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News Current Trends in Proton RT of Head and Neck Tumors: Aiming to Preserve T Lymphocytes, Without Them, Treatment is Ineffective

Tumors of the head and neck are often diagnosed at an advanced stage. With the availability of modern treatments, such as immunotherapy or radiotherapy modalities, prognosis and chances for long-term survival are improving. We discuss trends not only in proton therapy for oropharyngeal tumors and the prospects of combining treatment methods for these diagnoses with the head doctor of the Proton Center Prague Associate Professor MUDr. Jiří Kubeš, Ph.D.

Source: Proton Radiotherapy 10. 6. 2024

News Transthyretin Amyloidosis in Patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is considered a warning sign for cardiac amyloidosis. Amyloid deposits are often found in the tenosynovial material removed during surgery. However, the prevalence of concomitant cardiomyopathy is not yet fully understood. Japanese researchers from Kumamoto University recently focused on the relationship between carpal tunnel syndrome and cardiac amyloidosis in their newly published prospective study.

Source: Amyloidosis 10. 11. 2023

News Screening using NGS in patients with metastatic NSCLC –⁠ initial results from the ALK-positive cohort

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) allows for obtaining a large amount of information about the tumor genome from a patient's blood sample. Currently, the method is recommended as an alternative in cases of insufficient tissue samples for standard biopsy examination. The first results of an ongoing prospective study provide insights into the role of NGS in mutation screening for patients with non-small cell lung cancer without a concurrent biopsy examination.

Source: Genetic Profile and Treatment of NSCLC 1. 11. 2021

News Use of Testosterone Level as a Biomarker for Quality of Life in Patients with Prostate Cancer

In the treatment of prostate cancer, in addition to surgical treatment, stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and hormone therapy are also used. Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) blocks the action or production of male sex hormones and is indicated for the treatment of intermediate and high-risk prostate cancers, where it reduces the risk of metastasis and prolongs survival. The work of experts from several American institutions monitored testosterone levels during therapy and their connection to the development of quality of life scores.

Source: Oncological Treatment 6. 12. 2023

Články časopisu Renal denervation –⁠ future or disappointment

Author of the article: T. Mikušová, Z. Stárek, J. Jež, F. Lehar, L. Špinarová Source: Kardiologická revue – Interní medicína | 1/2014 28. 2. 2014

News Enoxaparin in Weight-Based Dosing for Thromboprophylaxis in Hospitalized Cancer Patients

Cancer patients are at higher risk of developing thromboembolic disease during hospitalization. Currently, there is not enough evidence supporting the efficacy and safety of the standard fixed dose of low molecular weight heparin in individuals at high risk of thromboembolic disease. Therefore, a Phase II clinical study evaluated the efficacy and safety of weight-adjusted dosing in these patients.

Source: Thromboprophylaxis 6. 11. 2020

News Treatment of Depression with Persistent Severe Insomnia −⁠ Interactive Case Study

A 39-year-old patient comes to the psychiatric office due to depressive symptoms with anxiety and insomnia. He is worried about failing at work, also concerned about psychopharmaceuticals and their side effects, and is in psychotherapeutic care.

Source: Depression and Anxiety 11. 8. 2022

News Specific treatment of pulmonary involvement in patients with AAT deficiency −⁠ why, how, and for whom?

For patients with emphysema and decreased lung function due to alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (AATD), there is an approved specific treatment which involves the i.v. administration of alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) derived from human plasma. This augmentation therapy slows the loss of lung tissue density. Its effects and impact on the frequency and duration of exacerbations, quality of life, lung functions, and patient mortality are less clear.

Source: Deficiency of Alpha-1-Antitrypsin 1. 11. 2022

News Dupilumab –⁠ The First Biologic Umbrellaing Type 2 Inflammation Treatment: How Does It Work and Who Is It For?

A new drug is entering the market for the treatment of atopic dermatitis, asthma, and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps –⁠ the biologic product Dupixent®. The active ingredient is dupilumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody administered subcutaneously using a pre-filled syringe.

Source: Systemic treatment of atopic dermatitis, asthma, and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis – Type 2 inflammation 5. 10. 2020

News Kadcyla in a New Indication –⁠ Adjuvant Therapy for Early HER2+ Breast Cancer

In December, the European Commission approved the expansion of the indication for Roche's medicinal product Kadcyla, which contains the active substance trastuzumab emtansine. This expansion makes adjuvant treatment accessible to a much larger number of patients with early HER2-positive breast cancer and reduces the likelihood of disease recurrence or progression.

Source: Breast Carcinoma 23. 1. 2020

News PID in children manifest differently, 10 warning signs help in diagnosis

We asked MUDr. Eva Hlaváčková from the Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, and St. Anne's University Hospital in Brno about the essential details regarding the 10 warning signs of primary immunodeficiencies (PID) and in which cases the vaccination schedule needs to be adapted for sick children.

Source: Primary and Secondary Immunodeficiencies 19. 4. 2021

News Full Compensation of Seizures as the Main Goal of Epilepsy Therapy: Will Patients Achieve It More Easily Than 20 Years Ago?

What is the relationship between the quality of life of patients and the degree of seizure compensation? Have the new antiepileptics (ASM) developed over the last decades improved the overall success rate of therapy?

Source: Epilepsy 28. 6. 2022

News Metformin −⁠ A Proven Helper That Effectively Protects the Heart of Diabetics

Metformin is one of the first-line medications for patients with type 2 diabetes. In addition to lowering blood glucose levels, it also affects other metabolic processes in the human body. Its antitumor, neuroprotective, and especially cardioprotective effects have been extensively studied, which can be advantageously utilized in the diabetic population.

Source: Modern Treatment of Diabetes 19. 10. 2020

News Even a Single Epileptic Seizure is Too Much

Focal epileptic seizures resistant to pharmacotherapy represent an ongoing unmet medical need.

Source: Epilepsy 7. 4. 2022

News Colours of Sepsis 2023: Antimicrobial Stewardship is a Necessity. The Spectrum of Effective Antimicrobial Modalities has Expanded to Include Another Combination

Inappropriate antibiotic (ATB) treatment is associated with high mortality, while unrestricted use of broad-spectrum antibiotics drives resistance development. Thus, the decision to deploy antibiotics becomes a choice between the current and future patient. Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) is an essential strategy in daily operations. Extending the spectrum of antimicrobial agents is equally crucial in combatting resistant bacterial strains. A symposium on this theme was part of the expert program at this year's 'festival of intensive medicine' Colours of Sepsis, held in late January in Ostrava.

Source: Anti-Infectives 9. 2. 2023