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Blood Advances Nov 2023The treatment of autoimmune acquired pure red cell aplasia (aPRCA) is challenging. Guidelines are based on expert recommendations in the absence of controlled trials. We... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
The treatment of autoimmune acquired pure red cell aplasia (aPRCA) is challenging. Guidelines are based on expert recommendations in the absence of controlled trials. We assessed the efficacy of the main treatment strategy through a systematic review and meta-analysis using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library up to September 2022. The overall response rate (ORR) was pooled using random-effects models. In total, 24 observational studies (19 retrospective, median follow-up of 48 months) encompassing 753 patients (49% male) were included. Primary aPRCA represented 57% of the cases. The risk of bias was moderate to high using the ROBINS-I tool. Substantial heterogeneity (I2 > 50%) was retrieved. Corticosteroids as monotherapy as first-line treatment (186 patients, 13 studies) provided an ORR of 47% (95% confidence interval [CI], 34-60). Cyclosporine A was the most frequently used immunosuppressant agent (384 patients, 18 studies), providing an ORR of 74% (95% CI, 66-82) with a similar ORR in first- (73%) and second-line (76%) treatment and when cyclosporin was used as monotherapy (83%) or with corticosteroids (77%). A total of 112 patients (10 studies) received cyclophosphamide, with an ORR of 49% (95% CI, 35-64), which was higher when cyclophosphamide was combined with corticosteroids (48%) and used in second-line treatment (58%) than in monotherapy (31%), and in first-line treatment (44%). Sirolimus use was reported only after cyclosporine A failure and provided an ORR of 87% (95% CI, 68-100; 64 patients, 3 studies). Substantial uncertainty remains regarding the best treatment strategy in the absence of high-quality evidence. This study was registered on the PROPERO database as #CRD42022360452.
Topics: Humans; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Cyclophosphamide; Cyclosporine; Red-Cell Aplasia, Pure; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 37624775
DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2023010587 -
BMC Cancer Aug 2023Patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) are generally younger and more likely to experience disease recurrence and have the shortest survival among all breast... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Neoadjuvant immunotherapy and chemotherapy regimens for the treatment of high-risk, early-stage triple-negative breast cancer: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
Patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) are generally younger and more likely to experience disease recurrence and have the shortest survival among all breast cancer patients. Recently, neoadjuvant delivery of the programmed cell death protein-1 inhibitor pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy followed by adjuvant pembrolizumab was approved for patients with high-risk, early-stage TNBC, but this treatment regimen has not been evaluated in head-to-head trials with other neoadjuvant treatment regimens. Therefore, the objective of this study was to estimate the relative efficacy of neoadjuvant pembrolizumab + chemotherapy followed by adjuvant pembrolizumab versus other neoadjuvant treatments for early-stage TNBC through a systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA).
METHODS
EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, conference abstracts, and clinical trial registries were searched for randomized controlled trials evaluating neoadjuvant treatments for early-stage TNBC. NMA was performed to estimate relative treatment effects among evaluated interventions.
RESULTS
Five trials met the inclusion criteria and were included in the NMA. The relative efficacy of neoadjuvant pembrolizumab + chemotherapy followed by adjuvant pembrolizumab was favorable to paclitaxel followed by anthracycline + cyclophosphamide in terms of pathologic complete response (pCR), event-free survival (EFS), and overall survival; paclitaxel + carboplatin followed by anthracycline + cyclophosphamide in terms of pCR and EFS; paclitaxel + bevacizumab followed by anthracycline + cyclophosphamide + bevacizumab in terms of pCR; and paclitaxel + carboplatin + veliparib followed by anthracycline + cyclophosphamide in terms of EFS.
CONCLUSIONS
Neoadjuvant pembrolizumab + chemotherapy followed by adjuvant pembrolizumab confers benefits in response and survival outcomes versus alternative neoadjuvant treatments for early-stage TNBC.
Topics: Humans; Neoadjuvant Therapy; Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms; Network Meta-Analysis; Bevacizumab; Carboplatin; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Immunotherapy; Adjuvants, Immunologic; Anthracyclines; Cyclophosphamide; Paclitaxel
PubMed: 37612624
DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-11293-4 -
Clinical Epigenetics Aug 2023Screening plays a key role in secondary prevention of cervical cancer. High-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) testing, a highly sensitive test but with limited... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Screening plays a key role in secondary prevention of cervical cancer. High-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) testing, a highly sensitive test but with limited specificity, has become the gold standard frontline for screening programs. Thus, the importance of effective triage strategies, including DNA methylation markers, has been emphasized. Despite the potential reported in individual studies, methylation markers still require validation before being recommended for clinical practice. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the performance of DNA methylation-based biomarkers for detecting high-grade intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) in hrHPV-positive women.
METHODS
Hence, PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases were searched for studies that assessed methylation in hrHPV-positive women in cervical scrapes. Histologically confirmed HSIL was used as endpoint and QUADAS-2 tool enabled assessment of study quality. A bivariate random-effect model was employed to pool the estimated sensitivity and specificity as well as positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive values.
RESULTS
Twenty-three studies were included in this meta-analysis, from which cohort and referral population-based studies corresponded to nearly 65%. Most of the women analyzed were Dutch, and CADM1, FAM19A4, MAL, and miR124-2 were the most studied genes. Pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.68 (CI 95% 0.63-0.72) and 0.75 (CI 95% 0.71-0.80) for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2+ detection, respectively. For CIN3+ detection, pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.78 (CI 95% 0.74-0.82) and 0.74 (CI 95% 0.69-0.78), respectively. For pooled prevalence, PPV for CIN2+ and CIN3+ detection were 0.514 and 0.392, respectively. Furthermore, NPV for CIN2+ and CIN3+ detection were 0.857 and 0.938, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
This meta-analysis confirmed the great potential of DNA methylation-based biomarkers as triage tool for hrHPV-positive women in cervical cancer screening. Standardization and improved validation are, however, required. Nevertheless, these markers might represent an excellent alternative to cytology and genotyping for colposcopy referral of hrHPV-positive women, allowing for more cost-effective screening programs.
Topics: Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; DNA Methylation; Early Detection of Cancer; Colposcopy; Triage; Papillomavirus Infections; Referral and Consultation; Papillomaviridae; Cell Adhesion Molecule-1
PubMed: 37533074
DOI: 10.1186/s13148-023-01537-2 -
Cells Jul 2023Osteoarthritis (OA) is a joint disorder characterized by progressive degeneration of cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM), chondrocyte hypertrophy and apoptosis and... (Review)
Review
Epigenetic Modifications of MiRNAs in Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review on Their Methylation Levels and Effects on Chondrocytes, Extracellular Matrix and Joint Inflammation.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a joint disorder characterized by progressive degeneration of cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM), chondrocyte hypertrophy and apoptosis and inflammation. The current treatments mainly concern pain control and reduction of inflammation, but no therapeutic strategy has been identified as a disease-modifying treatment. Therefore, identifying specific biomarkers useful to prevent, treat or distinguish the stages of OA disease has become an immediate need of clinical practice. The role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in OA has been investigated in the last decade, and increasing evidence has emerged that the influence of the environment on gene expression through epigenetic processes contributes to the development, progression and aggressiveness of OA, in particular acting on the microenvironment modulations. The effects of epigenetic regulation, particularly different miRNA methylation during OA disease, were highlighted in the present systematic review. The evidence arising from this study of the literature conducted in three databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science) suggested that miRNA methylation state already strongly impacts OA progression, driving chondrocytes and synoviocyte proliferation, apoptosis, inflammation and ECM deposition. However, the possibility of understanding the mechanism by which different epigenetic modifications of miRNA or pre-miRNA sequences drive the aggressiveness of OA could be the new focus of future investigations.
Topics: Humans; Chondrocytes; MicroRNAs; Epigenesis, Genetic; Methylation; Osteoarthritis; Inflammation; Extracellular Matrix
PubMed: 37508486
DOI: 10.3390/cells12141821 -
Journal of Neuro-oncology Aug 2023Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) therapy, an electric field-based cancer treatment, became FDA-approved for patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma (GBM) in 2015... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
PURPOSE
Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) therapy, an electric field-based cancer treatment, became FDA-approved for patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma (GBM) in 2015 based on the randomized controlled EF-14 study. Subsequent approvals worldwide and increased adoption over time have raised the question of whether a consistent survival benefit has been observed in the real-world setting, and whether device usage has played a role.
METHODS
We conducted a literature search to identify clinical studies evaluating overall survival (OS) in TTFields-treated patients. Comparative and single-cohort studies were analyzed. Survival curves were pooled using a distribution-free random-effects method.
RESULTS
Among nine studies, seven (N = 1430 patients) compared the addition of TTFields therapy to standard of care (SOC) chemoradiotherapy versus SOC alone and were included in a pooled analysis for OS. Meta-analysis of comparative studies indicated a significant improvement in OS for patients receiving TTFields and SOC versus SOC alone (HR: 0.63; 95% CI 0.53-0.75; p < 0.001). Among real-world post-approval studies, the pooled median OS was 22.6 months (95% CI 17.6-41.2) for TTFields-treated patients, and 17.4 months (95% CI 14.4-21.6) for those not receiving TTFields. Rates of gross total resection were generally higher in the real-world setting, irrespective of TTFields use. Furthermore, for patients included in studies reporting data on device usage (N = 1015), an average usage rate of ≥ 75% was consistently associated with prolonged survival (p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
Meta-analysis of comparative TTFields studies suggests survival may be improved with the addition of TTFields to SOC for patients with newly diagnosed GBM.
Topics: Humans; Glioblastoma; Temozolomide; Electric Stimulation Therapy; Brain Neoplasms; Combined Modality Therapy
PubMed: 37493865
DOI: 10.1007/s11060-023-04348-w -
RMD Open Jul 2023To summarise and update evidence to inform the 2022 update of the EULAR recommendations for the management of antineutrophil cytoplasm antibody-associated vasculitis...
Systematic literature review informing the 2022 update of the EULAR recommendations for the management of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV): part 1-treatment of granulomatosis with polyangiitis and microscopic polyangiitis.
OBJECTIVE
To summarise and update evidence to inform the 2022 update of the EULAR recommendations for the management of antineutrophil cytoplasm antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV).
METHODS
A systematic literature review (SLR) was performed to identify current evidence regarding treatment of AAV. PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane library were searched from 1 February 2015 to 25 February 2022. The evidence presented here is focused on the treatment of granulomatosis with polyangiitis and microscopic polyangiitis.
RESULTS
3517 articles were screened and 175 assessed by full-text review. Ninety articles were included in the final evidence synthesis. Cyclophosphamide and rituximab (RTX) show similar efficacy for remission induction (level of evidence (LoE) 1a) but RTX is more effective in relapsing disease (LoE 1b). Glucocorticoid (GC) protocols with faster tapering result in similar remission rates but lower rates of serious infections (LoE 1b). Avacopan can be used to rapidly taper and replace GC (LoE 1b). Data on plasma exchange are inconsistent depending on the analysed trial populations but meta-analyses based on randomised controlled trials demonstrate a reduction of the risk of end-stage kidney disease at 1 year but not during long-term follow-up (LoE 1a). Use of RTX for maintenance of remission is associated with lower relapse rates compared with azathioprine (AZA, LoE 1b). Prolonged maintenance treatment results in lower relapse rates for both, AZA (LoE 1b) and RTX (LoE 1b).
CONCLUSION
This SLR provides current evidence to inform the 2022 update of the EULAR recommendations for the management of AAV.
Topics: Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis; Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis; Humans; Microscopic Polyangiitis; Cyclophosphamide; Rituximab; Glucocorticoids; Remission Induction
PubMed: 37479496
DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2023-003082 -
Prevention Science : the Official... Oct 2023Biological age, measured via epigenetic clocks, offers a unique and useful tool for prevention scientists to explore the short- and long-term implications of age... (Review)
Review
Biological age, measured via epigenetic clocks, offers a unique and useful tool for prevention scientists to explore the short- and long-term implications of age deviations for health, development, and behavior. The use of epigenetic clocks in pediatric research is rapidly increasing, and there is a need to review the landscape of this work to understand the utility of these clocks for prevention scientists. We summarize the current state of the literature on the use of specific epigenetic clocks in childhood. Using systematic review methods, we identified studies published through February 2023 that used one of three epigenetic clocks as a measure of biological aging. These epigenetic clocks could either be used as a predictor of health outcomes or as a health outcome of interest. The database search identified 982 records, 908 of which were included in a title and abstract review. After full-text screening, 68 studies were eligible for inclusion. While findings were somewhat mixed, a majority of included studies found significant associations between the epigenetic clock used and the health outcome of interest or between an exposure and the epigenetic clock used. From these results, we propose the use of epigenetic clocks as a tool to understand how exposures impact biologic aging pathways and development in early life, as well as to monitor the effectiveness of preventive interventions that aim to reduce exposure and associated adverse health outcomes.
Topics: Child; Humans; Epigenesis, Genetic; DNA Methylation; Aging; Databases, Factual
PubMed: 37477807
DOI: 10.1007/s11121-023-01576-4 -
International Journal of Hyperthermia :... 2023The therapy of high-risk soft tissue sarcomas (STS) remains an interdisciplinary challenge. Regional hyperthermia (RHT) sparked interest as it has been shown to improve... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The therapy of high-risk soft tissue sarcomas (STS) remains an interdisciplinary challenge. Regional hyperthermia (RHT) sparked interest as it has been shown to improve overall survival when added to perioperative chemotherapy (CTX). However, questions arise on how RHT should be optimally integrated into current multi-modal therapies.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We performed a systematic literature review according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Studies written in English and focused mainly on radiative RHT and superficial hyperthermia were evaluated and included. Studies including patients below the age of 18, with metastatic disease or review articles, were excluded.
RESULTS
We identified 15 clinical reports from 1990 until July 2022. Three articles combined RHT + CTX, and twelve focused on combined RHT + radiotherapy (RT) or neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Most treatments were based on invasive thermometry, and less on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based, noninvasive thermometry for STS of the extremities. Perioperative chemotherapy was used for the combination of RHT and CTX, mostly Ifosfamide-based. The effectiveness of RT appeared to be increased by RHT, especially with two RHT sessions/week. The trimodal simultaneous approach of neoadjuvant RHT and CRT was also feasible. No significant toxicity of RHT was reported.
CONCLUSIONS
The gathered data strengthen the beneficial role of RHT in the multimodal setting. Further expert consensus and clinical trials are required to determine the optimal integration of RHT in treating STS.
Topics: Humans; Combined Modality Therapy; Hyperthermia, Induced; Ifosfamide; Sarcoma; Soft Tissue Neoplasms
PubMed: 37468132
DOI: 10.1080/02656736.2023.2236337 -
Clinical Epigenetics Jul 2023To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of FDA-approved isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) inhibitors in the treatment of IDH-mutated acute myeloid leukemia (AML). (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of FDA-approved isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) inhibitors in the treatment of IDH-mutated acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
METHODS
We used R software to conduct a meta-analysis of prospective clinical trials of IDH inhibitors in the treatment of IDH-mutated AML published in PubMed, Embase, Clinical Trials, Cochrane Library and Web of Science from inception to November 15th, 2022.
RESULTS
A total of 1109 IDH-mutated AML patients from 10 articles (11 cohorts) were included in our meta-analysis. The CR rate, ORR rate, 2-year survival (OS) rate and 2-year event-free survival (EFS) rate of newly diagnosed IDH-mutated AML (715 patients) were 47%, 65%, 45% and 29%, respectively. The CR rate, ORR rate, 2-year OS rate, median OS and median EFS of relapsed or refractory (R/R) IDH-mutated AML (394 patients) were 21%, 40%, 15%, 8.21 months and 4.73 months, respectively. Gastrointestinal adverse events were the most frequently occurring all-grade adverse events and hematologic adverse events were the most frequently occurring ≥ grade 3 adverse events.
CONCLUSION
IDH inhibitor is a promising treatment for R/R AML patients with IDH mutations. For patients with newly diagnosed IDH-mutated AML, IDH inhibitors may not be optimal therapeutic agents due to low CR rates. The safety of IDH inhibitors is controllable, but physicians should always pay attention to and manage the differentiation syndrome adverse events caused by IDH inhibitors. The above conclusions need more large samples and high-quality RCTs in the future to verify.
Topics: Humans; Prospective Studies; DNA Methylation; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute; Enzyme Inhibitors; Mutation
PubMed: 37434249
DOI: 10.1186/s13148-023-01529-2 -
European Journal of Breast Health Jul 2023To summarize the evidence on the current management and outcomes for metastatic and recurrent malignant phyllodes tumors (MPTs) of the breast. A systematic literature...
To summarize the evidence on the current management and outcomes for metastatic and recurrent malignant phyllodes tumors (MPTs) of the breast. A systematic literature review of all cases of metastatic or recurrent MPTs of the breast published between 2010 and 2021 was performed. In total, 66 patients from 63 articles were included. Fifty-two (78.8%) had distant metastatic disease (DMD subgroup), and 21 (31.8%) showed locoregional recurrent/progressive disease (LRPR subgroup). Locoregional recurrences in patients with no distant metastases were treated with surgical excision in all cases. Radiotherapy was administered in 8/21 cases (38.1%) and was combined with chemotherapy in 2/21 cases (9.5%). Metastatic disease was managed through metastases surgical excision, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or a combination of these three in 84.6% of cases, while the remaining patients received no oncological treatments. Chemotherapy was proposed in 75.0% of cases. Anthracycline and alkylating agent-based combination regimens were most frequently administered. The median survival time was 24 (2.0-152.0) months, and 72.0 (2.5-98.5) months in the DMD and LRPR subgroups, respectively. Management of recurrent or metastatic MPTs is challenging. Surgery is the fundamental approach, but the use of adjuvant radio- and chemo-therapy remains controversial due to the lack of scientific evidence. Further studies and international registers are needed to implement new and more efficient treatment strategies.
PubMed: 37415652
DOI: 10.4274/ejbh.galenos.2023.2023-3-2