Non-small cell lung cancer with amplification: review of epidemiology, associated disease characteristics, testing procedures, burden, and treatments.

Introduction: Mesenchymal-epidermal transition factor gene amplification (amp) is being investigated as a therapeutic target in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We reviewed the epidemiology and disease characteristics associated with primary and secondary amp, as well as the testing procedures used to identify amp, in advanced NSCLC. Economic and humanistic burdens, and the practice patterns and treatments under investigation for amp were also examined.

Nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease caused by complex - disease burden, unmet needs, and advances in treatment developments.

Introduction: Nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease (LD) is the most common clinical manifestation of NTM infection and is a growing health concern. Up to 85% of NTM-LD cases are caused by complex (MAC). Increased awareness of NTM-LD caused by MAC is needed as patients with this disease experience substantial burden and unmet treatment needs.

Real-World Outcomes of Ivacaftor Treatment in People with Cystic Fibrosis: A Systematic Review.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a rare, progressive, multi-organ genetic disease. Ivacaftor, a small-molecule CF transmembrane conductance regulator modulator, was the first medication to treat the underlying cause of CF. Since its approval, real-world clinical experience on the use of ivacaftor has been documented in large registries and smaller studies.

Economic analysis of empiric versus diagnostic-driven strategies for immunocompromised patients with suspected fungal infections in the People's Republic of China.

Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) require rapid diagnosis and treatment. A decision-analytic model was used to estimate total costs and survival associated with a diagnostic-driven (DD) or an empiric treatment approach in neutropenic patients with hematological malignancies receiving chemotherapy or autologous/allogeneic stem cell transplants in Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu, and Guangzhou, the People's Republic of China. Treatment initiation for the empiric approach occurred after clinical suspicion of an IFI; treatment initiation for the DD approach occurred after clinical suspicion and a positive IFI diagnostic test result.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus nosocomial pneumonia: role of linezolid in the People's Republic of China.

The burden of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) nosocomial pneumonia in the People's Republic of China is high, with methicillin-resistance rates greater than 80% reported for patients with S. aureus pneumonia treated in intensive care units. Historically, vancomycin was the treatment of choice for patients with hospital-acquired MRSA infections.

Economic evaluation of urgent-start peritoneal dialysis versus urgent-start hemodialysis in the United States.

Patients presenting late in the course of kidney disease who require urgent initiation of dialysis have traditionally received temporary vascular catheters followed by hemodialysis. Recent changes in Medicare payment policy for dialysis in the USA incentivized the use of peritoneal dialysis (PD). Consequently, the use of more expeditious PD for late-presenting patients (urgent-start PD) has received new attention.