Belatacept in renal transplantation in comparison to tacrolimus and molecular understanding of resistance pattern: Meta-analysis and systematic review

BACKGROUND

The T-cell costimulation blocking agent belatacept has been identified as a possible substitute for calcineurin inhibitors, however, no consensus has been established against its use over the standard care agent Tacrolimus.

AIM

To evaluate the effectiveness of belatacept based maintenance immuno-suppressive regimens in comparison to tacrolimus in renal transplantion.

METHODS

We did extensive search of all the available literature comparing the role of belatacept to tacrolimus in renal transplant recipients by searching the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Crossref, Scopus, clinical trials registry on October 5, 2020.

RESULTS

The literature search identified four randomized controlled trials (n = 173 participants) comparing belatacept with tacrolimus. There was no significant difference in estimated renal function at 12 mo [mean difference 4.12 mL/min/1.73 m2, confidence interval (CI): -2.18 to 10.42, P = 0.20]. Further, belatacept group was associated with significant increase in biopsy proven acute rejection [relative risk (RR) = 3.27, CI: 0.88 to 12.11, P = 0.08] and worse 12 mo allograft survival (RR = 4.51, CI: 1.23 to 16.58, P = 0.02). However, incidence of new onset diabetes mellitus was lower with belatacept at 12 mo (RR = 0.26, CI: 0.07 to 0.99, P = 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The evidence reviewed in this meta-analysis suggested that belatacept-based maintenance immunosuppression regimens were associated with an increased risk allograft loss in renal transplant recipients with equivalent renal functioning against standard tacrolimus; however, observed significantly reduced new onset diabetes mellitus after transplantation incidence and lower serum low density lipid profile levels in belatacept group. In addition, the adaptation of belatacept in renal transplantation has been forestalled by increased rates of rejection and resistance owing to development of various effector memory T cells through, parallel differentiation and immunological plasticity.

Case report on the role of radiofrequency-assisted spleen-preserving surgery for splenic metastasis in the era of check-point inhibitors

RATIONALE

An isolated splenic metastasis is a rare phenomenon noted in advanced stage melanoma. We report the role of radiofrequency (RF) -based splenic-preserving splenectomy in a patient with a solitary splenic metastasis from advanced stage melanoma that was managed with checkpoint inhibitors.

PATIENT CONCERNS

We report a case of a 60-year-old man who presented with multiple lung metastases and a solitary splenic metastasis with advanced stage melanoma following excision of primary from his trunk 2.3 years back.

DIAGNOSIS

Considering the diagnosis of advanced stage melanoma with multiple lung metastases and a solitary splenic metastasis, and its ongoing progressive nature. This case was discussed in the tumour board meeting.

INTERVENTIONS

A decision was made to commence treatment with immunotherapy in the form of PD-1 inhibitor (programmed cell death 1 receptor) pembrolizumab. Follow-up restaging computer tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen and chest showed a significant reduction in the lung and chest wall lesions, but the splenic lesion remained unchanged. Given the lack of response to treatment in the splenic metastasis and the significant decrease in lung metastases, the multidisciplinary team decided that a partial splenectomy combined with continued immunotherapy treatment would be appropriate as the success of immunotherapy was imminent within the splenic preservation.

OUTCOMES

The postoperative recovery was smooth and the patient was discharged from hospital on the sixth postoperative day with normal platelets and white blood cells. The histopathological analysis of the resected specimen showed a metastatic melanoma with negative margins.At 10-month follow-up after the splenic resection the patient had not experienced further tumour recurrences.

LESSONS

Spleen-preserving resection for an isolated, solitary splenic metastasis of melanoma is a feasible approach as it not only preserves the ongoing efficacy of checkpoint inhibitors by preserving the physiological T cell milieu, but the immunomodulation properties of RF can produce potentially additional therapeutic benefit.

Systemic meta-analysis assessing the short term applicability of early conversion to mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors in kidney transplant

AIM

To consolidate the present evidence of effectiveness in renal functioning and graft survival following early introduction of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors with or without calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) in renal transplant recipients.

METHODS

We analysed the current literature following PROSPERO approval describing the role of immunosuppressive agent, mTOR inhibitors as an alternative to CNI within six months of renal transplant by searching the PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, Crossref, and Scopus using MeSH terms.

RESULTS

Six articles of early withdrawal of CNI and introduction of mTOR-inhibitors within six months of renal transplantation were sought. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and serum creatinine were significantly better in mTOR inhibitor group with equivalent survival at 12 mo, even though Biopsy Proven Acute rejection was significantly higher in mTOR-inhibitor group.

CONCLUSION

The evidence reviewed in this meta-analysis suggests that early introduction mTOR-inhibitors substantial CNI minimization. The mTOR inhibitors such as everolimus and sirolimus, due to their complementary mechanism of action and favourable nephrotoxicity profile; better glomerular filtration, lower serum creatinine with equivalent survival. Having said that, due to the higher rejection rate, may influence the use of these regimens to patients with moderate to high immunological risk patients.

Piperacillin/tazobactam for surgical prophylaxis during pancreatoduodenectomy: meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Pancreatoduodenectomy is associated with an increased incidence of surgical-site infections, often leading to a significant rise in morbidity and mortality. This trend underlines the inadequacy of traditional antibiotic prophylaxis strategies. Hence, the aim of this meta-analysis was to assess the outcomes of antimicrobial prophylaxis, comparing piperacillin/tazobactam with traditional antibiotics.

METHODS

Upon registering in PROSPERO, the international prospective register of systematic reviews (CRD42023479100), a systematic search of various databases was conducted over the interval 2000-2023. This inclusive search encompassed a wide range of study types, including prospective and retrospective cohorts and RCTs. The subsequent data analysis was carried out utilizing RevMan 5.4.

RESULTS

A total of eight studies involving 2382 patients who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy and received either piperacillin/tazobactam (1196 patients) or traditional antibiotics (1186 patients) as antibiotic prophylaxis during surgery were included in the meta-analysis. Patients in the piperacillin/tazobactam group had significantly reduced incidences of surgical-site infections (OR 0.43 (95% c.i. 0.30 to 0.62); P < 0.00001) and major surgical complications (Clavien-Dindo grade greater than or equal to III) (OR 0.61 (95% c.i. 0.45 to 0.81); P = 0.0008). Subgroup analysis of surgical-site infections highlighted significantly reduced incidences of superficial surgical-site infections (OR 0.34 (95% c.i. 0.14 to 0.84); P = 0.02) and organ/space surgical-site infections (OR 0.47 (95% c.i. 0.28 to 0.78); P = 0.004) in the piperacillin/tazobactam group. Further, the analysis demonstrated significantly lower incidences of clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistulas (grades B and C) (OR 0.67 (95% c.i. 0.53 to 0.83); P = 0.0003) and mortality (OR 0.51 (95% c.i. 0.28 to 0.91); P = 0.02) in the piperacillin/tazobactam group.

CONCLUSION

Piperacillin/tazobactam as antimicrobial prophylaxis significantly lowers the risk of postoperative surgical-site infections, major surgical complications (complications classified as Clavien-Dindo grade greater than or equal to III), clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistulas (grades B and C), and mortality, hence supporting the implementation of piperacillin/tazobactam for surgical prophylaxis in current practice.

Rib Hemangiomas: Intriguing Findings from a Systematic Review of Rare Thoracic Tumors

Background: Bone hemangiomas are rare benign vascular tumors, comprising less than 1% of all bone tumors. They are predominantly found in the vertebral body or skull; rib hemangiomas are particularly rare and are often misdiagnosed as malignant tumors. Given the high malignancy rate of primary rib tumors, understanding rib hemangiomas is crucial to avoid misdiagnosis. Methods: A systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA standards. A comprehensive literature search was performed in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Scopus. Data on patient demographics, tumor characteristics, and clinical presentation were analyzed using STATA/SE 17. Results: From 306 articles, 40 studies including 43 patients met the inclusion criteria. Rib hemangiomas showed a bimodal age distribution, with peaks in patients younger than 30 years (mean age 21.43 ± 5.60 years) and ≥30 years (mean age 59.96 ± 9.70 years). Females were more affected (62.79%) than males (37.21%), with a ratio of 1.69:1. The tumors were most frequently located in mid-thoracic ribs (4-8) and predominantly on the left side of the thorax. The mean tumor size was 7.27 cm, with 76.19% exhibiting osteolytic changes. Clinically, 63.41% of cases were asymptomatic, while symptomatic cases mainly presented with pain. Conclusions: Rib hemangiomas, though rare, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of thoracic tumors. They present as well-demarcated lytic lesions with distinct imaging features, and they typically require complete surgical excision, which may be aided with preoperative embolization. Their accurate diagnosis involves a combination of radiologic and clinical evaluation. Further studies are needed to understand the disease's pathophysiology and to refine diagnostic and treatment protocols.