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BMJ Open May 2024Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), a common treatment for prostate cancer, has debilitating impacts on physical and psychological quality of life. While some...
Effectiveness of educational and psychological survivorship interventions to improve health-related quality of life outcomes for men with prostate cancer on androgen deprivation therapy: a systematic review.
OBJECTIVES
Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), a common treatment for prostate cancer, has debilitating impacts on physical and psychological quality of life. While some interventions focus on managing the physical side effects of ADT, there is a paucity of interventions that also address psychosocial and educational needs. The objective of this systematic review was to identify psychological and educational survivorship interventions targeting health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes in men on ADT.
DESIGN
A systematic review of randomised controlled trials.
DATA SOURCES
Web of Science, Cochrane, EBSCO Host, PubMed, SCOPUS from inception (1984) to 28 January 2023.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES
Psychological and/or educational survivorship interventions targeting HRQoL outcomes for men on ADT; minimum 80% of participants on ADT; used a validated HRQoL outcome measure; published in English in a peer-reviewed journal.
DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS
Data extraction using pre-specified study criteria was conducted. Heterogeneity of eligible studies precluded a meta-analysis.
RESULTS
A total of 3381 publications were identified with eight meeting the criteria. Interventions were either psychological with a cognitive behavioural approach (n=4), or educational with (n=2) or without (n=2) psychoeducational components.Two studies reported a statistically significant improvement using a specific HRQoL measure. Most studies were not adequately powered and/or included small sample sizes limiting the conclusions that can be drawn on effectiveness. The most effective interventions were (i) individually based, (ii) educational with a psychoeducational component, (iii) supplemented with information packages and/or homework and (iv) included personalised needs assessments.
CONCLUSION
There is a paucity of literature reporting psychological and educational survivorship interventions targeting HRQoL outcomes for men on ADT. What is urgently needed are person-centred survivorship interventions that are flexible enough to identify and address individual needs, taking into account the impact ADT has on both physical and psychological quality of life.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD4202230809.
Topics: Humans; Male; Quality of Life; Prostatic Neoplasms; Androgen Antagonists; Patient Education as Topic; Cancer Survivors; Survivorship; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 38777593
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-080310 -
Minerva Urology and Nephrology Apr 2024Patients with high-risk prostate cancer (HRPCa) are prone to have worse pathological features, resulting in early biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy...
INTRODUCTION
Patients with high-risk prostate cancer (HRPCa) are prone to have worse pathological features, resulting in early biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy (RP). There is an urgent need to develop novel treatment strategies for this group of patients to optimize their outcomes. The purpose of this study is to perform a systematic review of the role of neoadjuvant hormonal therapy (NHT) followed by RP in HRPCa patients.
EVIDENCE ACQUISITION
We performed a systematic review of the following databases, MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and clinical Trial.gov; between January 2007 and August 2023, following the PRISMA guidelines.
EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS
After screening and deduplication, we included ten studies from an initial pool of 1275. The risk of bias was low in observational studies but ranged from moderate to low in controlled trials. Five studies utilized traditional androgen deprivation treatments (ADT), revealing favorable pathological outcomes but inconsistency in evaluating oncological results. Additionally, four studies focused on RP combined with androgen receptor pathway inhibitors (ARPIs) in the NHT setting, all showing primarily positive pathological outcome, with no clear evidence of an oncological benefit. Limited long-term follow-up data and a shortage of randomized controlled trials were evident among all the studies included in this review, regardless of the type of hormonal treatment used.
CONCLUSIONS
Different hormonal treatments, including traditional ADT and ARPIs, yield positive pathology outcomes. Oncological evidence remains limited, echoing older findings predating ARPIs. Definitive conclusions require longer follow-ups and precise patient selection. Currently, insufficient evidence support ARPIs' superiority over conventional therapy before RP.
Topics: Humans; Prostatectomy; Prostatic Neoplasms; Male; Androgen Antagonists; Neoadjuvant Therapy; Risk Assessment
PubMed: 38742549
DOI: 10.23736/S2724-6051.24.05630-1 -
Urologic Oncology Sep 2024The influence of androgen suppression therapy (AST) on bladder cancer (BCa) remains controversial, as recent studies have not reached a consensus regarding the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
INTRODUCTION
The influence of androgen suppression therapy (AST) on bladder cancer (BCa) remains controversial, as recent studies have not reached a consensus regarding the relationship between AST and the incidence or prognosis of BCa.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We perform an updated systematic review and meta-analysis utilizing the most recent evidence to investigate the potential influence of AST on the incidence and prognosis of BCa. A comprehensive literature search was performed on the PubMed, Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library databases to include potentially eligible studies. Hazard ratios (HR) and odds ratios (OR) were used to calculate the incidence and prognosis of BCa.
RESULTS
This meta-analysis included 22 studies with 700,755 participants which investigated the impact of AST on the risk and prognosis of BCa. The pooled results revealed no significant relation between AST and a decreased incidence of BCa (OR: 0.92, 95%CI: 0.77-1.09, P = 0.342). Subgroup analysis reported that patients receiving 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs) exhibited a significantly lower risk of BCa (OR: 0.83, 95%CI: 0.75-0.91, P < 0.001), while androgen deprivation therapy did not show a significant reduction (OR: 1.00, 95%CI: 0.46-2.16, P = 0.995). AST may also significantly improve the recurrence-free survival of patients with BCa (HR: 0.69, 95%CI: 0.50-0.95, P = 0.023). We also detected a significant improvement in OS among BCa patients who received 5-ARIs compared to those without 5-ARIs (HR: 0.82, 95%CI: 0.68-0.99, P = 0.037).
CONCLUSION
No significant correlation was found between AST and a decreased BCa incidence, while 5-ARIs have demonstrated efficacy in reducing BCa occurrence. Moreover, patients who received AST demonstrated improved prognosis.
Topics: Humans; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms; Androgen Antagonists; Incidence; Prognosis; Male
PubMed: 38729866
DOI: 10.1016/j.urolonc.2024.04.014 -
Cureus Apr 2024Acne vulgaris, commonly called acne, is a skin condition affecting many individuals globally. It is a chronic condition characterized by developing pimples, blackheads... (Review)
Review
Acne vulgaris, commonly called acne, is a skin condition affecting many individuals globally. It is a chronic condition characterized by developing pimples, blackheads (open comedones), whiteheads (closed comedones), and other skin lesions. Acne usually appears on the face, neck, chest, and back. It is commonly associated with puberty and adolescence but can also affect adults of all ages. Acne can be very frustrating and embarrassing, leading to low self-esteem and social isolation. The condition arises from various factors, including clogged pores, excessive sebum production, bacteria, and inflammation. This systematic review assesses the effectiveness of topical antibiotics, retinoids, niacinamide, azelaic acid, and clascoterone in treating mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris. A comprehensive search across PubMed, PubMed Central, and Google Scholar yielded 10 articles focused on topical antibiotics, with findings from 198 subjects indicating the efficacy of doxycycline against inflammatory lesions. Retinoids, such as tretinoin and adapalene, significantly improved both lesion types (open and closed comedones). Niacinamide, examined in a randomized controlled trial involving 41 participants, reduced sebum production. Another study with 60 patients revealed that azelaic acid effectively reduced both inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions. Clascoterone emerged as a promising antiandrogenic treatment, supported by a randomized controlled trial involving 4,440 patients. It is essential that individualized therapy, incorporating patient preferences and considering adverse effects, is emphasized for optimizing acne management.
PubMed: 38725769
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.57909 -
Clinical Genitourinary Cancer Jun 2024Several phase II trials have investigated neoadjuvant novel androgen receptor signaling inhibitors (ARSIs) in combination with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT)... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Cardiovascular and Thromboembolic Events in Patients With Localized Prostate Cancer Receiving Intensified Neoadjuvant Androgen Deprivation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Several phase II trials have investigated neoadjuvant novel androgen receptor signaling inhibitors (ARSIs) in combination with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) followed by radical prostatectomy (RP) in prostate cancer (PC) patients. However, data regarding complications of intense hormone therapy and surgical complications are scarce. Our objective was to evaluate the occurrence of cardiovascular (CV) and thromboembolic (TE) adverse events (AE) in patients with localized PC who have received intense neoadjuvant ADT followed by prostatectomy. A comprehensive search in MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus and conference abstracts was performed. The strategies were developed and applied for each electronic database on March 7th, 2023. Eligible studies included randomized and single-arm trials testing ARSIs prior to prostatectomy that adequately reported safety data regarding CV and TE AE, peri-operative complications, and mortality during therapy. Pooled incidence (PI) of AE with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was estimated using a random effects model. Quality assessment and reporting followed Cochrane Collaboration Handbook and PRISMA guidelines. PROSPERO: CRD42022344104. Nine randomized controlled trials and three single-arm phase II trials were included, comprising 702 patients (702 patients for CV AE and 522 for perioperative complications). The neoadjuvant regimen was classified as monotherapy with ARSI (100 patients), combination therapy with ADT + ARSI (383 patients), or ADT + ARSI + ARSI (219 patients). The PI of TE within the perioperative interval was 4.2% (95% CI = 2.6%-6.6%, I2 = 0.0%, P = .65), and the PI for CV AE was 4.6% (95% CI = 3.1%-6.7%, I2 = 0.0%, P = .71). Seven deaths were reported, resulting in a PI of 2.2% (95% CI = 1.3%-3.8%, I2 = 0.0%, P = .99), of which two were considered treatment-related and occurred within the perioperative period. The PI of hypertension grade 3-5 was 7.3% (95% CI = 4.8%-11.0%, I2 = 38.8%, P = .04). CV and TE AE associated with intense neoadjuvant hormone therapy in patients with localized PC can occur in up to 4.6% of cases. Our data warns for further assessment of thrombotic risk and prophylactic anticoagulation in this setting.
Topics: Humans; Male; Prostatic Neoplasms; Neoadjuvant Therapy; Thromboembolism; Prostatectomy; Androgen Antagonists; Cardiovascular Diseases; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; Postoperative Complications
PubMed: 38718699
DOI: 10.1016/j.clgc.2024.102088 -
Asian Journal of Andrology Jul 2024This study compared different doublet and triplet therapies for efficacy and safety in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC). PubMed, EMBASE, and the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
This study compared different doublet and triplet therapies for efficacy and safety in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC). PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were comprehensively searched for eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published from inception to October 2023. Interventions included abiraterone, apalutamide, enzalutamide, docetaxel, darolutamide, and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), either as doublet or triplet therapies. The outcomes examined were overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC)-free survival, time to symptomatic skeletal event (SSE), and toxicity. The surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) was determined to identify the preferred treatments. Ten RCTs were included. The combination of darolutamide, docetaxel, and ADT had the highest SUCRA of 84.3 for OS, followed by combined abiraterone, docetaxel, and ADT (SUCRA = 71.6). The highest SUCRAs for PFS were observed for triplet therapies (abiraterone, docetaxel, and ADT [SUCRA = 74.9], followed by enzalutamide, docetaxel, and ADT [SUCRA = 74.3]) and other androgen receptor axis-targeted therapy-based doublet therapies (SUCRAs: 26.5-59.3). Darolutamide, docetaxel, and ADT had the highest SUCRAs, i.e ., 80.8 and 84.0 regarding CRPC-free survival and time to SSE, respectively. Regarding Grade >3 adverse events (AEs), the SUCRAs of triplet therapies (SUCRAs: 14.8-31.5) were similar to that of docetaxel and ADT (SUCRA = 39.5). Three studies had a low risk of bias in all categories; the remaining studies had at least an unclear risk of bias in at least one category. Triplet therapy demonstrated potentially enhanced effectiveness than doublet therapy in mHSPC, with acceptable safety concerns. Darolutamide might be the optimal option for triplet therapy in combination with docetaxel and ADT.
Topics: Male; Humans; Network Meta-Analysis; Docetaxel; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Benzamides; Prostatic Neoplasms; Phenylthiohydantoin; Androstenes; Nitriles; Androgen Antagonists; Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant; Thiohydantoins; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Pyrazoles
PubMed: 38624195
DOI: 10.4103/aja20242 -
Environmental Research Jul 2024Human fertility is impacted by changes in lifestyle and environmental deterioration. To increase human fertility, assisted reproductive technology (ART) has been... (Review)
Review
Human fertility is impacted by changes in lifestyle and environmental deterioration. To increase human fertility, assisted reproductive technology (ART) has been extensively used around the globe. As early as 2009, the Endocrine Society released its first scientific statement on the potential adverse effects of environmental endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on human health and disease development. Chemicals known as phthalates, frequently employed as plasticizers and additives, are common EDCs. Numerous studies have shown that phthalate metabolites in vivo exert estrogen-like or anti-androgenic effects in both humans and animals. They are associated with the progression of a range of diseases, most notably interference with the reproductive process, damage to the placenta, and the initiation of chronic diseases in adulthood. Phthalates are ingested by infertile couples in a variety of ways, including household products, diet, medical treatment, etc. Exposure to phthalates may exacerbate their infertility or poor ART outcomes, however, the available data on phthalate exposure and ART pregnancy outcomes are sparse and contradictory. Therefore, this review conducted a systematic evaluation of 16 papers related to phthalate exposure and ART pregnancy outcomes, to provide more aggregated results, and deepen our understanding of reproductive outcomes in infertile populations with phthalate exposure.
Topics: Phthalic Acids; Humans; Female; Pregnancy; Fertilization in Vitro; Infertility; Endocrine Disruptors; Environmental Pollutants; Environmental Exposure; Pregnancy Outcome; Male
PubMed: 38609072
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118825 -
Clinical Genitourinary Cancer Jun 2024Second-generation androgen receptor axis-targeting (ARAT) agents have become a standard treatment for patients with advanced prostate cancer (PC), however much remains... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
INTRODUCTION
Second-generation androgen receptor axis-targeting (ARAT) agents have become a standard treatment for patients with advanced prostate cancer (PC), however much remains unknown about the potential cardiovascular toxicities.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
We performed a systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane library for randomized controlled trials of patients receiving ARAT agents for PC from inception to March 2023. The odds ratios (ORs) of all-grade and high-grade cardiovascular adverse events (CVAEs) for patients treated with and without ARAT agents were pooled for meta-analysis. Subgroup analyses based on PC type and treatment regimen were conducted.
RESULTS
A total of 15 double-blind placebo-controlled phase 3 trials comprising 15,842 patients were included. In addition to hot flush and hypertension of any degree of severity, inclusion of ARAT agents was associated with a significantly higher risk of acute myocardial infarction (OR: 1.96, 95% CI: 1.05-3.68, P = .04), myocardial infarction (OR: 2.44, 95% CI: 1.27-4.66, P = .007) and angina pectoris (OR: 2.00, 95% CI: 1.00-4.02, P = .05). With regard to individual ARAT agents, enzalutamide was associated with a significantly higher risk of acute myocardial infarction (OR: 3.11, 95% CI: 1.17-8.28, P = .02), coronary artery disease (OR: 8.33, 95% CI: 1.54-44.95, P = .01), and high-grade hypertension (OR: 4.94, 95% CI: 1.11-22.06, P = .04), while abiraterone and apalutamide were associated with a significantly higher risk of angina pectoris (OR: 5.48, 95% CI: 1.23-24.33, P = .03) and myocardial infarction (OR: 7.00, 95% CI: 1.60-30.62, P = .01), respectively.
CONCLUSION
The inclusion of ARAT agents was associated with a significantly higher risk of several CVAEs. Clinicians should remain vigilant, both in pre-treatment screening and monitoring for clinical symptoms and signs, when considering ARAT agent particularly for patients with pre-existing risk factors.
Topics: Humans; Male; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Prostatic Neoplasms; Cardiovascular Diseases; Androgen Receptor Antagonists; Receptors, Androgen; Phenylthiohydantoin; Benzamides; Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; Nitriles; Thiohydantoins; Androstenes
PubMed: 38584004
DOI: 10.1016/j.clgc.2024.102066 -
International Journal of Clinical... Jun 2024Triplet therapy, androgen receptor signaling inhibitors (ARSIs) plus docetaxel plus androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT), is a novel guideline-recommended treatment for... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Impact of disease volume on survival efficacy of triplet therapy for metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and network meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
Triplet therapy, androgen receptor signaling inhibitors (ARSIs) plus docetaxel plus androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT), is a novel guideline-recommended treatment for metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC). However, the optimal selection of the patient most likely to benefit from triplet therapy remains unclear.
METHODS
We performed a systematic review, meta-analysis, and network meta-analysis to assess the oncologic benefit of triplet therapy in mHSPC patients stratified by disease volume and compare them with doublet treatment regimens. Three databases and meeting abstracts were queried in March 2023 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating patients treated with systemic therapy for mHSPC stratified by disease volume. Primary interests of measure were overall survival (OS). We followed the PRISMA guideline and AMSTAR2 checklist.
RESULTS
Overall, eight RCTs were included for meta-analyses and network meta-analyses (NMAs). Triplet therapy outperformed docetaxel plus ADT in terms of OS in both patients with high-(pooled HR: 0.73, 95%CI 0.64-0.84) and low-volume mHSPC (pooled HR: 0.71, 95%CI 0.52-0.97). There was no statistically significant difference between patients with low- vs. high-volume in terms of OS benefit from adding ARSI to docetaxel plus ADT (p = 0.9). Analysis of treatment rankings showed that darolutamide plus docetaxel plus ADT (90%) had the highest likelihood of improved OS in patients with high-volume disease, while enzalutamide plus ADT (84%) had the highest in with low-volume disease.
CONCLUSIONS
Triplet therapy improves OS in mHSPC patients compared to docetaxel-based doublet therapy, irrespective of disease volume. However, based on treatment ranking, triplet therapy should preferably be considered for patients with high-volume mHSPC while those with low-volume are likely to be adequately treated with ARSI + ADT.
Topics: Humans; Male; Androgen Antagonists; Androgen Receptor Antagonists; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Docetaxel; Network Meta-Analysis; Prostatic Neoplasms; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Tumor Burden
PubMed: 38582807
DOI: 10.1007/s10147-024-02485-4 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Mar 2024(1) : Paraphilic disorders, marked by intense sexual fantasies and behaviors, present formidable challenges. This review addresses concerns fueled by scandals and child... (Review)
Review
(1) : Paraphilic disorders, marked by intense sexual fantasies and behaviors, present formidable challenges. This review addresses concerns fueled by scandals and child abuse. Emphasizing paraphilias' complexity, it systematically reviews the pharmacotherapy literature, aiming to enhance understanding and guide future research. (2) : A comprehensive search from 1990 to 2023 across major databases identified 28 relevant English-language studies. Inclusion criteria focused on adult pharmacotherapy for paraphilias, and results were evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. (3) : Synthesizing data from selected studies, diverse treatments such as SSRIs and antiandrogens were analyzed, revealing variable effectiveness and side effect profiles. Poor quality of the current literature has been reported. (4) : Highlighting the pivotal role of the serotonergic system, this review underscores the efficacy of SSRIs and androgen deprivation therapy. GnRH analog-associated side effects and the importance of a combined assessment approach are discussed. Critical insights contribute to understanding and ethical considerations in paraphilic disorders.
PubMed: 38541750
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13061524