Brachytherapy: An emblematic example of extreme hypofractionated regimen

In order to provide more convenient irradiation regimens for patient comfort, radiation facility organization and health expenses, new hypofractionated protocols have been evaluated. Moderately (dose/fraction: 2.3 to 3 Gy), then ultra (dose/fraction: 5.2 to 6.1 Gy) hypofractionated irradiations were first validated. The current question is: is it possible to go forward using extreme hypofractionated regimens (EHR) based on 1 to 3 fractions. Different irradiation techniques are under investigation. However, brachytherapy remains the smartest way to deliver a high dose in a small volume. We report prospective and retrospective study results which evaluated EHR for breast and prostate brachytherapy. While oncological outcome and toxicity profile appear extremely encouraging for low-risk breast cancer after a 1 to 4 fractions (6.25 to 20 Gy/fraction), the use of a single fraction of 19 to 23 Gy appears debatable for prostate cancer. Brachytherapy represents an emblematic example of EHR but longer follow-up and more mature results are awaited in order to specify the right indications and refine the EQD2 calculation method including new biological and technical factors.     

Association between dysglycemia and the Charlson Comorbidity Index among hospitalized patients with diabetes

AimInpatient dysglycemia has been linked to short-term mortality, but longer-term mortality data are lacking. Our aim was to evaluate the association between inpatient dysglycemia and one-year mortality risk.MethodsRetrospective chart review of adults with diabetes hospitalized between 2015 and 2019. The Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) was used to estimate 1-year mortality risk, stratified into low (CCI ≤ 5) and high risk (CCI ≥6). Simple and multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between dysglycemic measures and high mortality risk.ResultsAmong 22,639 unique admissions, BG ≥ 180, ≥300, ≤70, <54 and <40 mg/dL were associated with adjusted odds of 1.43 (95 % CI, 1.33, 1.54), 1.58 (95 % CI, 1.48, 1.68), 2.16 (95 % CI, 2.01, 2.32), 2.58 (95 % CI, 2.32, 2.86), and 2.56 (95 % CI, 2.19, 2.99) for high mortality risk, respectively. Older age and Black race were positively associated with hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia. Myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure (CHF), and moderate to severe liver disease were most strongly associated with hyperglycemia, while renal disease, CHF, peripheral vascular disease, and peptic ulcer disease were most strongly associated with hypoglycemia.ConclusionsInpatient hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia were both positively associated with higher one-year mortality risk, with stronger magnitude of association observed for hypoglycemia. The association appears to be mediated mainly by presence of diabetes-related complications.     

Efficacy of atropine,orthokeratology, and combined atropine with orthokeratology for childhood myopia: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

Background/PurposeOrthokeratology (Ortho-K), atropine eye drops and combined atropine with Ortho-K are proven to be effective ways to prevent myopic progression in many studies, but there is scarce evidence regarding the comparative efficacy of different dosages of atropine,Ortho-K, and combined atropine with Ortho-K for childhood myopia.MethodsWe performed a network meta-analysis (NMA) to assess the relative efficacy of the aforementioned interventions for myopic progression; moreover, we calculated the surface under cumulative ranking area (SUCRA) to determine the relative ranking of treatments.ResultsWe identified 19 randomized controlled trials (3435 patients). NMA revealed that 0.01%–1% atropine, Ortho-K, and 0.01% atropine combined with Ortho-K inhibited axial elongation (AL) over one year. For refractive change, SUCRA analysis revealed that the hierarchy was high-dose (0.5%–1%), moderate-dose (0.1%–0.25%), and low-dose (0.01%–0.05%) atropine. Regarding AL, SUCRA analysis revealed the following hierarchy: Ortho-K combined with 0.01% atropine, high-dose atropine, moderate-dose atropine, Ortho-K, and low-dose atropine.ConclusionIn conclusion, we found that atropine (0.01%–1%), Ortho-K, and 0.01% atropine combined with Ortho-K could significantly slow down myopia progression. The atropine efficacy followed a dose-related pattern; moreover, Ortho-K and low-dose atropine showed similar efficacy. There was a synergistic effect of using 0.01% atropine combined with Ortho-K, and it showed comparable efficacy to that of high-dose atropine.     

Retinal toxicities of systemic anticancer drugs

Newer anticancer drugs have revolutionized cancer treatment in the last decade, but conventional chemotherapy still occupies a central position in many cancers, with combination therapy and newer methods of delivery increasing their efficacy while minimizing toxicities. We discuss the retinal toxicities of anticancer drugs with an emphasis on the mechanism of toxicity. Uveitis is seen with the use of v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B editing anticancer inhibitors as well as immunotherapy. Most of the cases are mild with only anterior uveitis, but severe cases of posterior uveitis, panuveitis, and Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada-like disease may also occur. In the retina, a transient neurosensory detachment is observed in almost all patients on mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitors. Microvasculopathy is often seen with interferon α, but vascular occlusion is a more serious toxicity caused by interferon α and MEK inhibitors. Crystalline retinopathy with or without macular edema may occur with tamoxifen; however, even asymptomatic patients may develop cavitatory spaces seen on optical coherence tomography. A unique macular edema with angiographic silence is characteristic of taxanes. Delayed dark adaptation has been observed with fenretinide. Interestingly, this drug is finding potential application in Stargardt disease and age-related macular degeneration.