Pioneering the implementation of a precision oncology strategy in Portugal: the Precision Oncology Platform trial.

Background And Purpose: The Precision Oncology Platform (POP) trial represents the effort of the Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) for joining other leading European institutions in both 'Personalised Cancer Medicine for all EU citizens' (PCM4EU), and 'PRecisIon Cancer MEdicine RepurpOsing SystEm Using Pragmatic Clinical Trials' (PRIME-ROSE) consortia, enabling the development of the Portuguese version of the Drug Rediscovery Protocol (DRUP)-like Clinical Trial (DLCT), based on the experience of the DRUP trial developed in The Netherlands.

Patients/material And Methods: The POP trial is a phase II, pragmatic multicentric, non-randomised, open-label study, designed entirely like the other DLCTs. Its primary objective is to describe anti-tumour activity of targeted anticancer drugs in patients with advanced malignancies harbouring actionable molecular alterations.

Immune-related serious adverse events with immune checkpoint inhibitors: Systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Purpose: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized cancer treatment, though uncertainty exists regarding their immune-related safety. The objective of this study was to assess the comparative safety profile (odds ratio) of ICIs and estimate the absolute rate of immune-related serious adverse events (irSAEs) in cancer patients undergoing treatment with ICIs.

Methods: We searched for randomized trials till February 2021, including all ICIs for all cancers.

Data monitoring committees in pediatric randomized controlled trials registered in ClinicalTrials.gov.

Background: Data monitoring committees advise on clinical trial conduct through appraisal of emerging data to ensure participant safety and scientific integrity. While consideration of their use is recommended for trials performed with vulnerable populations, previous research has shown that data monitoring committees are reported infrequently in publications of pediatric randomized controlled trials. We aimed to assess the frequency of reported data monitoring committee adoption in ClinicalTrials.

Potential drug-drug interactions in acute poisonings managed in the intensive care unit: Occurrence, risk factors and relationship to patient severity on admission.

Beyond the direct toxicity resulting from each drug in the poisoned patient, additional toxicities may result from drug-drug interactions (DDIs). We aimed to determine the frequency of potential DDIs in the poisoned patient and investigate whether DDIs are associated with severity. We conducted a 1-year cohort study in a toxicological ICU.

Establishing and Evaluating a Study Questionnaire on Knowledge and Attitudes of Healthcare Professionals Towards Recreational and Medical Cannabis Across Europe.

Background And Objective: The present survey was a preliminary to a European research project on the attitude and knowledge of healthcare professionals towards the use of medical cannabis. The objective was to evaluate the readability, understandability, and relevance of a first version of the study questionnaire before preparing the finalized questionnaire, which will be subsequently proposed to European healthcare professionals on a large scale.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2019 and May 2020.

Analysis of clinical and methodological characteristics of early COVID-19 treatment clinical trials: so much work, so many lost opportunities.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic continues to rage on, and clinical research has been promoted worldwide. We aimed to assess the clinical and methodological characteristics of treatment clinical trials that have been set forth as an early response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: First, we reviewed all registered clinical trials on COVID-19.

Once- versus Twice-Daily Aspirin in Patients at High Risk of Thrombotic Events: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) is a frequently used antiplatelet agent, although some individuals have reduced antiplatelet responses on ASA, with recurrent ischemic events. It has been proposed that shortening the ASA dosing interval may overcome the time-dependent renewal of the drug target, leading to a greater antiplatelet effect. We conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to determine the efficacy of once- versus twice-daily ASA in conditions with increased platelet turnover.

Suspected adverse reaction to compounded preparations prescribed for weight loss: two cases of cerebral venous thrombosis.

We report two cases of cerebral venous thrombosis associated with the use of compounded preparations containing several active substances prescribed for weight loss. In both cases there is suspicion of additive/synergic interaction with oral contraceptives. The adverse drug reactions were considered serious, being life-threatening and causing hospitalisation for days.

Nocebo response in Parkinson's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To estimate the magnitude of the nocebo response in Parkinson's disease and explore possible associations with study characteristics.

Methods: Databases were searched up to February 2017. Placebo-controlled, parallel-group randomized controlled trials investigating pharmacological interventions in people with Parkinson's disease were included.