Atezolizumab-induced encephalitis in a patient with metastatic breast cancer: a case report and review of neurological adverse events associated with checkpoint inhibitors

Immune-mediated encephalitis as an adverse event due to checkpoint inhibitors is very rare. We describe herein the case of a 38-year-old woman with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer who developed seizures and somnolence twelve days after receiving the first dose of Atezolizumab. Work up ruled out all infectious etiologies, and the patient was eventually diagnosed with immune-mediated meningoencephalitis. Symptoms recovered with a high-dose of steroids, and she was found to have an excellent response on follow-up imaging, which raised the question of whether a relationship exists between the occurrence, and severity of the adverse event and the response to treatment. Only a few other cases of atezolizumab–related encephalitis have been published. Early recognition and treatment are crucial; the reason why we are describing this case along with a review of the literature and a review on all the neurological immune-related adverse events due to the different checkpoint inhibitors

Modulation of adult neurogenesis by catecholaminergic neurotransmission in the rodent brain

PARIS-BIUSJ-Thèses (751052125) / SudocPARIS-BIUSJ-Physique recherche (751052113) / SudocSudocFranceF

Religions, pouvoirs

Les auteurs de ce module vous proposent de découvrir les cultes religieux sous les pouvoirs. Ainsi, les thèmes suivants sont développés : "le culte d'Apollon et l'idéologie du pouvoir à Rome de la fin de la République à l'avènement du Principat", "des dieux poliades aux dieux des nations", "le pouvoir et la religion dans l'univers phénico-punique" et "le Christianisme au patriarcat d'Antioche dans l'Antiquité tardive ". Des références bibliographiques, des références biographiques, ainsi qu'un glossaire complètent le cours

Castrate-Resistant Prostate Cancer with Peritoneal Metastases Treated with Docetaxel-Based Chemotherapy

Introduction: To identify the risk factors, characteristics and prognosis of patients treated with docetaxel-based chemotherapy for peritoneal carcinomatosis due to metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our series of mCRPC patients with peritoneal metastases treated with docetaxel-based chemotherapy between 2004 and 2010. Results: Six patients were identified from our institutions' internal cancer registry. Three out of these patients had been treated with laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP). In addition to peritoneal metastases, other metastatic sites were mainly visceral. Only 1 patient developed bone metastases. Peritoneal carcinomatosis occurred mainly in patients with a high Gleason (= or >6) score since 5 out of our 6 patients had a Gleason score ≥7. All 6 patients were treated with docetaxel-based chemotherapy when they developed castration resistance. Five patients benefitted from chemotherapy according to their PSA or RECIST responses. Median survival from the start of docetaxel was 24.5 months. Conclusions: Our retrospective analysis suggests that peritoneal carcinomatosis occurs mainly in patients with a high Gleason score. It is also possible that tumor seeding occurs during LRP. Patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis resistant to castration seem to benefit from docetaxel-based chemotherapy. © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel

The development process of economic evaluation guidelines in low- and middle-income countries:a systematic review

OBJECTIVES: To review the development of economic evaluation guidelines (EEGs) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), with the goal of assisting those developing EEGs in LMICs. METHODS: We conducted a systematic search in MEDLINE (Ovid), PubMed, EconLit, Embase (Ovid), the Cochrane Library, and the gray literature until March 2021. We extracted data on the methods used in the EEG development process, the responsible party engaged, and the development team's composition. We conducted a quality assessment, using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation-Health Systems tool, and then carried out a relative comparison. RESULTS: Fourteen EEGs and nine studies were identified. In ten countries, the Ministry of Health was responsible for handling the development process. The majority of LMICs who developed EEGs did not explicitly report the discipline of those involved in the process. The developers of EEGs followed four main steps: conducting a review on national guidelines, organizing workshops, and getting support from international experts or from organizations. One-third of the identified EEGs failed to engage multisectoral or multidisciplinary developers, and approximately 14 percent did not follow or report any recommended step. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified a scarcity of published information related to the development process and the suboptimal quality of included studies. It provides relevant material to support international organizations and developers of guidelines in LMICs in developing EEGs that fit their national context. In addition, this paper recommends a transparent approach to the design of guidelines and to reporting on the methods for developing them

Malva pseudolavatera Leaf Extract Promotes ROS Induction Leading to Apoptosis in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells In Vitro

Malva pseudolavatera Webb & Berthel. is a plant from the Malvaceae family that has long been included in the human diet due to its various curative effects. Many plant leaf extracts from the various species of Malva genus have been reported to possess anti-cancer properties, however, studies on M. pseudolavatera Webb & Berthel. leaves have documented anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects with no emphasis on their possible anti-cancer potential. The present study explores the anti-cancer properties of Malva pseudolavatera Webb & Berthel. leaf extract on acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell lines in vitro and deciphers the underlying molecular mechanism. Treatment of AML cell lines with M. pseudolavatera methanolic leaf extract showed a dose- and time-dependent inhibition of proliferation and a dose-dependent increase in apoptotic hallmarks such as an increase in phosphatidylserine on the outer membrane leaflet and membrane leakage in addition to DNA fragmentation. The pro-apoptotic effect was induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as an upregulation of cleaved poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), increase in Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, andrelease of cytochrome-c from the mitochondria. Major compounds of the extract included methyl linolenate, phytol, gamma-sitosterol, and stigmasterol as revealed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, and amino acids, amino acid derivatives, tiliroside, 13-hydroxyperoxyoctadecadienoic, and quercitrin as detected by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry

Annona cherimola Seed Extract Activates Extrinsic and Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathways in Leukemic Cells

Annona cherimola Mill is a large green fruit with black seeds widely known to possess toxic properties due to the presence of Annonaceous acetogenins. The present study investigates the anti-cancer properties of an Annona cherimola Mill ethanolic seed extract on Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) cell lines in vitro and elucidates the underlying cellular mechanism. The anti-proliferative effects of the extract on various AML cell lines and normal mesenchymal cells (MSCs) were assessed using WST-1 viability reagent. The pro-apoptotic effect of the extract was evaluated using Annexin V/PI staining and Cell Death ELISA. The underlying mechanism was deciphered by analyzing the expression of various proteins using western blots. Treatment with an A. cherimola seed ethanolic extract promotes a dose- and time-dependent inhibition of the proliferation of various AML cell lines, but not MSCs. Positive Annexin V staining, as well as DNA fragmentation, confirm an increase in apoptotic cell death by upregulating the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins which control both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways of apoptosis. GC/MS analysis revealed the presence of phytosterols, in addition to other bioactive compounds. In conclusion, Annona cherimola Mill seed extract, previously known to possess a potent toxic activity, induces apoptosis in AML cell lines by the activation of both the extrinsic and the intrinsic pathways