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BACKGROUND: Studies evaluating the effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) for endometrial cancer (EC) are limited. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors as monotherapy for EC by conducting a meta-analysis. The predictive significance of MMR status, a biomarker for ICI response, also required further investigation. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted in English databases until September 2023. The analysis included objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), adverse events (AEs), and odds ratios (OR), along with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: There were twelve trials totaling 685 individuals. PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor monotherapy resulted in an ORR for 34% (95% CI = 24-44%) of the pooled EC patients. Subgroup analysis revealed a significantly higher ORR in dMMR EC (45%) compared to pMMR EC (8%), with an OR of 6.36 (95% CI = 3.64-11.13). The overall DCR was 42%, with dMMR EC at 51% and pMMR EC at 30% (OR = 2.61, 95% CI = 1.69-4.05). Grade three or higher adverse events (AEs) occurred in 15% of cases (95% CI = 9-24%) of the pooled incidence of AEs, which was 68% (95% CI = 65-72%). CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis provides significant evidence for the effectiveness of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors as monotherapy for EC. Notably, dMMR EC patients demonstrated superior treatment efficacy with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor immunotherapy. Further research is required to explore subclassifications of EC based on dMMR molecular subtypes, enabling improved treatment strategies and outcomes for EC patients.

Infusion pump-based therapies are an effective treatment option for patients with advanced Parkinson´s disease. Achieving monotherapy with infusion-based therapies could simplify the treatment regimen, provide better medication adherence, reduce adverse events and drug interactions. This review presents the literature data on the efficacy, safety, and achievability of monotherapy with all available infusion-based therapies, including apomorphine, levodopa-carbidopa-intestinal gel (LCIG), levodopa-entacapone-carbidopa intestinal gel (LECIG), and foslevodopa-foscarbidopa (LDp/CDp). In summary, monotherapy is achievable and effective in most patients on intestinal levodopa infusion therapy and in some patients on apomorphine infusion. There is a need for further investigation of monotherapy compared to polytherapy, especially in new pump treatment options (LECIG and LDp/CDp). Future research should reveal which patients on infusion-based therapies could benefit from monotherapy, including identification of potential baseline predictors of achieving monotherapy in patients treated with specific infusion-based therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Levetiracetam (LEV) and carbamazepine (CBZ) are effective monotherapies for focal epilepsy in children. However, the best drug remains controversial. Therefore, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing LEV and CBZ monotherapy in the management of pediatric focal epilepsy (PFE). We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published until February 2024 comparing LEV and CBZ monotherapy in PFE. Statistical analysis was performed using R version 4.2.2, heterogeneity was assessed using I2 statistics, and the risk of bias was evaluated using the RoB-2 tool. Risk Ratios (RR) with p < 0.05 were considered significant. The outcomes of interest were seizure freedom, any adverse events, adverse events leading to treatment discontinuation, dermatologic adverse events, and the frequency of at least one seizure, defined as the proportion of patients experiencing one or more seizures during the treatment period. Four RCTs comprising 381 children with a mean age of 7.32 to 9.28 years were included, of whom 186 (48.8%) received LEV monotherapy. There was no significant difference between groups (RR: 1.15; 95% CI 0.88–1.50; p = 0.31; I2 = 90%) regarding seizure freedom. The frequency of at least one seizure (RR: 0.71; 95% CI 0.52–0.97; p = 0.03; I2 = 8%) and dermatologic adverse events (RR: 0.24; 95% CI 0.09–0.64; p < 0.01; I2 = 0%) were both significantly lower in the LEV group. There were no significant differences in the presence of any adverse events (RR: 0.58; 95% CI 0.33–1.01; p = 0.05; I2 = 36%) or adverse events leading to treatment discontinuation (RR: 0.67; 95% CI 0.13–3.42; p = 0.63; I2 = 30%). Conclusion: In monotherapy, LEV was more advantageous than CBZ for PFE, with a lower frequency of seizures and fewer dermatological adverse events. However, both drugs are equally effective in achieving seizure freedom, adverse events without specification, and those that lead to treatment discontinuation. Our findings have important implications for clinical practice and decision-making in this condition. What is Known: • Both LEV and CBZ are effective monotherapies for pediatric focal epilepsy. • The use of LEV or CBZ monotherapy for the management of children with focal epilepsy remains controversial. What is New: • No significant differences were observed between the LEV and CBZ groups in terms of overall seizure freedom, safety, and tolerance. • However, LEV resulted in a lower frequency of at least one seizure and fewer dermatological adverse events than CBZ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) have demonstrated protective effects in major depressive disorder (MDD) patients receiving antidepressant treatment. However, there have been a few double-blind randomized controlled trials focused on n-3 PUFAs as monotherapy in MDD, and the outcomes have been mixed. This study aimed to assess the clinical effects of n-3 PUFAs monotherapy in patients with MDD. Methods: A total of 60 patients with MDD participated in this 12-week double-blind randomized controlled trial. They were randomized to either the n-3 PUFAs group (n = 30; 3.2 g of eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA and docosahexaenoic acid, DHA per day) or the placebo group (n = 30; 3.2 g of soybean oil per day). The severity of depression was evaluated using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD). Results: The n-3 PUFAs group had a significantly lower HRSD score compared with the placebo group at week 4 (p = 0.004), week 6 (p = 0.006), week 8 (p = 0.004), and week 12 (p = 0.01). The n-3 PUFAs group showed slightly higher rates for both remission (26.7% vs. 10%, p = 0.095) and response (23.3% vs. 6.7%, p = 0.145) compared with the placebo group at week 12, but these differences did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions: These findings suggested that monotherapy of n-3 PUFAs could improve depression and potentially serve as an alternative option for MDD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Chemical peels are used to treat photoageing, pigmentation, improve complexion and dull skin, fine lines and scars. The objective of this study is to do comparative analysis of Lactic Acid 30% with Ferulic peel 12% (combination peel) versus TCA 10% with Ferulic peel 12% (combination peel) for Photoageing Skin. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study from September 2021 to 2022 with total 50 female patients aged between 25 and 40 years were treated. Randomisation of patients was done (simple randomisation using lottery method) for both groups with 25 patients enrolled in each group. The first group (Group A-25 patients) were treated with lactic acid 30% with Ferulic peel 12% (combination peel). The second group (Group B-25 patients) were treated with TCA 10% with Ferulic peel 12% (combination peel). Inclusion and exclusion criteria have been defined for the study. Two scales have been used for assessing the results: Allergan Skin Roughness Scale (ASRS) and Allergan Fine Line Scale (AFLS). ASRS and AFLS scores were assessed at pre-treatment (pre) and post treatment (post-1 month after last peel session). Data were summarised in Mean ± SD (standard deviation). Pre and post groups were compared by paired t test. The pre to post change in outcome measures between two independent groups were compared by independent Student's t test. Discrete (categorical) groups were compared by Chi-square (χ2) test. A two-tailed (α=2) P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Analyses were performed on SPSS software (Windows version 22.0). Patients were followed up for 6 months post treatment. Results: In Group A, comparing the pre and post ASRS score, paired t test showed significant (P < 0.001) decrease or improvement of 56.1%. In Group B, comparing the pre and post ASRS score, paired t test showed significant (P < 0.001) decrease or improvement of 52.8%. Comparing the pre to post mean decrease or improvement in ASRS score of two groups, Student's t test showed similar (P > 0.05) improvement between the two groups though it was 2.5% higher in Group B as compared to Group A. In Group A, comparing the pre and post AFLS score, paired t test showed significant (P < 0.001) decrease or improvement of 63.2% at post as compared to pre. In Group B, comparing the pre and post AFLS score, paired t test showed significant (P < 0.001) decrease or improvement of 58.8% at post as compared to pre. Further, comparing the pre to post mean decrease or improvement in AFLS score of two groups, Student's t test showed similar (P > 0.05) improvement between the two groups though it was 16.7% higher in Group A as compared to Group B. Conclusion: Study found both the treatments equally effective in the management of ageing skin after 6 months of treatment. However, study needs further validation on larger sample size, varied age groups and male gender. Level of Evidence V: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The potential efficacy of early combination therapy, based on an antiviral plus a monoclonal antibody, for COVID-19 in severely immunocompromised patients is matter of debate. Objectives: Our aim was to describe the impact on clinical outcomes of COVID-19 treatments in severely immunocompromised individuals, evaluating differences between a combination and a monotherapy. Methods: We included severely immunocompromised outpatients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 who received an early treatment (either monotherapy with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir or remdesivir or the combination of an antiviral plus sotrovimab). We then assessed differences between the two treatment strategies on three main outcomes (30-day mortality, access to emergency department, hospitalization), separately and as a composite by using a propensity score weighted (PSW) approach. Results: Eighty one severely immunocompromised patients were included, 39 receiving early combination therapy and 42 receiving monotherapy. No significant difference was observed in the 30-day mortality rate and hospitalization rate between subjects in the two groups, while access to the emergency department following treatment administration was significantly higher in people who received a combination therapy. After applying the PSW, it was observed that combination therapy impacted favourably on the composite outcome, in a statistically significant fashion. In addition, PSW approach for mortality showed that age was the only significant factor influencing the death as stand-alone outcome. Conclusions: Early combination therapy showed a favourable impact on a composite outcome (including mortality, hospitalizations and access to emergency department) in severely immunocompromised hosts who were all vaccinated. However, further studies are needed to support our results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Women of childbearing age with juvenile absence epilepsy (JAE) face treatment challenges due to limited access to safe and effective anti‐seizure medications (ASMs). In a previous study we compared the effectiveness of levetiracetam (LEV) and lamotrigine (LTG) in women with idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE), highlighting a superiority of LEV in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. In this study, we specifically reanalyzed, through a Bayesian approach and by expanding the previously published cohort, the comparative effectiveness of these ASMs as initial monotherapy in JAE. Methods: We conducted a multicenter, retrospective, comparative effectiveness study on women of childbearing age diagnosed with JAE and prescribed LEV or LTG as the initial ASM. Inverse probability treatment weighting (IPTW) Bayesian Cox proportional hazard models were employed to evaluate treatment failure (TF) due to ineffectiveness and ASM retention. The patients' center of provenance and year of prescription were considered as random effect factors. Posterior probabilities and relative log‐risk distribution were computed, and the distribution of posterior draws was analyzed to assess the evidence supporting LTG superiority over LEV. Results: Of 123 patients, those treated with LTG (n = 67) demonstrated lower TF and higher ASM retention than those treated with LEV (n = 56), with the IPTW‐weighted Bayesian Cox proportional hazards model showing a 99.2% posterior probability of LTG being superior on TF and a 99.5% probability on ASM retention. Additional analyses on ≥50% and ≥75% seizure reduction through IPTW‐weighted Bayesian logistic regression largely confirmed these findings, whereas the two ASMs did not show evident differences in terms of seizure freedom. The two ASMs showed comparable safety profiles, with only a minority of patients discontinuing treatment due to side effects. Significance: Bayesian reanalysis supports LTG as first‐line monotherapy for JAE in women of childbearing age, emphasizing the importance of individualized treatment strategies in women with IGE. This study underscores the value of Bayesian methods in refining clinical research and treatment decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data comparing the clinical outcomes of novel β-lactam-β-lactamase inhibitors given in combination versus monotherapy for the treatment of multidrug-resistant (MDR) P. aeruginosa infections are lacking. This retrospective cohort study included patients who received novel β-lactam–β-lactamase inhibitors as monotherapy or in combination for the treatment of MDR P. aeruginosa infections. The study was conducted between 2017 and 2022 in 6 tertiary care hospitals in Saudi Arabia. Overall in-hospital mortality, 30-day mortality, clinical cure, and acute kidney injury (AKI) were compared between recipients of monotherapy versus combination using multivariate logistic regression analysis. 118 patients and 82 patients were included in monotherapy and combination therapy arms, respectively. The cohort represented an ill population with 56% in the intensive care unit and 37% in septic shock. A total of 19% of patients presented with bacteremia. Compared to monotherapy, combination therapy did not significantly differ in clinical cure (57% vs. 68%; P = 0.313; OR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.36–1.14) in-hospital mortality (45% vs. 37%; P = 0.267; OR, 1.38; 95% CI, 0.78–2.45), or 30-day mortality (27% vs. 24%; P = 0.619; OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 0.62–1.25). However, AKI (32% vs. 12%; P = 0.0006; OR, 3.45; 95% CI, 1.67–7.13) was significantly more common in patients who received combination therapy. Novel β-lactam–β-lactamase inhibitors when used in combination with other antibiotics did not add clinical benefit compared to their use as monotherapy in the treatment of MDR P. aeruginosa infections. A Combination regimen was associated with an increased risk of nephrotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epilepsy is a prevalent chronic neurological disorder in children, often requiring long term antiepileptic drug (AED) therapy. These medications can have cardiovascular side effects, including the development of atherosclerotic lesions. Such effects have been reported to impact the thickness of the carotid intima-media and the ejection fraction of the heart. This study aims to compare the carotid artery intima-media thickness and ejection fraction in children with epilepsy undergoing monotherapy versus polytherapy. This cross-sectional study collected primary data from pediatric epilepsy patients at the Child Neurology Outpatient and Inpatient Installation, Department of Pediatrics, RSUD Dr. Soetomo Surabaya, from June to August 2023. Patients who met the inclusion criteria and consented to participate were included through consecutive sampling. Data analysis was performed using the paired t-test, and data processing was conducted using SPSS. The study included 30 patients, predominantly male (53.3%). The mean age was 9.33 ± 5 years in the monotherapy group and 7.29 ± 4.59 years in the polytherapy group. In the polytherapy group, the mean carotid intima-media thickness was 0.073 ± 0.13 cm, compared to 0.06 ± 0.08 cm in the monotherapy group. The mean ejection fraction was 58 ± 1.76% in the polytherapy group and 71.05 ± 3.9% in the monotherapy group. The comparison of carotid intima-media thickness showed no significant difference (p > 0.05), while the ejection fraction comparison was significantly different (p < 0.05). Polytherapy in pediatric epilepsy is associated with a significantly lower ejection fraction, indicating potential cardiovascular risks, while differences in carotid intima-media thickness were not statistically significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Black race has been used to guide antihypertensive drug selection for Black patients based on predominant between race (same drug) and intra-race (different drugs) blood pressure (BP) response patterns. Accordingly, thiazide diuretics and calcium antagonists have been recommended over renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors (angiotensin-receptor blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors) and beta blockers for Black patients. Current antihypertensive drug prescribing reflects historical guidance as calcium antagonists and thiazide diuretics are prescribed more and RAS blockers less in Black than White patients. Hypertension control rates in Blacks, lag those for Whites despite their greater use of combination drug therapy and lesser use of monotherapy. This is also true across drug regimens containing any of the 4 recommended classes for initial therapy as well as for evidence-based combination drug therapy (calcium antagonist or thiazide diuretic + RAS blocker) regimens for which there is no known racial disparity in BP response. Current recommendations acknowledge the need for combination drug therapy in most, especially in Black patients. One exemplary comprehensive hypertension control program achieved >80% control rates in Black and White patients with minimal racial disparity while utilizing a race-agnostic therapeutic algorithm. Black patients manifest robust, if not outsized, BP responses to diet/lifestyle modifications. Importantly, race neither appears to be a necessary nor sufficient consideration for the selection of effective drug therapy. Accordingly, we urge the initiation of adequately intense race-agnostic drug therapy coupled with greater emphasis on diet/lifestyle modifications for Black patients as the cornerstone of a race-informed approach to hypertension therapeutics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This meta-analysis was conducted to compare the efficacy of ceftazidime-avibactam combination therapy with that of monotherapy in the treatment of carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacterial (CR-GNB). Methods: A literature search of PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov was conducted until September 1, 2023. Only studies that compared CZA combination therapy with monotherapy for CR-GNB infections were included. Results: A total of 25 studies (23 retrospective observational studies and 2 prospective studies) involving 2676 patients were included. There was no significant difference in 30-day mortality between the study group receiving combination therapy and the control group receiving monotherapy (risk ratio [RR] 0.91; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.71–1.18). In addition, no significant differences were observed between the study and the control group in terms of in-hospital mortality (RR 1.00; 95% CI 0.79–1.27), 14-day mortality (RR 1.54; 95% CI 0.24–9.91), 90-day mortality (RR 1.18; 95% CI 0.62–2.22), and clinical cure rate (RR 0.95; 95% CI 0.84–1.08). However, the combination group had a borderline higher microbiological eradication rate than the control group (RR 1.15; 95% CI 1.00–1.32). Conclusions: Compared to monotherapy, CZA combination therapy did not yield additional clinical benefits. However, combination therapy may be associated with favorable microbiological outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Currently, the effectiveness of TACE, Lenvatinib, and PD-1/L1 inhibitors used alone or in combination has been thoroughly reported. However, the differences in effectiveness between these treatment protocols require further verification. To this end, this study employs a Bayesian network meta-analysis to compare the efficacy and safety of TACE, Lenvatinib, and PD-1/L1 inhibitors, whether administered by monotherapy or in combination, providing evidence-based medicine for the treatment of unresectable HCC. Purpose: This study employed a network meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE), Programmed Cell Death Protein/Ligand 1 (PD-1/L1) inhibitors, and Lenvatinib in the treatment of advanced HCC. Methods: Literature on the treatment of advanced HCC with TACE, PD-1/L1 inhibitors, and Lenvatinib was searched for in both Chinese and English databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, ClinicalTrials.gov, Cochrane Library, CNKI, and Wanfang. Two researchers conducted independent screening and data extraction, and the meta-analysis was performed using R language with the gemtc package. Results: After retrieval and screening, a total of 21 articles were included, involving 2052 participants and six treatment modalities: Lenvatinib (L), TACE (T), TACE + Lenvatinib (TL), Lenvatinib + PD-1/L1 inhibitors (LP), TACE + Lenvatinib + PD-1/L1 inhibitors (TLP), and TACE + PD-1/L1 inhibitors (TP). In terms of objective response rate (ORR), the TLP regimen provided the optimal effect. In predicting the best ORR, TLP had the highest (75.5%) probability. In terms of disease control rate (DCR), the TLP regimen showed the best effect. In predicting the best DCR, the TLP again offered the highest (76.1%) probability. In terms of overall survival (OS), the best outcome was observed in the TLP protocol. In predicting the best OS, the TLP holds the highest (86.00%) probability. Furthermore, the best outcome in progression-free survival (PFS) was found in the TLP regimen. In predicting the best PFS, the TLP still holds the highest (97.0%) result. Conclusion: The combination of TACE, Lenvatinib, and PD-1/L1 inhibitors appears to provide the maximum benefit for inoperable HCC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Methods Results Conclusions Real‐world data (RWD) for paliperidone palmitate (PP) three‐monthly (PP3M) is lacking based on Japan label requirements. This study evaluated the clinical effectiveness of PP3M versus PP once‐monthly (PP1M) in patients with schizophrenia administered according to Japan label requirements.Retrospective analyses were conducted using RWD from Merative™ MarketScan® Multi‐State Medicaid (MDCD) claims database (June 2015–December 2022). Adult patients with schizophrenia switching from PP1M to PP3M were included. Patients transitioning to PP3M were matched with patients who continued with PP1M using propensity score matching (PSM) at 1:1 ratio. Primary hypothesis aimed to investigate non‐inferiority of PP3M versus PP1M in terms of relapse‐free status at 24 months from index PP injection. Outcome measures were proportions of relapse‐free patients at 24 months, time to relapse, treatment persistence, and adherence.Total 4252 eligible adult schizophrenia patients on PP (PP3M:582; PP1M:3670) were identified. After PSM, each PP cohort comprised 562 matched individuals. Estimated proportion of relapse‐free patients was higher in PP3M (85.7%) versus PP1M (77.9%), per Japan PP label. PP3M demonstrated superiority to PP1M after testing for non‐inferiority in terms of achieving relapse‐free status at 24 months, with an estimated difference of 7.8% (95% CI: 1.7%–13.9%). PP3M cohort had lower risk of relapse (HR: 0.605; CI: 0.427–0.856), longer treatment persistence, and higher treatment adherence versus PP1M cohort.Findings suggests that patients who switched to PP3M might be able to reduce risk of relapse compared to those who continued PP1M after aligning particularly with Japan's label requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We report the final results of treatment with aripiprazole, blonanserin, and paliperidone from the Japan Useful Medication Program for Schizophrenia (JUMPs), a 104-week naturalistic study. Methods: JUMPs was an open-label, three-arm, randomized, parallel-group, 104-week study. Patients aged ≥ 20 years with schizophrenia requiring antipsychotic treatment or a switch from previous therapy were enrolled. The primary endpoint was treatment discontinuation rate over 104 weeks. Secondary endpoints included remission rate, Personal and Social Performance (PSP), safety, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), and quality of life (QOL; EuroQol-5 dimension). Results: In total, 251 patients received aripiprazole (n = 82), blonanserin (n = 85), or paliperidone (n = 84). Treatment discontinuation rates (aripiprazole, 80.5%; blonanserin, 81.2%; paliperidone, 71.4%) were not significantly different (p = 0.2385) among the treatment groups at 104 weeks; comparable outcomes were observed for endpoints, including remission (42.9%, 46.7%, and 45.8%), PANSS, and safety. In the overall cohort, while the improvement in the PSP total score at Week 104 was not significantly different from baseline, a significant improvement (p < 0.05) in QOL and total PANSS scores (including all subscales) was observed at Week 104 compared with baseline. Multivariable analysis identified a shorter disease duration and a higher chlorpromazine-equivalent antipsychotic dosage level (≥ 1000 mg) before switching to monotherapy as predictors of treatment discontinuation. Conclusions: The 104-week treatment outcomes were comparable between groups; the overall trend of improvement in remission rate, safety, and QOL suggests the importance of continued treatment. Clinical trial registration: UMIN-Clinical Trials Registry UMIN000007942 (public release date: 14/05/2012). Key points: • The follow-up (104-week) results of the JUMPs study showed that the rate of treatment discontinuation (range: 71–81%) and resolution of symptoms (range: 43–47%) were similar among Japanese patients with schizophrenia treated with aripiprazole, blonanserin, and paliperidone. • Continued second-generation antipsychotic treatment (104-week) contributes to the maintenance of remission, social functioning, and QOL. • Treatment discontinuation is likely to get affected by shorter disease duration and higher dose of antipsychotics (chlorpromazine-equivalent antipsychotic dosage level: ≥1000 mg) before switching to single treatment with any of the three second-generation antipsychotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are no nationwide surveys on antihypertensive drugs in China. In order to assess the current status of antihypertensive drug therapy in patients with hypertension and analyzed factors that may affect combination therapy, using convenience sampling, we recruited 305,624 patients with hypertension from the Chinese Cardiovascular Association Database‐Hypertension Center between January 2019 and December 2021. Chi‐squared test was performed to analyze the administered antihypertensive drug types and their combinations in different hospital settings. Logistic regression was used to assess the factors influencing combination therapy. We found around 33.1% of the participants had stage 2 and above hypertension, of which 67.9% were treated with combination therapy. In community or general hospitals, the most common monotherapy was calcium channel blockers (CCB), angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin II receptor inhibitor (ACEI/ARB) and diuretic were the main single‐pill combinations (SPCs), and ACEI/ARB and CCB were the main free combination. From 2019 to 2021, the rates of combination therapy increased (58.8%–64.1%) with SPCs from 25.9% to 31.0% and free combination from 31.9% to 32.6%. Patients aged < 60 years, with stage 2 and above hypertension, with an education level of high school and above, visiting general hospitals, living in the eastern region of China, with hypertension risk factors and comorbidities, and without anxiety or depression were more likely to receive combination therapy (all P <.05). The combination therapy use rate increased yearly and the rate of SPCs rose obviously. Individual, hospital, and regional differences in patients with hypertension influenced combination therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Hypertrophic scars arise from aberrant wound healing and can lead to functional and aesthetic impairments. One of the common interventions for treating hypertrophic scars is fractional carbon dioxide (CO2) laser, which employs narrow laser beams to stimulate dermal collagen deposition. Recent studies and reports have suggested that combining laser therapy with other interventions such as botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) and topical growth factors may enhance treatment outcomes. Here, we examine the efficacy and safety of a sequential combination of BTX-A, fractional CO2 laser, and topical growth factors, referred to as combined therapy, for treating hypertrophic scars compared with only using fractional CO2 laser and topical growth factors, referred to as monotherapy. Our retrospective study includes 128 patients with hypertrophic scars (56 underwent monotherapy and 72 underwent combined therapy), which were followed-up for up to 15 months after the initiation of treatment to collect demographic and clinical data. Our analysis showed that the combined therapy significantly outperformed monotherapy in improving Vancouver scar scale scores (P

Abstract Background Schizophrenia (SCZ) shares high clinical relevance with the immune system, and the potential interactions of psychopharmacological drugs with the immune system are still an overlooked area. Here, we aimed to identify whether the second-generation antipsychotics (SGA) monotherapy or combined therapy of SGA with other psychiatric medications influence the routine blood immunity biomarkers of patients with SCZ. Methods Medical records of inpatients with SCZ from January 2019 to June 2023 were retrospectively screened from June 2023 to August 2023. The demographic data and peripheral levels of cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, TNF-α, INF-γ, and IL-17 A), lymphocyte subtype proportions (CD3+, CD4+, CD8 + T-cell, and natural killer (NK) cells), and thyroid autoimmune antibodies (thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb), and antithyroglobulin antibody (TGAb)) were collected and analyzed. Results 30 drug-naïve patients, 64 SGA monotherapy (20 for first-episode SCZ, 44 for recurrent SCZ) for at least one week, 39 combined therapies for recurrent SCZ (18 with antidepressant, 10 with benzodiazepine, and 11 with mood stabilizer) for at least two weeks, and 23 used to receive SGA monotherapy (had withdrawn for at least two weeks) were included despite specific medication. No difference in cytokines was found between the SGA monotherapy sub-groups (p > 0.05). Of note, SGA monotherapy appeared to induce a down-regulation of IFN-γ in both first (mean [95% confidence interval]: 1.08 [0.14–2.01] vs. 4.60 [2.11–7.08], p = 0.020) and recurrent (1.88 [0.71–3.05] vs. 4.60 [2.11–7.08], p = 0.027) episodes compared to drug-naïve patients. However, the lymphocyte proportions and thyroid autoimmune antibodies remained unchanged after at least two weeks of SGA monotherapy (p > 0.05). In combined therapy groups, results mainly resembled the SGA monotherapy for recurrent SCZ (p > 0.05). Conclusion The study demonstrated that SGA monotherapy possibly achieved its comfort role via modulating IFN-γ, and SGA combined therapy showed an overall resemblance to monotherapy.

Abstract Background The potential efficacy of early combination therapy, based on an antiviral plus a monoclonal antibody, for COVID-19 in severely immunocompromised patients is matter of debate. Objectives Our aim was to describe the impact on clinical outcomes of COVID-19 treatments in severely immunocompromised individuals, evaluating differences between a combination and a monotherapy. Methods We included severely immunocompromised outpatients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 who received an early treatment (either monotherapy with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir or remdesivir or the combination of an antiviral plus sotrovimab). We then assessed differences between the two treatment strategies on three main outcomes (30-day mortality, access to emergency department, hospitalization), separately and as a composite by using a propensity score weighted (PSW) approach. Results Eighty one severely immunocompromised patients were included, 39 receiving early combination therapy and 42 receiving monotherapy. No significant difference was observed in the 30-day mortality rate and hospitalization rate between subjects in the two groups, while access to the emergency department following treatment administration was significantly higher in people who received a combination therapy. After applying the PSW, it was observed that combination therapy impacted favourably on the composite outcome, in a statistically significant fashion. In addition, PSW approach for mortality showed that age was the only significant factor influencing the death as stand-alone outcome. Conclusions Early combination therapy showed a favourable impact on a composite outcome (including mortality, hospitalizations and access to emergency department) in severely immunocompromised hosts who were all vaccinated. However, further studies are needed to support our results.

Abstract There are no nationwide surveys on antihypertensive drugs in China. In order to assess the current status of antihypertensive drug therapy in patients with hypertension and analyzed factors that may affect combination therapy, using convenience sampling, we recruited 305,624 patients with hypertension from the Chinese Cardiovascular Association Database‐Hypertension Center between January 2019 and December 2021. Chi‐squared test was performed to analyze the administered antihypertensive drug types and their combinations in different hospital settings. Logistic regression was used to assess the factors influencing combination therapy. We found around 33.1% of the participants had stage 2 and above hypertension, of which 67.9% were treated with combination therapy. In community or general hospitals, the most common monotherapy was calcium channel blockers (CCB), angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin II receptor inhibitor (ACEI/ARB) and diuretic were the main single‐pill combinations (SPCs), and ACEI/ARB and CCB were the main free combination. From 2019 to 2021, the rates of combination therapy increased (58.8%–64.1%) with SPCs from 25.9% to 31.0% and free combination from 31.9% to 32.6%. Patients aged

Abstract Background Methotrexate (MTX) remains the recommended first-line treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA); however, its response varies and is influenced by various factors. This study aimed to identify predictors of MTX monotherapy treatment success in an Indonesian cohort. Methods This retrospective cohort study included newly diagnosed RA patients receiving MTX monotherapy. Treatment success was defined as achieving remission or low disease activity according to Disease Activity Score-28 with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR) after 12 months of MTX therapy. The association between demographic, clinical, and laboratory factors and achieving therapy targets was evaluated using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results Among 254 subjects, 59.4% achieved treatment success with MTX monotherapy, with remission attained in 33% and low disease activity in 26.4%. Most subjects were female (95.7%) with a mean age of 48 ± 11 years. Multivariate analysis revealed that lower disease activity (OR 1.97; 95% CI [1.04–3.72]), normal ESR (OR 2.58; 95% CI [1.05–6.34]), normoweight (OR 2.55, 95% CI [1.45–4.49]), and tender joint count ≤ 5 (OR 2.45, 95% CI [1.31–4.58]) were significant predictors of treatment success. Conclusion The rate of MTX monotherapy success in our study was 59.4%. Lower disease activity, normal ESR, normoweight, and fewer tender joints at baseline were significant predictors of treatment success.

Abstract Background We report the final results of treatment with aripiprazole, blonanserin, and paliperidone from the Japan Useful Medication Program for Schizophrenia (JUMPs), a 104-week naturalistic study. Methods JUMPs was an open-label, three-arm, randomized, parallel-group, 104-week study. Patients aged ≥ 20 years with schizophrenia requiring antipsychotic treatment or a switch from previous therapy were enrolled. The primary endpoint was treatment discontinuation rate over 104 weeks. Secondary endpoints included remission rate, Personal and Social Performance (PSP), safety, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), and quality of life (QOL; EuroQol-5 dimension). Results In total, 251 patients received aripiprazole (n = 82), blonanserin (n = 85), or paliperidone (n = 84). Treatment discontinuation rates (aripiprazole, 80.5%; blonanserin, 81.2%; paliperidone, 71.4%) were not significantly different (p = 0.2385) among the treatment groups at 104 weeks; comparable outcomes were observed for endpoints, including remission (42.9%, 46.7%, and 45.8%), PANSS, and safety. In the overall cohort, while the improvement in the PSP total score at Week 104 was not significantly different from baseline, a significant improvement (p

Introduction: Chemotherapy plus immunotherapy is the standard treatment worldwide for advanced lung squamous cell carcinoma with high programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) expression. The use of immunotherapy alone against advanced lung squamous cell carcinoma is rarely reported, and data on PD-1 inhibitor camrelizumab are missing. We report the first case of camrelizumab monotherapy, which can be a reference for the clinical applications of camrelizumab in a wider context. Case Presentation: We herein present a 69-year-old male case of advanced squamous cell carcinoma with low PD-1 expression, in which camrelizumab monotherapy was administered every 3 weeks. Camrelizumab monotherapy reversed advanced lung squamous cell carcinoma without recurrence or obvious side effects during 26 months of follow-up. The patient is alive and in good conditions to date; thus, progression-free survival and overall survival are not determined. Conclusion: This case report provides evidence of the efficacy of camrelizumab monotherapy and highlights the feasibility of camrelizumab alone against advanced lung squamous cell carcinoma when chemotherapy is not applicable.

Abstract The efficacy of pembrolizumab in the treatment-naïve non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients was proved in the KEYNOTE-024 randomized trial. The aim of this systematic literature review was to identify and summarize the real world evidence (RWE) of overall survival (OS) in previously untreated patients with NSCLC receiving pembrolizumab monotherapy. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed (MEDLINE®) and EMBASE databases. Analyses were focused on survival data (median OS and survival rates at specific time points). To explore the population comparable with the KEYNOTE-024 study, we focused on studies enrolling at least 50% of patients at stage IV of cancer and ECOG performance status 0–2. A total of 41 RWE studies covering over 7600 advanced NSCLC patients naïve to systemic treatment were identified. Overall, survival outcomes reported in those studies vary considerably (median OS range: 3.0–34.6 months). Most RWE studies reported median OS shorter to that reported in KEYNOTE-024 (26.3 months), but about half of reported OS medians were in range of 95% confidence interval for OS as reported in KEYNOTE-024 trial (18.3–40.4 months). Patients with similar characteristics of stage and performance status to those of KEYNOTE-024 trial benefited the same with pembrolizumab monotherapy as their survival outcomes (18.9–22.8 months) were consistent with those reported in the clinical trial. RWE data showed substantially worse outcomes in patients with ECOG-PS 2+ compared to ECOG-PS 0–1 patients.

Ovarian adenocarcinoma is the gynecological malignancy with the worst prognosis and the highest mortality rate. In the first stages of treatment, chemotherapy results effective, but its prolonged use and high doses lead to the appearance of resistance to treatments and relapse in most patients, representing a major challenge for clinicians. We developed PEP-010, a cell penetrating proapoptotic peptide disrupting the protein-protein interaction between caspase-9 and protein phosphatase 2A, thereby leading to the recovery of their activity in the apoptotic pathway. MTT assay or Annexin-V/Propidium Iodide staining and flow cytometry analysis were used to assess sensitivity to chemotherapies and apoptosis after treatment with PEP-010 in monotherapy or in combination with paclitaxel in ovarian carcinoma cell lines. DNA damage was assessed by immunofluorescence using γH2AX marker. We show here that PEP-010 effectively induces cell death in monotherapy on in up to 55% of cells from ovarian adenocarcinoma cell models resistant to different chemotherapies. Moreover, when used in combination with paclitaxel, one of the therapeutic options for recurrent ovarian carcinoma, PEP-010 showed a beneficial effect leading to the reduction of the IC50 of paclitaxel of 2.2 times and to apoptosis in 87% of cells. The described results suggest the potential therapeutic interest for PEP-010 and lead to the choice of ovarian adenocarcinoma as one of the major indications of the ongoing clinical trial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficacy of pembrolizumab in the treatment-naïve non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients was proved in the KEYNOTE-024 randomized trial. The aim of this systematic literature review was to identify and summarize the real world evidence (RWE) of overall survival (OS) in previously untreated patients with NSCLC receiving pembrolizumab monotherapy. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed (MEDLINE®) and EMBASE databases. Analyses were focused on survival data (median OS and survival rates at specific time points). To explore the population comparable with the KEYNOTE-024 study, we focused on studies enrolling at least 50% of patients at stage IV of cancer and ECOG performance status 0–2. A total of 41 RWE studies covering over 7600 advanced NSCLC patients naïve to systemic treatment were identified. Overall, survival outcomes reported in those studies vary considerably (median OS range: 3.0–34.6 months). Most RWE studies reported median OS shorter to that reported in KEYNOTE-024 (26.3 months), but about half of reported OS medians were in range of 95% confidence interval for OS as reported in KEYNOTE-024 trial (18.3–40.4 months). Patients with similar characteristics of stage and performance status to those of KEYNOTE-024 trial benefited the same with pembrolizumab monotherapy as their survival outcomes (18.9–22.8 months) were consistent with those reported in the clinical trial. RWE data showed substantially worse outcomes in patients with ECOG-PS 2+ compared to ECOG-PS 0–1 patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ELEVATE (Study 410; NCT03288129) is the first prospective, multicenter, open-label, Phase IV study of perampanel as monotherapy or first adjunctive therapy in patients aged ≥ 4 years with focal-onset seizures or generalized tonic–clonic seizures in the United States. The study included Screening, Titration (≤ 13 weeks), Maintenance (39 weeks), and Follow-up (4 weeks) Periods. During Titration, perampanel was initiated at 2 mg/day and up-titrated to 4 mg/day at Week 3. Depending on response and tolerability, optional up-titrations to a maximum of 12 mg/day occurred. The primary endpoint was retention rate; additional endpoints included seizure-freedom rate, 50% responder rate, and incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs). At baseline, 10 (18.5%) patients were assigned to the monotherapy group and 44 (81.5%) patients to the first adjunctive therapy group. However, due to the addition of an anti-seizure medication along with perampanel on the first day of treatment, one patient was excluded from the monotherapy subgroup analyses. The mean perampanel exposure duration was 39.8 weeks and 32 (59.3%) patients completed the study. Retention rate at 12 months (or study completion) was 63.0% (monotherapy, 77.8%; first adjunctive therapy, 59.1%). Seizure-freedom rate during the Maintenance Period was 32.7% (monotherapy, 44.4%; first adjunctive therapy, 29.5%) and the 50% responder rate was 78.7% (monotherapy, 85.7%; first adjunctive therapy, 76.9%). TEAEs and serious TEAEs were reported by 88.9% (n = 48/54) and 7.4% (n = 4/54) of patients, respectively. Overall, the efficacy and safety of perampanel as monotherapy or first adjunctive therapy support the use of perampanel as early-line treatment for epilepsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: As the development of novel anti-angiogenic drugs and the continuous evolution of guideline recommendations, the efficacy and safety of anti-angiogenic agents in ovarian cancer (OC) remains unclear. Consequently, a meta-analysis was carried out to assess the efficacy and safety of antiangiogenic drug monotherapy and combination therapy for OC. Methods: An exhaustive literature review was performed across multiple databases, including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane, encompassing all relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) up until 6 April 2024. The evaluation of efficacy outcomes incorporated progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and objective response rate (ORR). Safety was assessed through the occurrence of any grade adverse events (AEs) and grade ≥3 AEs. Synthesis of the data involved the calculation of hazard ratios (HRs), relative risks (RRs), and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and prediction intervals (PIs). Trial sequential analysis was executed employing TSA v0.9.5.10 Beta software, STATA 12.0, and R software 4.3.1. Results: In this meta-analysis, 35 RCTs were included, encompassing 16,199 subjects in total. The overall analysis indicated that anti-angiogenic drug combination therapy significantly improved PFS (HR [95% CI] = 0.678 [0.606–0.759], 95% PI: 0.415–1.108), OS (HR [95% CI] = 0.917 [0.870–0.966], 95% PI: 0.851–0.984), and ORR (RR [95% CI] = 1.441 [1.287–1.614], 95% PI: 1.032–2.014), but also increased the incidence of grade ≥3 AEs (RR [95% CI] = 1.137 [1.099–1.177], 95% PI: 1.011–1.252). The analysis did not corroborate any benefit of anti-angiogenic monotherapy over placebo concerning PFS (HR [95% CI] = 0.956 [0.709–1.288], 95% PI: 0.345–2.645) and OS (HR [95% CI] = 1.039 [0.921–1.173], 95% PI: 0.824–1.331). However, it was observed that monotherapy with anti-angiogenic drugs did increase the incidence of any grade AEs (RR [95% CI] = 1.072 [1.036–1.109], 95% PI: 0.709–1.592). Conclusion: Our study confirmed the PFS, OS, and ORR benefits of antiangiogenic drug combination therapy for OC patients. The efficacy results of anti-angiogenic monotherapy necessitates further evaluation as more RCTs become available. Clinicians should be vigilant of AEs when administering antiangiogenic agents in a clinical setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Pembrolizumab is indicated for a wide variety of oncologic diseases and is the first tissue- or site-agnostic agent indicated in patients with the microsatellite-high/DNA mismatch repair-deficient biomarker. Pembrolizumab dosed at 400 mg every 6 weeks (Q6W) was approved by the FDA in addition to the previously approved dosage of 200 mg every 3 weeks (Q3W) based on pharmacokinetic modeling. However, the difference between adverse events (AEs) of the 2 dosing regimens is not thoroughly described. OBJECTIVE: To assess the rate of AEs after receiving pembrolizumab at a dosage of 400 mg Q6W versus 200 mg Q3W. METHODS: This was a multicenter, retrospective chart review that included patients aged ≥18 years who received at least one 200-mg or 400-mg dose of intravenous pembrolizumab monotherapy between April 2020 and October 2021. Patients were excluded from the review if they received systemic chemotherapy concurrently with pembrolizumab or if they switched dosing regimens more than 1 time. The primary end point for the study was the occurrence of immune-related AEs (irAEs) with pembrolizumab monotherapy. RESULTS: A total of 67 patients were considered for analyses to compare the Q3W dose group (N=45) with the Q6W dose group (N=22). The most frequent indications were squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, urothelial carcinoma, and non-small cell lung cancer. There were no statistical differences in AEs between the groups. Overall, 39 (58.2%) of the 67 patients had any AE, of whom 26 (58%) and 13 (59%) patients in the Q3W and Q6W dose groups, respectively, had an AE. The time between hepatic dysfunction irAEs was approaching statistical significance; the Q6W dose group had a shorter time to hepatic dysfunction than the Q3W dose group (Δ=19; P=.056). The median times to hepatic dysfunction were 27±36 weeks and 8±5 weeks with the Q3W and Q6W dosing regimens, respectively. CONCLUSION: The overall incidences of irAEs were similar between the Q3W and Q6W dosing regimens for pembrolizumab. Although the incidences of hepatic irAEs were similar between the groups, the patients in the Q6W dosing regimen had a significantly faster time to the onset of hepatic irAEs than the Q3W dose group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundEpilepsy management during pregnancy is crucial for both the mother and fetus. The use of antiseizure medications (ASMs) during pregnancy requires careful consideration due to their potential effects on maternal and fetal health.MethodsThis study analyzed trends in ASMs use among pregnant people in four Canadian provinces over 20 years (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Quebec). Descriptive statistics were utilized to examine the characteristics of the population, with the frequency and patterns of ASM use estimated throughout each trimester. Linear regression models were developed to analyze yearly patterns of ASM utilization for the overall study population, as well as for people with and without epilepsy.ResultsAmong 1,317,141 pregnant individuals across four provinces, 0.7% had epilepsy. Of the total pregnancies, 1.7% (n = 22,783) were exposed to ASMs, comprising 4,392 from pregnant people with epilepsy (PPWE) and 18,391 from those without epilepsy (PPWOE). Results demonstrated varying trends in ASM usage between provinces, with an overall increase in usage among people without epilepsy in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. ASM use among PPWOE surged significantly in Manitoba (24.2–149.1 per 10,000 pregnant people), Saskatchewan (29.4–107.0 per 10,000), and Alberta (65.7–241.7 per 10,000) (p < 0.05). In Alberta, PPWE’s ASM exposure also rose, from 23.6 in 2008 to 43.0 per 10,000 pregnant people in 2021, while Quebec witnessed a decrease from 59.2 in 1998 to 45.5 per 10,000 pregnancies in 2015. Analysis of ASM use by trimester illustrated a substantial decline among PPWOE from 365 days pre-pregnancy to the third trimester in all provinces. ASM utilization by drug class showcased significant shifts, with second-generation ASMs experiencing a notable rise. Carbamazepine, once prominent, declined, making way for lamotrigine. Regional variations underscore diverse preferences, such as clonazepam’s sustained popularity in Manitoba and Quebec.ConclusionThe study identified increasing trends in ASM use, particularly the increased use of second-generation ASMs, and differences in prescription patterns for pregnant individuals with and without epilepsy. These findings reveal changing ASM use patterns, including increased second-generation ASM use and regional disparities, providing valuable insights into real-world prescription practices.

The aim of this study was to observe the remission of primary membranous nephropathy (PMN) and evaluate the efficacy of tacrolimus (TAC) monotherapy for PMN in comparison with TAC combined with a low-dose glucocorticoid (GC) protocol (TAC + GC).

Background: Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) infections pose a significant threat to global health due to limited treatment options and high mortality rates. Colistin-based regimens have emerged as a primary treatment approach, but the effectiveness and mortality outcomes of colistin monotherapy versus colistin-fosfomycin combination therapy remain uncertain. This study aims to compare the effectiveness and mortality of colistin monotherapy and colistin-fosfomycin combination therapy for CRE infections. Notably, our study is the first to undertake a comprehensive examination of the effectiveness and mortality outcomes between colistin monotherapy and colistin-fosfomycin combination therapy in the context of CRE infections. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from patients diagnosed with carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) infections at Nakornping Hospital during 2015 to 2022. Inverse probability weighting (IPW) was employed to create balanced cohorts of patients receiving either colistin monotherapy or colistin-fosfomycin combination therapy. The primary outcome measure was treatment effectiveness, assessed by 30-day mortality. Secondary outcome measures included clinical response, mortality at the end of treatment, and microbiologic response. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were employed after applying propensity score weighting using inverse probability of weighting (IPW). Results: A total of 220 patients were included in the analysis, with 67 receiving colistin monotherapy and 153 receiving colistin-fosfomycin combination therapy. Propensity score weighting using IPW balanced the baseline characteristics between the two groups. The effectiveness of treatment, as measured by 30-day mortality, was not significantly different between the colistin monotherapy group and the colistin-fosfomycin combination therapy group (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.51, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.60–3.78, p = 0.383). Similarly, no significant difference was observed in the mortality at the end of treatment between the two groups (aOR = 1.26, 95% CI: 0.55–2.90, p = 0.576). The clinical response (aOR = 1.48, 95% CI: 0.61–3.59, p = 0.383) and microbiologic response (aOR = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.18–2.38, p = 0.527) were similar between the colistin monotherapy and colistin-fosfomycin combination therapy groups. Conclusion: The propensity score analysis among 220 matched patients showed comparable treatment effectiveness and mortality between colistin monotherapy and colistin-fosfomycin combination therapy for CRE infections. These results suggest that colistin monotherapy may be as effective as combination therapy. More prospective randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these findings and establish optimal CRE treatment strategies.

Abstract Background Treating tibial non-unions efficiently presents a challenge for orthopaedic trauma surgeons. The established gold standard involves implanting autologous bone graft with adequate fixation, but the addition of biologicals according to the so-called diamond concept has become increasingly popular in the treatment of non-unions. Previous studies have indicated that polytherapy, which involves implanting mesenchymal stem cells, bioactive factors and osteoconductive scaffolds, can improve bone healing. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of polytherapy compared with monotherapy in treating tibial non-unions of varying severity. Materials and methods Data from consecutive tibial non-unions treated between November 2014 and July 2023 were retrospectively analysed. The Non Union Scoring System (NUSS) score before non-union surgery, and the Radiographic Union Score for Tibial fractures (RUST), scored at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 18 months post-surgery, were recorded. Initially, a comparison was made between the polytherapy and monotherapy groups. Subsequently, patients receiving additional surgical non-union treatment were documented, and the frequency of these treatments was tallied for a subsequent per-treatment analysis. Results A total of 34 patients were included and divided into a polytherapy group (n = 15) and a monotherapy group (n = 19). The polytherapy group demonstrated a higher NUSS score (44 (39, 52) versus 32 (29, 43), P = 0.019, z = −2.347) and a tendency towards a higher success rate (93% versus 68%, P = 0.104) compared with the monotherapy group. For the per-treatment analysis, 44 treatments were divided into the polytherapy per-treatment group (n = 20) and the monotherapy per-treatment group (n = 24). The polytherapy per-treatment group exhibited a higher NUSS score (48 (43, 60) versus 38 (30, 50), P = 0.030, z = −2.173) and a higher success rate (95% versus 58%, P = 0.006) than the monotherapy per-treatment group. Within the monotherapy per-treatment group, the NUSS score displayed excellent predictive performance (AUC = 0.9143). Setting the threshold value at 48, the sensitivity and specificity were 100.0% and 70.0%, respectively. Conclusions Polytherapy is more effective than monotherapy for severe tibial non-unions, offering a higher success ratio. The NUSS score supports decision-making in treating tibial non-unions. Level of evidence Level III.

Abstract Previous work comparing safety and effectiveness outcomes for new initiators of angiotensin converting‐enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) and thiazides demonstrated more favorable outcomes for thiazides, although cohort definitions allowed for addition of a second antihypertensive medication after a week of monotherapy. Here, we modify the monotherapy definition, imposing exit from cohorts upon addition of another antihypertensive medication. We determine hazard ratios (HR) for 55 safety and effectiveness outcomes over six databases and compare results to earlier findings. We find, for all primary outcomes, statistically significant differences in effectiveness between ACEi and thiazides were not replicated (HRs: 1.11, 1.06, 1.12 for acute myocardial infarction, hospitalization with heart failure and stroke, respectively). While statistical significance is similarly lost for several safety outcomes, the safety profile of thiazides remains more favorable. Our results indicate a less striking difference in effectiveness of thiazides compared to ACEi and reflect some sensitivity to the monotherapy cohort definition modification.

Aim. To evaluate the usage of antihypertensive drugs (AHDs) and their combinations in participants aged 35 to74 years with arterial hypertension (AH) in the population-based study ESSE-RF3.Material and methods. Representative samples of the population aged 35 to 74 years from 15 regions of Russia (n=28731) with a response rate over 70% were examined in the ESSE-RF3 study. Therapy received by 9944 participants with AH (with systolic BP ≥140 mm Hg and/or diastolic BP ≥90 mm Hg, or when the subject was taking AHDs) was analyzed. Information about AHDs intake (brand name of the drug) was recorded by questionnaire and coded according to International Nonproprietary Names by classes. Statistical analysis was performed using the open-source R 4.1 environment. Comparison of discrete indicators between groups was performed using Fisher’s exact test. The significance level for all tested hypotheses was taken as.05. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of FGBI “NMRC TPM” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, each participant signed an informed consent.Results. Among the patients receiving therapy for AH, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) were used by 38.8% of participants, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) — 31.6%, betablockers (BBs) — 29.0%, сalcium channel blockers (CCBs) — 21.5%, diuretics — 18.6%, 1.1% — outdated AHDs; 8.6% — other groups of drugs. Monotherapy was used by 53.1% of patients, 33.1% of participants received two, and 13.9% received three AHDs. Among participants taking two or more AHDs (including single-pill combinations (SPC)), males most often received the combination of BB+ ACEI and females — BB+ARBs. SPC AHDs were used by 10.3% of those receiving therapy (males: 9.8%, females: 10.6%). Among SPCs, the top three combinations were CCBs + ACEIs (28%), diuretics + ACEIs (27.5%), and diuretics + ARBs (24.4%).Conclusion. The population study ESSE-RF3, based on the survey of a representative sample of the Russian population aged 35-74 years, showed that more than a half of participants with AH receiving therapy were used the monotherapy, only every tenth of those treated received SPC. The problem of insufficient patients’ literacy was indicated — about 1% of patients received outdated AGPs. In addition, 8.6% of patients used non-AHDs for the treatment of AH. For improving the control of AH treatment, it is necessary to increase the adherence of patients to the prescribed therapy and more strict adherence of doctors to the published guidelines for AH treatment.

Atherosclerotic plaque formation is a leading cause of arterial thrombosis that significantly impacts global health by instigating major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) like myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke. Platelets are central to this process, leading to the development of antiplatelet therapies, to mitigate MACE risks. The combination of aspirin with a potent P2Y12 inhibitor known as dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is the standard for post-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) aimed at reducing ischemic events. However, DAPT’s associated bleeding risks, particularly in high bleeding risk (HBR) patients, require a balanced approach to optimize therapeutic outcomes. Recent advancements have led to the exploration of ticagrelor monotherapy as a promising strategy after short-term DAPT to reduce bleeding risks while preserving ischemic protection. This review manuscript focuses on ticagrelor monotherapy for HBR patients with discussion on optimal timing, patient selection, and treatment duration. It highlights ticagrelor’s broad efficacy in diverse patient sub-groups and outlines its superiority over aspirin (ASA) and clopidogrel monotherapies. Trials such as TICO, TWILIGHT, GLOBAL LEADERS, and ULTIMATE-DAPT as well as literature meta-analyses validate ticagrelor monotherapy’s role in lowering mortality and clinical adverse events versus conventional DAPT. The review endorses a personalized treatment regimen, beginning with DAPT before moving to ticagrelor monotherapy, as a balanced method for managing both bleeding and ischemic risks in post-PCI acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients, especially those facing higher bleeding threats.

In metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), tumors that do not harbor driver mutations in EGFR or gene fusions in ALK and ROS, PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors have become a cornerstone in first line treatment, either as monotherapy or in combination with chemotherapy. This paper reviews cemiplimab-rwlc, the third PD-1/L1 inhibitor to be approved in the setting for first line treatment in NSCLC, as monotherapy or in combination therapy with chemotherapy, to provide a perspective on the subtle differences in patient population for the cemiplimab studies and consideration of its primary and subgroup results in the context of first line therapies for NSCLC.

Pregnancy-related gastric cancer is characterized by a refractory nature and poor prognosis; few gastric cancer cases during pregnancy achieved acceptable outcomes by using anti-PD-1 as a monotherapy. A 32-year-old pregnant female patient was admitted to the emergency department of the obstetrics and gynecology department and eventually diagnosed with gastric cancer. Radical surgery for gastric cancer was conducted after the termination of pregnancy. At 1-year postoperative follow-up, tumor recurrence was revealed. This patient has achieved a decrease in tumor burden after receiving anti-PD-1 as a monotherapy. This case documents tumor response to PD-1 monotherapy in pregnancy-related gastric cancer and highlights the potential for future use in specific clinical scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To present the outcome and toxicity results of a prospective trial of 21 Gy single fraction high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy for men with low- or intermediate-risk prostate cancer. Patients were treated according to an IRB-approved prospective study of single fraction HDR brachytherapy. Eligible patients had low- or intermediate-risk prostate cancer with tumor stage ≤ T2b, PSA ≤ 15, and Gleason score ≤ 7. Patients underwent trans-rectal ultrasound-guided trans-perineal implant of the prostate followed by single fraction HDR brachytherapy to a dose of 21 Gy. The primary endpoint was grade ≥ 2 urinary/GI toxicity rates. Twenty-six patients were enrolled with a median follow up of 5.1 years and median age of 64 years. 88.5% of patients had T1 disease, 15.4% had Gleason score 6 (84.6% Gleason 7), and median pre-treatment PSA was 5.0 ng/mL. Acute and chronic grade ≥ 2 urinary toxicity rates were 38.5% and 38.5%, respectively. There were no grade ≥ 2 acute or chronic GI toxicities. Six (23.1%) patients experienced biochemical failure, six (23.1%) patients experienced radiographic local failure, and five (19.2%) patients had biopsy-proven local failure. No patients developed regional lymph node recurrence or distant metastasis. 5-year overall survival and cause-specific survival were 96.2% and 100%, respectively. 21 Gy single fraction HDR brachytherapy was associated with modestly higher-than-anticipated chronic urinary toxicity, as well as high biochemical and local failure rates. The results from this prospective pilot study do not support the use of this regimen in standard clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine whether mortality is lower in patients with Klebsiella pneumoniae bloodstream infection (BSI) who receive combination antimicrobial therapy than in those who receive monotherapy. Two authors independently searched for relevant articles in the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases through to August 10, 2023. Risk of bias was evaluated using the ROBINS-I tool. Possible sources of heterogeneity were evaluated by meta-regression using a mixed-effects model. Among 8044 articles screened, there were 23 studies (3443 patients) that were eligible for meta-analysis. Meta-regression analysis identified the proportion of patients with carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) BSI to be a potential source of heterogeneity. Subgroup analysis showed that mortality on monotherapy was significantly higher when the proportion of patients with CRKP BSI was ≥50% (OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.33–2.30) and significantly lower when this proportion was <50% (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.24–1.24). Overall mortality was significantly higher on tigecycline monotherapy (OR 2.86, 95% CI 1.46–5.59) than on combination therapy containing both these agents. There was a trend in favor of colistin/polymyxin B-containing combination therapy (OR 1.37, 95% CI 0.83–2.28). Combination antimicrobial therapy can lower mortality in patients with CRKP but may not show a survival advantage over monotherapy when the proportion of patients with CRKP BSI is <50%. High-quality prospective observational studies are needed because of the high risk of bias and limited data in the studies performed to date. • The studies reported to date have shown that combination therapy, most commonly tigecycline-containing, colistin/polymyxin B-containing is associated with lower mortality when treating CRKP. • A trend of higher mortality was observed on combination therapy in the <50% CRKP group. • In addition, we found that mortality was lower on tigecycline-based combination therapy than on tigecycline monotherapy (four studies, 206 patients). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) infections pose a significant threat to global health due to limited treatment options and high mortality rates. Colistin-based regimens have emerged as a primary treatment approach, but the effectiveness and mortality outcomes of colistin monotherapy versus colistin-fosfomycin combination therapy remain uncertain. This study aims to compare the effectiveness and mortality of colistin monotherapy and colistin-fosfomycin combination therapy for CRE infections. Notably, our study is the first to undertake a comprehensive examination of the effectiveness and mortality outcomes between colistin monotherapy and colistin-fosfomycin combination therapy in the context of CRE infections. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from patients diagnosed with carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) infections at Nakornping Hospital during 2015 to 2022. Inverse probability weighting (IPW) was employed to create balanced cohorts of patients receiving either colistin monotherapy or colistin-fosfomycin combination therapy. The primary outcome measure was treatment effectiveness, assessed by 30-day mortality. Secondary outcome measures included clinical response, mortality at the end of treatment, and microbiologic response. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were employed after applying propensity score weighting using inverse probability of weighting (IPW). A total of 220 patients were included in the analysis, with 67 receiving colistin monotherapy and 153 receiving colistin-fosfomycin combination therapy. Propensity score weighting using IPW balanced the baseline characteristics between the two groups. The effectiveness of treatment, as measured by 30-day mortality, was not significantly different between the colistin monotherapy group and the colistin-fosfomycin combination therapy group (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.51, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.60–3.78, p = 0.383). Similarly, no significant difference was observed in the mortality at the end of treatment between the two groups (aOR = 1.26, 95% CI: 0.55–2.90, p = 0.576). The clinical response (aOR = 1.48, 95% CI: 0.61–3.59, p = 0.383) and microbiologic response (aOR = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.18–2.38, p = 0.527) were similar between the colistin monotherapy and colistin-fosfomycin combination therapy groups. The propensity score analysis among 220 matched patients showed comparable treatment effectiveness and mortality between colistin monotherapy and colistin-fosfomycin combination therapy for CRE infections. These results suggest that colistin monotherapy may be as effective as combination therapy. More prospective randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these findings and establish optimal CRE treatment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of new treatments the inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) raised questions regarding the role of older agents, namely thiopurines. To clarify the benefits of combination treatment with thiopurines on Crohn's disease (CD) patients in the maintenance phase of infliximab. In this analysis of the 2-year prospective multicentric DIRECT study, patients were assessed in terms of clinical activity, faecal calprotectin (FC), C-reactive protein (CRP), and infliximab pharmacokinetics. A composite outcome based on clinical- and drug-related items was used to define treatment failure. The study included 172 patients; of these, 35.5 % were treated with combination treatment. Overall, 18 % of patients achieved the composite outcome, without statistically significant differences between patients on monotherapy and on combination treatment (21.6% vs 11.5 %, p = 0.098). Median CRP, FC, and infliximab pharmacokinetic parameters were similar in both groups. However, in the sub-analysis by infliximab treatment duration, in patients treated for less than 12 months, the composite outcome was reached in fewer patients in the combination group than in the monotherapy group (7.1% vs 47.1 %, p = 0.021). In CD patients in maintenance treatment with infliximab, combination treatment does not seem to have benefits over infliximab monotherapy beyond 12 months of treatment duration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Lacosamide was effective in patients with epilepsy aged 1 month to 4 years. • There were no unexpected safety concerns. • A lower baseline seizure frequency was associated with a higher retention rate. • Younger age group in monotherapy group was associated with a higher retention rate. Lacosamide (LCM) has shown promising efficacy and safety outcomes in clinical trials. However, the evidence is limited among pediatric patients especially under four years in real-world. The study investigated the treatment outcomes and safety of LCM in patients under four years based on the data of the epilepsy registry of Children in China. A prospective cohort study was conducted among patients under 4 years who newly received LCM as monotherapy or adjunctive therapy. The treatment outcomes were measured by retention rate of LCM, 50 % response rates and seizure-free rates during follow-up. The retention rate of LCM was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier survival model. Adverse events were reported as a percentage of all participants. Of 109 participants (mean follow-up: 18.6 months), 59 received LCM as monotherapy and 50 as adjunctive therapy. Sixty patients had focal epilepsy, 44 had generalized epilepsy and 5 had combined generalized and focal epilepsy. 70 % of patients in the monotherapy group and 41 % in the adjunctive therapy group remained on LCM treatment without additional treatments for at least one year. In patients with monotherapy, 50 % response rate and seizure-free rate were 75 % and 56 % at 12 months, respectively. In adjunctive therapy group, these rates were 51 % and 36 %, respectively. Lower baseline seizure frequency in both treatment groups (monotherapy: p < 0.001; adjunctive therapy: p = 0.02) and younger age groups within the monotherapy group (P = 0.04) correlated with a higher LCM retention rate. Adverse events were reported by 15 patients (13.8 %), with somnolence being the most common (7 of 15 patients). With a comprehensive information and high-quality of data, the study demonstrates the effective treatment outcome and safety of LCM. The study adds reliable evidence to exiting real-word evidence of LCM in the specific age group of patients with epilepsy to fill the evidence gap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Treating tibial non-unions efficiently presents a challenge for orthopaedic trauma surgeons. The established gold standard involves implanting autologous bone graft with adequate fixation, but the addition of biologicals according to the so-called diamond concept has become increasingly popular in the treatment of non-unions. Previous studies have indicated that polytherapy, which involves implanting mesenchymal stem cells, bioactive factors and osteoconductive scaffolds, can improve bone healing. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of polytherapy compared with monotherapy in treating tibial non-unions of varying severity. Materials and methods: Data from consecutive tibial non-unions treated between November 2014 and July 2023 were retrospectively analysed. The Non Union Scoring System (NUSS) score before non-union surgery, and the Radiographic Union Score for Tibial fractures (RUST), scored at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 18 months post-surgery, were recorded. Initially, a comparison was made between the polytherapy and monotherapy groups. Subsequently, patients receiving additional surgical non-union treatment were documented, and the frequency of these treatments was tallied for a subsequent per-treatment analysis. Results: A total of 34 patients were included and divided into a polytherapy group (n = 15) and a monotherapy group (n = 19). The polytherapy group demonstrated a higher NUSS score (44 (39, 52) versus 32 (29, 43), P = 0.019, z = −2.347) and a tendency towards a higher success rate (93% versus 68%, P = 0.104) compared with the monotherapy group. For the per-treatment analysis, 44 treatments were divided into the polytherapy per-treatment group (n = 20) and the monotherapy per-treatment group (n = 24). The polytherapy per-treatment group exhibited a higher NUSS score (48 (43, 60) versus 38 (30, 50), P = 0.030, z = −2.173) and a higher success rate (95% versus 58%, P = 0.006) than the monotherapy per-treatment group. Within the monotherapy per-treatment group, the NUSS score displayed excellent predictive performance (AUC = 0.9143). Setting the threshold value at 48, the sensitivity and specificity were 100.0% and 70.0%, respectively. Conclusions: Polytherapy is more effective than monotherapy for severe tibial non-unions, offering a higher success ratio. The NUSS score supports decision-making in treating tibial non-unions. Level of evidence: Level III. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of prusogliptin (DBPR108), a novel and highly selective dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitor, in individuals with type 2 diabetes who had not been using glucose‐lowering agents regularly for the 8 weeks before the screening period. Materials and Methods: In this multicentre, randomized, double‐blind, phase 3 study, adult patients with type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to receive either DBPR108 100 mg, sitagliptin 100 mg, or placebo once daily during the initial 24‐week double‐blind treatment period, followed by a 28‐week open‐label extension period during which all patients received DBPR108 100 mg once daily. The primary endpoint was the mean change in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels from baseline to week 24. Results: In total, 766 patients were enrolled and received DBPR108 100 mg (n = 462), sitagliptin 100 mg (n = 152), or placebo (n = 152). The mean age of all patients was 54.3 ± 10.5 years, with 58% being men. The median duration of type 2 diabetes was 0.38 (0.02, 2.65) years, and the mean HbA1c (SD) at baseline was 7.94% (0.62), 7.88% (0.61) and 7.83% (0.59) for DBPR108, sitagliptin and placebo groups, respectively. At week 24, the least square mean (SE) changes from baseline in HbA1c were −0.63% (0.04%) for DBPR108, −0.60% (0.07%) for sitagliptin and −0.02% (0.07%) for placebo. The mean treatment difference between DBPR108 and placebo was −0.61% (95% CI –0.77% to −0.44%), and between DBPR108 and sitagliptin was −0.03% (95% CI –0.19% to 0.13%). These results indicate that DBPR108 was superior to placebo and non‐inferior to sitagliptin. DBPR108 also significantly reduced fasting and postprandial plasma glucose levels and had little effect on body weight. The mean (SD) changes in HbA1c from baseline to week 52 were −0.50% (0.97%) for the DBPR108 group, −0.46% (0.96%) for the sitagliptin group and −0.41% (0.95%) for the placebo group. The incidence of adverse events was comparable across all three groups. Conclusions: DBPR108 showed superiority to placebo and non‐inferiority to sitagliptin in terms of glycaemic control over the initial 24 weeks in treatment‐naïve patients with type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, its efficacy was sustained for up to 52 weeks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pancreatic cancer remains a challenging disease with limited treatment options, resulting in high mortality rates. The predominant approach to managing pancreatic cancer patients continues to be systemic cytotoxic chemotherapy. Despite substantial advancements in immunotherapy strategies for various cancers, their clinical utility in pancreatic cancer has proven less effective and durable. Whether administered as monotherapy, employing immune checkpoint inhibitors, tumor vaccines, chimeric antigen receptors T cells, or in combination with conventional chemoradiotherapy, the clinical outcomes remain underwhelming. Extensive preclinical experiments and clinical trials in the realm of pancreatic cancer have provided valuable insights into the complexities of immunotherapy. Chief among the hurdles are the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, limited immunogenicity, and the inherent heterogeneity of pancreatic cancer. In this comprehensive review, we provide an overview and critical analysis of current clinical immunotherapy strategies for pancreatic cancer, emphasizing their endeavors to overcome immunotherapy resistance. Particular focus is placed on strategies aimed at reshaping the immunosuppressive microenvironment and enhancing T cell-mediated tumor cell killing. Ultimately, through deeper elucidation of the underlying pathogenic mechanisms of pancreatic cancer and the refinement of therapeutic approaches, we anticipate breakthroughs that will pave the way for more effective treatments in this challenging disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous work comparing safety and effectiveness outcomes for new initiators of angiotensin converting‐enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) and thiazides demonstrated more favorable outcomes for thiazides, although cohort definitions allowed for addition of a second antihypertensive medication after a week of monotherapy. Here, we modify the monotherapy definition, imposing exit from cohorts upon addition of another antihypertensive medication. We determine hazard ratios (HR) for 55 safety and effectiveness outcomes over six databases and compare results to earlier findings. We find, for all primary outcomes, statistically significant differences in effectiveness between ACEi and thiazides were not replicated (HRs: 1.11, 1.06, 1.12 for acute myocardial infarction, hospitalization with heart failure and stroke, respectively). While statistical significance is similarly lost for several safety outcomes, the safety profile of thiazides remains more favorable. Our results indicate a less striking difference in effectiveness of thiazides compared to ACEi and reflect some sensitivity to the monotherapy cohort definition modification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]