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Journal of Immunology Research 2022Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common pathogen of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children. infection is usually regarded as a self-limiting disease, but in some... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common pathogen of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children. infection is usually regarded as a self-limiting disease, but in some special cases, it can also develop into refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (RMPP). The aim of this study is to analyze the clinical characteristics of CRP (C-reactive protein), LDH (lactate dehydrogenase), ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate), , neutrophils (%), lymphocytes (%), and lung consolidation in RMPP and explore their prediction results in the early stage of RMPP, which is important for early treatment.
METHODS
This systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, Wangfang, and Cqvip, and the date was set until February 23, 2021. For the continuous variables, mean difference (MD) with 95% CI was adopted to evaluate CRP, LDH, ESR, D-dimer, neutrophils (%), lymphocytes (%), and the correlation between lung consolidation and RMPP.
RESULTS
20 studies including 5289 patients were included in the analysis, and the results showed that the CRP of the RMPP group (MD (95% CI): 22.29 (12.20, 32.38), < 0.001), LDH (MD (95% CI): 145.13 (78.62, 211.64), < 0.001), neutrophils (%) (MD (95% CI): 7.27 (0.31, 14.23), = 0.04), and D-dimer (MD (95% CI): 1.79 (-1.17, 4.74), = 0.24) was higher than that of the NRMPP group; the risk of lung consolidation in the RMPP group (OR (95% CI): 14.29 (4.52, 45.12), < 0.001) was higher than that in the NRMPP group, and there was no difference in ESR (MD (95% CI): 8.11 (-1.34, 17.56), = 0.09) and lymphocytes (%) (MD (95% CI): -6.27 (-12.81, 0.27), = 0.06) between the two groups.
CONCLUSION
So, the available evidence indicates that CRP, LDH, neutrophils (%), , and lung consolidation are predictive factors for RMPP.
Topics: Blood Sedimentation; C-Reactive Protein; Child; Humans; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; Mycoplasma pneumoniae; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma
PubMed: 35795531
DOI: 10.1155/2022/9227838 -
Life (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2023Over the last decade, many studies have assessed the efficacy of treatments for refractory/relapsed multiple myeloma (R/R MM). While combination therapies show greater... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Over the last decade, many studies have assessed the efficacy of treatments for refractory/relapsed multiple myeloma (R/R MM). While combination therapies show greater efficacy than traditional methods, limited research has targeted elderly patients who might be less resilient to treatments. Our study aimed to evaluate treatment efficacy for these elderly patients.
METHODS
We carried out a comprehensive review of the literature using a systematic approach. Initially, 4966 citations were retrieved and subsequently narrowed down to 13 eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) through our systematic review process from databases like Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane Library from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2022. Evidence was collated through a frequentist network meta-analysis, using the hazard ratio (HR) for evaluation.
RESULTS
Combined therapy of daratumumab, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (DaraLenDex) was the preferred treatment for R/R MM elderly patients. Its strengths included an HR for progression-free survival (0.15; 95% CI: 0.09-0.25) and a 96% P-score.
CONCLUSIONS
Our analysis suggests that, pending more comprehensive RCTs, DaraLenDex is the treatment with the highest efficacy for R/R MM in elderly patients.
PubMed: 38137860
DOI: 10.3390/life13122259 -
Journal Francais D'ophtalmologie Mar 2023The treatment of refractory macular holes is controversial, with human amniotic membrane grafts emerging recently as an attractive option. We performed a meta-analysis... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
PURPOSE
The treatment of refractory macular holes is controversial, with human amniotic membrane grafts emerging recently as an attractive option. We performed a meta-analysis and systematic review in this paper to assess the results of human amniotic membrane (hAM) in the treatment of refractory macular hole (MH).
METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases, VIP database, Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, Sinomed, Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, and Clinical Trials.gov. Studies reporting hAM for the treatment of refractory MH were included. The outcomes are MH closure rate, visual acuity (VA) improvement rate, and graft dislocation/contracture rate.
RESULTS
A total of 8 studies on 103 eyes were included, all of which had undergone failed vitrectomy and internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling. In all studies, the VA improvement rate was 66% (95%CI: 45 to 84%), the MH closure rate was 94% (95%CI: 84 to 100%) and the hAM graft dislocation/contracture rate was 6% (95%CI: 0 to 15%). In the studies using cryopreserved hAM grafts, the MH closure rate was 99% (95%CI: 94 to 100%) and the hAM graft dislocation/contracture rate was 3% (0%, 10%). The VA improvement rates were 94% (95%CI: 79 to 100%) in the retinal detachment subgroup, 37% (95%CI: 20 to 56%) in the pathologic myopia subgroup, and 62% (95%CI: 14 to 100%) in the idiopathic MH subgroup.
CONCLUSION
Human amniotic membrane in the treatment of refractory MH results in visual improvement. It has a high macular hole closure rate and low dislocation/contracture rate. Cryopreserved hAM grafts might have better outcomes than dehydrated grafts.
Topics: Humans; Amnion; Basement Membrane; Retina; Retinal Detachment; Retinal Perforations; Retrospective Studies; Tomography, Optical Coherence; Vitrectomy
PubMed: 36739260
DOI: 10.1016/j.jfo.2022.07.001 -
Frontiers in Neurology 2023New-onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE) and its subset of febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome (FIRES) are devastating clinical presentations with high...
BACKGROUND
New-onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE) and its subset of febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome (FIRES) are devastating clinical presentations with high rates of mortality and morbidity. The recently published consensus on the treatment of these conditions includes anesthetics, antiseizure drugs, antivirals, antibiotics, and immune therapies. Despite the internationally accepted treatment, the outcome remains poor for a significant percentage of patients.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review of the use of neuromodulation techniques in the treatment of the acute phase of NORSE/FIRES using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.
RESULTS
Our search strategy brought up 74 articles of which 15 met our inclusion criteria. A total of 20 patients were treated with neuromodulation. Thirteen cases represented FIRES and in 17 cases the NORSE remained cryptogenic. Ten had electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), seven had vagal nerve stimulation (VNS), and four had deep brain stimulation (DBS); one patient had initially VNS and later DBS. Eight patients were female and nine were children. In 17 out of 20 patients, the status epilepticus was resolved after neuromodulation, while three patients died.
CONCLUSION
NORSE can have a catastrophic course and the first treatment goal should be the fastest possible termination of status epilepticus. The data presented are limited by the small number of published cases and the variability of neuromodulation protocols used. However, they show some potential clinical benefits of early neuromodulation therapy, suggesting that these techniques could be considered within the course of FIRES/NORSE.
PubMed: 37388544
DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1195844 -
Endoscopy International Open Jun 2022Anti-reflux mucosectomy (ARMS) is an emerging endoscopic treatment for refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). We conducted a systematic review and... (Review)
Review
Anti-reflux mucosectomy (ARMS) is an emerging endoscopic treatment for refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the safety and efficacy ARMS in refractory GERD. A comprehensive search of multiple databases (through March 2020) was performed to identify studies that reported outcomes of ARMS for refractory GERD. Outcomes assessed included technical success, clinical response, and adverse events (AEs). Clinical response was defined as discontinuation (complete) or reduction (partial) of proton pump inhibitors post-ARMS at follow up. A total of 307 patients (mean age 46.9 [8.1] years, 41.5 % females) were included from 10 studies. The technical success and clinical response rates were 97.7 % (95 % confidence interval [CI], 94.6-99.0) and 80.1 % (95 % CI, 61.6-91.0), respectively. The pooled rate of complete and partial clinical response was 65.3 % (95 % CI, 51.4-77.0) and 21.5 % (95 % CI, 14.2-31.2), respectively. The rate of AEs was 17.2 % (95 % CI, 13.1-22.2) with most common AE being dysphagia/esophageal stricture followed by bleeding with rates of 11.4 % and 5.0 %, respectively. GERD health-related quality of life (GERD-HRQL) (mean difference [MD] = 14.9, < 0.001), GERD questionnaire (GERD-Q) (MD = 4.85, < 0.001) and mean acid exposure time (MD = 2.39, = 0.01) decreased significantly post-ARMS as compared to pre-procedure. There was no difference in terms of clinical response and AEs between ARMS and ARMS with banding on subgroup analysis. ARMS is a safe and effective procedure for treatment of refractory GERD with high rates of clinical response, acceptable safety profile and significant improvement in GERD-related quality of life. Prospective studies are needed to validate our findings.
PubMed: 35692929
DOI: 10.1055/a-1802-0220 -
JAMA Dermatology Nov 2021The comparative benefits and harms of all available treatments for H1 antihistamine-refractory chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) have not been established. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
IMPORTANCE
The comparative benefits and harms of all available treatments for H1 antihistamine-refractory chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) have not been established.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate different treatment effects of pharmacologic treatments among patients with H1 antihistamine-refractory CSU.
DATA SOURCES
Searches were conducted of MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus, and CINAHL from inception to April 19, 2021, with no language restrictions. Gray literature from Google Scholar, ongoing trial registers, and preprint reports was added to the searches of electronic databases.
STUDY SELECTION
Randomized clinical trials using validated measurement tools that investigated the benefits and harms of pharmacologic treatments among adolescent or adult patients with CSU who had an inadequate response to H1 antihistamines were screened for inclusion independently by 2 investigators.
DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS
Two investigators independently extracted study data according to the predefined list of interests. A random-effects model was used to calculate the network estimates reported as standardized mean differences and odds ratios with corresponding 95% CIs.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
The primary outcomes that reflect the patient's perspective included changes in urticaria symptoms from baseline and unacceptability of treatment (all-cause dropouts).
RESULTS
Twenty-three randomized clinical trials with 2480 participants that compared 18 different interventions or dosages and placebo were included. The standardized mean differences for change in urticaria symptoms were -1.05 (95% CI, -1.37 to -0.73) for ligelizumab, 72 mg; -1.07 (95% CI, -1.39 to -0.75) for ligelizumab, 240 mg; -0.77 (95% CI, -0.91 to -0.63) for omalizumab, 300 mg; and -0.59 (95% CI, -1.10 to -0.08) for omalizumab, 600 mg. No significant differences in treatment unacceptability were observed. With respect to benefits and harms, the network estimates illustrated that the most efficacious treatments were achieved with ligelizumab, 72 or 240 mg (large beneficial effect) and omalizumab, 300 or 600 mg (moderate beneficial effect).
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
The findings in this meta-analysis suggest that the biologic agents ligelizumab, 72 or 240 mg, and omalizumab, 300 or 600 mg, can be recommended as effective treatments for patients with CSU who have had an inadequate response to H1 antihistamines. Head-to-head trials with high methodologic quality and harmonized design and outcome definitions are needed to help inform subsequent international guidelines for the management of CSU.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Anti-Allergic Agents; Chronic Disease; Chronic Urticaria; Histamine H1 Antagonists; Humans; Network Meta-Analysis; Omalizumab; Treatment Outcome; Urticaria
PubMed: 34431983
DOI: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2021.3237 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2023We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate outcomes following chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy in relapsed/refractory acute myeloid... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate outcomes following chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy in relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (RR-AML).
METHODS
We performed a literature search on PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Clinicaltrials.gov. After screening 677 manuscripts, 13 studies were included. Data was extracted following PRISMA guidelines. Pooled analysis was done using the meta-package by Schwarzer et al. Proportions with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed.
RESULTS
We analyzed 57 patients from 10 clinical trials and 3 case reports. The pooled complete and overall response rates were 49.5% (95% CI 0.18-0.81, I=65%) and 65.2% (95% CI 0.36-0.91, I=57%). The pooled incidence of cytokine release syndrome, immune-effector cell associated neurotoxicity syndrome, and graft-versus-host disease was estimated as 54.4% (95% CI 0.17-0.90, I=77%), 3.9% (95% CI 0.00-0.19, I=22%), and 1.6% (95%CI 0.00-0.21, I=33%), respectively.
CONCLUSION
CAR-T therapy has demonstrated modest efficacy in RR-AML. Major challenges include heterogeneous disease biology, lack of a unique targetable antigen, and immune exhaustion.
Topics: Humans; Receptors, Chimeric Antigen; Antigens, CD19; Immunotherapy, Adoptive; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute; Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy
PubMed: 37168849
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1152457 -
Cureus Sep 2023The widely accepted standard of care for chronic cutaneous sarcoidosis is corticosteroids. However, when this treatment is shown to be refractory, other interventions... (Review)
Review
Recent Clinical Studies on the Effects of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha (TNF-α) and Janus Kinase/Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription (JAK/STAT) Antibody Therapies in Refractory Cutaneous Sarcoidosis: A Systematic Review.
The widely accepted standard of care for chronic cutaneous sarcoidosis is corticosteroids. However, when this treatment is shown to be refractory, other interventions must be considered. In this review, we report the current progress of clinical studies on various monoclonal antibody therapies and their future potential as primary interventions for refractory cutaneous sarcoidosis. In this systematic review, clinical studies on the management of refractory cutaneous sarcoidosis were retrieved from PubMed and ScienceDirect databases. Studies were screened based on article type, publication within the last 10 years, and access to free full text. The articles selected consisted of case studies, clinical trials, and observational studies. The studies needed to focus on cases of diagnosed cutaneous sarcoidosis at the time of the study and involve adult patients resistant to corticosteroid regimens, with or without additional immunomodulators. Only interventions that included tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) (e.g., infliximab and adalimumab) or Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT) (e.g., ruxolitinib and tofacitinib) antibody therapy were considered. Two authors independently conducted quality assessments using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal and NIH Study Quality Assessment tools. A total of 16 clinical studies were included in this systematic review using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) flow diagram. Of the 16 cases included, 15 studies demonstrated partial to complete resolution of cutaneous lesions within a range of two weeks to 18 months from initiation of antibody therapy. Studies on anti-TNF-α intervention demonstrated the most adverse events, including two deaths and one case associated with cutaneous exacerbation. Studies on anti-JAK-STAT interventions demonstrate no adverse events after treatment; however, patient study size was limiting. Recent studies have shown promising potential for anti-TNF-α and anti-JAK-STAT inhibitors to become the mainstay interventions in refractory cutaneous sarcoidosis. Due to limited population studies, the current data on the efficacy and safety of antibody therapies have not yielded a standardized FDA-approved steroid-sparing treatment. Therefore, a need for more population studies on the effectiveness of third-line intervention in refractory cutaneous sarcoidosis is necessary.
PubMed: 37818515
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.44901 -
Endoscopy International Open Apr 2023Gastric per-oral endoscopic myotomy (G-POEM) has been recently compared with surgical techniques (i. e. pyloromyotomy and pyloroplasty) for managing patients with...
Gastric per-oral endoscopic myotomy (G-POEM) has been recently compared with surgical techniques (i. e. pyloromyotomy and pyloroplasty) for managing patients with refractory gastroparesis. Given the varying results, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of available studies to assess the safety and efficacy of each technique. A comprehensive review of the literature using the following databases was undertaken through July 29, 2022: MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, KCI - Koran Journal index, Global Index Medicus, and Cochrane. Comparative studies including case-control, cohort and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. Random effects model using DerSimonian laird approach was used to compare outcomes. Relative risk (RR) and mean difference (MD) were calculated for binary and continuous outcomes respectively. A total of four studies with 385 patients (216 in the G-POEM group and 169 in the surgical group were included. The mean age was 46.9 (± 3.41) and 46.2 (± 0.86) and the female proportion was 79.6 % and 74.0 % for the G-POEM and surgery group respectively. The mean procedural time (MD: -59.47 mins, < 0.001) and length of hospital stay (MD: -3.10 days, < 0.001) was significantly lower for G-POEM compared to surgery. The post procedure GCSI score (MD: -0.33, = 0.39) and reduction in GCSI score preoperatively and postoperatively (MD: 0.27, = 0.55) was not significantly different. G-POEM appears promising as it may provide a cost-effective approach for managing refractory gastroparesis compared to surgical techniques. RCTs are needed to further confirm these results.
PubMed: 37025156
DOI: 10.1055/a-1980-9942 -
European Review For Medical and... Nov 2022Triplet regimens based on pomalidomide and dexamethasone have been applied to treat relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, but the safety and efficacy are not yet very... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
The efficacy and safety of triplet regimens based on pomalidomide and dexamethasone for treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
OBJECTIVE
Triplet regimens based on pomalidomide and dexamethasone have been applied to treat relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, but the safety and efficacy are not yet very clear. This meta-analysis aimed at comparing the safety and efficacy of different triplet therapies and analyzing the best therapy regimen.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A comprehensive literature search identified a total of 615 studies, and 22 studies assessing 1,889 subjects met the inclusion criteria of this meta: phase II/III trial, over 2 median lines of prior therapy, and detailed efficacy outcomes like overall response rate (ORR), overall survival, and progression-free survival (PFS). All statistical analyses were performed by Revman version 5.3, and the heterogeneity was tested by I2 (25% indicating low heterogeneity, 50% moderate, and 75% high). For those with less heterogeneity, fixed-effect model was used. With a significant high heterogeneity, a random-effect model was used.
RESULTS
Pooled analysis showed ORR 66.2% across all triplet regimens based on pomalidomide and dexamethasone. Among all triplet regimens, therapy containing bortezomib showed the highest ORR (90.3%), and the one containing elotuzumab showed the lowest ORR (41.2%). The pooled ORRs for the remaining treatment regimens are as follows: cyclophosphamide (70.1%), isatuximab (66.3%), daratumumab (61.2%), clarithromycin (60.0%), pembrolizumab (47.3%). A total of 21 adverse events appeared in the included studies, with neutropenia being the highest incidence of hematologic adverse events (32.1%) and cough being the highest incidence of non-hematologic adverse events (43.3.%).
CONCLUSIONS
Three-drug regimens based on pomalidomide and dexamethasone could yield excellent overall response rate to relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, but there are still various adverse events; therefore, consequent studies should address these adverse events.
Topics: Humans; Multiple Myeloma; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Dexamethasone; Thalidomide
PubMed: 36394758
DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202211_30162