scholarly journals Should chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine be used to treat COVID-19? A rapid review

BJGP Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. bjgpopen20X101069 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kome Gbinigie ◽  
Kerstin Frie

BackgroundOn the 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that COVID-19 was a pandemic. To date, there are no medical treatments for COVID-19 with proven effectiveness. Novel treatments and/or vaccines will take time to be developed and distributed to patients. In light of this, there has been growing interest in the use of existing medications, such as chloroquine (CQ) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), as potential treatments of this disease.AimTo establish the current evidence for the effectiveness of CQ and HCQ in treating COVID-19.Design & settingA rapid review of the literature was conducted.MethodElectronic searches in PubMed and Google Scholar were conducted on 21 March 2020. A further search was conducted in Google for relevant literature on 28 March 2020.ResultsThere is limited evidence of in vitro activity of CQ/HCQ against SARS-CoV-2. A number of in vivo clinical trials are underway. The empirical data available from two of these trials reveal conflicting results. Both trials are characterised by small numbers of participants (n = 30 and n = 36) and suffer methodological limitations. No medium or long-term follow-up data is available.ConclusionAt present, there is insufficient evidence to determine whether CQ/HCQ are safe and effective treatments for COVID-19. High quality, adequately powered randomised clinical trials in primary and secondary care settings are urgently required to guide policymakers and clinicians. These studies should report medium- and long-term follow-up results, and safety data.

2021 ◽  
pp. 135245852110002
Author(s):  
Bruce AC Cree ◽  
Jeffrey A Cohen ◽  
Anthony T Reder ◽  
Davorka Tomic ◽  
Diego Silva ◽  
...  

Background: Disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) can reduce the risk of disability worsening in patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (RMS). High-efficacy DMTs can lead to confirmed or sustained disability improvement (CDI and SDI). Objective and Methods: Post hoc analyses of data from the TRANSFORMS, FREEDOMS, and FREEDOMS II trials and their extensions assessed the effects of fingolimod (0.5–1.25 mg/day) on stabilizing or improving disability over ⩽8 years in participants with RMS. CDI and SDI rates were compared between participants initially randomized to fingolimod, interferon (IFNβ-1a), or placebo. Results: At 8 years’ follow-up in TRANSFORMS, 35.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 28.2%–43.1%) of assessed participants in the IFNβ-1a–fingolimod switch group and 41.9% (36.6%–47.6%) on continuous fingolimod experienced CDI; disability did not worsen in approximately 70%. Similar results were seen in the combined FREEDOMS population. Proportionally fewer TRANSFORMS participants achieved SDI in the IFNβ-1a–fingolimod switch group than on continuous fingolimod (5.4% [3.0%–9.5%] vs 14.2% [10.8%–18.4%], p = 0.01). Conclusion: CDI and SDI are outcomes of interest for clinical trials and for long-term follow-up of participants with RMS. Monitoring CDI and SDI in addition to disability worsening may facilitate understanding of the therapeutic benefit of RMS treatments.


2018 ◽  
Vol 143 (5) ◽  
pp. 643-647 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tsung-Heng Tsai ◽  
Wen-Ying Lee

Succinate dehydrogenase (SDH)–deficient renal cell carcinoma is a recently recognized distinct subtype of renal cell carcinoma in the 2016 World Health Organization classification. It is associated with SDH gene germline mutations, which also cause paraganglioma/pheochromocytoma, gastrointestinal stromal tumor, and pituitary adenoma. The tumor most commonly presents in young adulthood. The tumors are arranged in solid nests or in tubules and frequently show cystic change. The tumors are composed of cuboidal to oval cells with round nuclei, dispersed chromatin, and inconspicuous nucleoli. The cytoplasm is eosinophilic or flocculent but not truly oncocytic. The most distinctive histologic feature is the presence of cytoplasmic vacuoles or inclusions. Loss of SDH subunit B immunostaining is needed for a definite diagnosis. The prognosis is good for low-grade tumors but worse for tumors with high-grade nuclei, sarcomatoid change, or coagulative necrosis. Long-term follow-up is indicated.


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 2050313X1879504 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Howard ◽  
Anthony Hall

Topical corticosteroids are currently recommended only for short-term management of flares of lichen sclerosus, with efficacy in halting disease progression. Given the chronic nature of this condition, there is a lack of literature surrounding the chronic effects of topical corticosteroids on the male genitalia with many dermatologists avoiding prescribing long term. This case report aims to provide anecdotal observation for the long-term use of topical corticosteroids and details the long-term follow-up of an individual who used potent and superpotent topical corticosteroids for over 25 years without significant demonstrable side effects. A short review on relevant literature is provided.


2016 ◽  
Vol 67 (5) ◽  
pp. 600
Author(s):  
William J. Kostis ◽  
Abel E. Moreyra ◽  
Javier Cabrera ◽  
John B. Kostis

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (7_suppl) ◽  
pp. 195-195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Parker ◽  
Nicholas J. Vogelzang ◽  
A. Oliver Sartor ◽  
Robert E. Coleman ◽  
Fang Fang ◽  
...  

195 Background: In ALSYMPCA, the first-in-class α-emitter Ra-223 had a highly favorable safety profile and was well tolerated. Safety monitoring of Ra-223 is essential for a complete safety profile. Here are final safety data including long-term follow-up safety 3 years after last pt’s first injection (inj). Methods: Pts received 6 inj and entered designated follow-up from 4 wks after their last inj to 3 years after first inj. Pts were to be evaluated during tx period and 9 follow-up visits. All adverse events (AEs) were collected until 12 wks after last inj; thereafter, only AEs deemed tx-related were collected. Additional long-term safety data were assessed by specific diseases including acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), aplastic anemia, and new primary cancer in bone or other organs. Results: Safety population (pts receiving ≥ 1 inj) included 901 pts (Ra-223, n = 600; placebo [pbo], n = 301); 572 pts (Ra-223, n = 405; pbo, n = 167) entered follow-up. 60 pts (Ra-223, n = 49; pbo, n = 11) completed all follow-up visits. Overall, 564 (94%) Ra-223 and 292 (97%) pbo pts had ≥ 1 tx-emergent AE (Table). During long-term follow-up, there were no reports of AML, MDS, or new primary bone cancer. New primary cancers in other organs were reported: 2 Ra-223 (1 bladder, 1 lymph node mets), 3 pbo (2 skin, 1 adenocarcinoma rectum and sigmoideum), and 2 pbo cross-over pts (1 skin, 1 meningioma). Aplastic anemia was reported in 1 Ra-223 pt. Conclusions: Ra-223 remained safe and well tolerated 3 years after the last pt’s first inj. No major safety issues were identified during the ALSYMPCA 3-year long-term follow-up. Clinical trial information: NCT00699751. [Table: see text]


2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (4_suppl) ◽  
pp. 430-430
Author(s):  
George Nyasha Baison ◽  
Nadav Sahar ◽  
Morgan M Bonds ◽  
Janelle F Rekman ◽  
Flavio G. Rocha ◽  
...  

430 Background: Neuroendocrine tumors (NET) or carcinoids of the ampulla are exceedingly rare in comparison to duodenal NET. Surgical management is widely accepted as the treatment of choice, but for patients that refuse surgery or are poor operative candidates, endoscopic resection may be option. We present a consecutive case series at a tertiary care center describing our experience with endoscopic resection of ampullary NET. Methods: This is a restrospective review with a long-term follow-up of patients with ampullary NET that were endoscopically resected. Outcomes were analyzed based on the histopathologic classification system proposed by the World Health Organization in 2000. Results: Twelve patients (9 male, 3 female), ranging in age from 41 to 86 (mean 59) underwent endoscopic ampullectomy for ampullary NET, with a mean follow-up time of 5 years. Patients had refused surgery or were poor surgical candidates. All, but one incidentally found case, were symptomatic on presentation, with gastrointestinal bleeding being the main symptom. No patients had a hormonal syndrome. The mean size of the lesions was 21 mm (6 mm to 35 cm). Six (50%) patients had a well-differentiated, benign lesion, 6 (50%) patients had a well-differentiated NET with unknown malignant potential (gangliocytic paragangliomas). Eight (67%) were completely excised during the initial endoscopy with 4 requiring re-excision. Only 2 patients developed recurrence, after 2.5 and 10 years and this necessitated a pancreaticoduodenectomy. Five patients had complications (2 for bleeding and 3 for post-ERCP pancreatitis), with zero deaths. Conclusions: Unlike duodenal carcinoids, ampullary NET are rare. Pancreaticoduodenectomy can be offered to fit patients except for gangliocytic paragangliomas that do not require an aggressive operation. However, for those that refuse surgery or are poor candidates, endoscopic ampullectomy can be an option with acceptable short and long-term outcomes.


1984 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Miyashita ◽  
P. Hellstern ◽  
M. K�hler ◽  
G. Blohn ◽  
E. Wenzel

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