Do corticosteroids affect immunotherapy efficacy in malignancy? - A systematic review.

Background: Early studies indicated that corticosteroids may limit the survival benefit from immunotherapy. We conducted this systematic review to evaluate the effect corticosteroids have on immunotherapy in patients with malignancy, when adjusted for potentially confounding effects of corticosteroids given for palliative indications.

Methods: Three electronic databases (PubMed, Embase and Medline) were searched on 1 February 2023.

PARP (Poly ADP-Ribose Polymerase) inhibitors for locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer.

Background: Locally advanced and metastatic breast cancer remains a challenge to treat. With emerging study results, it is important to interpret the available clinical data and apply the evidence offering the most effective treatment to the right patient. Poly(ADP Ribose) Polymerase (PARP) inhibitors are a new class of drug and their role in the treatment of locally advanced and metastatic breast cancer is being established.

Vaginal CO laser for the treatment of vulvovaginal atrophy in women with breast cancer: LAAVA pilot study.

Purpose: Vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) is a commonly reported issue among breast cancer patients, and its aetiology is multifactorial. Treatment is difficult in these women, particularly because the use of oestrogens has traditionally been discouraged. Vaginal laser treatment has been reported to improve symptoms.

A case report of clonal EBV-like memory CD4 T cell activation in fatal checkpoint inhibitor-induced encephalitis.

Checkpoint inhibitors produce durable responses in numerous metastatic cancers, but immune-related adverse events (irAEs) complicate and limit their benefit. IrAEs can affect organ systems idiosyncratically; presentations range from mild and self-limited to fulminant and fatal. The molecular mechanisms underlying irAEs are poorly understood.

Anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy in patients with solid organ transplant, HIV or hepatitis B/C infection.

Background: Anti-programmed cell death protein 1/programmed death ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) immunotherapy is now routinely used to treat several cancers. Clinical trials have excluded several populations, including patients with solid organ transplant, HIV infection and hepatitis B/C infection. We examined the safety outcomes of these populations treated with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 treatment in a multicentre retrospective study.

Prophylactic procedure tract radiotherapy for malignant pleural mesothelioma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background And Purpose: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive cancer with a propensity for seeding procedure tracts, leading to symptomatic metastases. There is conflicting evidence on the value of prophylactic procedure tract radiotherapy in reducing tract metastases. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the benefit of radiotherapy in this setting.

Survival and prognostic factors for patients with melanoma brain metastases in the era of modern systemic therapy.

Historically, the prognosis of patients with melanoma brain metastases is poor, with median overall survival (OS) of 4-6 months. Little is known of OS in the era of modern systemic therapies and local therapy with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) or surgery. Patients diagnosed with melanoma brain metastases at Melanoma Institute Australia from January 2011 to December 2014 were included.

Intravenous iron and erythropoiesis-stimulating agents in haemodialysis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aim: Higher dosages of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) have been associated with adverse effects. Intravenous iron is used to optimize ESA response and reduces ESA doses in haemodialysis patients; this meta-analysis evaluates the magnitude of this effect.

Methods: A literature search was performed using MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane Collaboration Central Register of Clinical Trials from inception until December 2014, to identify randomized controlled trials of intravenous iron and ESA, in patients undergoing haemodialysis for end-stage kidney disease.

Folate intake and the risk of breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

There is conflicting epidemiological evidence on the role of folate and breast cancer risk. We conducted a systematic review and quantitative meta-analysis of folate intake and folate blood levels and the risk of breast cancer. Four electronic databases (Medline, PubMed, Embase, and Current Contents Connect) were searched to April 11, 2014, with no language restrictions for observational studies that measured folate intake or blood levels and the risk of breast cancer.

Folate intake and the risk of upper gastrointestinal cancers: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background And Aim: There is conflicting evidence on the association between folate intake and the risk of upper gastrointestinal tract cancers. In order to further elucidate this relationship, we performed a systematic review and quantitative meta-analysis of folate intake and the risk of esophageal, gastric, and pancreatic cancer.

Methods: Four electronic databases (Medline, PubMed, Embase, and Current Contents Connect) were searched to July 26, 2013, with no language restrictions for observational studies that measured folate intake and the risk of esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, or pancreatic cancer.

Hiatal hernia and the risk of Barrett's esophagus.

Background And Aim: Barrett's esophagus has been associated with the presence of hiatal hernia; however, to date no meta-analysis of the relationship has been performed. We aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis, providing a quantitative estimate of the increased risk of Barrett's esophagus associated with hiatal hernia.

Methods: A search was conducted through four electronic databases (Medline, PubMed, Embase, and Current Contents Connect) to 4 April 2012, for observational studies of Barrett's esophagus patients.