Clinical Effectiveness of Erlova in EGFR-Mutated Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: An Affordable Price with Clinical Benefit

Background: Thyrosin kinase inhibitors (TKIs) is approved for the first line treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with  epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation. This study performed to assess clinical effectiveness and safety of Erlova (generic form of Erlotinib). Methods: Somatic mutations of EGFR gene were studied in tumor tissue by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and bi-directional sequencing in 513 chemonaive and histologically verified lung adenocarcinoma Iranian patients. Patients  with EGFR mutation received Erlova at 150 mg/day  as first line treatment. Primary endpoint was progression free survival (PFS). Results: About 21% (n=109) cases had EGFR mutation. Most EGFR mutations were  occurred at exon 19. Among them, sixty nine patients treated with Erlova. Median PFS was 11.4 months and objective response rate (ORR) was about  88%. Most frequent treatment related adverse events was  skin rash. Conclusion: Our findings showed Erlova had remarkable effectiveness. In  mutation-positive patients with EGFR, Erlova can be used  safely instead of  other tyrosine-kinase inhibitors.     

《医疗质量管理办法》中医疗质量概念及相关问题探讨

采用文献复习和实证研究经验的方法对《医疗质量管理办法》中涉及的医疗质量概念及相关问题进行探讨。《医疗质量管理办法》中的医疗质量的定义存在重大缺失,没有涉及医疗服务的结果,特别是患者安全。医疗质量的定义应与国际相关权威机构保持一致,应高度重视医疗服务的结果,特别是患者安全。     

The clinical dilemma of JAK inhibitor failure in myelofibrosis: Predictive characteristics and outcomes

Two Janus-associated kinase inhibitors (JAKi) (initially ruxolitinib and, more recently, fedratinib) have been approved as treatment options for patients who have intermediate-risk and high-risk myelofibrosis (MF), with pivotal trials demonstrating improvements in spleen volume, disease symptoms, and quality of life. At the same time, however, clinical trial experiences with JAKi agents in MF have demonstrated a high frequency of discontinuations because of adverse events or progressive disease. In addition, overall survival benefits and clinical and molecular predictors of response have not been established in this population, for which the disease burden is high and treatment options are limited. Consistently poor outcomes have been documented after JAKi discontinuation, with survival durations after ruxolitinib ranging from 11 to 16 months across several studies. To address such a high unmet therapeutic need, various non-JAKi agents are being actively explored (in combination with ruxolitinib in first-line or salvage settings and/or as monotherapy in JAKi-pretreated patients) in phase 3 clinical trials, including pelabresib (a bromodomain and extraterminal domain inhibitor), navitoclax (a B-cell lymphoma 2/B-cell lymphoma 2-xL inhibitor), parsaclisib (a phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitor), navtemadlin (formerly KRT-232; a murine double-minute chromosome 2 inhibitor), and imetelstat (a telomerase inhibitor). The breadth of data expected from these trials will provide insight into the ability of non-JAKi treatments to modify the natural history of MF.     

Out of the boxes,out of the silos: The need of interdisciplinary collaboration to reduce poor-quality medical products in the supply chain

In this paper, we argue that understanding and addressing the problem of poor-quality medical products requires a more interdisciplinary approach than has been evident to date. While prospective studies based on rigorous standardized methodologies are the gold standard for measuring the prevalence of poor-quality medical products and understanding their distribution nationally and internationally, they should be complemented by social science research to unpack the complex set of social, economic, and governance factors that underlie these patterns. In the following sections, we discuss specific examples of prospective quality surveys and of social science studies, highlighting the value of cross-sector partnerships in driving high-quality, policy-relevant research in this area.     

A comparative safety review of histone deacetylase inhibitors for the treatment of myeloma

Introduction: Dysregulation of histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity is an epigenetic hallmark of multiple myeloma (MM), leading to aberrant gene expression and cellular signaling in myeloma cell growth, survival and resistance to therapy. Hyper-methylation at diagnosis is a frequent observation, which eventually may convert to hypo-methylation during advanced phases.

Areas covered: A literature search on ‘HDAC inhibitors’ and ‘multiple myeloma’ was carried out using PubMed and Google Scholar in the preparation of this overview on clinical efficacy and safety data.

Expert opinion: First-generation non-selective HDAC inhibitors have demonstrated minimal single-agent activity in refractory MM. Subsequently, combination therapy has proven an improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) but not response rates. The main concerns are associated with toxicities. Ongoing studies on new and more selective agents, i.e. Romidepsin or Ricolinostat, are promising in terms of better efficacy and less toxicity.     

阿帕替尼单药在标准方案治疗失败晚期结直肠癌患者中的疗效及安全性

目的：探讨阿帕替尼单药在标准治疗方案失败晚期结直肠癌（colorectal cancer，CRC）患者中的疗效和安全性。方法：本研究为前瞻性研究设计，用PASS15 软件计算研究所需的样本量，从2017 年7 月到2018 年8 月入组标准方案治疗失败的晚期CRC患者52 例，给予阿帕替尼起始剂量750 mg或500 mg单药治疗；评估患者的客观缓解率（ORR）和疾病控制率（DCR），随访评价患者的无进展生存期（PFS）和总生存期（OS），并记录治疗过程中出现的不良反应。主要研究终点为PFS，次要研究终点为ORR、DCR、OS和安全性。结果：纳入研究的52 例CRC患者中45 例可以评价疗效及安全性，其均为既往接受过至少2 次系统性化疗的晚期CRC患者。疗效：完全缓解0 例、部分缓解5 例、疾病稳定30 例、疾病进展10 例，ORR为11.11%、DCR为77.78%；预后：45 例患者的中位PFS 为3.95 个月（95% CI=3.16~4.74），中位OS为10.3 个月（95% CI=5.70~14.90）；3 级以上不良反应：手足综合征6 例（13.33%），高血压5 例（11.11%），蛋白尿5 例（6.67%），转氨酶升高4 例（8.89%），腹泻3 例（6.67%），疲劳2 例（4.44%），出血1例（2.22%）。结论：阿帕替尼单药治疗标准方案失败的晚期CRC患者具有潜在的临床获益，安全性事件总体可控。     

The role of exosomes in metastasis and progression of melanoma

The mechanisms of melanoma metastasis have been the subject of extensive research for decades. Improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies are of increasing importance for the treatment of melanoma due to its high burden of mortality in the advanced stages of the disease. Intercellular communication is a critical event for the progression of cancer. Collective evidence suggests that exosomes, small extracellular membrane vesicles released by the cells, are important facilitators of intercellular communication between the cells and the surrounding environment. Although the emerging field of exosomes is rapidly gaining traction in the scientific community, there is limited knowledge regarding the role of exosomes in melanoma. This review discusses the multifaceted role of melanoma-derived exosomes in promoting the process of metastasis by modulating the invasive and angiogenic capacity of malignant cells. The future implications of exosome research and the therapeutic potential of exosomes are also discussed.