Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase polymorphisms in patients with gastrointestinal malignancies and their impact on fluoropyrimidine tolerability: Experience from a single Italian institution.

Background: Fluoropyrimidines are metabolized in the liver by the enzyme dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD), encoded by the gene. About 7% of the European population is a carrier of gene polymorphisms associated with reduced DPD enzyme activity.

Aim: To assess the prevalence of polymorphisms and their impact on fluoropyrimidine tolerability in Italian patients with gastrointestinal malignancies.

Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for treatment of multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder - recommendations from ECTRIMS and the EBMT.

Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) is a treatment option for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) that are refractory to disease-modifying therapy (DMT). AHSCT after failure of high-efficacy DMT in aggressive forms of relapsing-remitting MS is a generally accepted indication, yet the optimal placement of this approach in the treatment sequence is not universally agreed upon. Uncertainties also remain with respect to other indications, such as in rapidly evolving, severe, treatment-naive MS, progressive MS, and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD).

Multiple sclerosis and sickle cell anemia: when two worlds collide.

Background: The coexistence of sickle cell anemia and multiple sclerosis in a single patient presents a rare and challenging clinical scenario, possibly favoured by the interplay between chronic inflammatory states and autoimmune processes.

Methos/results: We present the case of a 36-year-old woman with sickle cell anemia who developed progressive neurological symptoms leading to frequent falls and paraparesis; magnetic resonance imaging showed many periventricular, infratentorial, and both cervical and dorsal spinal cord lesions, leading to a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. After a multidisciplinary approach the patient was successfully started on ofatumumab.

Interrupted time series analysis to evaluate the impact of COVID-19-pandemic on the incidence of notifiable infectious diseases in the Lazio region, Italy.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emergency has represented a profound upheaval in the dynamics of infectious diseases transmission worldwide. This phenomenon has been at least in part driven by the introduction of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), implemented to counteract viral transmission. Our study aimed to assess the magnitude and the features of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence of notifiable infectious diseases (NIDs) in the Lazio region, Italy.

An update on the treatment and management of cognitive dysfunction in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Introduction: Cognitive impairment (CI) occurs in 34-70% of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, significantly impacting quality of life. CI can occur independently of physical disability, even in those with 'benign MS.' Cognitive deficits are heterogeneous, but common areas affected include processing speed, memory, and executive functions.