scholarly journals Use of Interferon Alfa in the Treatment of Myeloproliferative Neoplasms: Perspectives and Review of the Literature

Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 1954 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joan How ◽  
Gabriela Hobbs

Interferon alfa was first used in the treatment of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) over 30 years ago. However, its initial use was hampered by its side effect profile and lack of official regulatory approval for MPN treatment. Recently, there has been renewed interest in the use of interferon in MPNs, given its potential disease-modifying effects, with associated molecular and histopathological responses. The development of pegylated formulations and, more recently, ropeginterferon alfa-2b has resulted in improved tolerability and further expansion of interferon’s use. We review the evolving clinical use of interferon in essential thrombocythemia (ET), polycythemia vera (PV), and myelofibrosis (MF). We discuss interferon’s place in MPN treatment in the context of the most recent clinical trial results evaluating interferon and its pegylated formulations, and its role in special populations such as young and pregnant MPN patients. Interferon has re-emerged as an important option in MPN patients, with future studies seeking to re-establish its place in the existing treatment algorithm for MPN, and potentially expanding its use for novel indications and combination therapies.

Toxics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 140
Author(s):  
Francesca Borghi ◽  
Andrea Spinazzè ◽  
Simone Mandaglio ◽  
Giacomo Fanti ◽  
Davide Campagnolo ◽  
...  

Recently, the need to assess personal exposure in different micro-environments has been highlighted. Further, estimating the inhaled dose of pollutants is considerably one of the most interesting parameters to be explored to complete the fundamental information obtained through exposure assessment, especially if associated with a dose-response approach. To analyze the main results obtained from the studies related to the estimation of the inhaled dose of pollutants in different micro-environments (environments in which an individual spends a part of his day), and to identify the influence of different parameters on it, a systematic review of the literature was performed. The principal outcomes from the considered studies outlined that (i) exposure concentration and residence time are among the most important parameters to be evaluated in the estimation of the inhaled dose, especially in transport environments. Further, (ii) the pulmonary ventilation rate can be of particular interest during active commuting because of its increase, which increases the inhalation of pollutants. From a methodological point of view, the advent of increasingly miniaturized, portable and low-cost technologies could favor these kinds of studies, both for the measurement of atmospheric pollutants and the real-time evaluation of physiological parameters used for estimation of the inhaled dose. The main results of this review also show some knowledge gaps. In particular, numerous studies have been conducted for the evaluation (in terms of personal exposure and estimation of the inhaled dose) of different PM fractions: other airborne pollutants, although harmful to human health, are less represented in studies of this type: for this reason, future studies should be conducted, also considering other air pollutants, not neglecting the assessment of exposure to PM. Moreover, many studies have been conducted indoors, where the population spends most of their daily time. However, it has been highlighted how particular environments, even if characterized by a shorter residence time, can contribute significantly to the dose of inhaled pollutants. These environments are, therefore, of particular importance and should be better evaluated in future studies, as well as occupational environments, where the work results in a high pulmonary ventilation rate. The attention of future studies should also be focused on these categories of subjects and occupational studies.


Immunotherapy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 577-585
Author(s):  
Nerin N Bahceciler ◽  
Ozel Yuruker

Allergy immunotherapy (AIT) is currently the only disease-modifying treatment for allergic-respiratory diseases. Polysensitization may increase the severity of current disease resulting in subsequent asthma development in patients with allergic rhinitis. Due to the absence of general recommendations for the practical approach to polysensitized patients, clinical management is not standardized. The correlation between sensitizations and clinical symptoms, elimination of possible pollen cross-reactivities and principles of homologous allergen groups will guide the allergists to deduce the most relevant allergens for AIT. In the highlight of the previously proposed approach strategies to polyallergic patients, hereby we propose a revised practical stepwise approach based on the current European Medicine Agency (EMA) guidelines. However, more supporting data from well-designed, controlled, future studies are needed to improve clinical management recommendations for AIT in polyallergic patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samir Awasthi ◽  
Tyler Wagner ◽  
A. J. Venkatakrishnan ◽  
Arjun Puranik ◽  
Matthew Hurchik ◽  
...  

AbstractIntensive care unit (ICU) admissions and mortality in severe COVID-19 patients are driven by “cytokine storms” and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Interim clinical trial results suggest that the corticosteroid dexamethasone displays better 28-day survival in severe COVID-19 patients requiring ventilation or oxygen. In this study, 10 out of 16 patients (62.5%) that had an average plasma IL-6 value over 10 pg/mL post administration of corticosteroids also had worse outcomes (i.e., ICU stay >15 days or death), compared to 8 out of 41 patients (19.5%) who did not receive corticosteroids (p-value = 0.0024). Given this potential association between post-corticosteroid IL-6 levels and COVID-19 severity, we hypothesized that the glucocorticoid receptor (GR or NR3C1) may be coupled to IL-6 expression in specific cell types that govern cytokine release syndrome (CRS). Examining single-cell RNA-seq data from BALF of severe COVID-19 patients and nearly 2 million cells from a pan-tissue scan shows that alveolar macrophages, smooth muscle cells, and endothelial cells co-express NR3C1 and IL-6, motivating future studies on the links between the regulation of NR3C1 function and IL-6 levels.


2011 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Aghazadeh-Habashi ◽  
Fakhreddin Jamali

Glucosamine (GlcN) is a naturally occurring aminosugar that is widely used to treat osteoarthritis despite controversial clinical trial results. Animal studies, on the other hand, unequivocally suggest anti-inflammatory and disease modifying effects for GlcN. Many explanations have been offered as to the root of the controversy. They include superiority of a crystalline sulphate salt over HCl, industry bias, insensitive assessment metrics and poor methodology. Herein, we rule out a difference in bioequivalence between GlcN salts and that of chemically equivalent doses and suggest additional factors; i.e., inconsistency in the chemical potency of some products used, under-dosing of patients as well as variable and erratic bioavailability indices for the lack of GlcN efficacy observed in some studies. Clinical trials using higher doses of pharmaceutical grade GlcN or formulations with greater bioavailability should yield positive results. This article is open to POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW. Registered readers (see “For Readers”) may comment by clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue’s contents page.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 1152-1159
Author(s):  
Wael Ibrahim Alsarrani ◽  
Ahmad Jusoh

Purpose: Leadership is an interactive concept that influences our daily lives. A quality concept is an approach and philosophy that leaders use to incorporate the leadership process into the organization successfully. Both concepts have an incremental history, correlation, and discussion. However, the two concepts have not yet been theoretically and empirically integrated. This paper attempts to integrate and discuss leadership and quality to create a single quality leadership style based on the definition of quality gurus and the leadership styles which relate more towards the quality of leadership. Methodology: The study used a systematic literature review to review the past literature related to the field of leadership and quality management. This study provides the constructs from definitions proposed by experts in this field. Each leadership styles have many constructs that may or may not be related to quality. Results: The study proposed a conceptual framework which combined the definitions of quality gurus and the different leadership styles. The finding of this study has contributed to the expansion of theoretical knowledge in the field of quality leadership style. Implications: This paper indicated that the review of the literature regarding what quality gurus define as important relating to leadership. This paper provides the constructs from quality gurus definitions. Novelty: Each leadership styles have many constructs that may or may not be related to quality. Therefore, future studies need to consider what the constructs from those leadership styles are considered effective to quality.


2010 ◽  
Vol 5 (10) ◽  
pp. 303
Author(s):  
José G. Vargas-Hernández

Este trabajo tiene por objetivo analizar el intercambio fronterizo en la región Tijuana-San Diego de los servicios de atención médica, cuidados de la salud y medicamentos. Aun con un gran número de investigaciones y estudios, todavía se tienen muchos cuestionamientos con respecto al impacto de este intercambio en el desarrollo regional. El método empleado es exploratorio, analítico documental y de revisión de la literatura existente. En este trabajo se delimita el mercado trasfronterizo del sur de California y la zona fronteriza de Tijuana, las motivaciones de los usuarios y compradores, las principales barreras, características y tipología. Se enuncian algunas de las áreas para futuras investigaciones y finalmente se formulan algunas propuestas que tienen implicaciones en las políticas públicas. Este estudio arroja luz sobre la posibilidad de elevar los ingresos provenientes del comercio de los servicios de salud, mejorar la satisfacción de los usuarios y consumidores y mitigar las consecuencias negativas asociadas con el diseño de políticas y de iniciativas en los ámbitos multilateral, binacional, regional.    ABSTRACTThe objective of this article is to analyze the border exchange in the Tijuana-San Diego region of medical services, health care and medicines. Despite the numerous research studies conducted, there are still many questions regarding the impact from this exchange on regional development. The exploratory method, documentary analysis and a review of the literature were utilized. This article is focused on the transboundary market of southern California and the Tijuana border area, the motivations of users and buyers, the main barriers, characteristics and typology. Some areas for future studies are specified, and lastly, some proposals with implications for public policies are formulated. This study sheds light on the possibilities of increasing income from commerce in health services, improving the satisfaction of users and consumers, and mitigating the negative consequences associated with the design of policies and initiatives at the multilateral, binational and regional levels.


2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (264) ◽  
pp. 139-152
Author(s):  
Manoela Abreu ◽  
Franciele Carvalho Santos ◽  
Ana Laura Nogueira ◽  
Matheus Lima Zampieri ◽  
Dernival Bertoncello

The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review of the literature in order to investigate the effects of the Pilates Method on athletes of different sports. Methods: Researches were carried out in databases (SciELO, LILACS, PubMed, Web of Science and SCOPUS) and to evaluate the methodological quality of the studies, the PEDro scale was used. Results: Of the 87 studies found, only four were included. Meta-analyzes to assess flexibility using the Wells Bank's Sit and Reach test and a fleximeter indicated improvement after Pilates application, although there were no statistically significant differences compared to the control groups (Wells Bank's Sit and Reach test: 2 , 83 95% CI: -0.73 to 6.38, I² = 99%; Fleximeter: -0.78, 95% CI: -1.84 to 0.27, I² = 0%). Conclusion: There is evidence of benefits after Pilates intervention. Future studies with standardized protocols, according to the chosen sport, are necessary to determine how the Pilates Method can improve athletes' performance.


2009 ◽  
Vol 123 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
G X Papacharalampous ◽  
L Manolopoulos ◽  
S Korres ◽  
C Dicoglou ◽  
A Bibas

AbstractBackground:Adult laryngeal rhabdomyosarcomas are rare tumours commonly treated by laryngectomy.Case report:We present a case of subglottic laryngeal rhabdomyosarcoma in an elderly woman, treated by endoscopic resection.Conclusion:Despite the fact that this tumour is traditionally treated aggressively, this approach is not supported by the literature. Due to the varying biological behaviour of this tumour in adults, we believe that conservative surgical procedures or combination therapies should be preferred, rather than total laryngectomy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ioannis Pantazopoulos ◽  
Zoi Daniil ◽  
Melanie Moylan ◽  
Konstantinos Gourgoulianis ◽  
Athanasios Chalkias ◽  
...  

2010 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 253-291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elsbeth F. Taminiau-Bloem ◽  
Mechteld R. M. Visser ◽  
Carol Tishelman ◽  
Margot A. Koeneman ◽  
Florence J. van Zuuren ◽  
...  

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