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Jesuthasan A, Baheerathan A, Auger S, Dorsey R, Coker R, Selvapatt N, Viegas S. Methotrexate for the neurologist. Pract Neurol 2024:pn-2024-004156. [PMID: 38821881 DOI: 10.1136/pn-2024-004156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
The use of methotrexate in clinical practice has expanded significantly in recent years, as an effective chemotherapeutic agent as well as disease-modifying treatment for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and Crohn's disease. It is also used as a steroid-sparing agent for a range of inflammatory diseases of the central and peripheral nervous systems. Clinical neurologists must, therefore, know how to start and uptitrate methotrexate, its monitoring requirements and its potential toxicities. This review aims first to explore the evidence base for using methotrexate in various neurological diseases and second to discuss important practicalities around its use, ensuring its safe application and appropriate monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Stephen Auger
- Department of Neurology, Charing Cross Hospital, London, UK
| | - Rachel Dorsey
- Department of Neurology, Charing Cross Hospital, London, UK
| | - Robina Coker
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | | | - Stuart Viegas
- Department of Neurology, Charing Cross Hospital, London, UK
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Manavi MA, Fathian Nasab MH, Mohammad Jafari R, Dehpour AR. Mechanisms underlying dose-limiting toxicities of conventional chemotherapeutic agents. J Chemother 2024:1-31. [PMID: 38179685 DOI: 10.1080/1120009x.2023.2300217] [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: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) are severe adverse effects that define the maximum tolerated dose of a cancer drug. In addition to the specific mechanisms of each drug, common contributing factors include inflammation, apoptosis, ion imbalances, and tissue-specific enzyme deficiencies. Among various DLTs are bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis, doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy, cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity, methotrexate-induced hepatotoxicity, vincristine-induced neurotoxicity, paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy, and irinotecan, which elicits severe diarrhea. Currently, specific treatments beyond dose reduction are lacking for most toxicities. Further research on cellular and molecular pathways is imperative to improve their management. This review synthesizes preclinical and clinical data on the pharmacological mechanisms underlying DLTs and explores possible treatment approaches. A comprehensive perspective reveals knowledge gaps and emphasizes the need for future studies to develop more targeted strategies for mitigating these dose-dependent adverse effects. This could allow the safer administration of fully efficacious doses to maximize patient survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Amin Manavi
- Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Razieh Mohammad Jafari
- Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ahmad Reza Dehpour
- Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Grammatikopoulou MG, Gkiouras K, Syrmou V, Vassilakou T, Simopoulou T, Katsiari CG, Goulis DG, Bogdanos DP. Nutritional Aspects of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: An A to Z for Dietitians. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:203. [PMID: 36832332 PMCID: PMC9955348 DOI: 10.3390/children10020203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) represents a chronic, autoimmune, rheumatic musculoskeletal disease with a diagnosis before 16 years of age. Chronic arthritis is a common manifestation in all JIA subtypes. The nature of JIA, in combination to its therapy often results in the development of nutrition-, gastrointestinal (GI)- or metabolic-related issues. The most-common therapy-related nutritional issues involve methotrexate (MTX) and glucocorticosteroids (GCC) adverse events. MTX is a folic acid antagonist, thus supplementation with folic acid in required for improving GI side effects and correcting low serum levels. On the other hand, long-term GCC administration is often associated with hyperglycemia, insulin resistance and growth delay. This relationship is further aggravated when more joints are affected and greater doses of GCC are being administered. Apart from stature, body mass index z-scores are also suboptimal in JIA. Other signs of malnutrition include decreased phase angle and muscle mass, especially among patients with polyarthritis JIA. Evidence also points to the existence of an inverse relationship between disease activity and overweight/obesity. Specific dietary patterns, including the anti-inflammatory diet, might confer improvements in selected JIA outcomes, but the level of available research is yet insufficient to draw safe conclusions. The majority of patients exhibit suboptimal vitamin D status; hence, supplementation is recommended. Collectively, the evidence indicates that, due to the age of onset and the complexity of the disease, along with its pharmacotherapy, children with JIA are prone to the development of several nutritional problems, warranting expert monitoring. Vitamin deficiencies, oral and GI-problems limiting dietary intake, faltering growth, overweight and obesity, physical inactivity, or impaired bone health are among the many nutritional issues in JIA requiring dietitian support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria G. Grammatikopoulou
- Immunonutrition Unit, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University General Hospital of Larissa, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Biopolis, GR-41110 Larissa, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Gkiouras
- Immunonutrition Unit, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University General Hospital of Larissa, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Biopolis, GR-41110 Larissa, Greece
| | - Vasiliki Syrmou
- Immunonutrition Unit, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University General Hospital of Larissa, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Biopolis, GR-41110 Larissa, Greece
| | - Tonia Vassilakou
- Department of Public Health Policy, School of Public Health, University of West Attica, 196 Alexandras Avenue, GR-11521 Athens, Greece
| | - Theodora Simopoulou
- Immunonutrition Unit, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University General Hospital of Larissa, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Biopolis, GR-41110 Larissa, Greece
| | - Chistina G. Katsiari
- Immunonutrition Unit, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University General Hospital of Larissa, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Biopolis, GR-41110 Larissa, Greece
| | - Dimitrios G. Goulis
- Unit of Reproductive Endocrinology, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 76 Agiou Pavlou Str., Pavlos Melas, GR-56429 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Dimitrios P. Bogdanos
- Immunonutrition Unit, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University General Hospital of Larissa, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Biopolis, GR-41110 Larissa, Greece
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AlAmeel T, Al Sulais E, Raine T. Methotrexate in inflammatory bowel disease: A primer for gastroenterologists. Saudi J Gastroenterol 2022; 28:250-260. [PMID: 35042318 PMCID: PMC9408741 DOI: 10.4103/sjg.sjg_496_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Methotrexate is an antineoplastic agent that is also used at lower doses for anti-inflammatory properties. Along with thiopurines (azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine), it has historically been an important part of pharmacological treatment for patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Despite an increase in therapeutic options, these immunomodulators continue to play important roles in the management of inflammatory bowel disease, used either as a monotherapy in mild to moderate cases or in combination with monoclonal antibodies to prevent immunogenicity and maintain efficacy. In light of data linking the use of thiopurines with the risk of malignancies, methotrexate has regained attention as a potential alternative. In this article, we review data on the pharmacology, safety, and efficacy of methotrexate and discuss options for the positioning of methotrexate alone, or in combination, in therapeutic algorithms for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Turki AlAmeel
- Department of Medicine, King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Eman Al Sulais
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Addenbrooke's Hospital, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK,Address for correspondence: Dr. Eman Al Sulais, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Addenbrooke's Hospital, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK. E-mail:
| | - Tim Raine
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Addenbrooke's Hospital, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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