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European Journal of Clinical... Jun 2024Numerous recent studies have explored the association between metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and the risk of various extrahepatic... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Numerous recent studies have explored the association between metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and the risk of various extrahepatic cancers. However, the conclusions were inconclusive. The aim of this study was to clarify this relationship by conducting a robust meta-analysis.
METHODS
Systematic searches were conducted on PubMed, Embase and Web of Science databases to identify relevant cohort studies published prior to February 2024. Hazard ratios (HRs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were combined using a random-effects model in this meta-analysis.
RESULTS
Eighteen cohort studies (approximately 16.7 million participants) were finally included in this meta-analysis. MASLD was linked to a higher risk of extrahepatic cancers, such as gastric (n = 10, HR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.07-2.01), colorectal (n = 13, HR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.16-1.53), pancreatic (n = 8, HR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.11-1.79), biliary tract (n = 5, HR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.18-1.37), thyroid (n = 6, HR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.02-2.09), urinary system (n = 10, HR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.25-1.69), breast (n = 11, HR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.08-1.26) and female genital organ cancers (n = 10, HR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.11-1.66). However, there was no statistically significant association between MASLD and the risk of head and neck (n = 6, HR = 1.03, 95% CI: 99-1.07), oesophageal (n = 9, HR = 1.26, 95% CI: 0.86-1.86), lung (n = 9, HR = 1.01, 95% CI: 0.92-1.10), prostate (n = 9, HR = 1.06, 95% CI: 0.94-1.19) or small intestine cancer (n = 2, HR = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.00-3.06).
CONCLUSIONS
This latest large-scale meta-analysis indicated that MASLD was associated with an increased risk of various extrahepatic cancers, such as gastric, colorectal, pancreatic, biliary duct, thyroid, urinary system, breast, skin and female genital cancers. Further research is needed to investigate the mechanisms underlying these associations.
PubMed: 38943276
DOI: 10.1111/eci.14276 -
Sexual Medicine Reviews Jun 2024One of the changes caused by pelvic cancers is the decrease in patients' sexual function, which influences their quality of life (QoL) during and after treatment. Sexual...
INTRODUCTION
One of the changes caused by pelvic cancers is the decrease in patients' sexual function, which influences their quality of life (QoL) during and after treatment. Sexual dysfunction (SD) is associated with severe ejaculatory dysfunction, sexual dissatisfaction, reduced libido and sexual desire, decreased intensity of orgasm, difficulty in erection, and lower sexual frequency.
OBJECTIVES
This systematic review investigated the effectiveness of conservative treatments (nonsurgical and nonpharmacologic) for SD in males with pelvic cancer.
METHODS
Systematic searches were performed in the Cochrane Library, PubMed, CINAHL, PEDro, Embase, and VHL databases in September 2023 by using MeSH terms related to population, study design, intervention, and outcome.
RESULTS
Only prostate cancer studies were included due to a lack of studies in other treatments. Studies used pelvic floor muscle training (8 studies); biofeedback (1 study); a penile vibrator (1 study); electrostimulation (2 studies); shock wave therapy (2 studies); aerobic, resistance, and flexibility exercises (2 studies); and a vacuum erection device (1 study). All articles assessed sexual function and reported improvements in the intervention group, including 5 with no differences between the groups. Articles involving shock wave therapy described improvements in SD but were not clinically relevant. Studies evaluating QoL reported benefits in the experimental groups. Adverse effects of a vacuum erection device and penile vibrator were reported.
CONCLUSION
Conservative treatments are more effective than others in treating SD in men with prostate cancer. Further studies are needed to assess the unwanted effects of these treatments. In this study, we found evidence that this type of therapy improves sexual function and QoL in this population.
PubMed: 38936816
DOI: 10.1093/sxmrev/qeae045 -
Fundamental Research May 2024The sudden onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in January 2020 has affected essential global health services. Cancer-screening services that can reduce... (Review)
Review
The sudden onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in January 2020 has affected essential global health services. Cancer-screening services that can reduce cancer mortality are strongly affected. However, the specific role of COVID-19 in cancer screening is not fully understood. This study aimed to assess the efficiency of global cancer screening programs before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and to promote potential cancer-screening strategies for the next pandemic. Electronic searches in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science, and manual searches were performed between January 1, 2020 and March 1, 2023. Cohort studies that reported the number of participants who underwent cancer screening before and during the COVID-19 pandemic were included. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Differences in cancer-screening rates were estimated using the incidence rate ratio (IRR). Fifty-five cohort studies were included in this meta-analysis. The screening rates of colorectal cancer using invasive screening methods (Pooled IRR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.42 to 0.65, < 0.01), cervical cancer (Pooled IRR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.47 to 0.67, < 0.01), breast cancer (Pooled IRR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.49 to 0.66, < 0.01) and prostate cancer (Pooled IRR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.56 to 0.90, < 0.01) during the COVID-19 pandemic were significantly lower than those before the COVID-19 pandemic. The screening rates of lung cancer (Pooled IRR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.58 to 1.03, = 0.08) and colorectal cancer using noninvasive screening methods (Pooled IRR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.50 to 1.09, = 0.13) were reduced with no statistical differences. The subgroup analyses revealed that the reduction in cancer-screening rates varied across economies. Our results suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a noteworthy impact on colorectal, cervical, breast, and prostate cancer screening. Developing innovative cancer-screening technologies is important to promote the efficiency of cancer-screening services in the post-COVID-19 era and prepare for the next pandemic.
PubMed: 38933198
DOI: 10.1016/j.fmre.2023.12.016 -
International Journal of Cancer Jun 2024The MRE11, RAD50, and NBN genes encode the MRN complex sensing DNA breaks and directing their repair. While carriers of biallelic germline pathogenic variants (gPV)...
The MRE11, RAD50, and NBN genes encode the MRN complex sensing DNA breaks and directing their repair. While carriers of biallelic germline pathogenic variants (gPV) develop rare chromosomal instability syndromes, the cancer risk in heterozygotes remains controversial. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of 53 studies in patients with different cancer diagnoses to better understand the cancer risk. We found an increased risk (odds ratio, 95% confidence interval) for gPV carriers in NBN for melanoma (7.14; 3.30-15.43), pancreatic cancer (4.03; 2.14-7.58), hematological tumors (3.42; 1.14-10.22), and prostate cancer (2.44, 1.84-3.24), but a low risk for breast cancer (1.29; 1.00-1.66) and an insignificant risk for ovarian cancer (1.53; 0.76-3.09). We found no increased breast cancer risk in carriers of gPV in RAD50 (0.93; 0.74-1.16; except of c.687del carriers) and MRE11 (0.87; 0.66-1.13). The secondary burden analysis compared the frequencies of gPV in MRN genes in patients from 150 studies with those in the gnomAD database. In NBN gPV carriers, this analysis additionally showed a high risk for brain tumors (5.06; 2.39-9.52), a low risk for colorectal (1.64; 1.26-2.10) and hepatobiliary (2.16; 1.02-4.06) cancers, and no risk for endometrial, and gastric cancer. The secondary burden analysis showed also a moderate risk for ovarian cancer (3.00; 1.27-6.08) in MRE11 gPV carriers, and no risk for ovarian and hepatobiliary cancers in RAD50 gPV carriers. These findings provide a robust clinical evidence of cancer risks to guide personalized clinical management in heterozygous carriers of gPV in the MRE11, RAD50, and NBN genes.
PubMed: 38924040
DOI: 10.1002/ijc.35066 -
Iranian Journal of Public Health Mar 2024Cadmium, a toxic heavy metal, experienced a surge in production during the 20th century due to the rise of nickel-cadmium batteries, metal plating, and plastic... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Cadmium, a toxic heavy metal, experienced a surge in production during the 20th century due to the rise of nickel-cadmium batteries, metal plating, and plastic stabilizers. Exposure to cadmium primarily occurs through the consumption of contaminated food, such as vegetables and grains, as well as drinking water or inhaling polluted air. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between cadmium exposure and the incidence of prostate cancer using a systematic review and meta-analysis approach.
METHODS
This research involved searching and retrieving observational and experimental studies conducted until May 2022 from various databases, including ISI Web of Science, Cochrane, Science Direct, Scopus, Pub-Med, and Google Scholar. Data analysis was performed using Stata 15 statistical software.
RESULTS
The initial search yielded 794 articles, which were subsequently reduced to 427 articles after eliminating duplicates. Following the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 16 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The odds ratio of prostate cancer compared to the first quartile of exposure in the second quartile was 1.03 (0.95-1.12), in the third quartile it was 1.12 (0.99-1.26) and in the fourth quartile of exposure was equal to 1.16 (0.79-1.70). Regarding the investigation of the probability of the occurrence of publication bias, the results of Begg's and Egger's tests were not statistically significant.
CONCLUSION
Although exposure to cadmium leads to an increase in the chance of prostate cancer, this chance increase was not statistically significant.
PubMed: 38919294
DOI: 10.18502/ijph.v53i3.15136 -
Frontiers in Pharmacology 2024Cancer refers to a group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells in the body. Due to its complexity, it has been hard to find...
Cancer refers to a group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells in the body. Due to its complexity, it has been hard to find an ideal medicine to treat all cancer types, although there is an urgent need for it. However, the cost of developing a new drug is high and time-consuming. In this sense, drug repurposing (DR) can hasten drug discovery by giving existing drugs new disease indications. Many computational methods have been applied to achieve DR, but just a few have succeeded. Therefore, this review aims to show DR approaches and the gap between these strategies and their ultimate application in oncology. The scoping review was conducted according to the Arksey and O'Malley framework and the Joanna Briggs Institute recommendations. Relevant studies were identified through electronic searching of PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, as well as the grey literature. We included peer-reviewed research articles involving strategies applied to drug repurposing in oncology, published between 1 January 2003, and 31 December 2021. We identified 238 studies for inclusion in the review. Most studies revealed that the United States, India, China, South Korea, and Italy are top publishers. Regarding cancer types, breast cancer, lymphomas and leukemias, lung, colorectal, and prostate cancer are the top investigated. Additionally, most studies solely used computational methods, and just a few assessed more complex scientific models. Lastly, molecular modeling, which includes molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations, was the most frequently used method, followed by signature-, Machine Learning-, and network-based strategies. DR is a trending opportunity but still demands extensive testing to ensure its safety and efficacy for the new indications. Finally, implementing DR can be challenging due to various factors, including lack of quality data, patient populations, cost, intellectual property issues, market considerations, and regulatory requirements. Despite all the hurdles, DR remains an exciting strategy for identifying new treatments for numerous diseases, including cancer types, and giving patients faster access to new medications.
PubMed: 38919258
DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1400029 -
World Journal of Urology Jun 2024The aim of this study is to critically evaluate the existing body of evidence regarding the efficacy of Retzius-sparing radical prostatectomy (RS-RARP) in achieving...
PURPOSE
The aim of this study is to critically evaluate the existing body of evidence regarding the efficacy of Retzius-sparing radical prostatectomy (RS-RARP) in achieving improved functional outcomes. Moreover, we explored possible strategies to further optimize functional outcomes.
METHODS
Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic review (PROSPERO ID CRD42024539915) was performed on 9th September 2023 on PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Only original articles in the English language reporting functional outcomes after RS-RARP were included.
RESULTS
Overall, the search string yielded 99 results on PubMed, 122 on Scopus, and 120 on Web Of Science. After duplicate exclusion, initial screening and eligibility evaluation, a total of 47 studies were included in the qualitative analysis, corresponding to a cohort of 13.196 patients. All studies reported continence recovery. RS-RARP appeared to achieve better and faster continence recovery compared to S-RARP. However, it should be noted that continence definition was heterogeneous and not based on validated condition-specific questionnaires. Seven (15%) studies provided for any sort of rehabilitation for urinary incontinence after RS-RARP. 22 studies analyzed potency recovery rates, showing no difference between RS-RARP and S-RARP. The evaluation of this outcome poses a great challenge due to the lack of standardized assessment tools and reporting methods. Only two studies reported on the consistent use of post-operative PDE5i as penile rehabilitation.
CONCLUSIONS
The current review highlights the satisfactory functional results of Retzius-sparing robot assisted radical prostatectomy, which holds true irrespective of disease stage and prostate volume, with promising results even in patients previously treated for BPH or in the salvage setting. How can we optimize those results? The answer does not probably lie in further refinement of the surgical technique, but in giving greater attention to patient counselling and rehabilitation strategies in order to minimize regret and maximize satisfaction.
Topics: Prostatectomy; Humans; Male; Robotic Surgical Procedures; Prostatic Neoplasms; Organ Sparing Treatments; Recovery of Function; Urinary Incontinence; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38916624
DOI: 10.1007/s00345-024-05066-2 -
Indian Journal of Endocrinology and... 2024Obesity has erupted as an epidemic around the world. It has set itself as a fast wave among other prevailing specific clusters of non-communicable diseases. The current... (Review)
Review
Obesity has erupted as an epidemic around the world. It has set itself as a fast wave among other prevailing specific clusters of non-communicable diseases. The current study reviews and presents an updated meaningful review of the vast research work performed at schools located in different cities of India. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar and PEDro. Studies representing data on obesity and overweight among children in Indian cities were included in the review. A total of 21 articles with 71,466 participants were included in the review for analysis. Obesity developed in childhood and adolescence is greatly associated with heart disease, stroke and cancer (breast and ovarian in women and prostate in men) in the late stage of life. In India, despite being a country with a faster rate of population becoming overweight and obese in urban areas, in contrast, rural areas are still struggling with malnutrition.
PubMed: 38911116
DOI: 10.4103/ijem.ijem_365_23 -
International Ophthalmology Jun 2024Uveal melanoma is the most prevalent intraocular malignancy in adults, derived from uveal tract melanocytes. This study focuses on the frequency and risk of second... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
Uveal melanoma is the most prevalent intraocular malignancy in adults, derived from uveal tract melanocytes. This study focuses on the frequency and risk of second primary malignancies in UM patients.
METHODS
A PubMed search (1980-2023) identified studies on SPM incidence in UM patients. From 191 references, 14 studies were chosen, focusing on UM, SPMs, and analysing data on demographics and types of neoplasms.
RESULTS
Among 31,235 UM patients in 14 studies, 4695 had 4730 SPMs (15.03% prevalence). Prostate (15%), breast (12%), and colorectal (9%) cancers were most common. Digestive system malignancies were highest (19%), with colorectal cancer leading (51%). Breast and prostate cancers were prevalent in respective systems. Lung, bladder, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were also notable. The study observed an increasing trend in the frequency of SPMs over time, reflecting broader trends in cancer survivorship and the growing prevalence of multiple malignancies.
CONCLUSION
The study highlights a significant presence of SPMs in UM patients, with an increasing trend in frequency over time, emphasizing prostate and breast cancers. This underscores the need for focused surveillance and tailored follow-up for UM survivors, considering their higher risk of additional malignancies. Future research should further investigate SPM aetiology in UM patients.
Topics: Humans; Uveal Neoplasms; Melanoma; Incidence; Neoplasms, Multiple Primary; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Neoplasms, Second Primary
PubMed: 38909111
DOI: 10.1007/s10792-024-03164-z -
Journal of Robotic Surgery Jun 2024The purpose of the study was to compare the protective effects of robotic rectal cancer surgery (RRCS) and laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery (LRCS) on urinary and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
The purpose of the study was to compare the protective effects of robotic rectal cancer surgery (RRCS) and laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery (LRCS) on urinary and sexual function of patients. We conducted a systematic search in the PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase for studies comparing the impact of RRCS and LRCS on urinary function and sexual function. The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), the five-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) and the Female Sexual Function Index(FSFI) were used to evaluate the urinary function and sexual function of patients. A total of 13 studies comprising 1964 patients were included in this meta-analysis, including 3 randomized controlled trials, 5 retrospective cohort studies, 3 prospective cohort studies, and 2 propensity score-matched studies. Nine hundred and fifty-nine patients underwent RRCS and 1005 patients underwent LRCS. Statistical analysis of the IPSS scores indicated urinary function was significantly better in the RRCS group than in the LRCS group at 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively [mean difference (MD), - 1.06, 95% CI - 1.85 to - 0.28; and MD, - 0.96, 95% CI - 1.60 to - 0.32; and MD, - 1.09, 95% CI - 1.72 to - 0.46]. Statistical analysis of the IIEF-5 scores indicated male sexual function was significantly better in the RRCS group than in the LRCS group at 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively (MD, 1.76, 95% CI 0.80 to 2.72; and MD, 1.83, 95% CI 0.34 to 3.33; and MD, 1.05, 95% CI 0.09 to 2.01). Statistical analysis of the FSFI scores indicated female sexual function was significantly better in the RRCS group than in the LRCS group at 6 and 12 months postoperatively (MD, 2.86; 95% CI 1.38 to 4.35; and MD, 4.19; 95% CI 1.85 to 6.54). RRCS is more favorable than LRCS in preserving the urinary and sexual function of patients with rectal cancer.
Topics: Humans; Robotic Surgical Procedures; Rectal Neoplasms; Laparoscopy; Male; Female; Postoperative Complications; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological; Urination; Erectile Dysfunction
PubMed: 38907844
DOI: 10.1007/s11701-024-02019-0