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Tsilingiris D, Vallianou NG, Spyrou N, Kounatidis D, Christodoulatos GS, Karampela I, Dalamaga M. Obesity and Leukemia: Biological Mechanisms, Perspectives, and Challenges. Curr Obes Rep 2024; 13:1-34. [PMID: 38159164 PMCID: PMC10933194 DOI: 10.1007/s13679-023-00542-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To examine the epidemiological data on obesity and leukemia; evaluate the effect of obesity on leukemia outcomes in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) survivors; assess the potential mechanisms through which obesity may increase the risk of leukemia; and provide the effects of obesity management on leukemia. Preventive (diet, physical exercise, obesity pharmacotherapy, bariatric surgery) measures, repurposing drugs, candidate therapeutic agents targeting oncogenic pathways of obesity and insulin resistance in leukemia as well as challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic are also discussed. RECENT FINDINGS Obesity has been implicated in the development of 13 cancers, such as breast, endometrial, colon, renal, esophageal cancers, and multiple myeloma. Leukemia is estimated to account for approximately 2.5% and 3.1% of all new cancer incidence and mortality, respectively, while it represents the most frequent cancer in children younger than 5 years. Current evidence indicates that obesity may have an impact on the risk of leukemia. Increased birthweight may be associated with the development of childhood leukemia. Obesity is also associated with worse outcomes and increased mortality in leukemic patients. However, there are several limitations and challenges in meta-analyses and epidemiological studies. In addition, weight gain may occur in a substantial number of childhood ALL survivors while the majority of studies have documented an increased risk of relapse and mortality among patients with childhood ALL and obesity. The main pathophysiological pathways linking obesity to leukemia include bone marrow adipose tissue; hormones such as insulin and the insulin-like growth factor system as well as sex hormones; pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6 and TNF-α; adipocytokines, such as adiponectin, leptin, resistin, and visfatin; dyslipidemia and lipid signaling; chronic low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress; and other emerging mechanisms. Obesity represents a risk factor for leukemia, being among the only known risk factors that could be prevented or modified through weight loss, healthy diet, and physical exercise. Pharmacological interventions, repurposing drugs used for cardiometabolic comorbidities, and bariatric surgery may be recommended for leukemia and obesity-related cancer prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Tsilingiris
- First Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Dragana, 68100, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Natalia G Vallianou
- Department of Internal Medicine, Evangelismos General Hospital, 45-47 Ipsilantou str, 10676, Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Spyrou
- Tisch Cancer Institute Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1190 One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Dimitris Kounatidis
- Department of Internal Medicine, Evangelismos General Hospital, 45-47 Ipsilantou str, 10676, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Irene Karampela
- 2nd Department of Critical Care, Medical School, University of Athens, Attikon General University Hospital, 1 Rimini Str, 12462, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Dalamaga
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias str, 11527, Athens, Greece.
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Zabuliene L, Kubiliute I, Urbonas M, Jancoriene L, Urboniene J, Ilias I. Hyperglycaemia and Its Prognostic Value in Patients with COVID-19 Admitted to the Hospital in Lithuania. Biomedicines 2023; 12:55. [PMID: 38255162 PMCID: PMC10813648 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12010055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Increased blood glucose levels atadmission are frequently observed in COVID-19 patients, even in those without pre-existing diabetes. Hyperglycaemia is associated with an increased incidence of severe COVID-19 infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between hyperglycaemia at admission with the need for invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) and in-hospital mortality in patients without diabetes who were hospitalized for COVID-19 infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS This retrospective observational study was conducted at Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Clinics, Lithuania with adult patients who tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 SARS-CoV-2 and were hospitalized between March 2020 and May 2021. Depersonalized data were retrieved from electronic medical records. Based on blood glucose levels on the day of admission, patients without diabetes were divided into 4 groups: patients with hypoglycaemia (blood glucose below 4.0 mmol/L), patients with normoglycaemia (blood glucose between ≥4.0 mmol/L and <6.1 mmol/L), patients with mild hyperglycaemia (blood glucose between ≥6.1 mmol/L and <7.8 mmol/L), and patients with intermittent hyperglycaemia (blood glucose levels ≥7.8 mmol/L and <11.1 mmol/L). A multivariable binary logistic regression model was created to determine the association between hyperglycaemia and the need for IMV. Survival analysis was performed to assess the effect of hyperglycaemia on outcome within 30 days of hospitalization. RESULTS Among 1945 patients without diabetes at admission, 1078 (55.4%) had normal glucose levels, 651 (33.5%) had mild hyperglycaemia, 196 (10.1%) had intermittent hyperglycaemia, and 20 (1.0%) had hypoglycaemia. The oddsratio (OR) for IMV in patients with intermittent hyperglycaemia was 4.82 (95% CI 2.70-8.61, p < 0.001), and the OR was 2.00 (95% CI 1.21-3.31, p = 0.007) in those with mild hyperglycaemia compared to patients presenting normal glucose levels. The hazardratio (HR) for 30-day in-hospital mortality in patients with mild hyperglycaemia was 1.62 (95% CI 1.10-2.39, p = 0.015), while the HR was 3.04 (95% CI 2.01-4.60, p < 0.001) in patients with intermittent hyperglycaemia compared to those with normoglycaemia at admission. CONCLUSIONS In COVID-19 patients without pre-existing diabetes, the presence of hyperglycaemia at admission is indicative of COVID-19-induced alterations in glucose metabolism and stress hyperglycaemia. Hyperglycaemia at admission in COVID-19 patients without diabetes is associated with an increased risk of invasive mechanical ventilation and in-hospital mortality. This finding highlights the importance for clinicians to carefully consider and select optimal support and treatment strategies for these patients. Further studies on the long-term consequences of hyperglycaemia in this specific population are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Zabuliene
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, 03101 Vilnius, Lithuania;
| | - Ieva Kubiliute
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases and Dermatovenerology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, 08661 Vilnius, Lithuania; (I.K.); (L.J.)
| | - Mykolas Urbonas
- Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, 03101 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Ligita Jancoriene
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases and Dermatovenerology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, 08661 Vilnius, Lithuania; (I.K.); (L.J.)
| | - Jurgita Urboniene
- Center of Infectious Diseases, Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, 08661 Vilnius, Lithuania;
| | - Ioannis Ilias
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Elena Venizelou Hospital, 11521 Athens, Greece
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Tsilingiris D, Vallianou NG, Karampela I, Christodoulatos GS, Papavasileiou G, Petropoulou D, Magkos F, Dalamaga M. Laboratory Findings and Biomarkers in Long COVID: What Do We Know So Far? Insights into Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, Therapeutic Perspectives and Challenges. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10458. [PMID: 37445634 PMCID: PMC10341908 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Long COVID (LC) encompasses a constellation of long-term symptoms experienced by at least 10% of people after the initial SARS-CoV-2 infection, and so far it has affected about 65 million people. The etiology of LC remains unclear; however, many pathophysiological pathways may be involved, including viral persistence; a chronic, low-grade inflammatory response; immune dysregulation and a defective immune response; the reactivation of latent viruses; autoimmunity; persistent endothelial dysfunction and coagulopathy; gut dysbiosis; hormonal and metabolic dysregulation; mitochondrial dysfunction; and autonomic nervous system dysfunction. There are no specific tests for the diagnosis of LC, and clinical features including laboratory findings and biomarkers may not specifically relate to LC. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to develop and validate biomarkers that can be employed for the prediction, diagnosis and prognosis of LC and its therapeutic response, although this effort may be hampered by challenges pertaining to the non-specific nature of the majority of clinical manifestations in the LC spectrum, small sample sizes of relevant studies and other methodological issues. Promising candidate biomarkers that are found in some patients are markers of systemic inflammation, including acute phase proteins, cytokines and chemokines; biomarkers reflecting SARS-CoV-2 persistence, the reactivation of herpesviruses and immune dysregulation; biomarkers of endotheliopathy, coagulation and fibrinolysis; microbiota alterations; diverse proteins and metabolites; hormonal and metabolic biomarkers; and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers. At present, there are only two reviews summarizing relevant biomarkers; however, they do not cover the entire umbrella of current biomarkers, their link to etiopathogenetic mechanisms or the diagnostic work-up in a comprehensive manner. Herein, we aim to appraise and synopsize the available evidence on the typical laboratory manifestations and candidate biomarkers of LC, their classification based on pathogenetic mechanisms and the main LC symptomatology in the frame of the epidemiological and clinical aspects of the syndrome and furthermore assess limitations and challenges as well as potential implications in candidate therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Tsilingiris
- First Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Dragana, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece;
| | - Natalia G. Vallianou
- Department of Internal Medicine, Evangelismos General Hospital, 45-47 Ipsilantou Street, 10676 Athens, Greece;
| | - Irene Karampela
- 2nd Department of Critical Care, Medical School, University of Athens, Attikon General University Hospital, 1 Rimini Street, 12462 Athens, Greece;
| | | | - Georgios Papavasileiou
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Street, 11527 Athens, Greece; (G.P.); (D.P.)
| | - Dimitra Petropoulou
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Street, 11527 Athens, Greece; (G.P.); (D.P.)
| | - Faidon Magkos
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise, and Sports, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Frederiksberg, Denmark;
| | - Maria Dalamaga
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Street, 11527 Athens, Greece; (G.P.); (D.P.)
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Dalamaga M, Nasiri-Ansari N, Spyrou N. Perspectives and Challenges of COVID-19 with Obesity-Related Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15061771. [PMID: 36980657 PMCID: PMC10046880 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15061771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of COVID-19 has created an unprecedented threat worldwide, involving overwhelmed health-care systems in the majority of countries [...]
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Dalamaga
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Correspondence:
| | - Narjes Nasiri-Ansari
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Spyrou
- Tisch Cancer Institute Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1190 One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
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Rajsfus BF, Mohana-Borges R, Allonso D. Diabetogenic viruses: linking viruses to diabetes mellitus. Heliyon 2023; 9:e15021. [PMID: 37064445 PMCID: PMC10102442 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a group of chronic metabolic diseases distinguished by elevated glycemia due to the alterations in insulin metabolism. DM is one of the most relevant diseases of the modern world, with high incidence and prevalence worldwide, associated with severe systemic complications and increased morbidity and mortality rates. Although genetic factors and lifestyle habits are two of the main factors involved in DM onset, viral infections, such as enteroviruses, cytomegalovirus, hepatitis C virus, human immunodeficiency virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, among others, have been linked as triggers of type 1 (T1DM) and type 2 (T2DM) diabetes. Over the years, various groups identified different mechanisms as to how viruses can promote these metabolic syndromes. However, this field is still poorly explored and needs further research, as millions of people live with these pathologies. Thus, this review aims to ex-plore the different processes of how viruses can induce DM and their contribution to the prevalence and incidence of DM worldwide.
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Karampela I. Perspectives in vaccines, immune response, therapeutic interventions and COVID-19. Metabol Open 2022; 17:100223. [PMID: 36570684 PMCID: PMC9758070 DOI: 10.1016/j.metop.2022.100223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
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Scherbakov VI, Skosyreva GA, Ryabichenko TI, Obukhova OO. Cytokines and regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism in the obesity. OBESITY AND METABOLISM 2022. [DOI: 10.14341/omet12863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The article presents data of the influence of cytokines of different directions of glucose and lipid metabolism in obesity. A change of the basic paradigm regarding adipose tissue has contributed to a number of recent discoveries. This concerns such basic concepts as healthy and diseased adipocytes, and, as a consequence, changes of their metabolism under the influence of cytokins. Distinguishing the concept of organokines demonstrates that despite the common features of cytokine regulation, each organ has its own specifics features of cytokine regulation, each organ has its own specific an important section of this concept is the idea of the heterogeneity of adipose tissue. Knowledge of the function of adipose tissue localized in different compartments of the body is expanding. There are date about the possibility of transition of one type of adipose tissue to another. A possible mechanism linking adipose tissue inflammation and the formation of insulin resistance (IR) is presented in this paper. The mechanism of IR development is closely connected with to proinflammatory cytokins disordering the insulin signal, accompanied by a decrease of the work of glucose transporters. A decrease of the income of glucose into cells leads to a change of glycolysis level to an increase of the fatty acids oxidation. Cytokins are able to participate in the process of the collaboration of some cells with others, that occurs both during physiological and pathological process.
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Affiliation(s)
- V. I. Scherbakov
- Federal Research Center of Fundamental and Translational Medicine
| | - G. A. Skosyreva
- Federal Research Center of Fundamental and Translational Medicine
| | | | - O. O. Obukhova
- Federal Research Center of Fundamental and Translational Medicine
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Kulkarni S, Fernandes J, Selvam S, Idiculla J. A Study of the Profile and the Impact of Diabetes, Steroid and Stress Hyperglycaemia on COVID-19 Outcomes. Indian J Endocrinol Metab 2022; 26:551-557. [PMID: 39005518 PMCID: PMC11245288 DOI: 10.4103/ijem.ijem_247_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and hyperglycaemia (HG) have been identified as risk factors for morbidity and mortality in coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) infection. However, a detailed study of various categories of HG and the impacts and characteristics of each of these on COVID-19 was considered important to address this metabolic disorder in COVID-19. Aims This study aimed to describe the patterns of HG and its impact on the clinical outcomes in hospitalised patients with COVID-19 infection. Methodology Data on 1000 consecutive patients with COVID-19 were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0 software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Results A total of 1000 patients were included for analysis The overall mean age of the study group was 52.77 + 19.71 with 636 (63.6%) male patients; 261 had mild, 317 moderate, and 422 severe infections; and 601 had HG (New-onset DM 66, known DM 386, steroid-induced HG 133 and stress HG 16). The HG group has significantly higher levels of inflammatory markers and worse outcomes. Blood glucose levels were higher in patients with known DM. The ROC cut-off of total steroids to predict mortality in the HG group was 84 mg versus 60 mg in the normoglycaemia group. The ROC cut-off of FBS to predict mortality in the overall HG group was 165, with AUC 0.58 (95% CI 0.52, 0.63, P = 0.005), whereas that for pre-existing DM and steroid HG were 232 and 166, which were also significant. There was a wide variation in mean glucose levels against time. Conclusion HG is an independent predictor of mortality, with the highest significance in the steroid-induced category. COVID-19 morbidity and mortality can be minimised by identifying the blood glucose range for best results and instituting appropriate treatment guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shruthi Kulkarni
- Department of General Medicine, St Johns Medical College, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Jonita Fernandes
- Department of General Medicine, St Johns Medical College, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Sumithra Selvam
- Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Population Health, St John’s Research Institute, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Jyothi Idiculla
- Department of General Medicine, St Johns Medical College, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
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Amanatidou E, Gkiouliava A, Pella E, Serafidi M, Tsilingiris D, Vallianou NG, Karampela I, Dalamaga M. Breakthrough infections after COVID-19 vaccination: Insights, perspectives and challenges. Metabol Open 2022; 14:100180. [PMID: 35313532 PMCID: PMC8928742 DOI: 10.1016/j.metop.2022.100180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccination programs against SARS-CoV-2 constitute the mainstay of public health interventions against the global COVID-19 pandemic. Currently available vaccines have shown 90% or better rates of protection against severe disease and mortality. Barely a year after vaccines became available, the Omicron variant and its unprecedented speed of transmission has posed a new challenge. Overall, Omicron presents increased immune escape, transmissibility, and decreased pathogenicity. Vaccines do not offer a full protection against SARS-CoV-2 acquisition, since "breakthrough" infections may occur in fully vaccinated individuals, who may in turn spread the virus to others. Breakthrough infections may be causally related to the viral profile (viral variant and load, incubation period, transmissibility, pathogenicity, immune evasion), immunity characteristics (mucosal versus systemic immunity, duration of immunity, etc.), host determinants (age, comorbidities, immune status, immunosuppressive drugs) and vaccination properties (platform, antigen dose, dose number, dose interval, route of administration). Determining the rate of breakthrough infections may be challenging and necessitates the conduction of population-based studies regarding vaccine effectiveness as well as neutralizing antibody testing, a surrogate of immune protection. In this review, we analyze the causes of breakthrough infections, their clinical consequences (severity of infection and transmission), methods of determining their incidence as well as challenges and perspectives. Long COVID as well as multi-inflammatory syndrome in adolescents may be significantly reduced in breakthrough infections. The need for universal pancoranavirus vaccines that would aim at protecting against a plethora of SARS-CoV-2 variants as well as emerging variants is discussed. Finally, novel vaccine strategies, such as nasal vaccines, may confer robust mucosal and systemic protection, reducing efficiently transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evropi Amanatidou
- Laboratory of Biomathematics, School of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Anna Gkiouliava
- Laboratory of Biomathematics, School of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Eva Pella
- Laboratory of Biomathematics, School of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Maria Serafidi
- Laboratory of Biomathematics, School of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Tsilingiris
- First Department of Propaedeutic Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Laiko General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Natalia G. Vallianou
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Evangelismos General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Irene Karampela
- Second Department of Critical Care, Attikon General University Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Chaidari, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Dalamaga
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
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Tsilingiris D, Nasiri-Ansari N, Spyrou N, Magkos F, Dalamaga M. Management of Hematologic Malignancies in the Era of COVID-19 Pandemic: Pathogenetic Mechanisms, Impact of Obesity, Perspectives, and Challenges. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:2494. [PMID: 35626099 PMCID: PMC9139192 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14102494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic brought about an unprecedented societal and healthcare system crisis, considerably affecting healthcare workers and patients, particularly those with chronic diseases. Patients with hematologic malignancies faced a variety of challenges, pertinent to the nature of an underlying hematologic disorder itself as well as its therapy as a risk factor for severe SARS-CoV-2 infection, suboptimal vaccine efficacy and the need for uninterrupted medical observation and continued therapy. Obesity constitutes another factor which was acknowledged since the early days of the pandemic that predisposed people to severe COVID-19, and shares a likely causal link with the pathogenesis of a broad spectrum of hematologic cancers. We review here the epidemiologic and pathogenetic features that obesity and hematologic malignancies share, as well as potential mutual pathophysiological links predisposing people to a more severe SARS-CoV-2 course. Additionally, we attempt to present the existing evidence on the multi-faceted crucial challenges that had to be overcome in this diverse patient group and discuss further unresolved questions and future challenges for the management of hematologic malignancies in the era of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Tsilingiris
- First Department of Propaedeutic Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Laiko General Hospital, 17 St Thomas Street, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Narjes Nasiri-Ansari
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Spyrou
- Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Faidon Magkos
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise, and Sports, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Maria Dalamaga
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias, 11527 Athens, Greece
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Di Girolamo FG, Fiotti N, Sisto UG, Nunnari A, Colla S, Mearelli F, Vinci P, Schincariol P, Biolo G. Skeletal Muscle in Hypoxia and Inflammation: Insights on the COVID-19 Pandemic. Front Nutr 2022; 9:865402. [PMID: 35529457 PMCID: PMC9072827 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.865402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 infection is often associated with severe inflammation, oxidative stress, hypoxia and impaired physical activity. These factors all together contribute to muscle wasting and fatigue. In addition, there is evidence of a direct SARS-CoV-2 viral infiltration into skeletal muscle. Aging is often characterized by sarcopenia or sarcopenic obesity These conditions are risk factors for severe acute COVID-19 and long-COVID-19 syndrome. From these observations we may predict a strong association between COVID-19 and decreased muscle mass and functions. While the relationship between physical inactivity, chronic inflammation, oxidative stress and muscle dysfunction is well-known, the effects on muscle mass of COVID-19-related hypoxemia are inadequately investigated. The aim of this review is to highlight metabolic, immunity-related and redox biomarkers potentially affected by reduced oxygen availability and/or muscle fatigue in order to shed light on the negative impact of COVID-19 on muscle mass and function. Possible countermeasures are also reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo G. Di Girolamo
- Department of Medical Surgical ad Health Science, Clinica Medica, Cattinara Hospital, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
- SC Assistenza Farmaceutica, Cattinara Hospital, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina, Trieste, Italy
- *Correspondence: Filippo G. Di Girolamo
| | - Nicola Fiotti
- Department of Medical Surgical ad Health Science, Clinica Medica, Cattinara Hospital, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Ugo G. Sisto
- Department of Medical Surgical ad Health Science, Clinica Medica, Cattinara Hospital, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessio Nunnari
- Department of Medical Surgical ad Health Science, Clinica Medica, Cattinara Hospital, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Stefano Colla
- SC Assistenza Farmaceutica, Cattinara Hospital, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina, Trieste, Italy
| | - Filippo Mearelli
- Department of Medical Surgical ad Health Science, Clinica Medica, Cattinara Hospital, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Pierandrea Vinci
- Department of Medical Surgical ad Health Science, Clinica Medica, Cattinara Hospital, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Paolo Schincariol
- SC Assistenza Farmaceutica, Cattinara Hospital, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina, Trieste, Italy
| | - Gianni Biolo
- Department of Medical Surgical ad Health Science, Clinica Medica, Cattinara Hospital, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
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