Genetic determinants of chronic oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neurotoxicity: a genome-wide study replication and meta-analysis.

We aimed at validating the role of genetic variants identified by a recent genome-wide association study (GWAS) as determinants of chronic oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neurotoxicity (OXAIPN). Eight polymorphisms (rs10486003, rs2338, rs843748, rs797519, rs4936453, rs12023000, rs17140129, and rs6924717) were genotyped in a total of 150 colorectal cancer patients of Caucasian origin receiving oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy. The severity grade of chronic OXAIPN was assessed by NCI-CTC criteria and the clinical version of the Total Neuropathy Score(©) (TNSc(©) ).

Association of KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae colonization or infection with Candida isolation and selection of non-albicans species.

Clinical specimens from 565 patients hospitalized in 2 intensive care units (ICUs A and B) during a 28-month period were cultured on appropriate media for isolation of Candida. Forty-nine (9%) patients had at least a Candida spp.-positive sample.

Bortezomib-induced peripheral neurotoxicity: an update.

This review paper provides a critical exploration of updates concerning the spectrum of characteristics and treatment options of bortezomib-induced peripheral neuropathy (BIPN). Emphasis is given on pathogenesis issues. Although the mechanism underlying BIPN still remains elusive, it is increasingly acknowledged that the inhibition of proteasome activity in dorsal root ganglia and peripheral nerves, the mitochondrial-mediated disruption of Ca⁺⁺ intracellular homeostasis and the disregulation in nuclear factor κB and brain-derived neurotrophic factor play a significant pathogenic role.

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in adults: a comprehensive update of the literature.

Commonly used chemotherapeutic agents in oncology/hematology practice, causing toxic peripheral neuropathy, include taxanes, platinum compounds, vinca alkaloids, proteasome inhibitors, and antiangiogenic/immunomodulatory agents. This review paper intends to put together and discuss the spectrum of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) characteristics so as to highlight areas of future research to pursue on the topic. Current knowledge shows that the pathogenesis of CIPN still remains elusive, mostly because there are several sites of involvement in the peripheral nervous system.

Cobalamin deficiency triggering de novo status epilepticus.

Cobalamin deficiency is included in the spectrum of very uncommon underlying causes of status epilepticus (SE) and the literature contains very few such cases. We herein report a case of unusual presentation of cobalamin (vitamin B12) deficiency with de novo SE with the intention to bolster the argument that a de novo manifestation of SE due to cobalamin deficiency might not be that uncommon. We also support the importance of prompt identification and treatment of the underlying causes of SE, particularly those which are uncommon.

Voltage-gated sodium channel polymorphisms play a pivotal role in the development of oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neurotoxicity: results from a prospective multicenter study.

Background: The current prospective, multicenter study sought to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms of voltage-gated sodium channels (SCNAs) genes that might confer susceptibility to an increased incidence and severity of oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy (OXAIPN) in patients treated with either leucovorin, 5-fluorouracil, and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) or oxaliplatin plus capecitabine (XELOX) for colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods: A total of 200 patients with CRC were genotyped with real-time polymerase chain reaction using locked nucleic acid hydrolysis probes or allele-specific primers. All patients had received oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy, either in the adjuvant or metastatic setting.

Advanced age and liability to oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy: post hoc analysis of a prospective study.

Background And Purpose: The aim of this post hoc analysis of data extracted from a prospective, multicenter study is to test in a large homogenous population of chemotherapy-naïve patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) treated with oxaliplatin (OXA)-based chemotherapy whether advanced age increases the risk of developing OXA-induced peripheral neuropathy (OXAIPN).

Methods: One-hundred and forty-five patients with CRC, without other significant co-morbidities predisposing to peripheral neuropathy, were divided according to their age into two groups: patients aged between 50 and 68 years (group I, n = 75); and patients aged ≥ 69 years (group II, n = 70). Patients were prospectively monitored at baseline and followed-up during chemotherapy using the motor and neurosensory National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity criteria, the clinical version of the Total Neuropathy Score and neurophysiology.

Peripheral neurotoxicity of oxaliplatin in combination with 5-fluorouracil (FOLFOX) or capecitabine (XELOX): a prospective evaluation of 150 colorectal cancer patients.

Background: To report our prospective experience on the incidence and pattern of oxaliplatin (OXA)-induced peripheral neuropathy (OXA-IPN) in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) treated with either FOLFOX-4 or XELoda + OXaliplatin (XELOX).

Patients And Methods: One hundred and fifty patients scheduled to be treated with either FOLFOX or XELOX for CRC were prospectively monitored at baseline and followed-up during chemotherapy. The incidence and severity of symptoms secondary to OXA-IPN were recorded using three different types of assessment, i.

Destructive cervical spine osteoblastoma at C5 in a young patient initially presenting with quadriparesis: case report and review of the literature.

Background: Osteoblastomas are rare benign bone tumors that are mostly found in the posterior spinal elements; about 20% are located in the cervical spine.

Objective: The case of a destructive cervical osteoblastoma at C5 is reported in a 19-year-old man who initially presented with spastic quadriparesis.

Case Report: A 19-year-old man was self-referred, reporting symptoms in keeping with a progressive spastic quadriparesis, which had suddenly developed 6 days earlier.

Foreign accent syndrome caused by a left temporal-parietal ischaemic stroke.

Unlabelled: Karanasios P, Loukopoulou P, Zampakis P, Tiligadas T, Makridou A, Doukas V, Argyriou AA. Foreign accent syndrome caused by a left temporal-parietal ischaemic stroke.

Aim: We present the first reported case of a Greek patient with foreign accent syndrome (FAS) secondary to a left temporal-parietal ischemic stroke.

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neurotoxicity (CIPN): an update.

The peripheral nervous system can be vulnerable to the toxic action of several drugs since it is not protected as effectively as the central nervous system from noxious exogenous agents. Drug-induced neurotoxicity can affect the nerve fibers or the neuronal bodies (generally the dorsal root ganglia of the primary sensory neurons). Among the neurotoxic drugs antineoplastic agents represent a major clinical problem, given their widespread use and the potential severity of their toxicity.

Epothilone-induced peripheral neuropathy: a review of current knowledge.

Context: Epothilones, belonging to the family of microtubule stabilizing agents, have shown prolonged remissions and improved survival in various types of refractory, treatment-resistant cancer. Ixabepilone (BMS-247550) is the main representative of these compounds. Peripheral neuropathy is a significant toxicity of epothilones, eventually resulting in dose modification and changes in the treatment plan.

Quality of life and emotional burden of primary caregivers: a case-control study of multiple sclerosis patients in Greece.

Purpose: Our aim was to assess the perceived emotional burden and quality of life (QOL) in a sample of Greek primary caregivers of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods: Twenty-two male and 13 female primary caregivers (mean age 47.3 ± 12.

Assessing the quality of sleep in Greek primary caregivers of patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis: a cross-sectional study.

Context: Several studies have investigated the prevalence of sleep disorders in patients suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS) and have shown that up to 54% of patients may have significantly more sleep problems than the general population. To our knowledge, however, no data are available about the quality of sleep of the primary caregivers of patients with MS.

Objectives: The objectives of the current cross-sectional study were to assess the quality of sleep in Greek primary caregivers of patients with MS and to investigate its relationship with the degree of caregivers' emotional distress.

Religiosity and its relation to quality of life in primary caregivers of patients with multiple sclerosis: a case study in Greece.

The first objective of the current observational study was to assess the degree of religiosity in Greek Christian Orthodox primary caregivers of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The second objective was to evaluate the interrelations between religiosity and quality of life (QOL) and to identify the determinants of QOL, an endpoint of considerable importance in clinical research and practice. Twenty-two male and 13 female primary caregivers (mean age 47.

Toxic peripheral neuropathy associated with commonly used chemotherapeutic agents.

Peripheral neuropathy ranks among the most common non-haematological adverse effects of a number of effective chemotherapeutic agents, including platinum compounds, taxanes and vinca alkaloids. Newer agents, such as bortezomib, thalidomide and lenalidomide, frequently exert similar neurotoxic effects on peripheral nerves. Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) may result from a variety of mechanisms and may be related to causal factors, such as single dose per course, cumulative dose and risk factors including treatment schedule, prior or concomitant administration of other neurotoxic agents, age and pre-existing peripheral neuropathy of other causes.

Either called "chemobrain" or "chemofog," the long-term chemotherapy-induced cognitive decline in cancer survivors is real.

Context: In recent years, there is growing evidence in the medical literature to support an association between administration of commonly used chemotherapeutic agents and an increased risk for cognitive impairment.

Objectives: We herein critically summarize data relating to the pathophysiological mechanisms by which chemotherapy may induce cognitive impairment in patients surviving from solid tumors. The clinical and epidemiological characteristics and the proposed management strategies to counter chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment (CICI) also are presented.

Cocaine use and abuse triggering sporadic young-onset amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

To our knowledge, we describe for the first time the case of a male patient with sporadic young-onset amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, most likely attributed to chronic regular cocaine use and abuse. Our case supports the view that cocaine use and abuse may trigger a process of motor neuron degeneration by mechanisms implicating alterations in the neurobiology of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate and its receptors.

F-wave characteristics as surrogate markers of spasticity in patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis.

We sought to identify significant ulnar nerve conduction abnormalities and also to detect ulnar F-wave variable changes in patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). Conventional conduction study was performed unilaterally to ulnar nerves of eight men and 12 women with secondary progressive MS (mean age, 47.5 +/- 6.

Molecularly targeted therapies for dysimmune neuropathies.

Conventional treatment options, including corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, or plasma exchange, often fail to treat dysimmune neuropathies, such as chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, multifocal motor neuropathy, and monoclonal gammopathy with its subtypes. Therefore, a significant percentage of patients require adjunctive immunosuppressive therapies. Considering that even immunosuppressive agents often are ineffective and/or associated with significant toxicities, the need for the development of safe and effective new treatment options is rising.

Myasthenia gravis initially presenting with pseudo-internuclear ophthalmoplegia.

Myasthenia gravis (MG) can rarely be manifested with ocular motility disturbances, simulating internuclear ophthalmoplegia. Pseudo-internuclear ophthalmoplegia (PINO) may occur during the course of MG, however, the initial presentation of MG with PINO in rather unlikely. We herein describe the case of a male patient who developed PINO, as an initial manifestation of MG.

Multiple sclerosis and reproductive risks in women.

During the previous decades, women with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) were discouraged from having children, as pregnancy was deemed dangerous for pregnancy outcome and a contributing factor for exacerbation of MS. Current knowledge shows that women with MS are no more likely to have pregnancy or delivery complications compared to healthy women. Immunomodulatory therapies should be avoided during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

Bortezomib-induced peripheral neuropathy in multiple myeloma: a comprehensive review of the literature.

Bortezomib has demonstrated significant activity in clinical trials, mainly against recurrent or newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM). Peripheral neuropathy is a significant toxicity of bortezomib, requiring dose modification and potential changes in the treatment plan when it occurs. The mechanism underlying bortezomib-induced peripheral neuropathy (BIPN) is unknown.

Bilateral drop foot secondary to a primary tumor in the conus medullaris.

Intramedullary tumors of the spinal cord are rare neoplasms that can be associated with severe neurological and functional handicaps. To our knowledge, we describe for the first time the case of a male patient who developed bilateral drop foot as an initial manifestation of a primary tumor in the conus medullaris of the spinal cord, probably an astrocytoma.