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Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer... Feb 2021The value of cytokines as epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) prognostic factors has been widely investigated. This study aimed to determine the role of single cytokine as a... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVES
The value of cytokines as epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) prognostic factors has been widely investigated. This study aimed to determine the role of single cytokine as a biomarker prognosis in EOC.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies reporting cytokine as the prognostic predictor in EOC based on PRISMA guideline. We included English articles investigating associations of preoperative cytokines level in tissue, blood or ascites with overall survival (OS) or disease-free survival (DFS) from PUBMED and EBSCO. Summary hazard ratios (HRs) and confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.
RESULTS
Fifty studies investigating twenty types of cytokines in tumor tissue, serum, and ascites from 5,376 patients were included. Pre-operative high VEGF level was associated with poor OS (HR 2.28, 95%CI [1.28, 3.28]) and DFS (HR 2.13, 95%CI [1.63, 2.78]) in serum and OS (HR 1.80, 95%CI [1.45, 2.23]) in tissue. IL-6 level in blood was associated with DFS (HR 1.60, 95%CI [1.21, 2.11]). There was no single cytokine which investigated by at least 2 studies reporting hazard ratio in ascites, so we did not conduct the meta-analysis. Other cytokines (serum IL-8; ascites fluid IL-8, IL-10, IFN-γ, TNF-α; and ovarian tissue TGF-α, CSF-1, IL-10 ,TGF-β1, IL-17) associated with the poorer prognosis, could not be pooled due to lack of studies.
CONCLUSION
Pre-operative VEGF level in serum and tissue specimen seem to be the potential candidate of an unfavorable prognostic biomarker for EOC. The evidence was lacking to support the other cytokines investigated in blood, tissue and ascites as prognostic biomarkers for EOC.
Topics: Biomarkers, Tumor; Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial; Cytokines; Female; Humans; Prognosis
PubMed: 33639643
DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2021.22.2.315 -
BMC Gastroenterology Feb 2021Disconnected pancreatic duct syndrome (DPDS) is a complication of acute necrotizing pancreatitis in the neck and body of the pancreas often manifesting as persistent... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Disconnected pancreatic duct syndrome (DPDS) is a complication of acute necrotizing pancreatitis in the neck and body of the pancreas often manifesting as persistent pancreatic fluid collection (PFC) or external pancreatic fistula (EPF). This systematic review and pairwise meta-analysis aimed to review the definitions, clinical presentation, intervention, and outcomes for DPDS.
METHODS
The PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and SCOPUS databases were systematically searched until February 2020 using the PRISMA framework. A meta-analysis was performed to assess the success rates of endoscopic and surgical interventions for the treatment of DPDS. Success of DPDS treatment was defined as long-term resolution of symptoms without recurrence of PFC, EPF, or pancreatic ascites.
RESULTS
Thirty studies were included in the quantitative analysis comprising 1355 patients. Acute pancreatitis was the most common etiology (95.3%, 936/982), followed by chronic pancreatitis (3.1%, 30/982). DPDS commonly presented with PFC (83.2%, 948/1140) and EPF (13.4%, 153/1140). There was significant heterogeneity in the definition of DPDS in the literature. Weighted success rate of endoscopic transmural drainage (90.6%, 95%-CI 81.0-95.6%) was significantly higher than transpapillary drainage (58.5%, 95%-CI 36.7-77.4). Pairwise meta-analysis showed comparable success rates between endoscopic and surgical intervention, which were 82% (weighted 95%-CI 68.6-90.5) and 87.4% (95%-CI 81.2-91.8), respectively (P = 0.389).
CONCLUSIONS
Endoscopic transmural drainage was superior to transpapillary drainage for the management of DPDS. Endoscopic and surgical interventions had comparable success rates. The significant variability in the definitions and treatment strategies for DPDS warrant standardisation for further research.
Topics: Acute Disease; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde; Drainage; Humans; Pancreatic Ducts; Pancreatic Pseudocyst; Pancreatitis; Retrospective Studies; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 33632128
DOI: 10.1186/s12876-021-01663-2 -
Gynecologic Oncology Feb 2021Ovarian cancer is often diagnosed in an advanced stage and is associated with a high mortality rate. It is assumed that early detection of ovarian cancer could improve...
Ovarian cancer is often diagnosed in an advanced stage and is associated with a high mortality rate. It is assumed that early detection of ovarian cancer could improve patient outcomes. Unfortunately, effective screening methods for early diagnosis of ovarian cancer are still lacking. Extracellular RNAs circulating in human biofluids can reliably be measured and are emerging as potential biomarkers in cancer. In this systematic review, we present 75 RNA biomarkers detectable in human biofluids that have been studied for early diagnosis of ovarian cancer. The majority of these markers are microRNAs identified using RT-qPCR or microarrays in blood-based fluids. A handful of studies used RNA-sequencing and explored alternative fluids, such as urine and ascites. Candidate RNA biomarkers that were more abundant in biofluids of ovarian cancer patients compared to controls in at least two independent studies include miR-21, the miR-200 family, miR-205, miR-10a and miR-346. Amongst the markers confirmed to be lower in at least two studies are miR-122, miR-193a, miR-223, miR-126 and miR-106b. While these biomarkers show promising diagnostic potential, further validation is required before implementation in routine clinical care. Challenges related to biomarker validation and reflections on future perspectives to accelerate progress in this field are discussed.
Topics: Ascitic Fluid; Biomarkers, Tumor; Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial; Early Detection of Cancer; Female; Humans; Liquid Biopsy; MicroRNAs; Ovarian Neoplasms; RNA-Seq
PubMed: 33257015
DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2020.11.018 -
Life Sciences Jan 2021Traditionally, Ehrlich's tumor is used in experimental oncology to investigate the therapeutic capacity of different synthetic chemotherapeutic agents or to evaluate the...
Traditionally, Ehrlich's tumor is used in experimental oncology to investigate the therapeutic capacity of different synthetic chemotherapeutic agents or to evaluate the antitumoral activity of different substances of natural origin. However, the understanding of immune mechanisms during Ehrlich carcinogenesis is still limited. In this review, we seek to describe the immune response during Ehrlich's tumor growth, and natural response without the influence of pharmacological administration, immunotherapies or concomitant challenges. The study followed the recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA). A systematic review was carried out that included experimental trials with mice challenged with Ehrlich's tumor. The research was carried out in three databases including MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS). The searches resulted in 913 papers being found, of which 55 articles were considered eligible, and of these 55, 29 were selected for analysis. Findings indicate that there is an increase in the expression of M2 and T Helper (TH2) macrophages and of the cytokines IL-17, IL-1B, IL-6 and PGE in the ascitic form of Ehrlich. These phenotypic expressions are also found in ascitic neoplasms in humans. Ehrlich's solid tumor was characterized by increased expression of CD4, CD8, neutrophils and TNF-a, Foxp3 + and Qa-2 +, and these characteristics are analogous to human breasts cancers. It is our understanding that further studies are needed to assess the immune mechanisms in Ehrlich's tumor, since these findings can be used to improve cancer treatments that are analogous to Ehrlich's tumor.
Topics: Adaptive Immunity; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Carcinoma, Ehrlich Tumor; Humans; Immunity, Cellular; Immunity, Innate; Mice; Tumor Burden
PubMed: 33058910
DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.118578 -
Medicine Sep 2020The prognostic significance of preoperative prognostic nutritional index (PNI) in ovarian cancer (OC) is uncertain, and this study is aimed to clarify the prognostic... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
The prognostic significance of preoperative prognostic nutritional index (PNI) in ovarian cancer (OC) is uncertain, and this study is aimed to clarify the prognostic significance.
METHODS
We used 4 common databases for conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis, and eligible studies were included in the analysis. The association of preoperative PNI with overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and clinicopathological parameters was analyzed.
RESULTS
A total of 2050 patients with OC receiving the surgical treatment were analyzed in this study. Patients with low PNI tended to have a shorter OS (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.82, 95% CI = 1.30-2.55, P < .01) and PFS (HR = 1.91, 95% CI = 1.53-2.39, P < .01) compared with those with high PNI. Besides, low PNI was significantly associated with more advanced International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage (P < .01), the occurrence of ascites (P < .01), larger residual tumor (P < .01), insensitive to chemotherapy (P < .01), and higher CA125 (P < .01) compared with high PNI in OC.
CONCLUSION
Low preoperative PNI is associated with shorter OS, shorter PFS, and worse clinicopathological parameters in OC. Low preoperative PNI is an unfavorable prognostic indicator of patients with OC.
Topics: CA-125 Antigen; Disease-Free Survival; Female; Humans; Kaplan-Meier Estimate; Membrane Proteins; Nutritional Status; Ovarian Neoplasms; Prognosis; Proportional Hazards Models
PubMed: 32957308
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000021840 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Mar 2020Cystic fibrosis is an autosomal recessive inherited defect in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene resulting in abnormal regulation of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Cystic fibrosis is an autosomal recessive inherited defect in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene resulting in abnormal regulation of salt and water movement across the membranes. In the liver this leads to focal biliary fibrosis resulting in progressive portal hypertension and end-stage liver disease in some individuals. This can be asymptomatic, but may lead to splenomegaly and hypersplenism, development of varices and variceal bleeding, and ascites; it has negative impact on overall nutritional status and respiratory function in this population. Prognosis is poor once significant portal hypertension is established. The role and outcome of various interventions for managing advanced liver disease (non-malignant end stage disease) in people with cystic fibrosis is currently unidentified. This is an updated version of a previously published review.
OBJECTIVES
To review and assess the efficacy of currently available treatment options for preventing and managing advanced liver disease in children and adults with cystic fibrosis.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis Trials Register, compiled from electronic database searches and handsearching of journals and conference abstract books. Date of last search: 19 November 2019. We also searched the reference lists of relevant articles and reviews and online trials registries. Date of last search: 01 January 2020.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Any published and unpublished randomised controlled trials and quasi-randomised controlled trials of advanced liver disease in cystic fibrosis with cirrhosis or liver failure, portal hypertension or variceal bleeding (or both).
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Authors independently examined titles and abstracts to identify potentially relevant trials, but none were eligible for inclusion in this review.
MAIN RESULTS
A comprehensive search of the literature did not identify any published eligible randomised controlled trials.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
In order to develop the best source of evidence, there is a need to undertake randomised controlled trials of interventions for preventing and managing advanced liver disease in adults and children with cystic fibrosis.
Topics: Adult; Child; Cystic Fibrosis; Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage; Humans; Hypertension, Portal; Liver Diseases; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 32227478
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD012056.pub3 -
RoFo : Fortschritte Auf Dem Gebiete Der... Nov 2020Postoperative lymphatic leakage (PLL) is usually managed by conservative and/or surgical treatments but these procedures can be challenging to perform and potentially...
BACKGROUND
Postoperative lymphatic leakage (PLL) is usually managed by conservative and/or surgical treatments but these procedures can be challenging to perform and potentially clinically ineffective. Therefore, conventional lymphangiography (CL) has emerged as an important alternative. The aim of this review is to present the available outcome data on CL in the management of PLL.
METHOD
A systematic literature search (PubMed) using the MeSH term "lymphangiography" was performed and the search was restricted to literature published between January 2007 and August 2019. Identification, screening, and assessment for eligibility and inclusion were conducted in accordance with PRISMA.
RESULTS
From the initially obtained 1006 articles (identification), 28 articles with a total of 201 patients were finally included (inclusion). The methodological quality of all included articles corresponds to level 4 (Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine - Levels of Evidence, March 2009). PLL occurs after oncological and non-oncological surgery in the form of chylothorax, chylous ascites, and cervical, thoracic, abdominal and peripheral lymph fistula and/or lymphocele. The technical success rate of CL is 75-100 %. Access for CL is transpedal (176 patients) or intranodal (25 patients). Lipiodol is used as the contrast material in all articles, with a maximum amount of 20 ml for transpedal CL and 30 ml for intranodal CL. The X-ray imaging modalities used for CL are fluoroscopy, radiography and/or CT. Two articles report CL-associated major complications and CL-associated morbidity and mortality. The PLL cure rate is 51-70 % for transpedal CL (time to PLL cure: 2-29 days) and 33-100 % for intranodal CL (time to PLL cure: 2-< 30 days). Bailout procedures in the case of clinically ineffective CL include a range of treatments.
CONCLUSION
CL is feasible, safe, and effective in the management of PLL. Lipiodol as the contrast material is essential in CL because the highly viscous iodinated poppy-seed oil has not only diagnostic but therapeutic effects. Guidelines and randomized controlled trials are further steps towards defining the ultimate value of CL.
KEY POINTS
· PLL is a difficult-to-treat and potentially life-threatening surgical complication.. · CL has emerged as an alternative to conservative/surgical treatment of PLL.. · CL is feasible, safe, and effective in the management of PLL. · Lipiodol-based CL can be regarded as a therapeutic procedure.. · Guidelines and randomized controlled trials are further important steps..
CITATION FORMAT
· Sommer CM, Pieper CC, Itkin M et al. Conventional Lymphangiography (CL) in the Management of Postoperative Lymphatic Leakage (PLL): A Systematic Review. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2020; 192: 1025 - 1035.
Topics: Chylothorax; Chylous Ascites; Ethiodized Oil; Feasibility Studies; Fistula; Fluoroscopy; Humans; Lymphatic Diseases; Lymphocele; Lymphography; Postoperative Complications; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 32215900
DOI: 10.1055/a-1131-7889 -
BMC Gastroenterology Dec 2019Statin has been more and more widely used in chronic liver disease, however, existed studies have attained contradictory results. According to the present study, we... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Statin has been more and more widely used in chronic liver disease, however, existed studies have attained contradictory results. According to the present study, we aimed to test the efficacy and safety of statin via a meta-analysis.
METHODS
Different databases were searched for full-text publication based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. For data-pooling, fixed-effect model was applied if heterogeneity wasn't detected. Otherwise, random-effect model was adopted. Heterogeneity was detected by I squire (I) test. All results of analysis were illustrated as forest plots. Publication bias was assessed using the Begg's adjusted rank correlation test. Standard mean difference (SMD) was calculated in continuous variables. Pooled hazard ratio or odds ratio was calculated in catergorical variables.
RESULTS
Seventeen clinical studies were finally included. Hepatic portal hemodynamic parameters were improved in statin users for a short-term response. For a long-term follow-up, statin treatment surprisingly decreased mortality rate (HR = 0.782, 95% CI: 0.718-0.846, I > 50%) and lower the occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.64-0.86, I > 50%) in liver cirrhosis. Statin seemed not to decrease the risk of esophageal variceal bleeding and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. However, statin was proved to decrease the risk of hepatic encephalopathy and ascites. Incidence of drug related adverse events didn't increase in statin users. Dose-dependent effects of statin on hepatocellular carcinoma development, decompensated cirrhosis events occurrence, and liver cirrhosis progression.
CONCLUSION
Statin influenced parameters of hepatic portal vessel pressure in short-term treatment. Prognosis of liver cirrhosis benefited from statin treatment in long term follow-up. The efficacy and safety of statin in liver cirrhosis treatment is confirmed. To date, similar study is hardly seen before.
Topics: Ascites; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Disease Progression; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Esophageal and Gastric Varices; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage; Hepatic Encephalopathy; Humans; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; Liver Cirrhosis; Liver Neoplasms; Non-Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Peritonitis; Portal Pressure; Publication Bias; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 31888534
DOI: 10.1186/s12876-019-1147-1 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Dec 2019Ascites is the accumulation of fluid within the abdominal cavity. Most women with advanced ovarian cancer and some women with advanced endometrial cancer need repeated... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Ascites is the accumulation of fluid within the abdominal cavity. Most women with advanced ovarian cancer and some women with advanced endometrial cancer need repeated drainage for ascites. Guidelines to advise those involved in the drainage of ascites are usually produced locally and are generally not evidence-based. Managing drains that improve the efficacy and quality of the procedure is key in making recommendations that could improve the quality of life (QoL) for women at this critical period of their lives.
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the effectiveness and adverse events of different interventions for the management of malignant ascites drainage in the palliative care of women with gynaecological cancer.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and Embase to 4 November 2019. We checked clinical trial registries, grey literature, reports of conferences, citation lists of included studies, and key textbooks for potentially relevant studies.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of women with malignant ascites with gynaecological cancer. If studies also included women with non-gynaecological cancer, we planned to extract data specifically for women with gynaecological cancers or request the data from trial authors. If this was not possible, we planned to include the study only if at least 50% of participants were diagnosed with gynaecological cancer.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently selected studies, extracted data, evaluated the quality of the included studies, compared results, and assessed the certainty of the evidence using Cochrane methodology.
MAIN RESULTS
In the original 2010 review, we identified no relevant studies. This updated review included one RCT involving 245 participants that compared abdominal paracentesis and intraperitoneal infusion of catumaxomab versus abdominal paracentesis alone. The study was at high risk of bias in almost all domains. The data were not suitable for analysis. The median time to the first deterioration of QoL ranged from 19 to 26 days in participants receiving paracentesis alone compared to 47 to 49 days among participants receiving paracentesis with catumaxomab infusion (very low-certainty evidence). Adverse events were only reported among participants receiving catumaxomab infusion. The most common severe adverse events were abdominal pain and lymphopenia (157 participants; very low-certainty evidence). There were no data on the improvement of symptoms, satisfaction of participants and caregivers, and cost-effectiveness.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Currently, there is insufficient evidence to recommend the most appropriate management of drainage for malignant ascites among women with gynaecological cancer, as there was only very low-certainty evidence from one small RCT at overall high risk of bias.
Topics: Ascites; Drainage; Endometrial Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Ovarian Neoplasms; Quality of Life; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 31825525
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007794.pub3 -
Romanian Journal of Internal Medicine =... Jun 2019In the last years an uprising interest for a relatively unknown entity, eosinophilic ascites (EA), has been recorded. Our aim is to investigate the potential causes of...
BACKGROUND
In the last years an uprising interest for a relatively unknown entity, eosinophilic ascites (EA), has been recorded. Our aim is to investigate the potential causes of EA development, as well as clinical, laboratory, endoscopic and radiologic features, management and outcome in these patients.
METHODS
The following research was performed on PubMed (MEDLINE) database using the medical subject headings [Mesh] terms "Ascites" AND "Eosinophils".
RESULTS
A total of 284 results, dating from 1962 onwards, were found and abstracts were examined. 131 papers were excluded and the remaining 153 publications, consisting in case reports and series of cases, were analyzed. From 171 patients with EA, 127 subjects (74%) had EGE, 17 (10%) parasitic and fungal infections, 11(7%) Hypereosinophilic syndrome and 16 patients (9%) less common diseases (eosinophilic pancreatitis, chronic eosinophilic leukemia, myelofibrosis, T-cell lymphoma, Churg Strauss Syndrome, Systemic lupus erythematosus, Familial paroxysmal polyserositis and Ménétrier's disease). High eosinophil blood count and IgE levels as well as gastrointestinal symptoms are frequent. The diagnosis is based on ascitic fluid analysis, imaging and endoscopic biopsies. Therapy with corticosteroids results in resolution of eosinophilic ascites in almost all patients.
CONCLUSION
In most cases, in the absence of allergy, parasitic infections, malignancy, hematological disorders, peritoneal tuberculosis, inflammatory bowel disease or autoimmune disease, EA develops as a manifestation of eosinophilic gastroenteritis.
Topics: Ascites; Eosinophilia; Humans
PubMed: 30864403
DOI: 10.2478/rjim-2018-0041