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Lay summary: immune checkpoint inhibitors are a novel therapeutic approach to cancer treatment that have changed the landscape of cancer therapy but also have some considerable drawbacks. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is one of these potential complications that may have effects on patient outcomes. In this review, development of AKI in patients with cancer receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors is associated with increased risk of mortality. Background: immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICPIs) are a novel therapeutic approach to cancer treatment that have changed the landscape of cancer therapy but also have some considerable drawbacks. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is one of these potential complications that may have effects on patient outcomes. In this review, we assessed the effect of AKI on mortality outcomes in cancer patients receiving this immunotherapy. Methods: we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective, retrospective, randomized and non-randomized studies, which examined the effects of AKI in cancer patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors. We searched through PubMed, Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases. Results: seven studies were included in the final analysis, with a total number of patients of 761. Overall, the risk of death was higher in patients that developed AKI during ICPI treatment [hazard ratio (HR) 1.42, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05-1.92, P = 0.02; heterogeneity chi(2) = 11.68, I-2 = 66%, P = 0.02] compared with patients that did not develop AKI. In addition, there was a trend to a better survival in those with less severe AKI patients compared with those with more severe AKI (HR 1.35, 95% CI 0.99-1.83, P = 0.05). Lastly, it was seen that patients with persistent kidney dysfunction (non-recovery) had an increased risk for all-cause mortality (HR 2.93, 95% CI 1.41-6.08, P = 0.004; heterogeneity chi(2) = 0.53, I-2 = 0%, P = 0.47). Conclusions: development of AKI in patients with cancer receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors is associated with increased risk of mortality., NA

COVID-19, a disease caused by a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), is a major global threat that has turned into a pandemic. Despite the emergence of multiple vaccination alternatives and developing therapeutic options, dramatic short- and long-term clinical outcomes have been recorded with more than 250 million infected people and over 5 million deaths as of November 2021. COVID-19 presents various respiratory, cardiovascular, neuropsychiatric, musculoskeletal and kidney features during the acute phase; nevertheless, renal involvement in the post-infection period has recently been emphasized. The present review aims to evaluate the growing literature on kidney involvement in the SARS-CoV-2 infection along with clinical features reported both in the acute phase of the infection and in the post-acute COVID-19 period by assessing potential pathophysiological frameworks explaining such conditions. Chronic kidney disease and development of acute kidney injury (AKI) in the course of initial hospitalization are associated with high mortality and morbidity rates. Moreover, growing evidence suggests a decline in renal function in the 6-to-12-month follow-up period even in patients without any signs of AKI during the acute phase. Despite such concerns there are no guidelines regulating the follow-up period or therapeutic alternatives for such patient population. In conclusion, the burden of COVID-19 on the kidney is yet to be determined. Future prospective large scale studies are needed with long follow-up periods assessing kidney involvement via multiple parameters such as biopsy studies, urinalysis, measurement of serum creatinine and cystatin C, directly measured glomerular filtration rate, and assessment of tubular function via urinary beta(2)-microglobulin measurements., NA

Investigating the daily life experiences of patients using Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) can highlight the benefits and barriers in using this system for people with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with the caregivers of 10 children aged 6 months. These interviews were analyzed using the content analysis approach and from these interviews, four meta themes emerged: metabolic control, barriers to CGM use, CGM use in daily life, and comparison with fingersticks. Families reported the following as benefits of CGM: pain relief, better hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia management, increased control over diet and social life, reduced worries at school and during the night, and convenience in entrusting the child to the care of others. Cost, concerns related to accuracy and reliability of measurements, insertion, adhesion and removal issues all emerged as barriers to CGM use. The most prominent issue was the economic burden of CGM. Families accept this burden, even though it is challenging, as their experiences in using CGM are positive and they feel that CGM is necessary for T1D management., NA