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The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Oct 2019Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) agonists are insulin-sensitising drugs used for the treatment of insulin resistance. In addition to lowering... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) agonists are insulin-sensitising drugs used for the treatment of insulin resistance. In addition to lowering glucose in diabetes, these drugs may also protect against hyperlipidaemia and arteriosclerosis, which are risk factors for stroke. This is an update of a review first published in January 2014 and subsequently updated in December 2017.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the efficacy and safety of PPAR-γ agonists in the secondary prevention of stroke and related vascular events for people with stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA).
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Stroke Group Trials Register (30 July 2019), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; 2019, Issue 7), MEDLINE (1949 to 30 July 2019), Embase (1980 to 30 July 2019), CINAHL (1982 to 30 July 2019), AMED (1985 to 30 July 2019), and 11 Chinese databases (30 July 2019). In an effort to identify further published, unpublished, and ongoing trials, we searched ongoing trials registers, reference lists, and relevant conference proceedings, and contacted authors and pharmaceutical companies. We did not impose any language restrictions.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating PPAR-γ agonists versus placebo for the secondary prevention of stroke and related vascular events in people with stroke or TIA, with the outcomes of recurrent stroke, vascular events, and adverse events.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently screened the titles and abstracts of identified records, selected studies for inclusion, extracted eligible data, cross-checked the data for accuracy, and assessed methodological quality and risk of bias. We evaluated the quality of evidence for each outcome using the GRADE approach.
MAIN RESULTS
We identified five RCTs with 5039 participants; two studies had a low risk of bias for all domains. Four studies evaluated the drug pioglitazone, and one study evaluated rosiglitazone. The participants in different studies were heterogeneous.Recurrent strokeThree studies evaluated the number of participants with recurrent stroke (4979 participants, a single study contributing 3876 of these). Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma agonists probably reduce the recurrence of stroke compared with placebo (risk ratio (RR) 0.66, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.44 to 0.99; moderate-quality evidence).Adverse eventsEvidence that adverse events occurred more frequently in participants treated with PPAR-γ agonists when compared with placebo was uncertain due to wide confidence interval and high levels of statistical heterogeneity: risk difference 10%, 95% CI -8% to 28%; low-quality evidence).Data were available on additional composite outcomes reflecting serious vascular events (all-cause death and other major vascular events; all-cause mortality, non-fatal myocardial infarction or non-fatal stroke) from one study in 984 people. This study provided low-quality evidence that PPAR-γ agonists led to fewer events (data not meta-analysed).Vascular eventsPeroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma agonists given over a mean duration of 34.5 months in a single trial of 984 participants may reduce serious vascular events expressed as a composite outcome of total events of cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction or non-fatal stroke (RR 0.73, 95% CI 0.54 to 0.99; low-quality evidence).Other outcomesOne study in 20 people measured insulin sensitivity, and one study in 40 people measured the ubiquitin-proteasome activity in carotid plaques. Our confidence in the improvements observed with PPAR-γ agonists were limited by small sample sizes and risk of bias. None of the studies reported the number of participants with disability due to vascular events or improvement in quality of life.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma agonists probably reduce recurrent stroke and total events of cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction or non-fatal stroke, and may improve insulin sensitivity and the stabilisation of carotid plaques. Their effects on adverse events are uncertain. Our conclusions should be interpreted with caution considering the small number and the quality of the included studies. Further well-designed, double-blind RCTs with large samples are required to assess the efficacy and safety of PPAR-γ agonists in the secondary prevention of stroke and related vascular events in people with stroke or TIA.
PubMed: 31596946
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD010693.pub5 -
OncoTargets and Therapy 2019To evaluate the efficacy and safety of rituximab-based combination therapy for Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM), we conducted this meta-analysis by pooling the rates...
BACKGROUND
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of rituximab-based combination therapy for Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM), we conducted this meta-analysis by pooling the rates of overall response, major response, complete response, and grade ≥3 hematological adverse events.
METHODS AND MATERIALS
We searched for relevant studies in the databases of PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. The qualitative assessment of all the included articles was conducted with reference to the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. A random-effects model was selected to perform all pooled analyses.
RESULTS
We identified altogether 22 studies with a total of 806 symptomatic WM patients enrolled. The pooled analysis indicated that the rituximab-based combination therapy achieved an overall response rate (ORR) of 84% (95% CI: 81%-87%), a major response rate (MRR) of 71% (95% CI: 66%-75%), and a complete response rate (CRR) of 7% (95% CI: 5%-10%). Rituximab plus conventional alkylating agents-containing chemotherapy (subgroup A) yielded an ORR of 86% (95% CI: 81%-89%), an MRR of 74% (95% CI: 69%-79%), and a CRR of 8% (95% CI: 4%-14%). Rituximab plus purine analog (subgroup B) resulted in an ORR of 85% (95% CI: 79%-89%), an MRR of 74% (95% CI: 66%-81%), and a CRR of 9% (95% CI: 4%-15%). Rituximab plus proteasome inhibitor (subgroup C) resulted in an ORR of 86% (95% CI: 81%-90%), an MRR of 68% (95% CI: 58%-77%), and a CRR of 7% (95% CI: 3%-11%). Rituximab plus immunomodulatory drug (subgroup D) attained relatively lower response rates, with an ORR of 67% (95% CI: 51%-81%), an MRR of 56% (95% CI: 27%-83%), and a CRR of 5% (95% CI: 1%-12%). Common grade ≥3 hematological adverse events consisted of neutropenia (33%, 95% CI: 17%-52%), thrombocytopenia (7%, 95% CI: 3%-11%), and anemia (5%, 95% CI: 3%-9%).
CONCLUSION
Rituximab in combination with an alkylating agent, purine analog, or proteasome inhibitor is highly effective with tolerable hematological toxicities for WM.
PubMed: 31043792
DOI: 10.2147/OTT.S191179 -
Chinese Journal of Traumatology =... Apr 2019The clinical treatment of joint contracture due to immobilization remains difficult. The pathological changes of muscle tissue caused by immobilization-induced joint...
The clinical treatment of joint contracture due to immobilization remains difficult. The pathological changes of muscle tissue caused by immobilization-induced joint contracture include disuse skeletal muscle atrophy and skeletal muscle tissue fibrosis. The proteolytic pathways involved in disuse muscle atrophy include the ubiquitin-proteasome-dependent pathway, caspase system pathway, matrix metalloproteinase pathway, Ca-dependent pathway and autophagy-lysosomal pathway. The important biological processes involved in skeletal muscle fibrosis include intermuscular connective tissue thickening caused by transforming growth factor-β1 and an anaerobic environment within the skeletal muscle leading to the induction of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α. This article reviews the progress made in understanding the pathological processes involved in immobilization-induced muscle contracture and the currently available treatments. Understanding the mechanisms involved in immobilization-induced contracture of muscle tissue should facilitate the development of more effective treatment measures for the different mechanisms in the future.
Topics: Atrophy; Autophagy; Calcium; Caspases; Connective Tissue; Contracture; Fibrosis; Humans; Immobilization; Joints; Lysosomes; Matrix Metalloproteinases; Muscle, Skeletal; Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex; Proteolysis; Signal Transduction; Transforming Growth Factor beta1; Ubiquitin
PubMed: 30928194
DOI: 10.1016/j.cjtee.2019.02.001 -
Journal of Zhejiang University....The aim of this study is to summarize preclinical studies on herbal medicines used to treat cancer cachexia and its underlying mechanisms. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to summarize preclinical studies on herbal medicines used to treat cancer cachexia and its underlying mechanisms.
METHODS
We searched four representing databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, the Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, and the Web of Science up to December 2016. Randomized animal studies were included if the effects of any herbal medicine were tested on cancer cachexia. The methodological quality was evaluated by the Collaborative Approach to Meta-Analysis and Review of Animal Data from Experimental Studies (CAMARADE) checklist.
RESULTS
A total of fourteen herbal medicines and their compounds were identified, including Coptidis Rhizoma, berberine, Bing De Ling, curcumin, Qing-Shu-Yi-Qi-Tang, Scutellaria baicalensis, Hochuekkito, Rikkunshito, hesperidin, atractylodin, Sipjeondaebo-tang, Sosiho-tang, Anemarrhena Rhizoma, and Phellodendri Cortex. All the herbal medicines, except curcumin, have been shown to ameliorate the symptoms of cancer cachexia through anti-inflammation, regulation of the neuroendocrine pathway, and modulation of the ubiquitin proteasome system or protein synthesis.
CONCLUSIONS
This study showed that herbal medicines might be a useful approach for treating cancer cachexia. However, more detailed experimental studies on the molecular mechanisms and active compounds are needed.
Topics: Animals; Cachexia; Herbal Medicine; Medicine, East Asian Traditional; Neoplasms, Experimental; Phytotherapy
PubMed: 30614226
DOI: 10.1631/jzus.B1800171 -
Metabolites Oct 2018While progress has been made in discerning genetic associations with Parkinson's disease (PD), identifying elusive environmental contributors necessitates the... (Review)
Review
While progress has been made in discerning genetic associations with Parkinson's disease (PD), identifying elusive environmental contributors necessitates the application of unconventional hypotheses and experimental strategies. Here, we provide an overview of studies that we conducted on a neurotoxic metabolite produced by a species of common soil bacteria, ), indicating that the toxicity displayed by this bacterium causes stress in diverse cellular mechanisms, such as the ubiquitin proteasome system and mitochondrial homeostasis. This dysfunction eventually leads to age and dose-dependent neurodegeneration in the nematode . Notably, dopaminergic neurons have heightened susceptibility, but all of the neuronal classes eventually degenerate following exposure. Toxicity further extends to human SH-SY5Y cells, which also degenerate following exposure. Additionally, the neurons of nematodes expressing heterologous aggregation-prone proteins display enhanced metabolite vulnerability. These mechanistic analyses collectively reveal a unique metabolomic fingerprint for this bacterially-derived neurotoxin. In considering that epidemiological distinctions in locales influence the incidence of PD, we surveyed soils from diverse regions of Alabama, and found that exposure to ~30% of isolated species caused worm dopaminergic neurons to die. In addition to aging, one of the few established contributors to PD appears to be a rural lifestyle, where exposure to soil on a regular basis might increase the risk of interaction with bacteria producing such toxins. Taken together, these data suggest that a novel toxicant within the genus might represent an environmental contributor to the progressive neurodegeneration that is associated with PD.
PubMed: 30380609
DOI: 10.3390/metabo8040070 -
American Journal of Hematology Sep 2018
Topics: Analgesics, Opioid; Animals; Anticonvulsants; Cyclin-Dependent Kinases; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Humans; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; Proteasome Inhibitors; Thrombotic Microangiopathies
PubMed: 29985540
DOI: 10.1002/ajh.25208 -
Oncotarget May 2018Carfilzomib (Carf) is a second-generation proteasome inhibitor approved for patients with relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) who failed ≥ 1 prior lines...
OBJECTIVE
Carfilzomib (Carf) is a second-generation proteasome inhibitor approved for patients with relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) who failed ≥ 1 prior lines of therapy. We performed a systematic review of Carf literature with meta-analysis to determine the efficacy and safety in RRMM patients.
METHODS
Based on literature search, we included a total of 14 eligible phase I/II, phase II and phase III Carf based clinical trials. The cumulative incidence and odds ratios (OR) were calculated with random effect model, using ''R'' software with metaphor package.
RESULTS
2906 evaluable RRMM patients from published clinical trials included. The pooled overall response rate (ORR) was 45% (95% CI: 29-62). The pooled clinical benefit rate (CBR) was 56% (95% CI: 41-71). OR from 3 randomized clinical trials showed that Carf significantly improved ORR and CBR compared to control groups (OR 2.4, < 0.0001; 2.02, = 0.0007, respectively). Subgroup analysis showed significantly better ORR ( < 0.0001) and CBR ( < 0.001) with combination regimens compared to monotherapy. Response was significantly higher with high dose of Carf (>20/27 mg/m) compared to standard dose (ORR 65% vs. 35%, = 0.03). Compared to control group, the OR of developing cardiotoxicity ( = 0.002) and hypertension ( < 0.0001) were significantly higher with Carf, while no difference in peripheral neuropathy ( = 0.28).
CONCLUSIONS
Carf produces significantly better responses with acceptable safety profile in RRMM patients. Combination regimens and higher dose Carf offers better response with no significant extra toxicity. Its efficacy is regardless of cytogenetics or disease stage. Incidences of cardiotoxicity and hypertension seem higher with Carf.
PubMed: 29805768
DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.25281 -
Critical Reviews in Oncology/hematology May 2018Standard induction therapy for multiple myeloma is three-drug combination based on following classes of drugs: proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulators and steroids.... (Review)
Review
Standard induction therapy for multiple myeloma is three-drug combination based on following classes of drugs: proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulators and steroids. Despite its notable efficacy, bortezomib has side effects like peripheral neuropathy (PNP) with reported incidence of grade ≥3 PNP between 2%-23% Schlafer et al., 2017. Carfilzomib (CFZ) has high selectivity and minimal off-target adverse effects including lower rates of PNP. CFZ is already approved for treatment of relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) as single agent as well as in combination with lenalidomide and/or dexamethasone. Extensive literature search identified a total of 1839 articles. Twenty-six articles (n = 5980) met the inclusion criteria, 15 in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) and 11 in RRMM group. CFZ demonstrates comparable or even better efficacy to bortezomib with much favorable AE profile. Deep, rapid and sustainable response using KRd with safer toxicity profile supports extension of KRd therapy to frontline therapy for all risk categories of MM. High incidence of grade ≥3 HTN underscores the importance of serial BP monitoring. In RRMM, CFZ has documented efficacy with standard 20-27mg/m2 dose. Further large-scale trials are needed to study benefit-to-risk profile of 20-56 and 20-70 mg/m2 dose of CFZ vs standard 20-27 mg/m2 dose in NDMM and RRMM.
Topics: Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Bortezomib; Dexamethasone; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; Humans; Lenalidomide; Multiple Myeloma; Oligopeptides; Proteasome Inhibitors; Thalidomide; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 29650268
DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2018.02.008 -
Clinical Therapeutics Mar 2018New therapies, including daratumumab plus lenalidomide plus dexamethasone (DRd) and daratumumab plus bortezomib plus dexamethasone (DVd), have recently been approved in... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Meta-Analysis
PURPOSE
New therapies, including daratumumab plus lenalidomide plus dexamethasone (DRd) and daratumumab plus bortezomib plus dexamethasone (DVd), have recently been approved in the United States for patients with multiple myeloma (MM) who have received at least 1 prior line of therapy. However, few treatments have been compared in head-to-head clinical trials to determine the most efficacious therapy. In an update of the POLLUX (Phase 3 Study Comparing DRd Versus Rd in Subjects with Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma [RRMM]) trial, median progression-free survival (PFS) for DRd was not reached; the hazard ratio compared with Rd was 0.41. In an update of the CASTOR (Phase 3 Study Comparing DVd Versus Vd in Subjects with RRMM) trial, median PFS for DVd was 16.7 months, compared with 7.1 months for Vd with a PFS hazard ratio of 0.31. A systematic literature review and network meta-analysis (NMA) was performed to estimate the relative efficacy of treatments for previously treated patients with MM.
METHODS
A systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, BioSciences Information Service, and the Cochrane Library databases was conducted from initiation to September 2016. Abstracts published by international congresses (2014-2016) and bibliographies of pertinent systematic reviews and meta-analyses were also searched. Eligible studies consisted of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or long-term follow-up studies with >1 treatment arm assessing the efficacy or safety of MM therapies. An NMA was conducted by using Bayesian fixed effect mixed-treatment comparisons. Outcomes considered were hazard ratios for PFS and odds ratios for overall response rate (ORR).
FINDINGS
In total, 108 articles reporting 27 RCTs were included in the NMA. Data formed 2 evidence networks: RCTs with DRd and RCTs with DVd. Primary analysis of PFS found that DRd and DVd had a higher probability of being the best treatments (probability, 0.997 and 0.999, respectively) and had the lowest risk of progression or death than other treatments approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of MM. Results from sensitivity analyses using time to progression as a proxy for missing PFS data were consistent. DRd and DVd also showed improved ORR compared with other treatments. Subgroup analyses of PFS in patients treated with only 1 prior therapy were like the results of the primary analyses.
IMPLICATIONS
This NMA provides comparative efficacy for MM treatments not studied in head-to-head RCTs. The NMA suggests that, compared with other approved MM treatments in the United States, DRd and DVd have a higher probability of providing the longest PFS in patients who have received at least 1 prior therapy and in patients who have received only 1 prior therapy.
Topics: Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Bayes Theorem; Bortezomib; Dexamethasone; Humans; Lenalidomide; Multiple Myeloma; Network Meta-Analysis; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 29500140
DOI: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2018.01.014 -
JAMA Oncology Mar 2018Cardiovascular adverse events (CVAE) with carfilzomib in patients with multiple myeloma can be potentially life-threatening and remain incompletely characterized. We... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
IMPORTANCE
Cardiovascular adverse events (CVAE) with carfilzomib in patients with multiple myeloma can be potentially life-threatening and remain incompletely characterized. We performed the first systematic review and meta-analysis of carfilzomib-associated CVAE.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the incidence of carfilzomib-associated CVAE and to compare the rates of carfilzomib CVAE among different doses and companion therapies.
DATA SOURCES
PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and clinicaltrials.gov were queried for the keywords "carfilzomib," "Kyprolis," and "PX-171" through January 1, 2017.
STUDY SELECTION
Phase 1 to 3 prospective clinical trials of carfilzomib in patients with multiple myeloma with evaluable toxic effects data were eligible for meta-analysis.
DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS
Data were independently extracted by 2 reviewers following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. Pooled incidence rates and relative risks (for randomized trials) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using a random effects model. Subgroup analyses were performed to assess study-level characteristics associated with CVAE.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
Cardiovascular adverse events were defined as heart failure, hypertension, ischemia, and arrhythmia. All-grade and grades 3 or higher AEs and study characteristics were recorded.
RESULTS
A total of 514 studies were assessed for eligibility. Of those, 24 studies were eligible, including a total of 2594 patients with multiple myeloma. All-grade and grades 3 and higher CVAE were seen in 617 (18.1%) and 274 (8.2%), respectively. Phase 2 or 3 studies and carfilzomib doses of 45 mg/m2 or higher were associated with high-grade CVAE. Median age older than 65 years, prior myeloma therapies, and concurrent myeloma therapies were not associated with CVAE. For the 3 randomized clinical trials, the summary relative risk of all-grade and grade 3 or higher CVAE for patients receiving carfilzomib compared with noncarfilzomib-receiving control patients were 1.8 and 2.2, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
Carfilzomib was associated with a significant incidence of CVAE, with higher rates seen with higher doses of carfilzomib. Phase 1 studies may be underdetecting CVAE. Future studies are needed to identify patients at high risk for CVAE, develop optimal monitoring strategies, and explore strategies to mitigate these risks.
Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cardiovascular Diseases; Humans; Incidence; Middle Aged; Multiple Myeloma; Oligopeptides; Proteasome Inhibitors; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 29285538
DOI: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2017.4519