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Avrahami M, Liwinski T, Eckstein Z, Peskin M, Perlman P, Sarlon J, Lang UE, Amital D, Weizman A. Predictors of valproic acid steady-state serum levels in adult and pediatric psychiatric inpatients: a comparative analysis. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2024; 241:1883-1894. [PMID: 38733528 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-024-06603-y] [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] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
RATIONALE Valproic acid (VPA) is commonly used as a second-line mood stabilizer or augmentative agent in severe mental illnesses. However, population pharmacokinetic studies specific to psychiatric populations are limited, and clinical predictors for the precision application of VPA remain undefined. OBJECTIVES To identify steady-state serum VPA level predictors in pediatric/adolescent and adult psychiatric inpatients. METHODS We analyzed data from 634 patients and 1,068 steady-state therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) data points recorded from 2015 to 2021. Steady-state VPA levels were obtained after tapering during each hospitalization episode. Electronic patient records were screened for routine clinical parameters and co-medication. Generalized additive mixed models were employed to identify independent predictors. RESULTS Most TDM episodes involved patients with psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia (29.2%) and schizoaffective disorder (17.3%). Polypharmacy was common, with the most frequent combinations being VPA + quetiapine and VPA + promethazine. Age was significantly associated with VPA levels, with pediatric/adolescent patients (< 18 years) demonstrating higher dose-adjusted serum levels of VPA (β = 7.6±2.34, p < 0.001) after accounting for BMI. Women tended to have higher adjusted VPA serum levels than men (β = 5.08±1.62, p < 0.001). The formulation of VPA (Immediate-release vs. extended-release) showed no association with VPA levels. Co-administration of diazepam exhibited a dose-dependent decrease in VPA levels (F = 15.7, p < 0.001), suggesting a potential pharmacokinetic interaction. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights the utility of population-specific pharmacokinetic data for VPA in psychiatric populations. Age, gender, and co-administration of diazepam were identified as predictors of VPA levels. Further research is warranted to establish additional predictors and optimize the precision application of VPA in psychiatric patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matan Avrahami
- Young Children Department, Child & Adolescent Division, Petah Tikva and Faculty of Medicine, Geha Mental Health Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Timur Liwinski
- University Psychiatric Clinics Basel, University of Basel, Clinic for Adults, Wilhelm Klein-Strasse 27, Basel, CH-4002, Switzerland.
| | - Zafrir Eckstein
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Geha Mental Health Center, Petah Tikva, and School of Pharmacy, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be'er-Sheva, Israel
| | - Miriam Peskin
- Young Children Department, Child & Adolescent Division, Petah Tikva and Faculty of Medicine, Geha Mental Health Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Polina Perlman
- Young Children Department, Child & Adolescent Division, Petah Tikva and Faculty of Medicine, Geha Mental Health Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Jan Sarlon
- University Psychiatric Clinics Basel, University of Basel, Clinic for Adults, Wilhelm Klein-Strasse 27, Basel, CH-4002, Switzerland
| | - Undine E Lang
- University Psychiatric Clinics Basel, University of Basel, Clinic for Adults, Wilhelm Klein-Strasse 27, Basel, CH-4002, Switzerland
| | - Daniela Amital
- Division of Psychiatry, Barzilai Medical Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Ashkelon, Israel
| | - Abraham Weizman
- Young Children Department, Child & Adolescent Division, Petah Tikva and Faculty of Medicine, Geha Mental Health Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Laboratory of Biological and Molecular Psychiatry, Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Petah Tikva, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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F. V, V. D. P, C. M, M. LI, C. D, G. P, D. C, A. T, M. G, S. DF, M. T, V. V, G. S. Targeting epigenetic alterations in cancer stem cells. FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR MEDICINE 2022; 2:1011882. [PMID: 39086963 PMCID: PMC11285701 DOI: 10.3389/fmmed.2022.1011882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
Oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes are rarely mutated in several pediatric tumors and some early stage adult cancers. This suggests that an aberrant epigenetic reprogramming may crucially affect the tumorigenesis of these tumors. Compelling evidence support the hypothesis that cancer stem cells (CSCs), a cell subpopulation within the tumor bulk characterized by self-renewal capacity, metastatic potential and chemo-resistance, may derive from normal stem cells (NSCs) upon an epigenetic deregulation. Thus, a better understanding of the specific epigenetic alterations driving the transformation from NSCs into CSCs may help to identify efficacious treatments to target this aggressive subpopulation. Moreover, deepening the knowledge about these alterations may represent the framework to design novel therapeutic approaches also in the field of regenerative medicine in which bioengineering of NSCs has been evaluated. Here, we provide a broad overview about: 1) the role of aberrant epigenetic modifications contributing to CSC initiation, formation and maintenance, 2) the epigenetic inhibitors in clinical trial able to specifically target the CSC subpopulation, and 3) epigenetic drugs and stem cells used in regenerative medicine for cancer and diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verona F.
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Pantina V. D.
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences (DICHIRONS), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Modica C.
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences (DICHIRONS), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Lo Iacono M.
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - D’Accardo C.
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Porcelli G.
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Cricchio D.
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences (DICHIRONS), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Turdo A.
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Gaggianesi M.
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences (DICHIRONS), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Di Franco S.
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences (DICHIRONS), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Todaro M.
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Veschi V.
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences (DICHIRONS), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Stassi G.
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences (DICHIRONS), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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Muralidharan A, Rahman J, Banerjee D, Hakim Mohammed AR, Malik BH. Parkinsonism: A Rare Adverse Effect of Valproic Acid. Cureus 2020; 12:e8782. [PMID: 32724733 PMCID: PMC7381881 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.8782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Valproic acid (VPA) is an anti-epileptic drug (AED) used as a first-choice agent for most forms of epilepsy. It is used in the treatment of manic episodes, bipolar disorder, migraine prevention, and impulse control. Hence it is one of the most commonly prescribed drugs by physicians nowadays. VPA acts by increasing gama amino butyric acid (GABA) levels, and also reduces neuronal activation by blocking voltage-gated sodium, potassium, and calcium channels. VPA has various adverse effects like thrombocytopenia, hyperammonemia, teratogenicity causing spina bifida in newborns when exposed in utero. The focus of this review is to research one such easily overlooked adverse effect of VPA, which is VPA-induced Parkinsonism. We carried out a review of literature and gathered all comprehensive peer-reviewed articles from PubMed. The data for this research were collected ethically and legally after a thorough examination of the literature. Data obtained from the studies have suggested that Parkinsonism is an adverse effect of VPA. Chronic usage of VPA causes Parkinsonism. It occurs equally in males and females, more common in older people usually above the age of 55 years and not dose-dependent. According to the data obtained, all patients who developed Parkinsonism had serum levels in the therapeutic range (50-100 mcg/mL). Thus the chronic intake of maintenance dose of VPA seems to be the leading cause. The symptoms usually improve over a few weeks and fully resolve in a few months after stopping the drug. When the patient's symptoms do not improve, it means VPA has unmasked the underlying potential for developing Parkinson's disease. Such patients benefit from levodopa therapy. However, the mechanism of how VPA causes Parkinsonism remains unknown. Based on the articles reviewed, we hypothesize that VPA's mechanism of neuronal inactivation by blocking membrane channels across the neuronal membrane, primarily when used chronically could be the mechanism by which it causes Parkinsonism. VPA causes down regulation of sodium and potassium channels on neuronal membrane in order to stop the neurons from firing. Thereby a decrease in action potential across the neurons causes a temporary physiological inactivation of the neuron. When multiple neurons are inactivated in the basal ganglia of the brain, the patient develops symptoms of Parkinsonism. As the neurons are only temporarily inactivated physiologically, when the drug is stopped the membrane receptors are reactivated on the neuronal membranes. This leads to neuronal activation and neuronal membrane potential becomes the same as before. The above mechanism clarifies why the symptoms settle down when the medication is stopped.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abilash Muralidharan
- Internal Medicine, California Institute of Behavioral Neurosciences and Psychology, Fairfield, USA
- Internal Medicine, Kiruba Hospital, Coimbatore, IND
| | - Jawaria Rahman
- Pathology, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Monrovia, USA
| | - Dipanjan Banerjee
- Neuroscience, California Institute of Behavioral Neurosciences and Psychology, Fairfield, USA
- Geriatrics, Queen's Medical Center, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, GBR
| | - Abdul Rub Hakim Mohammed
- Internal Medicine, California Institute of Behavioral Neurosciences and Psychology, Fairfield, USA
| | - Bilal Haider Malik
- Internal Medicine, California Institute of Behavioral Neurosciences and Psychology, Fairfield, USA
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Kloosterboer SM, Vierhout D, Stojanova J, Egberts KM, Gerlach M, Dieleman GC, Hillegers MHJ, Passe KM, Gelder TV, Dierckx B, Koch BCP. Psychotropic drug concentrations and clinical outcomes in children and adolescents: a systematic review. Expert Opin Drug Saf 2020; 19:873-890. [PMID: 32421365 DOI: 10.1080/14740338.2020.1770224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The use of psychotropic drugs in children and adolescents is widespread but associated with suboptimal treatment effects. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) can improve safety of psychotropic drugs in children and adolescents but is not routinely performed. A major reason is that the relationship between drug concentrations and effects is not well known. AREAS COVERED This systematic review evaluated studies assessing the relationship between psychotropic drug concentrations and clinical outcomes in children and adolescents, including antipsychotics, psychostimulants, alpha-agonists, antidepressants, and mood-stabilizers. PRISMA guidelines were used and a quality assessment of the retrieved studies was performed. Sixty-seven eligible studies involving 24 psychotropic drugs were identified from 9,298 records. The findings were generally heterogeneous and the majority of all retrieved studies were not of sufficient quality. For 11 psychotropic drugs, a relationship between drug concentrations and side-effects and/or effectiveness was evidenced in reasonably reported and executed studies, but these findings were barely replicated. EXPERT OPINION In order to better support routine TDM in child- and adolescent psychiatry, future work must improve in aspects of study design, execution and reporting to demonstrate drug concentration-effect relationships. The quality criteria proposed in this work can guide future TDM research. Systematic review protocol and registration PROSPERO CRD42018084159.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanne M Kloosterboer
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Erasmus Medical Center , Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus Medical Center , Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Denise Vierhout
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Erasmus Medical Center , Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jana Stojanova
- Interdisciplinary Center for Health Studies (CIESAL), Universidad de Valparaíso , Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Karin M Egberts
- Department for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Würzburg , Würzburg, Germany
| | - Manfred Gerlach
- Department for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Würzburg , Würzburg, Germany
| | - Gwen C Dieleman
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus Medical Center , Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Manon H J Hillegers
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus Medical Center , Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Kimberly M Passe
- Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Center , Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Teun van Gelder
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Erasmus Medical Center , Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bram Dierckx
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus Medical Center , Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Birgit C P Koch
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Erasmus Medical Center , Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Golchin N, Johnson H, Bakaki PM, Dawson N, Knight EMP, Meropol SB, Liu R, Feinstein JA, Bolen SD, Kleinman LC, Horace A. Outcome measures in pediatric polypharmacy research: a scoping review. DRUGS & THERAPY PERSPECTIVES 2019; 35:447-458. [PMID: 32256042 PMCID: PMC7123381 DOI: 10.1007/s40267-019-00650-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Various methods have been used to interpret the reports of pediatric polypharmacy across the literature. This is the first scoping review that explores outcome measures in pediatric polypharmacy research. OBJECTIVES The aim of our study was to describe outcome measures assessed in pediatric polypharmacy research. METHODS A search of electronic databases was conducted in July 2017, including Ovid Medline, PubMed, Elsevier Embase, Wiley Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), EBSCO CINAHL, Ovid PsyclNFO, Web of Science Core Collection, ProQuest Dissertations and Thesis A&I. Data were extracted about study characteristics and outcome measures, and also synthesized by harms or benefits mentioned. RESULTS The search strategy initially identified 8169 titles and screened 4398 using the inclusion criteria after de-duplicating. After the primary screening, a total of 363 studies were extracted for the data analysis. Polypharmacy (prevalence) was identified as an outcome in 31.4% of the studies, prognosis-related outcomes in 25.6%, and adverse drug reactions in 16.5%. A total of 265 articles (73.0%) mentioned harms, including adverse drug reactions (26.4%), side effects (24.2%), and drug-drug interactions (20.9%). A total of 83 studies (22.9%) mentioned any benefit, 48.2% of which identified combination for efficacy, 24.1% combination for treatment of complex diseases, and 19.3% combination for treatment augmentation. Thirty-eight studies reported adverse drug reaction as an outcome, where polypharmacy was a predictor, with various designs. CONCLUSIONS Most studies of pediatric polypharmacy evaluate prevalence, prognosis, or adverse drug reaction-related out-comes, and underscore harms related to polypharmacy. Clinicians should carefully weigh benefits and harms when introducing medications to treatment regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Negar Golchin
- School of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Hannah Johnson
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Paul M. Bakaki
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Neal Dawson
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Center for Health Care Research and Policy, Case Western Reserve University at MetroHealth, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | | | - Sharon B. Meropol
- UH Rainbow Center for Child Health and Policy, University Hospitals and School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Rujia Liu
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - James A. Feinstein
- Adult and Child Consortium for Health Outcomes Research and Delivery Science, University of Colorado and Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Shari D. Bolen
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Department of Medicine, MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Center for Health Care Research and Policy, Case Western Reserve University at MetroHealth, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Lawrence C. Kleinman
- UH Rainbow Center for Child Health and Policy, University Hospitals and School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Alexis Horace
- Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Louisiana at Monroe College of Pharmacy, Monroe, Louisiana, USA
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Baker C, Feinstein JA, Ma X, Bolen S, Dawson NV, Golchin N, Horace A, Kleinman LC, Meropol SB, Pestana Knight EM, Winterstein AG, Bakaki PM. Variation of the prevalence of pediatric polypharmacy: A scoping review. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf 2019; 28:275-287. [PMID: 30724414 PMCID: PMC6461742 DOI: 10.1002/pds.4719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2018] [Revised: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To examine the range of prevalence of pediatric polypharmacy in literature through a scoping review, focusing on factors that contribute to its heterogeneity in order to improve the design and reporting of quality improvement, pharmacovigilance, and research studies. METHODS We searched Ovid Medline, PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Ovid PsycINFO, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Web of Science Core Collection databases for studies with concepts of children and polypharmacy, along with a hand search of the bibliographies of six reviews and 30 included studies. We extracted information regarding study design, disease conditions, and prevalence of polypharmacy. RESULTS Two hundred eighty-four studies reported prevalence of polypharmacy. They were more likely to be conducted in North America (37.7%), published after 2010 (44.4%), cross-sectional (67.3%), in outpatient settings (59.5%). Prevalence ranged from 0.9% to 98.4%, median 39.7% (interquartile range [IQR] 22.0%-54.0%). Studies from Asia reported the highest median prevalence of 45.4% (IQR 27.3%-61.0%) while studies from North America reported the lowest median prevalence of 30.4% (IQR 14.7%-50.2%). Prevalence decreased over time: median 45.6% before 2001, 38.1% during 2001 to 2010, and 34% during 2011 to 2017. Studies involving children under 12 years had a higher median prevalence (46.9%) than adolescent studies (33.7%). Inpatient setting studies had a higher median prevalence (50.3%) than studies in outpatient settings (38.8%). Community level samples, higher number and duration of medications defining polypharmacy, and psychotropic medications were associated with lower prevalence. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of pediatric polypharmacy is high and variable. Studies reporting pediatric polypharmacy should account for context, design, polypharmacy definition, and medications evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney Baker
- Department of Population & Quantitative Health Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
| | - James A. Feinstein
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO
| | - Xuan Ma
- Department of Population & Quantitative Health Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
| | - Shari Bolen
- Center for Health Care Research and Policy, MetroHealth, Cleveland, OH
- Department of Medicine, MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, OH
| | - Neal V. Dawson
- Center for Health Care Research and Policy, MetroHealth, Cleveland, OH
- Department of Medicine, MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, OH
| | - Negar Golchin
- School of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Alexis Horace
- Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Louisiana at Monroe College of Pharmacy, Monroe, LA
| | - Lawrence C. Kleinman
- UH Rainbow The Center for Child Health and Policy, University Hospitals, Cleveland, OH and School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
| | - Sharon B. Meropol
- UH Rainbow The Center for Child Health and Policy, University Hospitals, Cleveland, OH and School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
- Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
| | | | - Almut G. Winterstein
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy and Department of Epidemiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Paul M. Bakaki
- Department of Population & Quantitative Health Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
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Abstract
The most common type of head and neck cancer, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), can develop therapeutic resistance that complicates its treatment. The 5-y survival rate for HNSCC remains at ~50%, and improving these outcomes requires a better understanding of the pathogenesis of HNSCC. Studies of HNSCC using in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo approaches provide a novel conceptual framework based on epigenetic mechanisms for developing future clinical applications. Normal oral tissues are influenced by environmental factors that induce pathological changes affecting the network of epigenetic enzymes and signaling pathways to induce HNSCC growth and metastasis. Although various epigenetic regulator families, such as DNA methyltransferases, ten-eleven translocation proteins, histone acetyltransferases, histone deacetylases, BET bromodomain proteins, protein arginine methyltransferases, histone lysine methyltransferases, and histone lysine demethylases, have a role in diverse cancers, specific members have a function in HNSCC. Recently, lysine-specific demethylases have been identified as a potential, attractive, and novel target of HNSCC. Lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) expression is inappropriately upregulated in HNSCC and an orthotopic HNSCC mouse model. LSD1 can demethylate lysine at specific histone positions to repress gene expression or stimulate transcription, indicating a dual and context-dependent role in transcriptional regulation. Our study showed that LSD1 promotes HNSCC growth and metastasis. Pharmacological attenuation of LSD1 inhibits orthotopic and patient-derived HNSCC xenograft growth-specific target genes and signaling pathways. This review provides recent evidence demonstrating the function of epigenetic regulator enzymes in HNSCC progression, including potential therapeutic applications for such enzymes in combination and immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- M.V. Bais
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
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Dispensability of Annual Laboratory Follow-Up After More than 2 Years of Valproic Acid Use: A Systematic Review. CNS Drugs 2017; 31:939-957. [PMID: 29214384 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-017-0479-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The necessity of annual laboratory follow-up in patients treated with valproic acid (VPA) is controversial. OBJECTIVE We investigated the need for annual laboratory follow-up of liver enzymes, electrolytes, and full blood count (FBC) in patients treated with VPA. PATIENTS AND METHODS A systematic search in Evidence-Based Medicine Reviews (EBMR), MEDLINE, and EMBASE was undertaken in December 2016 to identify all published articles investigating or citing valproic acid, liver function disorders, electrolyte disorders, and FBC deviations. RESULTS This review included 108 articles. As the number of participants and duration of the study was not adequate in most studies to detect rare adverse events, studies did not demonstrate a clear prevalence of hepatotoxicity. While a transient increase of transaminases is common and seldom harmful, severe hepatotoxicity is a rare phenomenon and is not prevented by routine laboratory monitoring. VPA had no relevant effect on serum calcium, sodium, potassium, and albumin. The prevalence of FBC varied from 0.6 to 27.8%, occurred mostly in the first 2 years of therapy, and was usually asymptomatic. CONCLUSIONS Long-term monitoring in VPA treatment is only necessary when there have been dose adjustments, co-medication switches, or co-morbidity. In uncomplicated cases, annual laboratory follow-up may be discontinued after 2 years of VPA treatment. Encouraging patients to be vigilant is more effective in the detection of hepatotoxicity than laboratory testing. Follow-up of FBC at 3-6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after start or after a dose increase of VPA or interacting medication is sufficient.
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Altucci L, Rots MG. Epigenetic drugs: from chemistry via biology to medicine and back. Clin Epigenetics 2016; 8:56. [PMID: 27217841 PMCID: PMC4876560 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-016-0222-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2016] [Accepted: 05/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Altucci
- Seconda Università degli Studi di Napoli, Dipartimento di Biochimica, Biofisica e Patologia generale, Vico L. De Crecchio 7, Napoli, 80138 Italy
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