Gut microbiota analyses of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma patients undergoing narrowband ultraviolet B therapy reveal alterations associated with disease treatment.

Recent studies have shown a close relationship between cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) and its microbiome. CTCL disease progression is associated with gut dysbiosis and alterations in bacterial taxa parallel those observed in immunologically similar atopic dermatitis. Moreover, the microbial profile of lesional skin may predict response to narrowband ultraviolet B (nbUVB), a common skin-directed therapy.

Bictegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide versus dolutegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate for initial treatment of HIV-1 and hepatitis B coinfection (ALLIANCE): a double-blind, multicentre, randomised controlled, phase 3 non-inferiority trial.

Background: For most adults with HIV-1 and hepatitis B virus (HBV) coinfection, initial recommended treatment is a tenofovir-containing antiretroviral regimen, but no randomised studies have compared tenofovir disoproxil fumarate with tenofovir alafenamide. We aimed to investigate whether bictegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide is non-inferior to dolutegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate for viral suppression in individuals with HIV-1 and HBV coinfection at 48 and 96 weeks.

Methods: We did this randomised, double-blind, active-controlled, phase 3, non-inferiority trial at 46 outpatient centres in China, Dominican Republic, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, and the USA.

Immunogenicity and safety of an investigational hepatitis B vaccine with a toll-like receptor 9 agonist adjuvant (HBsAg-1018) compared with a licensed hepatitis B vaccine in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Background: Hemodialysis patients are at increased risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are commonly hyporesponsive to HBV vaccines. Current recommendations for CKD patients are to utilize 4 double-doses (2×20 mcg HBsAg) of a licensed hepatitis B vaccine (HBsAg-Eng).

Methods: An observer-blind, randomized, active-controlled, parallel group, multicenter trial was conducted among 521 patients 18-75 years of age with CKD, comparing 3 single doses of an investigational hepatitis B vaccine (20 mcg rHBsAg+3000 mcg 1018, a toll-like receptor 9 agonist) given at 0, 4, and 24 weeks to 4 double-doses of HBsAg-Eng (2×20 mcg rHBsAg+500 mcg alum) given at 0, 4, 8, and 24 weeks (total of 8 injections).

Role of vitamin K2 in preventing the recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after curative treatment: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Hepatocellular cancer is notorious for recurrence even after curative therapy. High recurrence determines the long term prognosis of the patients. Vitamin K2 has been tested in trials for its effect on prevention of recurrence and improving survival.

Predicting pelvic lymph node involvement in current-era prostate cancer.

Purpose: The Roach formula [2/3 × prostate-specific antigen + (Gleason score--6) × 10], derived in 1993 during the early prostate specific antigen (PSA) screening era, has been used to predict the risk of pelvic lymph node involvement in patients with prostate cancer. In the current era of widespread PSA screening with a shift to earlier disease stages, there is evidence to suggest that the Roach score overestimates risk of nodal metastasis. This study retrospectively reviews the validity of this formula as a prediction tool.