Successful desensitization in a patient with recurrent anaplastic oligodendroglioma presenting with procarbazine-mediated anaphylaxis.

INTRODUCTION: Procarbazine is an oral chemotherapeutic agent used in the treatment of brain malignancies and is associated with hypersensitivity reactions. In case of grade 4 reactions, rechallenge should be avoided, and the agent should be replaced, unless the treatment is curative, in which case the application of a desensitization protocol should be considered. We present a successful case of desensitization in procarbazine anaphylaxis. CASE REPORT: A 53-year-old male patient was diagnosed with recurrent anaplastic oligodendroglioblastoma. The patient received three cycles of procarbazine, lomustine, and vincristine chemotherapy for malignancy recurrence. In the fourth cycle, on the 12th day of procarbazine treatment, the patient developed anaphylaxis. Procarbazine was given together with premedication as part of the 12-step desensitization process, and the fourth cycle was successfully completed. MANAGEMENT AND OUTCOME: Procarbazine hypersensitivity reactions are observed less frequently than reactions to other chemotherapeutics. We presented a case of procarbazine-associated severe anaphylaxis that was able to continue procarbazine chemotherapy with successful desensitization. This case is important in terms of confirming the procarbazine desensitization protocol. DISCUSSION: In literature there is only one protocol developed was successfully applied in one patient with procarbazine anaphylaxis. In the current case, we took this protocol into consideration in the management of our patient. Following the use of this protocol, the patient was able to continue procarbazine chemotherapy successfully. Procarbazine anaphylaxis is rare, and more cases are needed to be reported to confirm the desensitization protocol and when to continue procarbazine treatment.

Dual biologics therapy in a patient with severe asthma and chronic urticaria: a case report and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: The data on the use of dual biologics are scant, but a topic of current interest. CASE STUDY: In this report, the treatment regimen of a patient with two T helper 2 pathway-related comorbidities, severe asthma, and chronic spontaneous urticaria, was presented. RESULTS: Both urticaria and asthma symptoms of the patient could not be controlled entirely with monotherapy while both diseases could be controlled after omalizumab-mepolizumab dual treatment. No adverse events were observed after 6 months of dual biologics use. CONCLUSION: This report supports other publications in the literature involving the use of dual biologics and provides a summary of the literature.

Cytokine Profiles of Chronic Urticaria Patients and The Effect of Omalizumab Treatment.

INTRODUCTION: Cytokines are key mediators in immunological and inflammatory conditions, including chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). OBJECTIVES: To investigate Th1, Th2, and Th17 cytokine profiles in CSU and to evaluate the possible effect of omalizumab treatment. METHODS: Patients who were followed up for CSU, as well as healthy volunteers, were included in the study. To assess urticaria activity, the 7-day-Urticaria Activity Score (UAS-7), the Urticaria Control Test (UCT), and the Chronic Urticaria Quality of Life Questionnaire (CU-QoL) were filled. Serum levels of IL-6, IL-17, IL-31, eotaxin, RANTES, TNF-α, and TSLP were analyzed by ELISA and compared in CSU and control groups. The patients were analyzed in two groups as the omalizumab group and the non-omalizumab group based on their treatment status. RESULTS: Total IgE, ESR, CRP, RANTES, and TNF-a were significantly different in the overall comparison of the three groups: CSU-receiving omalizumab, CSU-not receiving omalizumab, and control groups (P <0.01, 0.015, <0.01, <0.01 and <0.01 respectively). Total IgE, CRP, RANTES, and TNF-α values were similar in those who received and did not receive omalizumab, yet these biomarkers were significantly higher in both groups than in the control group (P < 0.05). Statistical significance in ESR was observed only between the CSU-receiving omalizumab group and the control group (P = 0.01). Within the CSU patients, there was a slight but significant correlation between UCT and TNF-α (P = 0.008, r = 0.32) and IL-17 (P = 0.06, r = 0.33) levels. CONCLUSIONS: The investigated cytokine profile in CSU patients may differ from healthy controls, particularly with the higher levels of RANTES and TNF-α, and omalizumab treatment does not seem to affect that profile in CSU patients.

Evaluation of disease control after SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination in patients with NSAID-exacerbated airway disease.

Background: There are insufficient data on changes in disease control after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection or vaccination in patients with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug exacerbated respiratory disease (N-ERD). Objective: This study aimed to investigate the history of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in patients with N-ERD, determine whether they experienced exacerbations of asthma or rhinitis after COVID-19, and evaluate their postvaccination asthma and rhinitis control data. Methods: The demographic characteristics of patients with N-ERD and whether they had had symptoms of asthma, changes in nasal symptom scores Sino-nasal outcome test (SNOT-22), Asthma Control Test (ACT) within 1 month after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination or infection were recorded. The prevalence of COVID-19 in patients with N-ERD and in healthy controls was estimated. Results: A total of 103 patients with N-ERD and 100 healthy controls were included in the study. Thirty seven of the patients (35.9%) and 65 of the controls (65%) had a history of COVID-19. There were no significant differences in changes in the ACT and SNOT-22 scores after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination (p = 0.999). Although, the change in ACT score after infection was significant (p = 0.017; r = 0.39), there was no significant change in level of asthma control (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The history of COVID-19 was less frequent in the N-ERD group. There was no deterioration in asthma and rhinitis controls after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Although a significant decrease was observed in the ACT scores after COVID-19, there was no deterioration in the level of asthma control.

[Biologics for the treatment of severe asthma: Current status report 2023]. / Agir astim tedavisinde biyolojikler: Güncel durum raporu 2023.

Severe asthma is associated with increased use of healthcare services, significant deterioration in the quality of life, and high disease and economic burden on patients and societies. Additional treatments are required for severe forms of asthma. Biological agents are recommended for the treatment of severe asthma. In this current status report, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy, effectiveness, and safety data of approved biologics; omalizumab, mepolizumab, reslizumab, benralizumab, dupilumab, and tezepelumab, in the treatment of severe asthma and appropriate patient profiles for these biologics. Pubmed and Cochrane databases based on randomized controlled trials, posthoc analyses, meta-analyses, and real-life studies examining the efficacy and effectiveness of biologics in severe asthma were searched, and the results of these studies on important asthma outcomes were reviewed. Existing studies have shown that all the approved biologic agents targeting cells, receptors, and mediators involved in type 2 inflammation in the bronchial wall in severe asthma significantly reduce asthma exacerbations, reduce the need for oral corticosteroids, and improve asthma control, quality of life, and pulmonary functions. Characterizing the asthma endotype and phenotype in patients with severe asthma and determining which treatment would be more appropriate for a particular patient is an essential step in personalized treatment.

Thermo-SPT: A new skin prick test evaluation framework based on low-cost, portable smartphone thermography.

BACKGROUND: Although the skin prick test (SPT) is a reliable procedure to confirm IgE-dependent allergic sensitization in patients, the interpretation of the test is still performed manually, resulting in an error-prone procedure for the diagnosis of allergic diseases. OBJECTIVE: To design and implement an innovative SPT evaluation framework using a low-cost, portable smartphone thermography, named Thermo-SPT, to significantly improve the accuracy and reliability of SPT outcomes. METHODS: Thermographical images were captured every 60 s for a duration of 0 to 15 min using the FLIR One app, and then analysed with the FLIR Tool® . The definition of 'Skin Sensitization Region' area was introduced to analyse the time-lapse thermal changes in skin reactions over several time periods during the SPT. The Allergic Sensitization Index (ASI) and Min-Max Scaler Index (MMS) formulae were also developed to optimize the identification of the peak allergic response time point through the thermal assessment (TA) of allergic rhinitis patients. RESULTS: In these experimental trials, a statistically significant increase in temperature was detected from the fifth minute of TA for all tested aeroallergens (all p values < .001 ). An increase was observed in the number of false-positive cases, where patients with clinical symptoms not consistent with SPT were evaluated as positive on TA assessment, specifically for patients diagnosed with Phleum pratense and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. Our proposed technique, the MMS, has demonstrated improved accuracy in identifying P. pratense and D. pteronyssinus compared with other SPT evaluation metrics, specifically starting from the fifth minute. For patients diagnosed with Cat epithelium, although not statistically significant initially, an increasing trend was determined in the results at the 15 min (ΔT (T15 - T0 ), p = .07 ; ASIT15 , p < .001 ). CONCLUSIONS: This proposed SPT evaluation framework utilizing a low-cost, smartphone-based thermographical imaging technique can enhance the interpretability of allergic responses during the SPT, potentially reducing the need for extensive manual interpretation experience as standard SPTs.

Comparison of the clinical outcomes of patients with NSAID-exacerbated respiratory disease receiving aspirin or biologicals.

OBJECTIVE: NSAID-exacerbated respiratory disease (NERD) is characterized by exacerbation of respiratory symptoms after NSAID intake. While research for specific treatment options continues in patients who cannot tolerate or are unresponsive to aspirin treatment after aspirin desensitization (ATAD), biologicals have emerged as a new therapeutic option in NERD patients. The aim of this study was to compare the quality of life, and the sinonasal and respiratory outcomes of NERD patients treated with ATAD or biologicals. METHODS: Patients who have been followed up at a tertiary care allergy center and who have been receiving at least one of ATAD, mepolizumab or omalizumab for at least six months were included. Evaluations were made using sinonasal outcome test (SNOT-22), asthma control test (ACT), short form-36 (SF-36), blood eosinophil counts, need for recurrent functional endoscopic sinus surgeries (FESS), and asthma or rhinitis exacerbations requiring oral corticosteroids (OCS). RESULTS: A total of 59 patients comprised of 35 (59%) females and 24 (41%) males with a mean age of 46.1 (min-max, 20-70) years were included. The baseline blood eosinophil count was higher, and a significant decrease in blood eosinophil counts was observed in the mepolizumab group compared to ATAD group (p = 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). At follow-up, the rate of recurrent FESS was lower in the group that received mepolizumab (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: In NERD patients, mepolizumab significantly decreased blood eosinophil counts and recurrent FESS. There was no significant difference between the patients receiving ATAD or mepolizumab regarding other clinical parameters.

Sinonasal and respiratory outcomes of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis patients receiving 100 mg mepolizumab in real-life clinical practice: 1-year follow up study.

Background: Mepolizumab 300 mg is an approved treatment option for patients with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), yet, the adequacy of 100 mg of mepolizumab in disease control is controversial.Objective: To evaluate the sinonasal and respiratory outcomes of EGPA patients treated with 100 mg mepolizumab for one year.Methods: Evaluations of 11 patients were made of the sinonasal outcome test (SNOT-22) (nasal, otologic, sleep, and emotional domains), asthma control test (ACT), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), blood eosinophil counts and oral steroid doses before mepolizumab treatment (T0) and at the 6th (T6) and 12th (T12) months.Results: A significant decrease was observed in the total SNOT-22 scores in the 6th month, after which the scores continued to be stable until the 12th month. (SNOT-22 median (IQR); T0: 70(53-82); T6: 19(4-35); T12: 11(6-40); T0-T6, p = 0.02; T6-T12, p = 0.85). In the subdomains of SNOT-22, nasal and sleep-related domains improved significantly in the first 6 months, and the otologic and emotional domains only improved from baseline in the 12th month. There was a significant decrease in blood eosinophil counts in the 6th month and oral steroid dose in the 12th month (eosinophils, median(IQR), T0: 1000(700-1800), T6: 100(0-200), p = 0.02; OCS dose, median(IQR), T0: 16(8-16); T6: 4(0-4); T12: 0(0-4); T0-T12, p = 0.002). A significant improvement was observed in ACT values in the 6th month (ACT median (IQR); T0:16(8-18); T6: 22(21-25); p = 0.01).Conclusion: Mepolizumab 100 mg provided a significant decrease in SNOT-22 values, especially in nasal and sleep domains, eosinophil counts and OCS dose in the 6th month.

Short- and long-term oral steroid therapy in patients with asthma exacerbation.

Steroids are frequently used for symptom control in cases of asthma exacerbation. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of short-term and long-term oral steroid therapy on symptom control in patients with asthma exacerbation. Patients that received short-term (<10 d) and long-term (≥10 d) oral steroid therapy during asthma exacerbation were compared retrospectively. A visual analog scale (VAS) for symptom severity was administered, and the asthma control test (ACT) and pulmonary function tests were performed before and after treatment. The study included 69 patients and the overall mean duration of steroid treatment was 9.57±3.58 d (range: 5-25 d). Mean duration of short-term and long-term steroid treatment was 6.54±0.99 d and 11.63±3.21 d, respectively. Serious side-effects were not observed following oral steroid therapy. Post the short- and long-term oral steroid therapy there were not any significant differences between the 2 groups in terms of ACT, FEV1 (forced expiratory volume 1), or VAS symptom scores. The findings show that in patients with mild asthma exacerbation short-term oral steroid therapy is as effective as long-term steroid therapy and can be safely used for symptom control during periods of mild asthma exacerbation.

The association of timothy grass allergy and cat ownership on cat sensitization.

Background: Pollen hypersensitivity might be a determining factor for other nonseasonal allergens because it may indicate deviation of the immune system toward T-helper type 2 activity and immunoglobulin E sensitivity. Objective: To investigate whether timothy grass pollen allergy may be a predictive factor for cat sensitization and whether there is an association between sensitivity to both allergens. Method: A retrospective review was made of patients with symptoms of rhinitis. The skin-prick test results and cat ownership status of the patients were analyzed. On the basis of the skin-prick test results with Phleum pratense (timothy grass) and other pollens, the patients were analyzed in two groups: "timothy allergic" and "non-timothy allergic." Results: A total of 383 patients with the diagnosis of rhinitis were included in the study, which comprised 213 (55.6%) in the timothy allergic group and 170 (44.4%) in the non-timothy allergic group. The frequency of cat sensitization was significantly higher in the patients in the timothy allergic group compared with those without timothy grass allergy (33.8% versus 12.3%; p < 0.001). No significant difference was determined between the two groups in terms of cat ownership (p = 0.63). In the logistic regression analysis, cat ownership (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 23.07 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 7.72-68.91]) and timothy allergy (adjusted OR 7.72 [95% CI, 3.16-18.86]) were associated with an increased risk of cat sensitization. Conclusion: Timothy grass allergy may play a role in the development of cat sensitization; however, further research is needed to clarify these associations and the underlying mechanisms.

The course of COVID-19 in patients with severe asthma receiving biological treatment.

OBJECTIVE: In order to decrease the use of systemic corticosteroids and prevent asthma exacerbations, EAACI and GINA made recommendations in favor of severe asthma patients continuing the use of biologicals during the pandemic. However, the course of SARS-CoV-2 infection remains uncertain, especially in patients taking biological therapy for severe asthma. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the clinical course of COVID-19 in severe asthmatic patients receiving biological treatment. METHODS: A total of 75 patients under the care of a tertiary level allergy clinic and receiving omalizumab or mepolizumab, which are the approved biologicals for severe asthma in Turkey, were included in the survey between April 1 and December 31, 2020. A questionnaire was administered via a telephone call by one of the treating physicians. RESULTS: Of the total patients, 46 (61%) were receiving mepolizumab and 29 (39%) omalizumab. Of the patients, 14 (19%) had COVID-19, 9 (64%) had pneumonia, 4 (29%) were hospitalized. A total of 12 (16%) patients interrupted biological treatments because they did not want to attend hospital for injections during the pandemic. The incidence of COVID-19 was higher in patients who have interrupted biological treatment (p < 0.001). In addition, the risk of having COVID-19 was higher in the ones who have interrupted their biological treatment (Relative risk:2.71; 95% Confidence interval:1.21-6.06). Asthma control was better in patients attending regular injections (p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: Severe asthma itself seems to be a risk factor for COVID-19, whether biological treatment has a role in the disease course needs further research.

Effect of COVID-19 on hereditary angioedema activity and quality of life.

Background: The demonstration that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) enters the cell via the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor has raised concerns that, in hereditary angioedema (HAE), a disease characterized by bradykinin-mediated angioedema attacks, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may trigger angioedema attacks, increase the frequency and/or severity of attacks, or cause more severe symptoms of COVID-19. Objective: The objective was to evaluate the severity of COVID-19 in patients with HAE, the course of HAE attacks, angioedema activity, and the quality-of-life scores during COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Patients diagnosed with HAE for at least 6 months were included in the study. The 7-day Angioedema Activity Score and the Angioedema Quality of Life (AE-QoL) Questionnaire were first completed at the onset of the pandemic between March 12 and June 1, 2020, then during SARS-CoV-2 infection, and in the third month after recovering from COVID-19. Results: Ten of 67 patients with HAE (14.9%) were diagnosed with COVID-19. The median (interquartile range) age of the 10 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 was 35.5 years (28.0-55.0 years). Six of the 10 patients (60%) were women. During COVID-19, five of the 10 patients (50%) had no angioedema attack. Two patients with severe HAE experienced a significant increase in angioedema activity during COVID-19 compared with their basal activity scores. The remaining three patients had a similar or lower attack frequency than their basal level. Four (40%) of the 10 patients had a relative increase in their attacks during the convalescence period. There was no statistically significant difference among pre-COVID-19, during COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 periods in function, mood, fear and/or shame, nutrition, and total scores of the AE-QoL Questionnaire although the fear dimension was relatively more affected (p = 0.06). Conclusion: Although the sample size was small, analysis of our data supported that the symptoms of COVID-19 were not more severe in HAE. Also, there was no significant difference in the AE-QoL Questionnaire scores, the frequency, and severity of angioedema attacks during the course of COVID-19 in the patients with HAE.

The effect of smoking on atrial and ventricular functions in healthy subjects: A speckle tracking echocardiography study.

PURPOSE: Smoking is a well-known risk factor for coronary artery diseases. It is also associated with nicotine-induced myocardial dysfunction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the right and left atrial and ventricular functions in apparently healthy smokers. METHODS: We included consecutively 80 healthy smokers (56 males, mean age:35.5 ± 8.4 years) and 70 healthy nonsmokers (44 males, mean age:33.9 ± 9.5 years). None of the subjects had any additional cardiovascular risk factor other than smoking. The right and left atrial and ventricular functions were assessed by both conventional and speckle tracking echocardiography. RESULTS: Although there was no significant difference in left ventricular ejection fraction, the smokers had significantly lower ventricular global longitudinal strain than controls (-19.9 ± 2.0% vs -21.2 ± 1.9%, P < .001 and -18.4 ± 2.1% vs -21.8 ± 2.2%, P < .001, respectively, for the left and right ventricle). Smokers had also lower atrial reservoir and conduit strains: 35.9 ± 11.1% vs 40.2 ± 11.2%, P = .022 and 16.7 ± 6.8% vs 19.4 ± 6.8%, P = .016, respectively, for the left atrium, and 33.0 ± 10.6% vs 37.6 ± 11.2%, P = .011 and 15.2 ± 5.6% vs 18.0 ± 6.3%, P = .004, respectively, for the right atrium). CONCLUSION: Even in apparently healthy people with no other cardiovascular risk factors, smoking is associated with impaired atrial and ventricular functions.