green", and "fluorescence navigation". : After analyzing 913 citations identified on the basis of the search criteria, we included 36 studies in the review. On the basis of the analyzed articles, we found that 5-aminolevulinic acid and fluorescein are highly effective in improving the percentage of gross total resection achieved in high-grade glioma surgery. At the same time, the limitations resulting from the use of these methods are marked-higher costs of the procedure and the need to have neurosurgical microscope in combination with a special light filter in the case of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA), and low specificity for neoplastic cells and the dependence on the degree of damage to the blood-brain barrier in the intensity of fluorescence in the case of fluorescein. The use of indocyanine green in the visualization of glioma cells is relatively unknown, but some researchers have suggested its utility and the benefits of using it simultaneously with other dyes. : The use of intraoperative fluorescence navigation with the use of 5-aminolevulinic acid and fluorescein allows the range of high-grade glioma resection to be increased.
PubMed: 33339439
DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics10121100 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Mar 2022Actinic keratosis (AK) is a chronic skin condition that may progress to cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. We conducted a systematic review of efficacy and safety for...
Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Tirbanibulin for Actinic Keratosis of the Face and Scalp in Europe: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
Actinic keratosis (AK) is a chronic skin condition that may progress to cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. We conducted a systematic review of efficacy and safety for key treatments for AK of the face and scalp, including the novel 5-day tirbanibulin 1% ointment. MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, clinical trial registries and regulatory body websites were searched. The review included 46 studies, of which 35 studies included interventions commonly used in Europe and were sufficiently homogenous to inform a Bayesian network meta-analysis of complete clearance against topical placebo or vehicle. The network meta-analysis revealed the following odds ratios and 95% credible intervals: cryosurgery 13.4 (6.2-30.3); diclofenac 3% 2.9 (1.9-4.3); fluorouracil 0.5% + salicylic acid 7.6 (4.6-13.5); fluorouracil 4% 30.3 (9.1-144.7); fluorouracil 5% 35.0 (10.2-164.4); imiquimod 3.75% 8.5 (3.5-22.4); imiquimod 5% 17.9 (9.1-36.6); ingenol mebutate 0.015% 12.5 (8.1-19.9); photodynamic therapy with aminolevulinic acid 24.1 (10.9-52.8); photodynamic therapy with methyl aminolevulinate 11.7 (6.0-21.9); tirbanibulin 1% 11.1 (6.2-20.9). Four sensitivity analyses, from studies assessing efficacy after one treatment cycle only, for ≤25 cm treatment area, after 8 weeks post-treatment, and with single placebo/vehicle node confirmed the findings from the base case. Safety outcomes were assessed qualitatively. These results suggest that tirbanibulin 1% offers a novel treatment for AK, with a single short treatment period, favourable safety profile and efficacy, in line with existing topical treatments available in Europe.
PubMed: 35329979
DOI: 10.3390/jcm11061654 -
Cureus Jun 2022Actinic keratoses (AKs) are the most common neoplastic lesions and are recognized as a precursor to squamous cell skin cancer. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a... (Review)
Review
Actinic keratoses (AKs) are the most common neoplastic lesions and are recognized as a precursor to squamous cell skin cancer. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a therapeutic option for multiple AKs in line with field cancerization. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of PDT on patients with AKs using a meta-analysis, in order to evaluate the possible superiority of one treatment over the others. For this purpose, the PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, OVID, Science Direct, British Journal of Dermatology, Research Gate, and Embase databases were searched in March 2022. The search terms used were 'photodynamic therapy' and 'actinic keratosis'. We utilized the random-effects meta-analysis model to compare methyl aminolevulinate PDT (MAL-PDT) and the combination of a nanoscale-lipid vesicle formulation with the prodrug 5-aminolevulinic acid (BF-200 ALA) on a complete response (CR) of the lesions. Our meta-analysis indicated that the comparison of BF-200 ALA versus MAL-PDT showed marginally higher CRs than MAL-PDT.
PubMed: 35911353
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.26390 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Aug 2020Occupational lead exposure can lead to serious health effects that range from general symptoms (depression, generalised ache, and digestive signs, such as loss of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Occupational lead exposure can lead to serious health effects that range from general symptoms (depression, generalised ache, and digestive signs, such as loss of appetite, stomach ache, nausea, diarrhoea, and constipation) to chronic conditions (cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases, cognitive impairment, kidney disease, cancers, and infertility). Educational interventions may contribute to the prevention of lead uptake in workers exposed to lead, and it is important to assess their effectiveness.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the effect of educational interventions for preventing lead uptake in workers exposed to lead.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and OSH UPDATE to 5 June 2020, with no language restrictions.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We sought randomised controlled trials (RCT), cluster-RCTs (cRCT), interrupted time series (ITS), controlled before-after studies (CBA) and uncontrolled before-after studies that examined the effects of an educational intervention aimed at preventing lead exposure and poisoning in workers who worked with lead, for which effectiveness was measured by lead levels in blood and urine, blood zinc protoporphyrin levels and urine aminolevulinic acid levels.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently screened the search results, assessed studies for eligibility, and extracted data using standard Cochrane methods. We used the ROBINS-I tool to assess the risk of bias, and GRADE methodology to assess the certainty of the evidence.
MAIN RESULTS
We did not find any RCT, cRCT, ITS or CBA studies that met our criteria. We included four uncontrolled before-after studies studies, conducted between 1982 and 2004. Blood lead levels Educational interventions may reduce blood lead levels, but the evidence is very uncertain. In the short-term after the educational intervention, blood lead levels may decrease (mean difference (MD) 9.17 µg/dL, 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.14 to 14.20; one study with high baseline blood lead level, 18 participants; very low-certainty evidence). In the medium-term, blood lead levels may decrease (MD 3.80 µg/dL, 95% CI 1.48 to 6.12; one study with high baseline blood lead level, 34 participants; very low-certainty evidence). In the long-term, blood lead levels may decrease when the baseline blood lead levels are high (MD 8.08 µg/dL; 95% CI 3.67 to 12.49; two studies, 69 participants; very low-certainty evidence), but not when the baseline blood lead levels are low (MD 1.10 µg/dL, 95% CI -0.11 to 2.31; one study, 52 participants, very low-certainty evidence). Urine lead levels In the long-term, urinary lead levels may decrease after the educational intervention, but the evidence is very uncertain (MD 42.43 µg/L, 95% CI 29.73 to 55.13; one study, 35 participants; very low-certainty evidence). Behaviour change The evidence is very uncertain about the effect of educational intervention on behaviour change. At medium-term follow-up after the educational intervention, very low-certainty evidence from one study (89 participants) found inconclusive results for washing before eating (risk ratio (RR) 1.71, 95% CI 0.42 to 6.91), washing before drinking (RR 1.37, 95% CI 0.61 to 3.06), and not smoking in the work area (RR 1.04, 95% CI 0.74 to 1.46). Very low-certainty evidence from one study (21 participants) suggested that employers may improve the provision of fit testing for all respirator users (RR 1.87, 95% CI 1.16 to 3.01), and prohibit eating, drinking, smoking, and other tobacco use in the work area (RR 4.25, 95% CI 1.72 to 10.51), however, the results were inconclusive for the adequate provision of protective clothing (RR 1.40, 95% CI 0.82 to 2.40). At long-term follow-up, very low-certainty evidence from one study (89 participants) suggested that workers may improve washing before drinking (RR 3.24, 95% CI 1.09 to 9.61), but results were inconclusive for washing before eating (RR 11.71, 95% CI 0.66 to 208.33), and for not smoking in the work area (RR 1.56, 95% CI 0.98 to 2.50). Very low-certainty evidence from one study (21 participants) suggested that employers may improve the provision of fit testing for all respirator users (RR 1.70, 95% CI 1.09 to 2.63), may provide adequate protective clothing (RR 2.80, 95% CI 1.23 to 6.37), and may prohibit eating, drinking, smoking, and other tobacco use in the work area (RR 2.13, 95% CI 1.19 to 3.81). Improved knowledge or awareness of the adverse health effects of lead The evidence is very uncertain about the effect of educational intervention on workers' knowledge. At medium-term follow-up, questionnaires found that workers' knowledge may improve (MD 5.20, 95% CI 3.29 to 7.11; one study, 34 participants; very low-certainty evidence). At long-term follow-up, there may be an improvement in workers' knowledge (MD 5.80, 95% CI 3.89 to 7.71; one study, 34 participants; very low-certainty evidence), but results were inconclusive for employers' knowledge (RR 1.67, 95% CI 0.74 to 3.75; one study, 21 participants; very low-certainty evidence). None of the studies measured the other outcomes of interest: blood zinc protoporphyrin levels, urine aminolevulinic acid levels, air lead levels, and harms. One study provided the costs of each component of the intervention.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Educational interventions may prevent lead poisoning in workers with high baseline blood lead levels and urine lead levels but this is uncertain. Educational interventions may not prevent lead poisoning in workers with low baseline blood lead levels but this is uncertain.
PubMed: 35819457
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD013097.pub2 -
Frontiers in Oncology 2019High-grade glioma (HGG) is associated with a dismal prognosis despite significant advances in adjuvant therapies, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and...
High-grade glioma (HGG) is associated with a dismal prognosis despite significant advances in adjuvant therapies, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy. Extent of resection continues to be the most important independent prognosticator of survival. This underlines the significance of increasing gross total resection (GTR) rates by using adjunctive intraoperative modalities to maximize resection with minimal neurological morbidity. 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) is the only US Food and Drug Administration-approved intraoperative optical agent used for fluorescence-guided surgical resection of gliomas. Despite several studies on the impact of intra-operative 5-ALA use on the extent of HGG resection, a clear picture of how such usage affects patient survival is still unavailable. A systematic review was conducted of all relevant studies assessing the GTR rate and survival outcomes [overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS)] in HGG. A meta-analysis of eligible studies was performed to assess the influence of 5-ALA-guided resection on improving GTR, OS, and PFS. GTR was defined as >95% resection. Of 23 eligible studies, 19 reporting GTR rates were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled cohort had 998 patients with HGG, including 796 with newly diagnosed cases. The pooled GTR rate among patients with 5-ALA-guided resection was 76.8% (95% confidence interval, 69.1-82.9%). A comparative subgroup analysis of 5-ALA-guided vs. conventional surgery (controlling for within-study covariates) showed a 26% higher GTR rate in the 5-ALA subgroup (odds ratio, 3.8; < 0.001). There were 11 studies eligible for survival outcome analysis, 4 of which reported PFS. The pooled mean difference in OS and PFS was 3 and 1 months, respectively, favoring 5-ALA vs. control ( < 0.001). This meta-analysis shows a significant increase in GTR rate with 5-ALA-guided surgical resection, with a higher weighted GTR rate (~76%) than the pivotal phase III study (~65%). Pooled analysis showed a small yet significant increase in survival measures associated with the use of 5-ALA. Despite the statistically significant results, the low level of evidence and heterogeneity across these studies make it difficult to conclusively report an independent association between 5-ALA use and survival outcomes in HGG. Additional randomized control studies are required to delineate the role of 5-ALA in survival outcomes in HGG.
PubMed: 31380272
DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00620 -
Brain Sciences Jan 2023Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) represents the most common and aggressive central nervous system tumor associated with a poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to... (Review)
Review
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) represents the most common and aggressive central nervous system tumor associated with a poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to depict the role of intraoperative imaging techniques in GBM surgery and how they can ensure the maximal extent of resection (EOR) while preserving the functional outcome. The authors conducted a systematic review following PRISMA guidelines on the PubMed/Medline and Scopus databases. A total of 1747 articles were identified for screening. Studies focusing on GBM-affected patients, and evaluations of EOR and functional outcomes with the aid of advanced image-guided techniques were included. The resulting studies were assessed for methodological quality using the Risk of Bias in Systematic Review tool. Open Science Framework registration DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/3FDP9. Eighteen studies were eligible for this systematic review. Among the selected studies, eight analyzed Sodium Fluorescein, three analyzed 5-aminolevulinic acid, two evaluated IoMRI imaging, two evaluated IoUS, and three evaluated multiple intraoperative imaging techniques. A total of 1312 patients were assessed. Gross Total Resection was achieved in the 78.6% of the cases. Follow-up time ranged from 1 to 52 months. All studies assessed the functional outcome based on the Karnofsky Performance Status scale, while one used the Neurologic Assessment in Neuro-Oncology score. In 77.7% of the cases, the functional outcome improved or was stable over the pre-operative assessment. Combining multiple intraoperative imaging techniques could provide better results in GBM surgery than a single technique. However, despite good surgical outcomes, patients often present a neurocognitive decline leading to a marked deterioration of the quality of life. Advanced intraoperative image-guided techniques can allow a better understanding of the anatomo-functional relationships between the tumor and the surrounding brain, thus maximizing the EOR while preserving functional outcomes.
PubMed: 36831759
DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13020216