Economic Model to Evaluate the Cost-Effectiveness of Second-Line Nilotinib Versus Dasatinib for the Treatment of Philadelphia Chromosome-Positive Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML-CP) in Italy.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the cost effectiveness of second-line nilotinib versus dasatinib for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (CML-CP) patients who are intolerant or resistant to imatinib and can transition to treatment-free remission (TFR).

Methods: A partitioned survival model was developed to compare the cost effectiveness of nilotinib versus dasatinib. The model was developed from the Italian healthcare payer perspective and included the following health states: on second-line tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), off second-line TKI, accelerated phase/blastic crisis, TFR, and death.

Can statin therapy reduce the risk of melanoma? A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

A growing body of literature suggests that statins may have a chemopreventive potential against melanoma through pleiotropic anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and antiangiogenesis mechanisms. Our aim was to examine this association through a detailed meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). A comprehensive search for trials published up to June 2009 was performed, reviews of each study were conducted and data were abstracted.

Statins are not associated with a reduced risk of pancreatic cancer at the population level, when taken at low doses for managing hypercholesterolemia: evidence from a meta-analysis of 12 studies.

Objectives: Recent experimental research on a class of pharmacological agents that reduce plasma cholesterol, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins), has shown promise in pancreatic cancer chemoprevention. While the mechanism remains unclear, several epidemiological studies have also evaluated the relationship between statin use and pancreatic cancer. Our aim was to examine the strength of this association through a detailed meta-analysis of the studies published on the subject in peer-reviewed literature.

Statin use and the risk of prostate cancer: A metaanalysis of 6 randomized clinical trials and 13 observational studies.

Statins have been suggested to prevent prostate cancer. Our aim was to examine statin use in relation to both total prostate cancer and the more clinically important advanced prostate cancer, through a detailed metaanalysis of the epidemiologic studies published on the subject in peer-reviewed literature. A comprehensive search for articles published up to November 2007 was performed, reviews of each study were conducted and data were abstracted.

Statins and the risk of colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis of 18 studies involving more than 1.5 million patients.

Purpose: Statins have been suggested to prevent colorectal cancer. Several epidemiologic studies have evaluated this association, whereas randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on cardiovascular outcomes provide relevant data as a secondary end point. Our aim was to examine the strength of this association through a detailed meta-analysis of the studies published on the subject in peer-reviewed literature.

Use of statins and risk of haematological malignancies: a meta-analysis of six randomized clinical trials and eight observational studies.

Aims: Statins have been suggested to prevent haematological malignancies. Several epidemiological studies have evaluated this association, while randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on cardiovascular outcomes have provided relevant data as secondary end-points. Our aim was to examine the strength of this association through a detailed meta-analysis of the studies published in peer-reviewed literature.

Statins and cancer risk: a literature-based meta-analysis and meta-regression analysis of 35 randomized controlled trials.

Purpose: A growing body of literature suggests that statins may have chemopreventive potential against cancer. Our aim was to examine the strength of this association through a detailed meta-analysis and meta-regression analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Methods: A comprehensive search for trials published up to 2005 was performed, reviews of each study were conducted, and data were abstracted.

Paracetamol use and risk of ovarian cancer: a meta-analysis.

Aim: Ovarian cancer remains the most fatal gynaecological malignancy. Several observational studies have examined paracetamol as a potential chemopreventive agent. The nonconclusive nature of the epidemiological evidence prompted us to conduct a detailed meta-analysis of the studies published on the subject in peer-reviewed literature.

Use of statins and breast cancer: a meta-analysis of seven randomized clinical trials and nine observational studies.

Purpose: A growing body of evidence suggests that statins may have chemopreventive potential against breast cancer. Laboratory studies demonstrate that statins induce apoptosis and reduce cell invasiveness in various cell lines, including breast carcinoma cells. However, the clinical relevance of these data remains unclear.

Do nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs affect the risk of developing ovarian cancer? A meta-analysis.

Aim: The relationship between the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including aspirin, and the risk of ovarian cancer has been controversial. This study examines the strength of this association by conducting a detailed meta-analysis of the studies published in peer-reviewed literature on the subject.

Methods: A comprehensive search for articles published up to April 2004 was performed, reviews of each study were conducted and data were abstracted.

A comparative study of the role of erythropoietin in the pathogenesis of deficient erythropoiesis in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis as opposed to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: Despite the severe derangement of gas exchange in the advanced stages of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), secondary erythrocytosis is either absent or much lower than is seen in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with comparable hypoxemia. This study investigates the differences in erythropoiesis between IPF and COPD, searching for the possible underlying mechanisms.

Material/methods: The study included 32 patients with COPD, 18 patients with IPF, all with overt hypoxemia (PO(2) <65 mmHg), and 34 healthy controls.

Diabetes mellitus and risk of prostate cancer: a meta-analysis.

Aims/hypothesis: The association of diabetes mellitus with prostate cancer has been controversial. This study examines the strength of this association by conducting a detailed meta-analysis of the studies published in peer-reviewed literature on the subject.

Methods: A comprehensive search for articles published up to 2003 was performed, reviews of each study were conducted and data were abstracted.

Diabetes mellitus as a risk factor for primary open-angle glaucoma: a meta-analysis.

Aim: The association of diabetes mellitus with primary open-angle glaucoma has been controversial. The study aimed to examine the strength of this association through a detailed meta-analysis of studies published in peer-reviewed journals.

Methods: A comprehensive search for articles published through 2002 was performed and data were abstracted.

Epidemiological association between cigarette smoking and primary open-angle glaucoma: a meta-analysis.

Objective: The role of cigarette smoking as a risk factor for primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) remains controversial. The aim of this study was to examine this association by conducting a detailed meta-analysis of studies published in peer-reviewed literature on the subject.

Methods: A comprehensive search for articles published up 31 December 2002 was performed, reviews of each study were conducted, and data were abstracted.

Conjunctival and tear film changes after vitamin C and E administration in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus.

Background: The purpose of our research was to investigate the effect of supplementation with vitamin C and E on ocular surface cytology specimens and related parameters in diabetic patients.

Material/methods: 60 patients were enrolled in the study. The patients were given vitamin C (1000 mg/day) and vitamin E (400 IU/day) for 10 days.

Theophylline treatment may adversely affect the anoxia-induced erythropoietic response without suppressing erythropoietin production.

Objective: To investigate the influence of theophylline on erythropoiesis in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and explore the potential underlying mechanisms.

Methods: We evaluated the haematological parameters and erythropoietin (EPO) values in 38 COPD patients, 18 of which had been treated with theophylline (8 mg/kg daily) for at least 1 year, and the other 20 had never received this drug; 38 sex- and age-matched healthy volunteers served as controls. We further studied the development of BFU-E (bursts forming units of erythrocyte precursors) -derived colonies in semisolid methylcellulose cultures in blood samples from 7 patients randomly selected from both groups.

Should we screen diabetic patients using biguanides for megaloblastic anaemia?

Background: Patients taking biguanides on a continuous basis sometimes develop vitamin B12 deficient megaloblastic anaemia. The prevalence of this side effect has not been estimated.

Methods: We screened 600 patients with type 2 diabetes treated with biguanides (phenformin or metformin) for a mean of 11.