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Acta Dermato-venereologica Jul 2017Tranexamic acid is a novel treatment option for melasma; however, there is no consensus on its use. This systematic review searched major databases for relevant... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Tranexamic acid is a novel treatment option for melasma; however, there is no consensus on its use. This systematic review searched major databases for relevant publications to March 2016. Eleven studies with 667 participants were included. Pooled data from tranexamic acid-only observational studies with pre- and post-treatment Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI) showed a decrease of 1.60 in MASI (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.20-2.00; p<0.001) after treat-ment with tranexamic acid. The addition of tranexamic acid to routine treatment modalities resulted in a further decrease in MASI of 0.94 (95% CI 0.10-1.79; p = 0.03). Side-effects were minor, with a few cases reporting hypo-menorrhoea, mild abdominal discomfort, and transient skin irritation. These results support the efficacy and safety of tranexamic acid, either alone or as an adjuvant to routine treatment modalities for melasma.
Topics: Chi-Square Distribution; Dermatologic Agents; Humans; Keratinocytes; Melanins; Melanocytes; Melanosis; Severity of Illness Index; Skin Pigmentation; Tranexamic Acid; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 28374042
DOI: 10.2340/00015555-2668 -
International Journal of Molecular... May 2022Currently, myofascial pain has become one of the main problems in healthcare systems. Research into its causes and the structures related to it may help to improve its... (Review)
Review
Currently, myofascial pain has become one of the main problems in healthcare systems. Research into its causes and the structures related to it may help to improve its management. Until some years ago, all the studies were focused on muscle alterations, as trigger points, but recently, fasciae are starting to be considered a new, possible source of pain. This systematic review has been conducted for the purpose of analyze the current evidence of the muscular/deep fasciae innervation from a histological and/or immunohistochemical point of view. A literature search published between 2000 and 2021 was made in PubMed and Google Scholar. Search terms included a combination of fascia, innervation, immunohistochemical, and different immunohistochemical markers. Of the 23 total studies included in the review, five studies were performed in rats, four in mice, two in horses, ten in humans, and two in both humans and rats. There were a great variety of immunohistochemical markers used to detect the innervation of the fasciae; the most used were Protein Gene Marker 9.5 (used in twelve studies), Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (ten studies), S100 (ten studies), substance P (seven studies), and tyrosine hydroxylase (six studies). Various areas have been studied, with the thoracolumbar fascia being the most observed. Besides, the papers highlighted diversity in the density and type of innervation in the various fasciae, going from free nerve endings to Pacini and Ruffini corpuscles. Finally, it has been observed that the innervation is increased in the pathological fasciae. From this review, it is evident that fasciae are well innerved, their innervation have a particular distribution and precise localization and is composed especially by proprioceptors and nociceptors, the latter being more numerous in pathological situations. This could contribute to a better comprehension and management of pain.
Topics: Animals; Fascia; Horses; Mechanoreceptors; Mice; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Pain; Rats; Sensory Receptor Cells
PubMed: 35628484
DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105674 -
ESMO Open Apr 2023Programmed death-ligand 1[PD-(L)1], cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein 4 (CTLA-4), and lymphocyte-activation gene 3 (LAG-3) inhibitors are recent breakthroughs in... (Review)
Review
Programmed death-ligand 1[PD-(L)1], cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein 4 (CTLA-4), and lymphocyte-activation gene 3 (LAG-3) inhibitors are recent breakthroughs in cancer treatment, however not all patients benefit from it. Thus new therapies are under investigation, such as anti-TIGIT [anti-T-cell immunoreceptor with immunoglobulin (Ig) and immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif domains] antibodies. TIGIT is an immune checkpoint inhibiting lymphocyte T cells by several mechanisms. In vitro models showed its inhibition could restore antitumor response. Furthermore, its association with anti-PD-(L)1 therapies could synergistically improve survival. We carried out a review of the clinical trial about TIGIT referenced in the PubMed database, finding three published clinical trials on anti-TIGIT therapies. Vibostolimab was evaluated in a phase I alone or in combination with pembrolizumab. The combination had an objective response rate of 26% in patients with a non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) naïve of anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (anti-PD-1). Etigilimab was tested in a phase I alone or in combination with nivolumab, but the study was stopped due to business reasons. In the phase II CITYSCAPE trial, tiragolumab demonstrated higher objective response rate and progression-free survival in combination with atezolizumab than atezolizumab alone in advanced PD-L1-high NSCLC. The ClinicalTrials.gov database references 70 trials of anti-TIGIT in patients with cancer, 47 of them with ongoing recruitment. Only seven were phase III, including five about patients with NSCLC, mostly with combination therapy. Data from phase I-II trials highlighted that targeting TIGIT represents a safe therapeutic approach, with an acceptable toxicity profile maintained when adding anti-PD-(L)1 antibodies. Frequent adverse events were pruritus, rash, and fatigue. Grade 3-4 adverse events were reported in nearly one in three patients. Anti-TIGIT antibodies are under development as a novel immunotherapy approach. A promising research area includes the combination with anti-PD-1 therapies in advanced NSCLCs.
Topics: Humans; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antineoplastic Agents; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Lung Neoplasms; Nivolumab
PubMed: 36933320
DOI: 10.1016/j.esmoop.2023.101184 -
Journal of Thoracic Oncology : Official... Feb 2011Adenocarcinoma is the most common histologic type of lung cancer. To address advances in oncology, molecular biology, pathology, radiology, and surgery of lung... (Review)
Review
International association for the study of lung cancer/american thoracic society/european respiratory society international multidisciplinary classification of lung adenocarcinoma.
INTRODUCTION
Adenocarcinoma is the most common histologic type of lung cancer. To address advances in oncology, molecular biology, pathology, radiology, and surgery of lung adenocarcinoma, an international multidisciplinary classification was sponsored by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer, American Thoracic Society, and European Respiratory Society. This new adenocarcinoma classification is needed to provide uniform terminology and diagnostic criteria, especially for bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (BAC), the overall approach to small nonresection cancer specimens, and for multidisciplinary strategic management of tissue for molecular and immunohistochemical studies.
METHODS
An international core panel of experts representing all three societies was formed with oncologists/pulmonologists, pathologists, radiologists, molecular biologists, and thoracic surgeons. A systematic review was performed under the guidance of the American Thoracic Society Documents Development and Implementation Committee. The search strategy identified 11,368 citations of which 312 articles met specified eligibility criteria and were retrieved for full text review. A series of meetings were held to discuss the development of the new classification, to develop the recommendations, and to write the current document. Recommendations for key questions were graded by strength and quality of the evidence according to the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach.
RESULTS
The classification addresses both resection specimens, and small biopsies and cytology. The terms BAC and mixed subtype adenocarcinoma are no longer used. For resection specimens, new concepts are introduced such as adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) and minimally invasive adenocarcinoma (MIA) for small solitary adenocarcinomas with either pure lepidic growth (AIS) or predominant lepidic growth with ≤ 5 mm invasion (MIA) to define patients who, if they undergo complete resection, will have 100% or near 100% disease-specific survival, respectively. AIS and MIA are usually nonmucinous but rarely may be mucinous. Invasive adenocarcinomas are classified by predominant pattern after using comprehensive histologic subtyping with lepidic (formerly most mixed subtype tumors with nonmucinous BAC), acinar, papillary, and solid patterns; micropapillary is added as a new histologic subtype. Variants include invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma (formerly mucinous BAC), colloid, fetal, and enteric adenocarcinoma. This classification provides guidance for small biopsies and cytology specimens, as approximately 70% of lung cancers are diagnosed in such samples. Non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLCs), in patients with advanced-stage disease, are to be classified into more specific types such as adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma, whenever possible for several reasons: (1) adenocarcinoma or NSCLC not otherwise specified should be tested for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations as the presence of these mutations is predictive of responsiveness to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors, (2) adenocarcinoma histology is a strong predictor for improved outcome with pemetrexed therapy compared with squamous cell carcinoma, and (3) potential life-threatening hemorrhage may occur in patients with squamous cell carcinoma who receive bevacizumab. If the tumor cannot be classified based on light microscopy alone, special studies such as immunohistochemistry and/or mucin stains should be applied to classify the tumor further. Use of the term NSCLC not otherwise specified should be minimized.
CONCLUSIONS
This new classification strategy is based on a multidisciplinary approach to diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma that incorporates clinical, molecular, radiologic, and surgical issues, but it is primarily based on histology. This classification is intended to support clinical practice, and research investigation and clinical trials. As EGFR mutation is a validated predictive marker for response and progression-free survival with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors in advanced lung adenocarcinoma, we recommend that patients with advanced adenocarcinomas be tested for EGFR mutation. This has implications for strategic management of tissue, particularly for small biopsies and cytology samples, to maximize high-quality tissue available for molecular studies. Potential impact for tumor, node, and metastasis staging include adjustment of the size T factor according to only the invasive component (1) pathologically in invasive tumors with lepidic areas or (2) radiologically by measuring the solid component of part-solid nodules.
Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Neoplasm Staging; Societies, Medical
PubMed: 21252716
DOI: 10.1097/JTO.0b013e318206a221 -
Cancer Treatment Reviews Sep 2022Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have improved cancer outcomes. However, immune-related adverse effects are common. The aim was to investigate the incidence of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have improved cancer outcomes. However, immune-related adverse effects are common. The aim was to investigate the incidence of diarrhea and colitis of ICIs alone and in combination with chemotherapy or tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), histopathological findings, and management.
METHODS
Two separate studies, including meta-analyses, were performed. Key inclusion criteria were for Study I) phase I-IV trials, and data on diarrhea and/or colitis; for Study II) studies describing histopathologic and endoscopic findings and/or biologic treatment for ICI-induced colitis.
RESULTS
The incidence of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibody-induced diarrhea and colitis was 10% and 2%, respectively, with no clinically relevant differences between the compounds. The CTLA-4 inhibitor, ipilimumab, induced diarrhea and colitis in 33% and 7% of patients, respectively, whereas the incidence of diarrhea and colitis following ipilimumab combined with nivolumab was 21%-37% and 4%-8%, depending on regimen. The incidence of all-grade diarrhea following ICIs combined with chemotherapy or TKIs was high (17%-56%), whereas only 0.5% of patients developed severe (≥grade 3) colitis. The main patterns of histopathologic presentation after PD-1/CTLA-4 inhibitor mono- or combination therapy were acute and chronic active colitis and microscopic colitis-like. Infliximab and vedolizumab were equally effective against ICI-induced colitis.
CONCLUSION
Expanding treatment options include combinations of ICIs and chemotherapy/TKI with a high incidence of diarrhea and a low incidence of colitis; thus, a potential risk of overtreatment with corticosteroids exists. We suggest a more tailored approach, particularly for the management of low-grade diarrhea. Prospective clinical trials are needed to refine management.
Topics: Colitis; Diarrhea; Humans; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors; Incidence; Ipilimumab; Prospective Studies
PubMed: 35917654
DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2022.102440 -
European Urology Open Science Mar 2022Considerable advances have been made in the first-line treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC), with immunotherapy-based combinations including... (Review)
Review
CONTEXT
Considerable advances have been made in the first-line treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC), with immunotherapy-based combinations including immunotherapy-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (IO-TKIs) and dual immunotherapy (IO-IO) favored. A lack of head-to-head clinical trials comparing these treatments means that there is uncertainty regarding their use in clinical practice.
OBJECTIVE
To compare and rank the efficacy and safety of first-line systemic treatments for mRCC with a focus on IO-based combinations.
EVIDENCE ACQUISITION
MEDLINE (Ovid), EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and abstracts of recent major scientific meetings were searched to identify the most up-to-date phase 3 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of first-line IO-based combinations for mRCC up to June 2021. A systematic review and network meta-analysis were completed using the Bayesian framework. Primary endpoints included overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary endpoints included the objective response rate (ORR), complete response (CR), grade 3-4 treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs), treatment-related drug discontinuation (TRDD), and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The analysis was performed for the intention-to-treat (ITT) population as well as by clinical risk group.
EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS
A total of six phase 3 RCTs were included involving a total of 5121 patients. Nivolumab plus cabozantinib (NIVO-CABO) had the highest likelihood of an OS benefit in the ITT population (surface under the cumulative ranking curve 82%). Avelumab plus axitinib (AVEL-AXI) had the highest likelihood of an OS benefit for patients with favorable risk (65%). Pembrolizumab plus AXI (PEMBRO-AXI) had the highest likelihood of an OS benefit for patients with intermediate risk (78%). PEMBRO plus lenvatinib (PEMBRO-LENV) had the highest likelihood of an OS benefit for patients with poor risk (89%). PEMBRO-LENV was associated with a superior PFS benefit across all risk groups (89-98%). Maximal ORR was achieved with PEMBRO-LENV (97%). The highest likelihood for CR was attained with NIVO plus ipilimumab (NIVO-IPI; 85%) and PEMBRO-LENV (83%). The highest grade 3-4 TRAE rate occurred with PEMBRO-LENV (95%) and NIVO-CABO (83%), but the latter was associated with the lowest TRDD rate (2%). By contrast, NIVO-IPI had the lowest grade 3-4 TRAE rate (6%) and the highest likelihood of TRDD (100%). HRQoL consistently favored NIVO-CABO (66-75%), PEMBRO-LENV (44-85%), and NIVO-IPI (65-93%) in comparison to the other treatments.
CONCLUSIONS
IO-TKI drug combinations are associated with consistent improvements in clinically relevant outcomes for all mRCC risk groups. This benefit may be at the cost of higher TRAE rates; however, lower TRDD rates suggest a manageable side-effect profile. Longer follow-up is required to determine if the benefits of IO-TKIs will be sustained and if they should be favored in the first-line treatment of mRCC.
PATIENT SUMMARY
Combination treatments based on immunotherapy agents continue to show meaningful benefits in the first-line treatment of metastatic kidney cancer. Our review and network meta-analysis shows that immunotherapy combined with another class of agents called tyrosine kinase inhibitors is promising. However, longer follow-up is needed for this treatment strategy to clarify if the benefits are long-lasting.
PubMed: 35128482
DOI: 10.1016/j.euros.2021.12.007 -
Clinical Pharmacokinetics Apr 2023Ruxolitinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting the Janus kinase (JAK) and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathways. Ruxolitinib is used to...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
Ruxolitinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting the Janus kinase (JAK) and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathways. Ruxolitinib is used to treat myelofibrosis, polycythemia vera and steroid-refractory graft-versus-host disease in the setting of allogeneic stem-cell transplantation. This review describes the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of ruxolitinib.
METHODS
Pubmed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and web of Science were searched from the time of database inception to march 15, 2021 and was repeated on November 16, 2021. Articles not written in English, animal or in vitro studies, letters to the editor, case reports, where ruxolitinib was not used for hematological diseases or not available as full text were excluded.
RESULTS
Ruxolitinib is well absorbed, has 95% bio-availability, and is bound to albumin for 97%. Ruxolitinib pharmacokinetics can be described with a two-compartment model and linear elimination. Volume of distribution differs between men and women, likely related to bodyweight differences. Metabolism is mainly hepatic via CYP3A4 and can be altered by CYP3A4 inducers and inhibitors. The major metabolites of ruxolitinib are pharmacologically active. The main route of elimination of ruxolitinib metabolites is renal. Liver and renal dysfunction affect some of the pharmacokinetic variables and require dose reductions. Model-informed precision dosing might be a way to further optimize and individualize ruxolitinib treatment, but is not yet advised for routine care due to lack of information on target concentrations.
CONCLUSION
Further research is needed to explain the interindividual variability of the ruxolitinib pharmacokinetic variables and to optimize individual treatment.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Female; Janus Kinases; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Pyrazoles; Nitriles
PubMed: 37000342
DOI: 10.1007/s40262-023-01225-7 -
Journal of Thoracic Oncology : Official... Dec 2023Brain metastases (BMs) in patients with advanced and metastatic NSCLC are linked to poor prognosis. Identifying genomic alterations associated with BM development could... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
INTRODUCTION
Brain metastases (BMs) in patients with advanced and metastatic NSCLC are linked to poor prognosis. Identifying genomic alterations associated with BM development could influence screening and determine targeted treatment. We aimed to establish prevalence and incidence in these groups, stratified by genomic alterations.
METHODS
A systematic review and meta-analysis compliant with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses were conducted (PROSPERO identification CRD42022315915). Articles published in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library between January 2000 and May 2022 were included. Prevalence at diagnosis and incidence of new BM per year were obtained, including patients with EGFR, ALK, KRAS, and other alterations. Pooled incidence rates were calculated using random effects models.
RESULTS
A total of 64 unique articles were included (24,784 patients with NSCLC with prevalence data from 45 studies and 9058 patients with NSCLC having incidence data from 40 studies). Pooled BM prevalence at diagnosis was 28.6% (45 studies, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 26.1-31.0), and highest in patients that are ALK-positive (34.9%) or with RET-translocations (32.2%). With a median follow-up of 24 months, the per-year incidence of new BM was 0.13 in the wild-type group (14 studies, 95% CI: 0.11-0.16). Incidence was 0.16 in the EGFR group (16 studies, 95% CI: 0.11-0.21), 0.17 in the ALK group (five studies, 95% CI: 0.10-0.27), 0.10 in the KRAS group (four studies, 95% CI: 0.06-0.17), 0.13 in the ROS1 group (three studies, 95% CI: 0.06-0.28), and 0.12 in the RET group (two studies, 95% CI: 0.08-0.17).
CONCLUSIONS
Comprehensive meta-analysis indicates a higher prevalence and incidence of BM in patients with certain targetable genomic alterations. This supports brain imaging at staging and follow-up, and the need for targeted therapies with brain penetrance.
Topics: Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Incidence; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras); Proto-Oncogene Proteins; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Genomics; Brain Neoplasms; Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; ErbB Receptors
PubMed: 37392903
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtho.2023.06.017 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2017Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is a rare malignant disease, although its incidence has increased over the last few decades. It derives from follicular thyroid... (Review)
Review
Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is a rare malignant disease, although its incidence has increased over the last few decades. It derives from follicular thyroid cells. Generally speaking, the prognosis is excellent. If treatment according to the current guidelines is given, cases of recurrence or persistence are rare. DTC requires special expertise by the treating physician. In recent years, new therapeutic options for these patients have become available. For this article we performed a systematic literature review with special focus on the guidelines of the American Thyroid Association, the European Association of Nuclear Medicine, and the German Society of Nuclear Medicine. For DTC, surgery and radioiodine therapy followed by levothyroxine substitution remain the established therapeutic procedures. Even metastasized tumors can be cured this way. However, in rare cases of radioiodine-refractory tumors, additional options are to be discussed. These include strict suppression of thyroid-stimulating hormone (also known as thyrotropin, TSH) and external local radiotherapy. Systemic cytostatic chemotherapy does not play a significant role. Recently, multikinase or tyrosine kinase inhibitors have been approved for the treatment of radioiodine-refractory DTC. Although a benefit for overall survival has not been shown yet, these new drugs can slow down tumor progression. However, they are frequently associated with severe side effects and should be reserved for patients with threatening symptoms only.
Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Adenocarcinoma, Follicular; Carcinoma, Papillary; Drug Therapy; Enzyme Inhibitors; Humans; Iodine Radioisotopes; Neoplasm Metastasis; Noonan Syndrome; Prognosis; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; Radiotherapy; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; Thyroid Cancer, Papillary; Thyroid Hormones; Thyroid Neoplasms; Thyroid Nodule; Thyrotropin; Thyroxine
PubMed: 28629126
DOI: 10.3390/ijms18061292 -
European Journal of Clinical... Nov 2022Antihypertensive drugs are among the most prescribed drugs during pregnancy. Methyldopa, labetalol, and nifedipine have been perceived safe to use during pregnancy and... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
Antihypertensive drugs are among the most prescribed drugs during pregnancy. Methyldopa, labetalol, and nifedipine have been perceived safe to use during pregnancy and are therefore recommended in international guidelines for treatment of hypertension. In this review, we provide a complete overview of what is known on the pharmacokinetics (PK) of the antihypertensive drugs methyldopa, labetalol, and nifedipine throughout pregnancy.
METHODS
A systematic search was performed to retrieve studies on the PK of methyldopa, labetalol, and nifedipine used throughout pregnancy. The search was restricted to English and original studies. The systematic search was conducted on July 27, 2021, in Embase, Medline Ovid, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar. Keywords were methyldopa, labetalol, nifedipine, pharmacokinetics, pregnancy, and placenta.
RESULTS
A total of 1459 unique references were identified of which title and abstract were screened. Based on this screening, 67 full-text papers were assessed, to retain 30 PK studies of which 2 described methyldopa, 12 labetalol, and 16 nifedipine. No fetal accumulation is found for any of the antihypertensive drugs studied.
CONCLUSION
We conclude that despite decades of prescribing methyldopa, labetalol, and nifedipine throughout pregnancy, descriptions of their PK during pregnancy are hampered by a large heterogeneity in the low number of available studies. Aiming for evidence-based and personalized dosing of antihypertensive medication in the future, further studies on the relationship of both PK and pharmacodynamics (including the optimal blood pressure targeting) during pregnancy and pregnancy-related pathology are urgently needed to prevent undertreatment, overtreatment, and side effects.
Topics: Antihypertensive Agents; Female; Humans; Hypertension; Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced; Labetalol; Methyldopa; Nifedipine; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular
PubMed: 36104450
DOI: 10.1007/s00228-022-03382-3