Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Toxicities

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are molecules that increase the endogenous immune response against tumors. They have revolutionized the field of oncology. Since their initial approval for the treatment of advanced melanoma, their use has expanded to the treatment of several other advanced cancers. Unfortunately, immune checkpoint inhibitors have also been associated with the emergence of a new subset of autoimmune-like toxicities, known as immune-related adverse events. These toxicities differ depending on the agent, malignancy, and individual susceptibilities. Although the skin and colon are most commonly involved, any organ may be affected, including the liver, lungs, kidneys, and heart. Most of these toxicities are diagnosed by excluding other secondary infectious or inflammatory causes. Corticosteroids are commonly used for treatment of moderate and severe immune-related adverse events, although additional immunosuppressive therapy may occasionally be required. The occurrence of immune-related toxicities may require discontinuation of immunotherapy, depending on the specific toxicity and its severity. In this article, we provide a focused review to familiarize practicing clinicians with this important topic given that the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors continues to increase.     

基于响应面法优选美洲大蠊口腔原位温敏凝胶的制备研究

目的制备美洲大蠊Periplaneta americana口腔原位温敏凝胶。方法采用自由基聚合法首次以N-异丙基丙烯酰胺(NNIPAM)和甲基丙烯酸羟丙酯(HPMA)合成聚(N-异丙基丙烯酰胺-甲基丙烯酸羟丙酯)[P(NNIPAM-HPMA)]作为温敏材料;通过冷溶法制备美洲大蠊口腔原位温敏凝胶,采用Box-Behnken设计响应面法,以溶蚀时间、胶凝时间为评价指标,在固定美洲大蠊提取物用量基础上,对羟丙基甲基纤维素(HPMC)、聚乙烯吡咯烷酮(PVP K30)、P(NNIPAM-HPMA)的用量进行优选。结果通过原位聚合法合成了P(NNIPAM-HPMA)温敏材料;并用响应面法优选了可用于口腔的美洲大蠊原位温敏凝胶的处方,优选的处方为美洲大蠊提取物10%、HPMC 3.0%、PVP K30 9.5%、P(NNIPAM-HPMA) 10.0%,其溶蚀时间为2 h,胶凝时间8～9 s。结论优选得到美洲大蠊口腔原位温敏凝胶,为美洲大蠊提取物的口腔原位局部的临床应用奠定了科学依据。     

Dry eye in chronic stroke patients with hemiplegia: A cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT

Objective: Dry eye is reported to be associated with several neurological diseases. The aim of this study is to evaluate the patients with hemiplegia after stroke for dry eye and compare their results with a control group.

Materials and methods: Forty-five patients with hemiplegia and 45 individuals as the control group were included in the study. Tear function tests (Schirmer and tear breakup time) and a dry eye questionnaire for dry eye symptoms (ocular surface disease index) were performed and the results of the two groups were compared.

Results: Schirmer test results were significantly lower in the post-stroke hemiplegia group compared to the control group (11.3 ± 8.2 mm and 20.6 ± 11.6 mm, respectively, p < .001). Tear breakup time results were significantly lower in the post-stroke hemiplegia group compared to the control group (7.9 ± 3.1 s and 12.1 ± 4.3 s, respectively, p < .001). Ocular surface disease index scores were not significantly different between hemiplegia and control groups (21.6 ± 20.0 and 19.8 ± 13.9, respectively, p = .635). Schirmer scores lower than 10 mm (60% and 30%, p < .001) and tear breakup time results lower than 10 s (65.6% and 28.9%, p < .001) were also higher in the hemiplegia group compared to control group.

Conclusion: We found lower Schirmer test and tear breakup time results and similar OSDI scores in hemiplegia patients compared to controls. Hemiplegia patients may have dry eye without typical symptoms. This should be taken into consideration in the follow-up and rehabilitation of post-stroke hemiplegia patients.     

光学表面监测系统与CBCT确定左侧乳腺癌深吸气屏气放疗误差的比较

目的 建立本单位应用光学表面监测系统(OSMS)门控技术在左侧乳腺癌深吸气屏气(DIBH)放疗的基本流程,比较应用OSMS与CBCT确定左侧乳腺癌DIBH放疗摆位误差的一致性。方法 20例左侧乳腺癌患者采用DIBH方法治疗,OSMS与模拟定位DIBH体表外轮廓配准,CBCT扫描与模拟定位CT配准各记录得到误差数据,数据包括左右(x)、上下(y)、前后(z)方向平移误差和旋转误差Rx、Ry、Rz。采用Pearson法分析两者相关性,Bland-Altman法检验两者一致性。结果 两种方法呈正相关,x、y、z方向平移误差以及Rx、Ry、Rz方向旋转误差的相关系数分别为0.84、0.74、0.84、0.65、0.41、0.54(P<0.01),95%CI值分别为-0.37~0.42 cm、-0.39~0.41 cm、-0.29~0.49cm和-2.9°~1.4°、-2.6°~1.4°、-2.4°~2.5°,均<5mm和3°。20例左侧乳腺癌DIBH放疗患者系统误差<0.18cm,随机误差<0.24cm。结论 左侧乳腺癌DIBH放疗中应用OSMS与CBCT两种方式确定与模拟定位状态误差具有一致性,CBCT图像引导基础上使用无辐射的OSMS验证位置信息是安全可靠的。     

The prognostic value of lymph node ratio in Medullary thyroid carcinoma: A multi-center study

IntroductionThe lymph node ratio (LNR), which represents the proportion of metastatic lymph nodes resected, has been found to be a prognostic variable in several cancers, but data for Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) are sparse. The aim of this study was to determine the value of the LNR in predicting outcome in patients with MTC.Materials and methodsA retrospective multicenter study design of 107 patients with MTC who underwent total thyroidectomy with neck dissection between 1984 and 2016. The association of LNR with patient and tumor characteristics and prognostic factors was evaluated.ResultsStudy population consisted of 53.3% female, mean age at diagnosis was 50.3 ± 18.4 years; 16.8% had inherited MTC. LNR was positively correlated with tumor size (p = 0.018) and inversely correlated with age at diagnosis (p = 0.024). A higher LNR was associated with extrathyroidal extension (p < 0.001), multifocality (p = 0.001), bilateral tumor (p = 0.002), distant metastases (p < 0.001), and tumor recurrence (OR = 14.7, p < 0.001). LNR was also correlated to postoperative calcitonin levels (p < 0.001) and carcinoembryonic antigen (p = 0.011). LNR >0.1 was associated with shorter disease-specific survival in patients at risk: tumor larger than 20 mm at diagnosis (p = 0.013), sporadic MTC (p = 0.01), and age above 40 years at diagnosis (p = 0.004). Cox multivariate survival analysis revealed LNR as the only significant independent factor for disease free survival (p = 0.005).ConclusionsThis study showed that LNR correlates well with patient and tumor characteristics and prognostic variables. We suggest that LNR should be considered an important parameter for predicting outcome in MTC.