Current Evidence Does Support the Use of KT to Treat Chronic Knee Pain in Short Term: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: To demonstrate whether KT is better than placebo taping, nonelastic taping, or no taping in reducing pain. Methods: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Central Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov were systematically searched up to 20 October 2020 for randomized controlled studies that used KT to treat chronic knee pain according to PRISMA guidelines. We extracted the mean differences and SD in pretreatment and posttreatment for selected outcomes measured in the experimental and control groups for subsequent meta-analyses. Results: In total, 8 studies involving 416 participants fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Our results indicated that KT is better than other tapings (placebo taping or nonelastic taping) in the early four weeks. The mean difference was -1.44 (95% CI: -2.04--0.84, I 2 = 49%, P ≤ 0.01). Treatment methods which were performed for more than six weeks (0.16 (95% CI: -0.35-0.68, I 2 = 0%, P=0.53)) show no significant difference in reducing pain. In studies in which visual analogue scale was measured, a positive effect was observed for KT combined with exercise program training (-3.27 (95% CI: -3.69-2.85, I 2 = 0%, P < 0.05)). Conclusion: KT exhibited significant but temporary pain reduction.

Cancer vaccines: Targeting KRAS-driven cancers.

Introduction: Mutant KRAS is a genetic driver of multiple cancers that has challenged clinical anti-cancer therapeutics in the last 3 decades. Neo-antigens encoded by KRAS mutations have been identified as tumor-specific with high immunogenicity and can be used to deliver precision cancer vaccines to promote anti-tumor immune responses. KRAS mutation-based cancer vaccines have produced encouraging preclinical and clinical results. Cancer vaccines represent a promising approach to treat KRAS-driven cancers.Areas covered: In this review, we summarize the development and progress of vaccines targeting KRAS and evaluate their potential benefits and obstacles in the current landscape of therapy for KRAS-driven cancers.Expert opinion: KRAS mutation-based cancer vaccines can induce immunogenicity in patients with KRAS-driven cancers. However, the mechanisms of tumor suppression including cellular and molecular factors within the tumor microenvironment may limit vaccine efficacy. Combining KRAS-driven therapeutic cancer vaccines with other methods and adjuvants can circumvent immunosuppression and promote therapeutic successes.

Do Statins Have a Positive Impact on Patients with Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction on Long-Term Clinical Outcome? A Large Retrospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the influence of statins on major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMVD). PARTICIPANTS: 23,494 patients who received coronary angiography (CAG) were included. Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction, Myocardial Perfusion Grading (TMPG), a useful angiographic method, was used to evaluate CMVD. RESULTS: Using multivariate analysis, NYHA III/IV (HR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.03-2.01; P=0.031), PCI history (HR, 3.69; 95% CI, 2.57-5.31; P<0.001), TG (HR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.06-1.26; P=0.001), creatinine (HR, 1.00; 95% CI, 1.00-1.01; P<0.001), cTnT (HR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.96-0.99; P<0.001), heart rate (HR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.97-0.99; P=0.001), ß-blocker (HR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.51-0.91; P=0.008), aspirin (HR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.24-0.61; P<0.001), and statins (HR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.19-0.60; P<0.001) significantly correlated with reduced MACE in CMVD patients. In subgroups analysis, statins decreased MACE overall (HR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.19-0.59; P<0.001) and in CMVD patients with smoking history (HR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.43-0.93; P=0.014), diabetes (HR,0.27; 95% CI,0.12-0.61; P=0.002), hypertension (HR, 0.10; 95% CI, 0.03-0.36; P=0.001), and hypertension and diabetes (HR, 0.09; 95% CI, 0.014-0.53; P=0.008). CONCLUSION: Statins could reduce MACE in patients with CMVD.