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Cancers Aug 2023Patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) are treated with rituximab in combination with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP).... (Review)
Review
Consolidative Radiotherapy after Complete Remission following R-CHOP Immunochemotherapy in Stage III-IV Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) are treated with rituximab in combination with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP). The role of consolidative radiation therapy (RT) remains unclear among patients with advanced DLBCL who achieved complete remission (CR) after R-CHOP immunochemotherapy. The current systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to clarify the role of consolidative RT among these patients. The MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for studies comparing RT to no RT following CR after R-CHOP immunochemotherapy in Ann Arbor stage III-IV DLBCL patients. Overall survival (OS) was the primary endpoint, and disease-free survival (DFS) was the secondary endpoint. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the primary and secondary outcomes. Review Manager (version 5.4) was used to analyze the data. Six retrospective studies involving 813 patients who received R-CHOP ± consolidative RT were identified. OS was higher in the consolidative RT group, with an HR of 2.01 and a 95% CI of 1.30 to 3.12 ( = 0.002). DFS was also higher in the RT group, with an HR of 2.18 and a 95% CI of 1.47 to 3.24 ( < 0.0001). The results suggested that consolidative RT improved OS and DFS compared to no RT among advanced-stage DLBCL patients. Further research is needed to determine the optimal radiation fields and the appropriate indications for consolidative RT for advanced-stage DLBCL patients in the rituximab era.
PubMed: 37568756
DOI: 10.3390/cancers15153940 -
Langenbeck's Archives of Surgery Jul 2023The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to summarize the current scientific evidence regarding the impact of the level of inferior mesenteric artery (IMA)... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to summarize the current scientific evidence regarding the impact of the level of inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) ligation on post-operative and oncological outcomes in rectal cancer surgery.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review of the literature up to 06 September 2022. Included were RCTs that compared patients who underwent high (HL) vs. anterior (LL) IMA ligation for resection of rectal cancer. The literature search was performed on Medline/PubMed, Scopus, and the Web of Science without any language restrictions. The primary endpoint was overall anastomotic leakage (AL). Secondary endpoints were oncological outcomes, intraoperative complications, urogenital functional outcomes, and length of hospital stay.
RESULTS
Eleven RCTs (1331 patients) were included. The overall rate of AL was lower in the LL group, but the difference was not statistically significant (RR 1.43, 95% CI 0.95 to 2.96). The overall number of harvested lymph nodes was higher in the LL group, but the difference was not statistically significant (MD 0.93, 95% CI - 2.21 to 0.34). The number of lymph nodes harvested was assessed in 256 patients, and all had a laparoscopic procedure. The number of lymph nodes was higher when LL was associated with lymphadenectomy of the vascular root than when IMA was ligated at its origin, but there the difference was not statistically significant (MD - 0.37, 95% CI - 1.00 to 0.26). Overall survival at 5 years was slightly better in the LL group, but the difference was not statistically significant (RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.93 to 1.05). Disease-free survival at 5 years was higher in the LL group, but the difference was not statistically significant (RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.89 to 1.04).
CONCLUSIONS
There is no evidence to support HL or LL according to results in terms of AL or oncologic outcome. Moreover, there is not enough evidence to determine the impact of the level of IMA ligation on functional outcomes. The level of IMA ligation should be chosen case by case based on expected functional and oncological outcomes.
Topics: Humans; Mesenteric Artery, Inferior; Rectal Neoplasms; Rectum; Lymph Node Excision; Lymph Nodes; Anastomotic Leak; Ligation; Laparoscopy
PubMed: 37493853
DOI: 10.1007/s00423-023-03022-z -
Pharmaceutics Apr 2023Although the anticancer role of curcumin has been extensively addressed in preclinical research, only a few studies were carried out in humans, with conflicting results.... (Review)
Review
Although the anticancer role of curcumin has been extensively addressed in preclinical research, only a few studies were carried out in humans, with conflicting results. The aim of this systematic review is to collate together the results of the therapeutic effect of curcumin in cancer patients. A literature search was carried out in Pubmed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials up to 29 January 2023. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) designed to evaluate the effects of curcumin on cancer progression, patient survival, or surgical/histological response were included. Seven out of 114 articles, published between 2016 and 2022, were analyzed. They evaluated patients with locally advanced and/or metastatic prostate, colorectal, and breast cancers, as well as multiple myeloma and oral leucoplakia. Curcumin was given as an add-on therapy in five studies. Cancer response was the most investigated primary endpoint and curcumin issued some positive results. On the contrary, curcumin was ineffective in improving overall or progression-free survival. The curcumin safety profile was favorable. In conclusion, available clinical evidence is not strong enough to support the therapeutic use of curcumin in cancer. New RCTs exploring the effects of different curcumin formulations in early-stage cancers would be welcome.
PubMed: 37111761
DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15041275 -
Neuro-oncology Practice Aug 2021Vestibular schwannomas (VS) are tumors of the cerebellopontine angle with significant morbidity, causing hearing loss, tinnitus, and trigeminal and facial nerve... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Vestibular schwannomas (VS) are tumors of the cerebellopontine angle with significant morbidity, causing hearing loss, tinnitus, and trigeminal and facial nerve compromise. An effective alternative to microsurgical resection is stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), which can be delivered in either single-fraction (SRS) or hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (hSRT) (3-5 treatments) regimens. It remains unclear which fractionation regimen provides superior outcomes.
METHODS
Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Cochrane Reviews were searched for studies either comparing hSRT with SRS or focusing on hSRT alone in treating VS. Primary endpoints included tumor control, serviceable hearing, tinnitus, and cranial nerve V and VII symptoms. A random-effects analysis was employed to compare pre- and post-treatment effects (hSRT alone) or SRS and hSRT outcomes (two-arm studies).
RESULTS
This analysis included 21 studies focusing on hSRT alone and 13 studies comparing SRS and hSRT. Significant heterogeneity was observed. Overall, when hSRT was analyzed alone, crude tumor control was achieved in 94% (95% CI: 88%, 99%) of 1571 patients. There was no difference between pre- and post-treatment odds ratios (OR) of tinnitus, facial, or trigeminal impairment. Serviceable hearing was diminished following hSRT (OR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.44, 0.83). Comparison with SRS showed no difference with respect to tumor control, serviceable hearing, trigeminal or facial nerve impairment.
CONCLUSIONS
hSRT achieved excellent tumor control and, with the exception of serviceable hearing, did not result in worse post-treatment cranial nerve symptomatology. Analysis of comparative studies between hSRT and SRS did not reveal any significant difference in either tumor control or treatment morbidities.
PubMed: 34277018
DOI: 10.1093/nop/npab009 -
International Journal of Environmental... Nov 2021(1) Introduction: In the last two decades, telemedicine has been increasingly applied to telemonitoring (TM) of patients with pacemakers; however, presently, its growth... (Review)
Review
(1) Introduction: In the last two decades, telemedicine has been increasingly applied to telemonitoring (TM) of patients with pacemakers; however, presently, its growth has significantly accelerated because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has pushed patients and healthcare workers alike to seek new ways to stay healthy with minimal physical contact. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to update the current knowledge on the differences in the medium-and long-term effectiveness of TM and conventional monitoring (CM) in relation to costs and health outcomes. (2) Methods: Three databases and one scientific registry were searched (PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Google Scholar), with no restrictions on language or year of publication. Studies published until July 2021 were included. The inclusion criteria were: (a) experimental or observational design, (b) complete economic evaluation, (c) patients with implanted pacemakers, and (d) comparison of TM with CM. Measurements of study characteristics (author, study duration, sample size, age, sex, major indication for implantation, and pacemaker used), analysis, significant results of the variables (analysis performed, primary endpoints, secondary endpoints, health outcomes, and cost outcomes), and further miscellaneous measurements (methodological quality, variables coded, instrument development, coder training, and intercoder reliability, etc.) were included. (3) Results: 11 studies met the inclusion criteria, consisting of 3372 enrolled patients; 1773 (52.58%) of them were part of randomized clinical trials. The mean age was 72 years, and the atrioventricular block was established as the main indication for device implantation. TM was significantly effective in detecting the presence or absence of pacemaker problems, leading to a reduction in the number of unscheduled hospital visits (8.34-55.55%). The cost of TM was up to 87% lower than that of CM. There were no significant differences in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and the number of cardiovascular events. (4) Conclusions: Most of the studies included in this systematic review confirm that in the TM group of patients with pacemakers, cardiovascular events are detected and treated earlier, and the number of unscheduled visits to the hospital is significantly reduced, without affecting the HRQoL of patients. In addition, with TM modality, both formal and informal costs are significantly reduced in the medium and long term.
Topics: Aged; COVID-19; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Humans; Pacemaker, Artificial; Pandemics; Quality of Life; Reproducibility of Results; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 34831876
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182212120 -
Contemporary Clinical Dentistry 2023The successful management of cancer depends on proper screening and treatment methods. Bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) is an established technique in detecting breast... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
The successful management of cancer depends on proper screening and treatment methods. Bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) is an established technique in detecting breast cancer, cervical cancer, and prostate cancer. This systematic review sought to investigate the current evidence regarding the clinical application of bioimpedance in the detection of oral squamous cell carcinoma and oral potentially malignant disorders.
STUDY DESIGN
The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were followed to perform this review. Electronic databases such as PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, EBSCOhost, and Google Scholar were searched till March 2022. Articles published in the English medical literature on human participants report on the application of BIS in the screening of precancerous and cancerous lesions. The primary endpoint was defined as the ability to differentiate between normal and cancerous tissue.
RESULTS
A total of 6754 articles were identified; of which 481 were eligible for inclusion. Only five articles met the eligibility criteria and were included in the study. Qualitative analysis for each study was done to assess the data provided. All the studies demonstrated a significant divergence in BIS metrics between cancerous and normal tissue at 20 Hz and 50 KHz.
CONCLUSION
Bioimpedance appears to be a promising novel tool for the detection of various malignancies which can be used in community screening due to its noninvasiveness and portability.
PubMed: 37547441
DOI: 10.4103/ccd.ccd_195_23 -
Cardiology 2022There have been inconsistent data on the direct comparison of prasugrel and ticagrelor. This meta-analysis was conducted to summarize the current available evidence. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
INTRODUCTION
There have been inconsistent data on the direct comparison of prasugrel and ticagrelor. This meta-analysis was conducted to summarize the current available evidence.
METHODS
We performed a meta-analysis (PROSPERO-registered CRD42020166810) of randomized trials up to February 2020 that compared prasugrel and ticagrelor in acute coronary syndrome with respect to the composite endpoint of myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, or cardiovascular death and secondary endpoints including MI, stroke, cardiovascular death, major bleeding (Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) type 2 or above), stent thrombosis, all-cause death, and other safety outcomes.
RESULTS
Of the 11 eligible RCTs with 6,098 patients randomized to prasugrel (n = 3,050) or ticagrelor (n = 3,048), 180 and 207 had the composite endpoint events in the prasugrel arm and the ticagrelor arm, respectively, over a weighted mean follow-up period of 11 ± 2 months. Compared with prasugrel, the ticagrelor group had similar risk in the primary composite endpoint (risk ratio [RR] = 1.17; 95% CI = 0.96-1.42; p = 0.12, I2 = 0%). Compared to prasugrel, there was no significant difference associated with the ticagrelor groups with respect to stroke (RR = 1.05; 95% CI = 0.66-1.67; p = 0.84, I2 = 0%), cardiovascular death (RR = 1.01; 95% CI = 0.75-1.36; p = 0.95, I2 = 0%), BARC type 2 or above bleeding (RR = 1.16; 95% CI = 0.89-1.52; p = 0.26, I2 = 0%), stent thrombosis (RR = 1.58; 95% CI = 0.90-2.76; p = 0.11, I2 = 0%), and all-cause death (RR = 1.10; 95% CI = 0.86-1.43; p = 0.45, I2 = 0%) except MI (RR = 1.38; 95% CI = 1.05-1.81; p = 0.02, I2 = 0%) Conclusion: Compared with prasugrel, ticagrelor did not reduce the primary composite endpoint of MI, stroke, and cardiovascular death at a weighted mean follow-up of 11 months. There was no significant difference between the secondary outcomes except MI.
Topics: Acute Coronary Syndrome; Humans; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; Prasugrel Hydrochloride; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Ticagrelor; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 34743081
DOI: 10.1159/000520673 -
Frontiers in Pharmacology 2022Systematic comparison of the efficacy and safety of nebulized corticosteroids and systemic corticosteroids for treating acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive... (Review)
Review
Nebulized corticosteroids systemic corticosteroids for patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis comparing the benefits and harms reported by observational studies and randomized controlled trials.
Systematic comparison of the efficacy and safety of nebulized corticosteroids and systemic corticosteroids for treating acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease reported by high-quality, real-world observational studies and randomized controlled trials. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases were searched from the database creation date to 1 April 2022. Eligible observational studies and randomized controlled trials with changes in lung function and blood gas analysis results as the primary endpoints of interest, and the numbers of deteriorations and adverse events as the secondary endpoints were sought. Of the 2,837 identified studies, 22 were eligible and included in our analysis (N = 5,764 patients). Compared with systemic corticosteroids, nebulized corticosteroids resulted in comparable improvements in predicted FEV%, FEV, PaO, PaCO, and SaO at the treatment endpoint; however, observational studies reported more significant treatment outcomes with nebulized corticosteroids for FEV [mean difference, 0.26; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.17-0.35; < 0.005]. In terms of adverse reactions, the risks of gastrointestinal symptoms were 11% [Log risk ratio (LogRR) = 0.10; 95% confidence interval, 0.05-0.15; < 0.005] higher for systemic corticosteroids than for nebulized corticosteroids in randomized controlled trials, while the risks of hyperglycemia were 6% (LogRR = 0.06; 95% CI, 0.01-0.11; = 0.01) and 13% (LogRR = 0.12; 95% CI, 0.09-0.16; < 0.005) higher in observational studies and randomized controlled trials, respectively. According to our meta-analysis, either study type supported that nebulized corticosteroids can be used as an alternative to systemic corticosteroids for treating acute exacerbation of the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, more well-designed prospective studies are needed to determine the optimal dose of nebulized corticosteroids and the advantages of sequential therapy.
PubMed: 36278148
DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.966637 -
JACC. Heart Failure Jan 2023Despite hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) being the most common inherited heart disease and conferring increased risk for heart failure (HF) and sudden cardiac death... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Despite hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) being the most common inherited heart disease and conferring increased risk for heart failure (HF) and sudden cardiac death (SCD), risk assessment in HCM patients is still largely unresolved.
OBJECTIVES
This study aims to synthesize and compare the prognostic impact of demographic, clinical, biochemical, and imaging findings in patients with HCM.
METHODS
The authors searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library for studies published from 1955 to November 2020, and the endpoints were: 1) all-cause death; 2) an arrhythmic endpoint including SCD, sustained ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, or aborted SCD; and 3) a composite endpoint including (1) or (2) plus hospitalization for HF or cardiac transplantation. The authors performed a pairwise meta-analysis obtaining the pooled estimate separately for the association between baseline variables and study endpoints. A random-effects network meta-analysis was subsequently used to comparatively assess the prognostic value of outcome associates.
RESULTS
A total of 112 studies with 58,732 HCM patients were included. Among others, increased brain natriuretic peptide/N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), positive genotype, impaired global longitudinal strain, and presence of apical aneurysm conferred increased risk for the composite endpoint. At network meta-analysis, LGE showed the highest prognostic value for all endpoints and was superior to all other associates except New York Heart Association functional class >class II. A multiparametric imaging-based model was superior in predicting the composite endpoint compared to a prespecified model based on conventional risk factors.
CONCLUSIONS
This network meta-analysis supports the development of multiparametric risk prediction algorithms, including advanced imaging markers additively to conventional risk factors, for refined risk stratification in HCM. (Long-term prognosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy according to genetic, clinical, biochemical and imaging findings: a systemic review and meta-analysis; CRD42020185219).
Topics: Humans; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic; Contrast Media; Death, Sudden, Cardiac; Demography; Gadolinium; Heart Failure; Network Meta-Analysis; Prognosis; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors
PubMed: 36599547
DOI: 10.1016/j.jchf.2022.08.022 -
Orthopaedics & Traumatology, Surgery &... Nov 2021Trochleoplasty is an effective patellar stabilization procedure; however, it is associated with a risk of complications that cannot be ignored. Prior systematic reviews... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Trochleoplasty is an effective patellar stabilization procedure; however, it is associated with a risk of complications that cannot be ignored. Prior systematic reviews on this topic did not include more recent studies reporting important outcomes, particularly the long-term results of lateral elevation trochleoplasty. This led us to carry out a new meta-analysis of the various trochleoplasty procedures to specify: (1) the recurrence rate of patellofemoral dislocation; (2) the complication rates and; (3) the clinical outcomes.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Studies reporting complications and clinical outcomes of trochleoplasty, whether or not it was combined with other procedures for patellofemoral instability, were identified in the MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Web of Science databases and by searching the grey literature. The primary endpoint was the recurrence of patellofemoral dislocation while the secondary endpoints were objective patellofemoral instability without dislocation, stiffness, patellofemoral osteoarthritis, subsequent surgeries and various clinical outcome scores. The results were combined in a random-effects model (weighing factor: inverse variance) when the heterogeneity was less than 80%.
RESULTS
Twenty-eight studies were included: 5 featured lateral elevation trochleoplasty, 10 about the Dejour deepening trochleoplasty, 12 about the Bereiter deepening trochleoplasty and 1 about the recession wedge trochleoplasty. A total of 1000 trochleoplasty procedures were done in 890 patients who had a follow-up of 1 to 25 years. There were 24 cases of recurrent dislocation (24/994 [2.4%]; this outcome was not reported for 6 trochleoplasties). The Dejour deepening trochleoplasty was the most effective with only 1 recurrence in 349 knees (0.28%). For the other complications, residual patellar instability without dislocation occurred in 82 of 754 knees (8% [95% CI: 3-14%]), patellofemoral osteoarthritis in 117 of 431 knees (27%), stiffness in 59 of 642 knees (7% [95% CI: 3-12%]) and the need for subsequent surgery in 151 of 904 knees (17%).
DISCUSSION
This study found a low recurrence rate for patellofemoral dislocation and residual instability. The incidence of stiffness, patellofemoral osteoarthritis and subsequent surgery remains high but differs greatly between studies. This meta-analysis showed a very large disparity between studies for most complications, which justifies the need for randomized and comparative studies to establish the role of trochleoplasty procedures in the treatment algorithm for patellar instability.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
IV; systematic review and meta-analysis.
Topics: Humans; Joint Instability; Osteoarthritis, Knee; Patella; Patellar Dislocation; Patellofemoral Joint
PubMed: 34365023
DOI: 10.1016/j.otsr.2021.103035