Real-World Palbociclib Use in HR+/HER2− Advanced Breast Cancer in Canada: The IRIS Study

Background: Palbociclib is a selective cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 inhibitor used in combination with aromatase inhibitors or fulvestrant for patients with hormone receptor-positive (HR+) human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative advanced/metastatic breast cancer (ABC/MBC). Palbociclib was the first CDK 4/6 inhibitor approved for HR+/HER2− ABC/MBC treatment in Canada in combination with letrozole (P+L) as an initial endocrine-based therapy (approved March 2016), or with fulvestrant (P+F) following disease progression after prior endocrine therapy (approved May 2017). The Ibrance Real World Insights (IRIS) study ({"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT03159195","term_id":"NCT03159195"}}NCT03159195) collected real-world outcomes data for palbociclib-treated patients in several countries, including Canada. Methods: This retrospective chart review included women with HR+/HER2− ABC/MBC receiving P+L or P+F in Canada. Physicians reviewed medical records for up to 14 patients, abstracting demographic and clinical characteristics, treatment patterns, and clinical outcomes. Progression-free rates (PFRs) and survival rates (SRs) at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months were estimated via Kaplan–Meier analysis. Results: Thirty-three physicians examined medical records for 247 patients (P+L, n = 214; P+F, n = 33). Median follow-up was 8.8 months for P+L and 7.0 months for P+F. Most patients were initiated on palbociclib 125 mg/d (P+L, 90.2%; P+F, 84.8%). Doses were reduced in 16.6% of P+L and 14.3% of P+F patients initiating palbociclib at 125 mg/d. The PFR for P+L was 90.3% at 12 months and 78.2% at 18 months; corresponding SRs were 95.6% and 93.0%. For P+F, 6-month PFR was 91.0%; 12-month SR was 100.0%. Conclusions: Dose reduction rates were low and PFR and SR were high in this Canadian real-world assessment of P+L and P+F treatments, suggesting that palbociclib combinations are well tolerated and effective.     

Mechanisms of repigmentation induced by photobiomodulation therapy in vitiligo

Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy is based on the exposure of biological tissues to low‐level laser light (coherent light) or light‐emitting diodes (LEDs; noncoherent light), leading to the modulation of cellular functions, such as proliferation and migration, which result in tissue regeneration. PBM therapy has important clinical applications in regenerative medicine. Vitiligo is an acquired depigmentary disorder resulting from disappearance of functional melanocytes in the involved skin. Vitiligo repigmentation depends on available melanocytes derived from (a) melanocyte stem cells located in the bulge area of hair follicles and (b) the epidermis at the lesional borders, which contains a pool of functional melanocytes. Since follicular melanoblasts (MBs) are derived from the melanocyte stem cells residing at the bulge area of hair follicle, the process of vitiligo repigmentation presents a research model for studying the regenerative effect of PBM therapy. Previous reports have shown favourable response for treatment of vitiligo with a low‐energy helium‐neon (He‐Ne) laser. This review focuses on the molecular events that took place during the repigmentation process of vitiligo triggered by He‐Ne laser (632.8 nm, red light). Monochromatic radiation in the visible and infrared A (IRA) range sustains matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), improves mitochondrial function, and increases adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis and O₂ consumption, which lead to cellular regenerative pathways. Cytochrome c oxidase in the mitochondria was reported to be the photoacceptor upon which He‐Ne laser exerts its effects. Mitochondrial retrograde signalling is responsible for the cellular events by red light. This review shows that He‐Ne laser initiated mitochondrial retrograde signalling via a Ca²⁺‐dependent cascade. The impact on cytochrome c oxidase within the mitochondria, an event that results in activation of CREB (cyclic‐AMP response element binding protein)‐related cascade, is responsible for the He‐Ne laser promoting functional development at different stages of MBs and boosting functional melanocytes. He‐Ne laser irradiation induced (a) melanocyte stem cell differentiation; (b) immature outer root sheath MB migration; (c) differentiated outer root sheath MB melanogenesis and migration; and (d) perilesional melanocyte migration and proliferation. These photobiomodulation effects result in perifollocular and marginal repigmentation in vitiligo.     

同型半胱氨酸对高血压患者脑卒中复发风险的影响

目的探讨高血压合并脑卒中患者的血浆同型半胱氨酸（Hcy）水平与其他危险因素对于脑卒中复发的影响。 方法分析徐州市中心医院心内科和徐州医科大学附属医院神经外科自2012年5月至2013年12月收治的1623例高血压脑卒中患者的基线资料，中位随访4.9年，根据随访事件中是否发生脑卒中分为复发组（312例）与未复发组（1311例）。Kaplan-Meier生存分析比较不同危险因素脑卒中复发率的差异，单因素与多因素Cox回归模型分析影响脑卒中复发的独立危险因素，以及危险因素之间的交互作用。 结果复发组年龄、空腹血糖、Lg Hcy的水平，以及糖尿病、房颤的患病率均高于未复发组（P<0.05）。Kaplan-Meier生存分析显示，糖尿病、房颤、年龄≥60岁、空腹血糖≥7.0 mmol/L、Hcy≥15 μmol/L的脑卒中复发率明显升高（Log-rank检验，P<0.05）。多因素Cox回归模型分析显示，高龄、Lg Hcy水平升高，以及房颤、糖尿病是脑卒中复发的独立危险因素。Lg Hcy分别与糖尿病、空腹血糖、年龄存在交互作用。 结论血浆Hcy水平升高既是高血压合并脑卒中患者卒中复发的独立危险因素，又通过与糖尿病、高龄、空腹血糖水平升高的交互作用显著增加脑卒中复发风险。     

Challenges facing HIV-positive persons who use drugs and their families in Vietnam

It is hypothesized that persons who use drugs (PWUD) in Vietnam who are also HIV-positive may face additional challenges in psychosocial outcomes, and these challenges may extend to their family members. In this study, we examined depressive symptoms, stigma, social support, and caregiver burden of HIV-positive PWUD and their family members, compared to the outcomes of HIV-negative PWUD and their family members. Baseline, 3-month, and 6-month assessment data were gathered from 83 PWUD and 83 family members recruited from four communes in Phú Th? Province, Vietnam. For PWUD, although we observed a general decline in overall stigma over time for both groups, HIV-positive PWUD consistently reported significantly higher overall stigma for all three periods. Depressive symptoms among family members in both groups declined over time; however, family members of HIV-positive PWUD reported higher depressive symptoms across all three periods. In addition, family members of HIV-positive PWUD reported lower levels of tangible support across all three periods. Caregiver burden among family members of HIV-positive PWUD increased significantly over time, whereas the reported burden among family members of HIV-negative PWUD remained relatively unchanged. The findings highlight the need for future interventions for PWUD and family members, with targeted and culturally specific strategies to focus on the importance of addressing additional stigma experienced by PWUD who are HIV-positive. Such challenges may have direct negative impact on their family members' depressive symptoms, tangible support, and caregiver burden.     

美托洛尔用于老年COPD合并冠心病史治疗的临床疗效观察

目的:探讨美托洛尔(β1受体阻滞剂)用于老年COPD合并冠心病史治疗的临床疗效。方法:选取2018年6月—2019年6月在我院接受治疗的60岁以上(包括60岁)COPD合并冠心病史老年患者,分为对照组与观察组。对照组给予接受布地奈德福莫特罗粉吸入剂治疗,观察组在使用布地奈德福莫特罗粉吸入剂治疗的基础上口服琥珀酸美托洛尔缓释片治疗,观察对比两组治疗效果。结果:观察组临床治疗效果优于对照组,观察组住院时长以及并发症的发生率低于对照组(P<0.05),差异具有统计学意义。结论:老年COPD合并冠心病史接受美托洛尔治疗,可有效缩短住院时长、用药效果明显、有效提升用药安全性,值得临床推广。     

常见植物药对结肠癌的防治作用及其作用机制

植物药对结肠癌具有良好的防治作用。姜黄素、多糖(苹果多糖、香菇多糖)、皂苷(重楼皂苷、人参皂苷)、白藜芦醇、槲皮素等植物药可通过不同信号通路抑制结肠癌细胞的增殖,促进细胞凋亡。此外,植物药还具有抗炎、抗氧化、抗血管生成、减轻化疗药物不良反应、逆转肿瘤细胞耐药等作用。了解植物药对结肠癌的防治作用及其可能的作用机制,能为结肠癌的临床防治提供更多的理论依据及治疗思路。