Mutational analysis of the gene in patients with unilateral retinoblastoma.

Purpose: Retinoblastoma, a childhood cancer originating in the retina, is primarily attributed to pathogenic RB1 mutations The aim of this study is to conduct a mutational analysis of the RB1 gene in cases of unilateral Retinoblastoma among individuals within the Jordanian population.

Methods: In this study, the peripheral blood of 50 unilateral Rb patients was collected, genomic DNA was extracted, and mutations were identified using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) analysis.

Results: In this cohort of 50 unrelated patients with unilateral Rb, the median age at diagnosis was eight months (mean, 12 months; range; 2 weeks to 54 months).

Comparative Analysis of Skip Metastasis in Pediatric Osteosarcoma: Clinical Features and Outcomes.

Background: Skip metastasis (SM) is a synchronous regional bone metastasis. Using new imaging modalities, the detection of SM is easier and possibly more common. We reviewed patients with SM and compared their characteristics and outcomes to other patients with osteosarcoma treated at our center.

Presentation and management outcomes of Retinoblastoma among Syrian refugees in Jordan.

Purpose: The humanitarian crisis in Syria has had a profound impact on the entire region. In this study, we report the patterns of presentation and management outcomes of Syrian patients with Retinoblastoma (Rb) treated at a single tertiary cancer center in Jordan.

Methods And Materials: This is a retrospective comparative study of Syrian refugees and Jordanian citizens who had Rb between 2011 and 2020.

Programmed screening for retinoblastoma enhances early diagnosis and improves management outcome for high-risk children.

Purpose: To study the impact of a Retinoblastoma (Rb) screening program in the absence of genetic testing on the management and outcome of high-risk children.

Methods: This is a retrospective, clinical case series of 76 children from families involved in a Rb screening program as they had higher than normal risk as calculated by the conventional ways without genetic testing. Data included calculated risk, method of diagnosis, demographics, tumor features, treatment modalities, and management outcome.

Intravitreal Melphalan Chemotherapy for Vitreous Seeds in Retinoblastoma.

Objective: To evaluate our experience with intravitreal melphalan chemotherapy as a second-line regimen for RB patients with refractory or recurrent vitreous seeds.

Methods: A retrospective case series of 16 eyes from 16 patients with intraocular RB who received intravitreal melphalan chemotherapy using the antireflux injection technique. Data included demographics, stage at diagnosis, treatment modalities, side effects, eye salvage, and survival.

Tocilizumab in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and beyond.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic inflammatory disease characterized by joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and progressive destruction of the small joints of the hands and feet. Treatment of RA has improved over the past decade. With multiple cytokines well-known now to play a role in the pathogenesis of RA, including tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6, many targeted biological treatments against these cytokines have emerged, changing the treatment of this disease.