Optimal Avapritinib Treatment Strategies for Patients with Metastatic or Unresectable Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors.

Background: Avapritinib, a novel inhibitor of KIT/PDGFRA, is approved in the U.S. for the treatment of adults with PDGFRA exon 18-mutant unresectable or metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumors (U/M GISTs).

Predictors of survival and functional outcomes in natalizumab-associated progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.

Natalizumab, a highly effective therapy for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, is associated with a risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). The objective of this analysis was to examine factors predicting survival in a large natalizumab-associated PML global population. Patients with natalizumab-associated PML identified through postmarketing surveillance were followed up for up to 24 months using a structured questionnaire completed by treating physicians.

Outcome and survival of asymptomatic PML in natalizumab-treated MS patients.

Objective: As of 3 September 2013, 399 cases of natalizumab-associated progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) were confirmed in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. We evaluated outcomes of natalizumab-treated MS patients who were asymptomatic at PML diagnosis.

Methods: Analyses included data available as of 5 June 2013.

Risk of cerebral venous thrombosis and novel gene polymorphisms of the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems.

Background And Purpose: Genetic thrombophilic conditions such as those associated with Factor V Leiden (FVL) and the prothrombin mutant (PT G20210A) have been identified as risk factors for cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT). Recently, a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI G-438A) has been shown to be associated with lower TAFI levels and to decrease the risk for peripheral venous thrombosis. Furthermore, a protective role in juvenile stroke was shown for a SNP of the vitamin K dependent protein Z (PZ Intron F G79A) which is linked with low PZ levels.

Postacute C-reactive protein levels are elevated in cervical artery dissection.

Background And Purpose: C-reactive protein (CRP) is associated with atherogenesis and stroke in mostly elderly subjects. We tested whether elevated CRP may also be linked to spontaneous cervical artery dissection (CAD) and cryptogenic stroke.

Methods: We investigated high-sensitivity CRP levels in 62 patients <60 years of age experiencing cerebral ischemia resulting from large artery atherosclerosis (LAA; n=21), CAD (n=21), or cryptogenic etiology (n=20) >9 months ago, and in 54 sex- and age-matched population controls.

The cannabinoid dexanabinol is an inhibitor of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B).

Exogenous and endogenous cannabinoids have been shown to have neuroprotective effects in vitro and in vivo. Although many of the pharmacological effects of cannabinoids have been identified, the mechanism of neuroprotection still represents a controversy. Here we demonstrate for the first time protective effects of the synthetic cannabinoid dexanabinol by inhibiting apoptosis in a neuron-like cell line using nuclear staining and FACS analysis and in primary neurons.

Lack of association between polymorphisms of the toll-like receptor 4 gene and cerebral ischemia.

Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4), an important mediator of the innate immune response, is expressed in atherosclerotic lesions. The common single nucleotide exchange (Asp299Gly) of the TLR4 gene has been previously reported to impair TLR4 function and to be associated with a decreased risk of carotid atherosclerosis. Therefore, we aimed to detect the potential impact of TLR4 genotypes on the risk of cerebral ischemia.