Patient characteristics and utilization of breast cancer screening or diagnostic procedures prior to initiation of raloxifene,bisphosphonates and calcitonin

Abstract

Objective:

This study evaluated the characteristics of postmenopausal women who initiated on raloxifene, bisphosphonates, and calcitonin, specifically evaluating the use of breast cancer screening or diagnostic procedures prior to initiation of therapy.     

Raloxifene protects endothelial cell function against oxidative stress

Background and purpose:

Maintaining a delicate balance between the generation of nitric oxide (NO) and removal of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within the vascular wall is crucial to the physiological regulation of vascular tone. Increased production of ROS reduces the effect and/or bioavailability of NO, leading to an impaired endothelial function. This study tested the hypothesis that raloxifene, a selective oestrogen receptor modulator, can prevent endothelial dysfunction under oxidative stress.

Experimental approach:

Changes in isometric tension were measured in rat aortic rings. The content of cyclic GMP in aortic tissue was determined by radioimmunoassay. Phosphorylation of endothelial NOS (eNOS) and Akt was assayed by Western blot analysis.

Key results:

In rings with endothelium, ACh-induced relaxations were attenuated by a ROS-generating reaction (hypoxanthine plus xanthine oxidase, HXXO). The impaired relaxations were ameliorated by acute treatment with raloxifene. HXXO suppressed the ACh-stimulated increase in cyclic GMP levels; this effect was antagonized by raloxifene. The improved endothelial function by raloxifene was abolished by ICI 182,780, and by wortmannin or {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"LY294002","term_id":"1257998346","term_text":"LY294002"}}LY294002. Raloxifene also protected endothelial cell function against H₂O₂. Raloxifene increased the phosphorylation of eNOS at Ser-1177 and Akt at Ser-473; this effect was blocked by ICI 182,780. Finally, raloxifene was not directly involved in scavenging ROS, and neither inhibited the activity of xanthine oxidase nor stimulated that of superoxide dismutase.

Conclusion and implications:

Raloxifene is effective against oxidative stress-induced endothelial dysfunction in vitro through an ICI 182,780-sensitive mechanism that involves the increased phosphorylation and activity of Akt and eNOS in rat aortae.     

Subcutaneous specific immunotherapy for seasonal allergic rhinitis: a review of treatment practices in the US and Europe

Abstract

Background:

Subcutaneous specific immunotherapy (SCIT) is claimed to be successful both in the US and Europe, yet treatment methodology differs.     

Retrospective real-world comparison of medical visits,costs, and adherence between nilotinib and dasatinib in chronic myeloid leukemia

Abstract

Objective:

To compare healthcare resource utilization, costs, and treatment adherence associated with dasatinib versus nilotinib treatment as second-line therapies in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients.     

Retrospective analysis of variation in heavy menstrual bleeding treatments by age and underlying cause

Abstract

Objective:

To describe treatment patterns associated with heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) in US practice.     

Efficacy and safety of bazedoxifene,a novel selective estrogen receptor modulator for the prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis

Abstract

Objective:

Osteoporosis affects millions of individuals, particularly postmenopausal women, and imposes a severe burden on patients and the healthcare system. Several therapeutic options are commercially available for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, including bisphosphonates, hormone therapy, and the selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), raloxifene. Because each of these agents has its own individual risk-benefit profile, their use should be tailored to specific patient populations. While many agents are approved for osteoporosis, new therapies are needed that maximize efficacy outcomes and minimize safety concerns. Several new SERMs are being evaluated in an effort to achieve an ideal tissue selectivity profile, with beneficial effects on bone without negative effects on the endometrium and breast. Bazedoxifene is a novel SERM that was recently approved in the European Union and is undergoing regulatory review in the United States for the prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. This article reviews the clinical efficacy and safety data for bazedoxifene in postmenopausal women with or at risk for osteoporosis.     

Darbepoetin alfa for anemia in patients with low or intermediate-1 risk myelodysplastic syndromes and positive predictive factors of response

Abstract

Background:

Current guidelines support the use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents for the treatment of anemia associated with low-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).     

The impact of a serum based proteomic mass spectrometry test on treatment recommendations in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

Abstract

Objective:

To assess the impact of a serum-based proteomic test for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) on physician treatment recommendations.     

Positioning of the Bronchitis Severity Score (BSS) for standardised use in clinical studies

Abstract

Objective:

Diagnosis and assessment of response to treatment in acute bronchitis depends on clinical findings. We evaluated published data on the Bronchitis Severity Score (BSS) used to diagnose acute bronchitis and to evaluate the impact of treatment in clinical studies.     

Systematic review of tapentadol in chronic severe pain

Abstract

Aim:

A systematic review of chronic pain treatment with strong opioids (step 3 WHO pain ladder) and a comparison to a new drug recently approved for the treatment of severe chronic pain in Europe, tapentadol (Palexia, Nucynta ), were performed.     

Economic models in type 2 diabetes

Abstract

Objective:

To identify and critically appraise cost-effectiveness models developed to evaluate type 2 diabetes (T2D) treatments and to assess which types of treatment effects they capture.     

Nursing home-acquired pneumonia: a review of risk factors and therapeutic approaches

Abstract

Objective:

To review the risk factors, etiologic profile, treatment approaches, and guidelines for the management of nursing home-acquired pneumonia (NHAP).     

The use of the Asthma Control Test in general practice and its correlation with asthma control according to the GINA guidelines

Abstract

Background:

The GINA guidelines have redefined the primary goal of asthma treatment as achieving optimum control.     

Comparison of quetiapine and risperidone in Chinese Han patients with schizophrenia: results of a single-blind,randomized study

Abstract

Objective:

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of 750?mg/day quetiapine fumarate (Seroquel) in the treatment of Chinese Han patients with schizophrenia.     

Systematic review of the cost-effectiveness of biphasic insulin aspart 30 in type 2 diabetes

Abstract

Objectives:

To review the cost-effectiveness of biphasic insulin aspart (BIAsp 30) compared to other insulin regimens in the treatment of type 2 diabetes based on published literature.     

Venous thromboembolism management: where do novel anticoagulants fit?

Abstract

Objective:

To review novel oral anticoagulant (NOAC) trials in the treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and the possible use of risk-stratification tools to guide their use in practice.     

Vortioxetine (Lu AA21004) in the long-term open-label treatment of major depressive disorder

Abstract

Objective:

The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and tolerability of the investigational drug vortioxetine (Lu AA21004) in the long-term treatment of patients with major depressive disorder.     

Taxane-based mono- or combination therapy for managing metastatic breast cancer (MBC) in routine practice: a multinational prospective observational study

Abstract

Objectives:

Taxanes are standard for first-line chemotherapy of metastatic breast cancer (MBC), but indications for single-agent versus combination treatment remain controversial. This non-interventional study in 12 different countries explored treatment patterns and progression-free survival (PFS) in routine practice.     

Colesevelam in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and hyperglycemia: a retrospective analysis from an ambulatory care medical network

Abstract

Objective:

To examine outcomes associated with colesevelam treatment among patients with hypercholesterolemia in real-world clinical practice.     

Glycemic control and the first use of oral antidiabetic agents among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Objective:

Examine how patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are treated with oral antidiabetic (OAD) agents and the relationship between treatment patterns and glycemic control.