Publications by authors named "J KUNZ"
Purpose: To evaluate the image quality of an ultrafast cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) system-Varian HyperSight.
Methods And Materials: In this evaluation, 5 studies were performed to assess the image quality of HyperSight CBCT. First, a HyperSight CBCT image quality evaluation was performed and compared with Siemens simulation-CT and Varian TrueBeam CBCT.
Article Synopsis
- Hypernatremia is a common and serious condition in ICU patients, linked to higher mortality and longer stays, prompting this study to compare sodium chloride 0.9% and glucose 5% solutions as intravenous drug diluents.
- The study analyzed 265 adult COVID-19 patients, observing sodium levels and severe hypernatremia over the first 8 days after ICU admission, finding that glucose 5% led to lower sodium levels and reduced occurrences of severe hypernatremia.
- The results suggest that switching to glucose 5% as the standard diluent can help prevent hypernatremia in ICU patients, indicating a potentially simple change in treatment protocols.
Betibeglogene autotemcel gene therapy in patients with transfusion-dependent, severe genotype β-thalassaemia (HGB-212): a non-randomised, multicentre, single-arm, open-label, single-dose, phase 3 trial.
Lancet
November 2024
Background: Transfusion-dependent β-thalassaemia (TDT) is a severe disease, resulting in lifelong blood transfusions, iron overload, and associated complications. Betibeglogene autotemcel (beti-cel) gene therapy uses autologous haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) transduced with BB305 lentiviral vector to enable transfusion independence.
Methods: HGB-212 was a non-randomised, multicentre, single-arm, open-label, phase 3 study of beti-cel in patients with TDT conducted at eight centres in France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the UK, and the USA.
Article Synopsis
- Gene addition and editing therapies for β-thalassemia, particularly betibeglogene autotemcel (beti-cel), show promise as potentially curative options, with real-world studies demonstrating their effectiveness and safety.* -
- Out of 15 patients evaluated for treatment with beti-cel, 8 were treated post-busulfan conditioning, achieving transfusion independence within 8 to 59 days, while experiencing some acute toxicity typical of the conditioning regimen.* -
- Monitoring of patients revealed several unexpected side effects, including endocrine dysfunction, posttreatment depression and anxiety in one patient, and fatigue impacting quality of life in another, underscoring the need for careful management of these complications.*
Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is among the most frequent hereditary disorders globally and its prevalence in Europe is increasing due to migration movements.
Summary: The basic pathophysiological event of SCD is polymerization of deoxygenated sickle hemoglobin, resulting in hemolysis, vasoocclusion, and multiorgan damage. While the pathophysiological cascade offers numerous targets for treatment, currently only two disease-modifying drugs have been approved in Europe and transfusion remains a mainstay of both preventing and treating severe complications of SCD.