ABSTRACT
@#Introduction: Suboptimal vitamin D levels are commonly presented by systemic lupus erythemathosus (SLE) patients. This is likely due to protection measures from sunshine exposure adopted by SLE patients to reduce the likelihood of SLE flares onset. In this study, we investigated the vitamin D level among SLE patients and its association with SLE Disease Activity (SLEDAI) scores and among groups of steroid and non-steroid usage. Methods: We recruited 84 SLE patients who attended the Rheumatology Clinic of Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia from June 2018 until October 2018. Their clinico-demographic data were retrieved and serum vitamin D immunoassay was conducted to measure the vitamin D levels of each patient Vitamin D levels were categorized as normal (≥75nmol/L), insufficient (50-74 nmol/L) or deficient (<50 nmol/L). Comparison between the clinico-demographic parameters with vitamin D levels were conducted using the Fisher’s exact test (for categorical variables) and unpaired t-test (for continuous variables). Results: The mean vitamin D level among the subjects was 40.79 ± 20.2 nmol/L. Fifty-eight (69%) patients were vitamin D deficient, while 20 (23.8%) patients were vitamin D insufficient, and only 6 (7.1%) patients had sufficient level of vitamin D. Vitamin D status was not significantly associated with SLEDAI score (p=0.185) as well as between steroids and non-steroids groups (p=0.255). Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency occurred in majority of our SLE patients. SLE disease activities were not associated with the status of vitamin D or steroid usage.
ABSTRACT
@#Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in female worldwide. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) amplification is observed in approximately 20% of breast cancer cases and is associated with poor clinical outcomes. Dual HER2 blockade without chemotherapy represents an attractive therapeutic approach, and it remains unresolved if anti-HER2 therapeutic antibodies are sufficient to replace chemotherapy regimens. In this review, we discuss the approved therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (pertuzumab and trastuzumab) and antibody-drug conjugate (trastuzumab emtansine or T-DM1) for the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer patients. In summary, phase II and III clinical trials have demonstrated that dual HER2 blockade (pertuzumab and trastuzumab) plus chemotherapy regimens confer better efficacy compared with dual HER2 blockade alone, or anti-HER2 antibody monotherapy, in HER2-positive breast cancer patients. Dual HER2 blockade (pertuzumab and trastuzumab) combined with chemotherapies (5-fluorouracil, epirubicin, cyclophosphamide and docetaxel) yield superior response. Moreover, dual HER2 blockade (T-DM1 and pertuzumab) in combination with docetaxel represents a promising treatment regimen containing T-DM1. Ongoing clinical trials are assessing the optimal chemotherapy of choice with anti-HER2 antibodies combinations. In conclusion, improved outcomes are attributable to selection for the optimal chemotherapy regimen in combination with anti-HER2 antibodies instead of replacing chemotherapy altogether with the current line of anti-HER2 therapeutic antibodies.
ABSTRACT
Background: Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disorder characterised by thrombosis and/or pregnancy morbidity in the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) based on the Sydney criteria. We aimed to explore the clinico-laboratory features and treatment strategies of APS patients retrospectively. Methodology: The medical records of APS patients registered under Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (Kelantan state) between 2000 and 2015 were reviewed. Results: A total of 17 APS subjects (age 40.7 ± 12.8 years) including 11 primary (64.7%) and six secondary APS (35.3%) patients were identified. The follow-up period was 9.5 ± 6.7 years with male:female ratio of 1.0:4.7. Pregnancy morbidity was the most common clinical manifestation (11/14; 78.6%) followed by recurrent venous thrombosis (10/17; 58.8%). For other clinical features, menorrhagia was the most frequently observed manifestation (4/14; 28.6%) followed by aPLs-associated thrombocytopenia (4/17; 23.5%) and ovarian cyst (3/14; 21.4%). LA and aCL were positive in 94.1% (16/17) and 81.8% (9/11) of the patients, respectively. APTT value (76.7 ± 17.0 sec) was significantly high (p < 0.05). Low intensity warfarin alone was successful to maintain target INR (2.0 - 3.0) and prevent recurrence of thrombosis. Conclusion: The tendency of pregnancy morbidity in this cohort of Malaysian Kelantanese APS patients was high compared to other previously reported APS cohorts. Low intensity warfarin was successful in preventing recurrence of thrombosis, however, APS women receiving long-term anticoagulants should be monitored for possible occurrence of menorrhagia and ovarian cysts.
ABSTRACT
Background: The rheumatoid factor (RF) blood test is the most commonly adopted test for the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA patients who are seropositive for RF might face a greater likelihood of developing more aggressive symptoms. Methods: Our goal was to study the demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as their correlation with RF seropositivity, among a series of 80 RA patients aged ≥ 18 years who attend Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM). Results: Of the 80 RA patients included in this study, 66 (82.5%) were female and 14 (17.5%) were male. No significant associations between RF seropositivity and demographic and/ or clinical characteristics or other laboratory investigations were observed, including gender, morning stiffness, individual joint involvement (from multiple sites of the body), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) measurement. However, a significant association between RF seropositivity and patients aged ≥ 50 was found (P = 0.032). Conclusion: RF seropositivity was found to be more common in much older RA patients.