scholarly journals Specific immunotherapy in renal cancer: a systematic review

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 45-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Armin Hirbod-Mobarakeh ◽  
Hesam Addin Gordan ◽  
Zahra Zahiri ◽  
Mohammad Mirshahvalad ◽  
Sima Hosseinverdi ◽  
...  

Background: Renal cell cancer (RCC) is the tenth most common malignancy in adults. In recent years, several approaches of active and passive immunotherapy have been studied extensively in clinical trials of patients with RCC. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the clinical efficacy of various approaches of specific immunotherapy in patients with RCC. Methods: We searched Medline, Scopus, CENTRAL, TRIP, DART, OpenGrey and ProQuest without any language filter through to 9 October 2015. One author reviewed search results for irrelevant and duplicate studies and two other authors independently extracted data from the studies. We collated study findings and calculated a weighted treatment effect across studies using Review Manager (version 5.3. Copenhagen: The Nordic Cochrane Centre, the Cochrane Collaboration). Results: We identified 14 controlled studies with 4013 RCC patients after excluding irrelevant and duplicate studies from 11,319 references retrieved from a literature search. Overall, five autologous tumor cell vaccines, one peptide-based vaccine, one virus-based vaccine and one dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccine were studied in nine controlled studies of active specific immunotherapies. A total of three passive immunotherapies including autologous cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells, auto lymphocyte therapy (ALT) and autologous lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells were studied in four controlled studies. The clinical efficacy of tumor lysate-pulsed DCs, with CIK cells was studied in one controlled trial concurrently. The overall quality of studies was fair. Meta-analysis of seven studies showed that patients undergoing specific immunotherapy had significantly higher overall survival (OS) than those in the control group [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.72; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.58–0.89, p = 0.003]. In addition, a meta-analysis of four studies showed that there was a significant difference in progression-free survival (PFS) between patients undergoing specific immunotherapy and patients in control groups (HR = 0.86; 95% CI = 0.73–1, p = 0.05). Conclusions: Results of this systematic review suggest that some specific immunotherapies such as Reniale, ACHN-IL-2, Newcastle disease virus (NDV) virus-infected autologous tumor cells, ALT and CIK treatment could be beneficiary for the treatment of patients with RCC.

Author(s):  

Background: The emergence of acne scars due to skin damage in the acne healing process and causes psychological effects. The management of acne scars can be done in several methods. Microneedling is a very simple, safe, effective, and minimally invasive therapeutic technique compared to other therapeutic modalities in acne scars. The resulting wound is micro-sized, and promotes the growth of growth factors and collagen production. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of using microneedling as an acne scar treatment option. A systematic review and meta-analysis were qualitatively and quantitatively conducted from RCTs, assessing the effectiveness of microneedling in reducing the severity of acne scars according to Goodman and Baron in the treatment of acne scars. Methods: Medline Pubmed, PMC, Scopus, Google Scholar, and JDC library, eligible search. Ten studies (n=514) were analyzed qualitatively with 2 studies (n=53 subjects) and quantitatively analyzed by 2 studies (n=90 subjects). Both analyzes were included in the meta-analysis. The mean age of the participants was 40.5 years. The application of microneedling intervention as monotherapy or a combination in patients with acne scarring was followed for at least 16 weeks, the results obtained were the mean reduction in the degree of acne scarring after microneedling. Result: The combination of microneedling treatment obtained a qualitative decrease in the degree of acne scars according to Goodman and Baron with a Z value (-4.299) and P=<0.001 lower than the control (PRP) with a significant difference. The quantitative decrease in the degree of acne scars according to Goodman and Baron obtained a Z value (-4.681) and P=<0.001 lower than the control (PRP) with a significant difference. Quantitative reduction in the degree of acne scars according to Goodman and Baron on single therapy between treatment and control with a value of Z (-3.536) and P=<0.001 lower than control (fractional CO2) with a significant difference. The results of the degree of acne scars in the group treated with microneedling alone or in combination were lower than the control group. The mean before and after therapy compared to the control there was a significant difference. Conclusion. The results of a systematic review, concluded that the group treated with microneedling had a decrease in the degree of acne scarring according to Goodman and Baron with P=<0.001 compared to before treatment. The decrease was shown in the difference in Z values, which was significantly greater than the control given other therapies. Microneedling therapy can be an alternative therapy option for acne scar patients who are unresponsive to previous therapy or in conditions where there are contraindications to other therapies.


2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 443-461 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Hanaei ◽  
Khashayar Afshari ◽  
Armin Hirbod-Mobarakeh ◽  
Bahram Mohajer ◽  
Delara Amir Dastmalchi ◽  
...  

Abstract Although different immunotherapeutic approaches have been developed for the treatment of glioma, there is a discrepancy between clinical trials limiting their approval as common treatment. So, the current systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to assess survival and clinical response of specific immunotherapy in patients with glioma. Generally, seven databases were searched to find eligible studies. Controlled clinical trials investigating the efficacy of specific immunotherapy in glioma were found eligible. After data extraction and risk of bias assessment, the data were analyzed based on the level of heterogeneity. Overall, 25 articles with 2964 patients were included. Generally, mean overall survival did not statistically improve in immunotherapy [median difference=1.51; 95% confidence interval (CI)=−0.16–3.17; p=0.08]; however, it was 11.16 months higher in passive immunotherapy (95% CI=5.69–16.64; p<0.0001). One-year overall survival was significantly higher in immunotherapy groups [hazard ratio (HR)=0.69; 95% CI=0.52–0.92; p=0.01]. As the hazard rate in the immunotherapy approach was 0.83 of the control group, 2-year overall survival was significantly higher in immunotherapy (HR=0.83; 95% CI=0.69–0.99; p=0.04). Three-year overall survival was significantly higher in immunotherapy as well (HR=0.67; 95% CI=0.48–0.92; p=0.01). Overall, median progression-free survival was significantly higher in immunotherapy (standard median difference=0.323; 95% CI=0.110–0.536; p=0.003). However, 1-year progression-free survival was not remarkably different between immunotherapy and control groups (HR=0.94; 95% CI=0.74–1.18; p=0.59). Specific immunotherapy demonstrated remarkable improvement in survival of patients with glioma and could be a considerable choice of treatment in the future. Despite the current promising results, further high-quality randomized controlled trials are required to approve immunotherapeutic approaches as the standard of care and the front-line treatment for glioma.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-Xin Chen ◽  
Pei Zhao ◽  
ZhuLiduzi Jiesisibieke ◽  
Pei-En Chen ◽  
Tao-Hsin Tung ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: To assess the relationship between delivery mode and postpartum depression and to examine whether cesarean section (CS) has a higher risk of postpartum depression than vaginal delivery (VD). Methods: We searched the Cochrane Library, PubMed, and EMBASE from inception to 30 April 2019 without language limitations. Two authors independently selected studies, assessed the quality of included studies, and extracted data. Any disagreements were resolved by discussion with a third author. We used the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and GRADE methods to assess the quality of the included studies and evidences. This study had four included cohort studies data and carried out fixed-effect model meta-analysis. Results: The findings demonstrated a significant difference in the risk of postpartum depression between CS and VD. Compared with the control group, the CS group was associated with a higher prevalence of postpartum depression symptoms (Risk Ratio =1.29; 95% CI: 1.11-1.51). Conclusions: The findings supported a relationship between delivery mode and postpartum depression. Particularly, we found that CS is associated with a higher risk of postpartum depression. Therefore, we ought to encourage pregnant women who are without medical indication of CS to select VD.r Trial registration: The protocol of this systematic review was registered in the PROSPERO under the number CRD42019148154.


Author(s):  
Pinky Kotecha ◽  
Alexander Light ◽  
Enrico Checcucci ◽  
Daniele Amparore ◽  
Cristian Fiori ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the data currently available regarding the repurposing of different drugs for Covid-19 treatment. Participants with suspected or diagnosed Covid-19 will be included. The interventions being considered are drugs being repurposed, and comparators will include standard of care treatment or placebo.MethodsWe searched Ovid-MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane library, clinical trial registration site in the UK(NIHR), Europe (clinicaltrialsregister.eu), US (ClinicalTrials.gov) and internationally (isrctn.com), and reviewed the reference lists of articles for eligible articles published up to April 22, 2020. All studies in English that evaluated the efficacy of the listed drugs were included. Cochrane RoB 2.0 and ROBINS-I tool were used to assess study quality. This systematic review adheres to the PRISMA guidelines. The protocol is available at PROSPERO (CRD42020180915).ResultsFrom 708 identified studies or clinical trials, 16 studies and 16 case reports met our eligibility criteria. Of these, 6 were randomized controlled trials (763 patients), 7 cohort studies (321 patients) and 3 case series (191 patients). Chloroquine (CQ) had a 100% discharge rate compared to 50% with lopinavir-ritonavir at day 14, however a trial has recommended against a high dosage due to cardiotoxic events. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has shown no significant improvement in negative seroconversion rate which is also seen in our meta-analysis (p=0.68). Adverse events with HCQ have a significant difference compared to the control group (p=0.001). Lopinavir-ritonavir has shown no improvement in time to clinical improvement which is seen in our meta-analyses (p=0.1). Remdesivir has shown no significant improvement in time to clinical improvement but this trial had insufficient power.DiscussionDue to the paucity in evidence, it is difficult to establish the efficacy of these drugs in the treatment of Covid-19 as currently there is no significant clinical effectiveness of the repurposed drugs. Further large clinical trials are required to achieve more reliable findings. A risk-benefit analysis is required on an individual basis to weigh out the potential improvement in clinical outcome and viral load reduction compared to the risks of the adverse events. (1-16)


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tyler Pitre ◽  
Muhammad Faran Khalid ◽  
Sonya Cui ◽  
Melanie C. Zhang ◽  
Renata Husnudinov ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis have a poor overall prognosis and there are few evidence based drug therapies that reduce mortality. Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to assess whether sildenafil reduces mortality, reduces disease progression and the adverse side effects associated with it. Methods: In this review, randomized controlled studies (RCTs) were retrieved from MEDLINE, Cochrane, and EMBASE. The primary outcome was mortality. The secondary outcomes included change in FVC, acute exacerbations and hospitalizations and adverse drug effects leading to discontinuation. We used an inverse variance random effects meta-analysis method to calculate pooled odds ratio (OR) and standardized mean difference (SMD). Results: A total of 4 studies were included. Sildenafil probably reduces mortality when compared to placebo or to standard care, [OR 0.63 (0.38,1.03), I2=0%]. Pooled results showed sildenafil does not alter the rate of change of FVC [SMD 0.02 (-0.14,0.18)], or DLCO [SMR -0.01 (-0.18,0.17)], I2=0]. Pooled results showed sildenafil may not reduce the number of hospitalizations or acute exacerbations, [OR 1.06 (0.67,1.67)], I2= 0]. There was no significant difference in drug discontinuation due to adverse effects when comparing sildenafil to the control group, [OR 0.79 (0.56, 1.11)], I2=0]. Conclusion: Sildenafil probably reduces all-cause mortality in IPF patients. More studies need to be done in order to confirm the magnitude and reliability of the point estimate.


2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 4091-4091
Author(s):  
Samragnyi Madala ◽  
Kira MacDougall ◽  
Balarama Krishna Surapaneni ◽  
Robin Park ◽  
Anup Kasi ◽  
...  

4091 Background: The relationship between Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was first proposed in 1994. Since then, several studies have been performed to explore the association. The role of Hepatitis C (HCV) viruses coexisting with H.pylori in causing HCC was also studied. With the emergence of data in this regard, a causal relationship has been postulated, but not confirmed, and hence the relationship remains controversial. Our meta-analysis aims to summarize the research on this topic and investigate if there exists a relationship between H. pylori infection and the development of HCC and if the presence of HCV along with H.pylori plays a role in liver carcinogenesis. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, we performed a systematic review of all relevant studies published in the literature using keywords “Helicobacter pylori” and “Hepatocellular carcinoma” on major literature databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane controlled trials register. A total of 656 studies were identified between 1994 to March 2020, out of which 26 studies qualified under our selection criteria. Patients positive for HCC are included as cases and patients that did not have HCC under control group. In both groups, H.pylori positive patients and their HCV status, was identified. Results: Out of the 26 studies included in the final analysis, the prevalence of H. pylori infection was 64.78% (561 of 866) amongst HCC cases and 47.92% (1718 of 3585) in the non-HCC control group. The summary odds ratio for the association of H. pylori infection with the risk for HCC using the random-effects model was determined to be 4.75 (95% CI, 3.06-7.37), I²=63%. Subgroup analysis to determine the odds of developing HCC in the presence of H.pylori and HCV coinfection, was 13.97 (95% CI, 3.94-49.61), I²=81%. Whereas, the odds of developing HCC in the presence of only HCV without H.pylori was found to be 2.21 (0.70-6.94), I²=79. Subgroup analysis by study design showed no significant difference between the study groups (P= 0.5705). Conclusions: Our meta-analysis showed a positive association between H. pylori infection and the development of HCC. It showed a significantly higher risk of developing HCC in the presence of HCV infection along with H.pylori. Further prospective cohort studies are needed to prove the causal relationship, especially in cases of Hepatitis B, C coinfection, and cirrhotic patients.[Table: see text]


Author(s):  
Jiawei Qin ◽  
Kaize Zhao ◽  
Yannan Chen ◽  
Shuai Guo ◽  
Yue You ◽  
...  

The effect of exercise intervention on balance capacity among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients has not been evaluated. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to investigate the effect of exercise intervention on balance capacity among T2DM patients compared to the control group (usual care, waitlist, no-treatment, education). We conducted a comprehensive literature search through PubMed, EMBASE, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), Cochrane library, Web of Science (WOS) from inception to August 2020. The literature language was limited to English. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or quasi-experimental (Q-E) trials that examined the effect of exercise intervention on balance capacity among T2DM patients were included. We used the standard methods of meta-analysis to evaluate the outcomes of exercise intervention for balance capacity of T2DM patients. A total of 14 trials (11 RCTs and 3 Q-E trials) involving 883 participants were eligible. The meta-analysis of some studies demonstrated that exercise intervention could significantly improve Berg Balance Scale (BBS) (MD = 2.56; 95%CI [0.35, 4.77]; P = .02), SLST (Single Leg Stance Test) under the eyes-open (EO) condition (MD = 3.63; 95%CI [1.79, 5.47]; P = .0001) and eyes-close (EC) condition (MD = 0.41; 95%CI [0.10, 0.72]; P = .01) compared to control group. There was no significant difference in Time Up and Go Test (TUGT) (MD = −0.75; 95%CI [−1.69, 0.19]; P = .12) and fall efficacy (SMD = −0.44; 95%CI [−0.86, −0.01]; P = .05). Narrative review of some studies indicated that exercise intervention could improve postural stability measured by Sensory Organization Test (SOT) and Center of Pressure (COP) variables, etc. This systematic review and meta-analysis summarized that exercise intervention could improve balance capacity in T2DM patients. However, further studies with high quality are required to evaluate its effect.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-Xin Chen ◽  
Pei Zhao ◽  
Zhu Liduzi Jiesisibieke ◽  
Pei-En Chen ◽  
Tao-Hsin Tung ◽  
...  

Abstract Background To assess the relationship between delivery mode and postpartum depression and to examine whether cesarean section (CS) has a higher risk of postpartum depression than vaginal delivery (VD). Methods We searched the Cochrane Library, PubMed, and EMBASE from inception to 30 April 2019 without language limitations. Then two authors independently selected the studies, assessed the quality of the included studies, and extracted data. Any disagreements were resolved by discussion with a third author. Next, we used the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and GRADE methods are used to evaluate the quality of the included studies and evidences, respectively. This study had four included cohort studies data and carried out fixed-effect model meta-analysis. Results The findings demonstrated a significant difference in the risk of postpartum depression between CS and VD. Compared with the control group, the CS group was associated with a higher prevalence of postpartum depression symptoms (Risk Ratio = 1.29; 95% CI: 1.11–1.51). Conclusions The results showed that delivery mode has nonnegligible effects on the risk of postpartum depression. Particularly, we found that CS is associated with a higher risk of postpartum depression compared with VD. Therefore, we ought to encourage pregnant women who are without medical indication of CS to select VD. Trial registration: The protocol of this systematic review was registered in PROSPERO under the number CRD42019148154.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 2392 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keum Hwa Lee ◽  
Sojung Yoon ◽  
Gwang Hun Jeong ◽  
Jong Yeob Kim ◽  
Young Joo Han ◽  
...  

(1) Background: The use of corticosteroids in critical coronavirus infections, including severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), or Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has been controversial. However, a meta-analysis on the efficacy of steroids in treating these coronavirus infections is lacking. (2) Purpose: We assessed a methodological criticism on the quality of previous published meta-analyses and the risk of misleading conclusions with important therapeutic consequences. We also examined the evidence of the efficacy of corticosteroids in reducing mortality in SARS, MERS and COVID-19. (3) Methods: PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science were used to identify studies published until 25 April 2020, that reported associations between steroid use and mortality in treating SARS/MERS/COVID-19. Two investigators screened and extracted data independently. Searches were restricted to studies on humans, and articles that did not report the exact number of patients in each group or data on mortality were excluded. We calculated odds ratios (ORs) or hazard ratios (HRs) under the fixed- and random-effect model. (4) Results: Eight articles (4051 patients) were eligible for inclusion. Among these selected studies, 3416 patients were diagnosed with SARS, 360 patients with MERS, and 275 with COVID-19; 60.3% patients were administered steroids. The meta-analyses including all studies showed no differences overall in terms of mortality (OR 1.152, 95% CI 0.631–2.101 in the random effects model, p = 0.645). However, this conclusion might be biased, because, in some studies, the patients in the steroid group had more severe symptoms than those in the control group. In contrast, when the meta-analysis was performed restricting only to studies that used appropriate adjustment (e.g., time, disease severity), there was a significant difference between the two groups (HR 0.378, 95% CI 0.221–0.646 in the random effects model, p < 0.0001). Although there was no difference in mortality when steroids were used in severe cases, there was a difference among the group with more underlying diseases (OR 3.133, 95% CI 1.670–5.877, p < 0.001). (5) Conclusions: To our knowledge, this study is the first comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis providing the most accurate evidence on the effect of steroids in coronavirus infections. If not contraindicated, and in the absence of side effects, the use of steroids should be considered in coronavirus infection including COVID-19.


Author(s):  
Priscila Matsuoka ◽  
Rodrigo Castro ◽  
Edmund Baracat ◽  
Jorge Haddad

Objective To evaluate if performing anti-incontinence procedures during surgical anterior and/or apical prolapse correction in women with asymptomatic urinary incontinence (UI) may prevent stress urinary incontinence (SUI) postoperatively. Methods We have performed a systematic review of articles published in the PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Lilacs databases until March 31, 2016. Two reviewers performed the data collection and analysis, independently. All of the selected studies were methodologically analyzed. The results are presented as relative risk (RR), with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Results After performing the selection of the studies, only nine trials fulfilled the necessary prerequisites. In the present review, 1,146 patients were included. Altogether, the review included trials of three different types of anti-incontinence procedures. We found that performing any anti-incontinence procedure at the same time of prolapse repair reduced the incidence of SUI postoperatively (RR = 0.50; 95% CI: 0.28–0.91). However, when we performed the analysis separately by the type of anti-incontinence procedure, we found different results. In the subgroup analysis with midurethral slings, it is beneficial to perform it to reduce the incidence of SUI (RR = 0.08; 95% CI: 0.02–0.28). On the other hand, in the subgroup analysis with Burch colposuspension, there was no significant difference with the control group (RR = 1.47; 95% CI: 0.28–7.79]). Conclusion Performing any prophylactic anti-incontinence procedure at the same time as prolapse repair reduced the incidence of SUI postoperatively. The Burch colposuspension did not show any decrease in the incidence of SUI postoperatively.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document