Comparing novel antibiotics and carbapenems for complicated intra-abdominal infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Carbapenem-sparing antibiotics are needed urgently for patients with complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAIs). Although several novel antibiotics - novel ß-lactam/ß-lactamase inhibitor combinations (e.g. ceftolozane-tazobactam and ceftazidime-avibactam) and a novel tetracycline derivative (eravacycline) - have been developed for cIAIs, it remains unclear whether these antibiotics are comparable to carbapenems for the treatment of cIAIs. METHODS: A comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and ClinicalTrials.gov was conducted until 1 October 2022. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared the clinical efficacy and safety of novel antibiotics against carbapenems for patients with cIAIs were included. RESULTS: Among the 11 selected RCTs, no significant differences in clinical cure rate at the test-of-cure visit were observed between the study group and the control group on analysis of the clinically evaluable population [93.6% vs 93.7%, risk ratio (RR) 1.00, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.98-1.01; P=0.84], microbiologically evaluable population (93.0% vs 94.5%, RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.96-1.00; P=0.10) and modified intention-to-treat population (85.9% vs 87.7%, RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.95-1.01; P=0.13). All findings were consistent across the subgroup analyses and sensitivity tests. Similarly, no significant difference in microbiological eradication was observed between the study group and the control group (87.8% vs 89.7%, RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.96-1.01; P=0.18). The risk of adverse events was similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical efficacy, microbiological response and safety of the novel antibiotics, including ceftazidime-avibactam, ceftolozane-tazobactam and eravacycline, are comparable to carbapenems for the treatment of patients with cIAIs. These agents can be potential therapeutic options as carbapenem-sparing antibiotics for cIAIs.

Clinical outcomes, virological efficacy and safety of nitazoxanide in the treatment of patients with COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the clinical outcomes, virological efficacy and safety of nitazoxanide in the treatment of patients with COVID-19. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases were searched for relevant articles written before August 23, 2022. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed the usefulness and safety of nitazoxanide in patients with COVID-19 were included. RESULTS: Five RCTs were included. The overall mortality of COVID-19 patients receiving nitazoxanide (study group) was 1.3% (9/670), which was lower than the control group (1.8%, 12/681), but this difference did not reach statistical significance (risk difference [RD], 0.00; 95% CI: -0.01 to 0.01; P =0.97). However, nitazoxanide was associated with a higher virological eradication rate than placebo or standard care (RD, 0.09; 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.17; P = 0.03). Compared with the placebo or standard care, nitazoxanide were associated with a similar risk of any adverse event (RD, -0.02; 95% CI: -0.07 to 0.03; P = 0.44). CONCLUSIONS: Although nitazoxanide can help virological eradication and is also tolerable, it does not provide additional clinical benefits. Based on these evidences, the use of nitazoxanide in the treatment of patients with COVID-19 is not recommended.

Oral Janus kinase inhibitors for treating hospitalized patients with COVID-19: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the clinical efficacy and safety of oral Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKis) in the treatment of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. METHODS: The PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases were searched for relevant articles written before January 29, 2022. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed the clinical efficacy and safety of oral JAKis in patients with COVID-19 were included. RESULTS: In the pooled analysis of the 7 RCTs, the all-cause 28-day mortality rate in the study group receiving JAKis was significantly lower than that in the control group (9.4% [183/1941] vs. 10.9% [184/1687], risk ratio [RR] = 0.69, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.58-0.81, I2 = 0%). In addition, the risk of 14-day mortality was in the study group was lower than that in the control group (RR = 0.65, 95% CI, 0.46-0.92, I2 = 0%). Finally, the study group and the control group exhibited similar risks of any adverse events (RR = 0.96, 95% CI, 0.89-1.04, I2 = 0%). CONCLUSIONS: Oral JAKis can significantly reduce the risk of death among patients with COVID-19. In addition, JAKis are tolerable for hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

Clinical efficacy of sofosbuvir/daclatasvir in patients with COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the clinical efficacy sofosbuvir/daclatasvir (SOF-DCV) in patients with COVID-19. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases were searched for relevant articles written before January 6, 2022. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the clinical efficacy of SOF-DCV (study group) with alternative treatments (control group) in patients with COVID-19 were included. RESULTS: A total of 9 RCTs were included. The all-cause mortality rate in the study group was 10.7% (96/898), which was lower than that in the control group (12.3%, 108/871). However, this difference was not statistically significant (odds ratio [OR] = 0.83; 95% CI, 0.62-1.12; I2 = 49%). The overall clinical recovery rate was significantly higher in the study group than in the control group (OR = 2.34; 95% CI, 1.47-3.72; I2 = 20%). Furthermore, the average length of hospital stay was shorter in the study group than in the control group (mean deviation = -1.84; 95% CI, -3.42 to -0.26, I2 = 68%). CONCLUSIONS: Although SOF-DCV did not confer a survival benefit in patients with COVID-19, it may increase a patient's odds of clinical recovery, and shorten the length of their hospital stay.

Anti-MRSA quinolones for acute bacterial skin and skin structure infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

OBJECTS: This study compared the clinical efficacy and safety of anti-methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) quinolones for treating acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSIs). METHODS: PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched for relevant articles from inception to 21 July 2021. RCTs comparing the clinical efficacy and safety of anti-MRSA quinolones with other antibiotics for treating adult patients with ABSSSIs were included. RESULTS: Six RCTs were included. A total of 1,264 and 1,307 participants received the anti-MRSA quinolone-based study group and the control group. In the study group receiving anti-MRSA quinolone-based treatment, 935, 246, and 83 patients received delafloxacin, levonadifloxacin, and acorafloxacin, respectively. No significant difference was observed in the clinical cure rate at test of cure between the study and control groups (OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.91-1.29; I2 = 0%). In patients with MRSA-associated ABSSSIs, the clinical cure rate (OR, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.71-1.65; I2 = 0%) and microbiological response rate (OR, 1.24; 95% CI, 0.48-3.21; I2 = 0%) of anti-MRSA quinolones were similar to those of other antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy of anti-MRSA quinolone-based treatment is comparable to that of other anti-MRSA antibiotics for treating ABSSSIs.

Colorectal Cancer with EML4-ALK Fusion Gene Response to Alectinib: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Anti-epithelial growth factor receptor or anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents combined with chemotherapy were the standard of treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). However, increasing evidence of molecularly stratified treatment makes the complexity of treatment. Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene alternation is one of potential target for biomarker-guided therapy for CRC. We present a case of a 56-year-old man who suffered from advanced ascending colon cancer, harboring echinoderm microtubule associated protein-like 4 (EML4)-ALK fusion gene E21; A20 variant, a rare variant in EML4-ALK fusion gene in lung cancer. We also detected this fusion gene from different tissue types including circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and ascites fluid. The patient was offered alectinib, an ALK inhibitor, with partial response in lung, liver, and peritoneal metastasis for 8 months. Tumor heterogeneity, especially in gastrointestinal tract cancer, raise our interest in comprehensive genetic profiling in clinical practice. Convenience and reliability of next-generation sequencing, including using ctDNA, help physicians deal with clinical dilemma. ALK-positive CRC is rare. However, advanced CRC with ALK gene alteration responds to ALK inhibitor. It is reasonable to check ALK gene alteration in clinical practice for CRC.

A Meta-Analysis Comparing the Efficacy and Safety of Peramivir with Other Neuraminidase Inhibitors for Influenza Treatment.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This meta-analysis compared the efficacy and safety of peramivir compared to other neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs). Materials and Methods: Data from PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched until January 2019. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies (OSs) comparing peramivir with other NAIs for treating influenza were included. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessments, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) system was used to judge the overall certainty of evidence; the result was moderate. The primary outcome was time to alleviation of symptoms. Twelve articles involving 2681 patients were included in this meta-analysis. We used a random-effect model to pool the effect size, which is expressed as the difference in means (MD), risk ratio (RR), and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Overall, peramivir was superior to other NAIs (MD = -11.214 hours, 95% CI: -19.119 to -3.310). The incidence of adverse events (RR = 1.023, 95% CI: 0.717 to 1.460) and serious adverse events (RR = 1.068, 95% CI: 0.702 to 1.625) in the peramivir group was similar to those in the oseltamivir group. In addition, peramivir had higher efficacy than each NAI alone. Conclusion: In conclusion, the efficacy of peramivir might be higher than that of other NAIs, and this agent is tolerated as well as other NAIs.

Ethanol Extracts of Dietary Herb, Alpinia nantoensis, Exhibit Anticancer Potential in Human Breast Cancer Cells.

Recent advances in mammography screening, chemotherapy, and adjuvant treatment modalities have improved the survival rate of women with breast cancer. Nevertheless, the breast tumor with metastatic progression is still life-threatening. Indeed, combination therapy with Ras-ERK and PI3K inhibitors is clinically effective in malignant breast cancer treatment. Constituents from genus Alpinia plants have been implicated as potent anticancer agents in terms of their efficacy of inhibiting tumor cell metastasis. In this study, we tested the effects of ethanol extracts of Alpinia nantoensis (rhizome, stem, and leaf extracts) in cultured human breast cancer cells and particularly focused on the Ras-ERK and PI3K/AKT pathways. We found that the rhizome and leaf extracts from A nantoensis inhibited cell migration, invasion, and sphere formation in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. The potency was extended with the inhibition of serum-induced PI3K/AKT and Ras-ERK activation and epidermal growth factor (EGF)-mediated EGFR activation in MDA-MB-231 cells. These results indicate that extracts of A nantoensis could inhibit signal transduction at least involved in EGFR as well as the PI3K/AKT and Ras-ERK pathways, which are crucial players of tumor cell migration and invasion. Our study strongly supports that the extracts of A nantoensis could be a novel botanical drug lead for the development of an antimetastatic agent for the treatment of human malignant breast cancer.

Dietary flavonoid derivatives enhance chemotherapeutic effect by inhibiting the DNA damage response pathway.

Flavonoids are the most common group of polyphenolic compounds and abundant in dietary fruits and vegetables. Diet high in vegetables or dietary flavonoid supplements is associated with reduced mortality rate for patients with breast cancer. Many studies have been proposed for mechanisms linking flavonoids to improving chemotherapy efficacy in many types of cancers, but data on this issue is still limited. Herein, we report on a new mechanism through which dietary flavonoids inhibit DNA damage checkpoints and repair pathways. We found that dietary flavonoids could inhibit Chk1 phosphorylation and decrease clonogenic cell growth once breast cancer cells receive ultraviolet irradiation, cisplatin, or etoposide treatment. Since the ATR-Chk1 pathway mainly involves response to DNA replication stress, we propose that flavonoid derivatives reduce the side effect of chemotherapy by improving the sensitivity of cycling cells. Therefore, we propose that increasing intake of common dietary flavonoids is beneficial to breast cancer patients who are receiving DNA-damaging chemotherapy, such as cisplatin or etoposide-based therapy.