European journal of clinical investigation
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Nov 2024
ReviewCirculating Fetuin-A concentrations in rheumatic diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Rheumatic diseases (RDs) include a broad group of disabling conditions with different phenotypes, from autoimmune to autoinflammatory, degenerative, metabolic or mixed manifestations. With the continuous efforts to identify therapeutic targets for new biologic drugs to treat overt clinical manifestations, research is also focusing on the discovery of new biomarkers to diagnose and manage early disease stages. In this context, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of Fetuin-A (FtA), a glycoprotein synthesized by the liver that participates in several biological processes and has been proposed as a biomarker for several disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis. ⋯ In conclusion, our study identified significant reductions in FtA concentrations in RD patients versus healthy controls. These alterations were significantly associated with specific study and patient characteristics. Further research is required to identify the exact pathophysiological mechanisms underlying these alterations and the possible utility of measuring FtA for the diagnosis and management of RDs.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Nov 2024
Review[225Ac]Ac-PSMA for the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Approximately 10%-20% of prostate cancers progress to metastatic and castration-resistant forms (mCRPC). Radioligand (RLT) therapy with [177Lu]Lu-prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is an approved treatment for metastasized mCRPC. Moreover, Actinium-225 (225Ac), an alpha-emitter isotope, has also been used to label PSMA and, recently, to treat mCRPC patients with encouraging results. However, robust clinical data on [225Ac]Ac-PSMA therapy and its comparison with [177Lu]Lu-PSMA are still limited. Our aim was to evaluate the role of [225Ac]Ac-PSMA in treating mCRPC and compare it with conventional [177Lu]Lu-PSMA therapy. ⋯ Overall, the main results of our study showed that [225Ac]Ac-PSMA-617 had a significant therapeutic effect on mCRPC with an acceptable toxicity level. The latter, however, appears greater than with [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617. In future studies, an adequate analysis of the incidence of side effects associated with [225Ac]Ac-PSMA should be performed to evaluate the role of cumulative toxicity of earlier treatments and the higher frailty of heavily pretreated patients.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Nov 2024
Review Meta AnalysisAssociation of MASLD with the risk of extrahepatic cancers: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 18 cohort studies.
Numerous recent studies have explored the association between metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and the risk of various extrahepatic cancers. However, the conclusions were inconclusive. The aim of this study was to clarify this relationship by conducting a robust meta-analysis. ⋯ This latest large-scale meta-analysis indicated that MASLD was associated with an increased risk of various extrahepatic cancers, such as gastric, colorectal, pancreatic, biliary duct, thyroid, urinary system, breast, skin and female genital cancers. Further research is needed to investigate the mechanisms underlying these associations.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Nov 2024
Review Meta AnalysisAssociation of MASLD with the risk of extrahepatic cancers: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 18 cohort studies.
Numerous recent studies have explored the association between metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and the risk of various extrahepatic cancers. However, the conclusions were inconclusive. The aim of this study was to clarify this relationship by conducting a robust meta-analysis. ⋯ This latest large-scale meta-analysis indicated that MASLD was associated with an increased risk of various extrahepatic cancers, such as gastric, colorectal, pancreatic, biliary duct, thyroid, urinary system, breast, skin and female genital cancers. Further research is needed to investigate the mechanisms underlying these associations.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Nov 2024
Review Meta AnalysisThe association between bilirubin concentrations and inflammatory bowel disease: Insights from a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), poses a significant challenge to health care systems because of its chronic nature and increasing global prevalence. Effective management of IBD requires accurate diagnostic tools and biomarkers. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the relationship between bilirubin concentrations and IBD activity and outcomes. ⋯ This study supports the potential utility of bilirubin as a biomarker in IBD, emphasizing the need for further research to validate its clinical significance.