Peyronie's disease (PD) presents a multifaceted challenge in contemporary urological practice, marked by penile deformity, pain, and the potential for erectile dysfunction. We meticulously explored the existing literature of intralesional/topical interventions, aiming to provide clinicians with a nuanced understanding of available options for comprehensive PD management. To conduct this review, we performed a systematic search using the PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect databases, including the keywords of combination of the "Peyronie's disease/plastic induration of the penis (PIP) and intralesional/topical treatments". The study selection was based on adherence to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, resulting in the inclusion of 16 articles. We delve into the effectiveness and safety profiles of collagenase Clostridium histolyticum (CCH), interferon, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), hyaluronic acid, botulinum toxin, stem cell, extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), and traction therapy, assessing their impact on penile curvature, length improvement, and patient-reported symptoms and outcomes. The best options evaluated are intralesional injections of CCH and penile traction devices, alone or in combination. Despite PD remains a challenge for urologists, the objective of this review is to contribute to the evolving landscape of PD management, fostering informed decision-making, and personalized care for individuals grappling with this challenging condition.
Humans ; Male ; Administration, Topical ; Botulinum Toxins/administration & dosage* ; Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy ; Hyaluronic Acid/administration & dosage* ; Injections, Intralesional ; Interferons/administration & dosage* ; Microbial Collagenase/administration & dosage* ; Penile Induration/therapy* ; Platelet-Rich Plasma ; Stem Cell Transplantation ; Traction

OBJECTIVETo determine the role of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 b genetic variation in the open reading frame for treatment outcomes of the pegylated-interferon/ribavirin (peg-IFN/RBV) combination therapy by examining patients from Henan Province with chronic hepatitis C (CHC).

METHODSThirty-seven treatment naive patients infected with HCV genotype 1b were included in the study. Prior to initiation of a 48-week course of peg-IFN/RBV therapy, peripheral blood was drawn for sequencing of the viral ORF 5'-half. Patients were assessed at the end of the 48 weeks of treatment and at a 6-month follow-up appointment. The patient data was stratified according to the status of sustained viral response (SVR) group and non-response (NR) and statistical analysis was performed to determine the correlation between detected genetic variations and treatment response status.

RESULTSGenetic variability in the ORF 5'-half was significantly higher among the individuals in the SVR group than among those of the NR group. Significant differences were found in the gene regions encoding p7, NS2 and NS3. For p7, the NR group had actual and expected frequencies of special mutation of 9.0 and 17.4 and total mutation of 77.0 and 68.6, while the SVR group had actual and expected frequencies of special mutation of 42.0 and 33.6 and total mutation of 124.0 and 132.4 (x2 =7.725, P =0.05). For NS2, the NR group had actual and expected frequencies of special mutation of 36.0 and 54.3 and total mutation of 270.0 and 251.7, while the SVR group had actual and expected frequencies of special mutation of 106.0 and 87.7 and total mutation of 388.0 and 406.3 (x2 = 12.16, P less than 0.01). For NS3, the NR group had actual and expected frequencies of special mutation of 49.0 and 53.4 and total mutation of 241.0 and 236.6, while the SVR group had actual and expected frequencies of special mutation of 81.0 and 76.6 and total mutation of 335.0 and 339.4 (x2 =6.745, P =0.043). The inter-patient genetic variations in the NS3 gene were concentrated in the protease domain. Furthermore, there was a strong correlation between HCV diversity in p7 and treatment outcome.

CONCLUSIONThe genetic data reported here provides strong support for the role of NS2, NS3 and p7 in antagonizing the peg-IFN/RBV response during the treatment of HCV infections. We conclude that higher inter-patient viral genetic diversity correlates with successful treatment and may modulate the efficacy of antiviral therapy in CHC patients of Henan.

Adult ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Genotype ; Hepacivirus ; genetics ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; drug therapy ; virology ; Humans ; Interferons ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Open Reading Frames ; Ribavirin ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome

Adult ; Humans ; Interferons ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mycosis Fungoides ; drug therapy ; Thalidomide ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo determine the efficacy of palliative radiotherapy in treating tumor-stage cutaneous T-cell lymphoma/mycosis fungoides (MF).

METHODSFrom January 2008 to January 2013, a total of 11 patients with tumor-stage MF were treated with local radiation therapy in Peking Union Medical College Hospital. The median age of these patients was 53.36 ± 14.45 years. Female-male ratio was 1:1.2. The average course of disease was 10.82 ± 3.37 years. All the patients were treated with local electronic beam irradiation with a total median dosage of 48.55 ± 9.51 (40-74) Gy in an average of 24.55 ± 5.57 (20-40) fractions, 5 fractions per week.

RESULTSThe median follow-up time was 55.27 ± 29.3 (13-103) months. No severe acute or chronic side effects of irradiation were observed. Complete clinical response (CR) rate of the radiated sites was 54.5% (6/11), partial response (PR) rate was 36.4% (4/11), and the overall response rate (CR+PR) was 90.9%. One patient showed no response.

CONCLUSIONLocal radiotherapy with psolaren plus ultraviolet A and/or interferon maintaining treatment is an effective palliative therapy in the treatment of tumor-stage MF patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Chemoradiotherapy, Adjuvant ; methods ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Humans ; Interferons ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mycosis Fungoides ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Neoplasm Staging ; PUVA Therapy ; methods ; Palliative Care ; methods ; Radiotherapy Dosage ; Skin Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Treatment Outcome

Imatinib has been recognized as the frontline therapy drug in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), however, only limited patients could achieve complete molecular remission (CMR). Recent clinical and basic proofs indicated an improved treatment outcome by the combination of interferon and Imatinib. This study was purposed to evaluated systematically the efficacy and safety of interferon plus Imatinib in patients with CML. Data from relative clinical trials were from clinical trial of gov and Cochrane Collaboration. A comprehensive literature search was performed from data bases such as pubMed and EM. The results indicated that 7 clinical trials and 12 research papers met the criteria enrolled in study, included 697 cases in total. The combination group had higher complete cytogenetic remission (CCgR) rate than imatinib alone at 6 months (58% vs 42%; P = 0.0001) and 12 months (74% vs 68%; P = 0.004). The major molecular remission (MMR) rate was also higher in the combination group at 6 months (58% vs 34%; P = 0.0001) and 12 months (66% vs 47%; P < 0.0001). Furthermore, compared with single drug, the combination group had superior CMR rate at 6 months (13% vs 2%; P = 0.0002) and 12 months (14% vs 5%; P = 0.0009). The major adverse effects of combination therapy were rash, asthenia, edema and musculoskeletal events, and combination therapy was more prone to inducing neutropenia, thrombocytopenia and mild anemia. It is concluded that compared with Imatinib alone, the combination of interferon and Imatinib has better clinical efficacy in treating CML with earlier cytogenetic and molecular remission. It is also a safe therapy in spite of slightly weaker tolerance than single drug therapy.
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Benzamides ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Imatinib Mesylate ; Interferons ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive ; drug therapy ; Piperazines ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Pyrimidines ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Treatment Outcome

Onion peel contains a high concentration of quercetin and other flavonoids. In this study, the potential immune-enhancing effects of an onion peel water extract (OPE) supplement were investigated by the rat forced swimming test. OPE was prepared using hot water. Thirty-six male Sprague Dawley rats were fed a pellet diet for 1 week and were then randomly divided into six groups: normal control (NC), forced swimming control (FSC), positive control (quercetin 20 mg/kg), and three groups administered 4, 20, or 100 mg/kg of OPE. Oral drug administration was conducted daily for 4 weeks. All rats, except those of NC group, were forced to swim in water and were considered exhausted when they failed to rise to the water surface to breathe within a 7-s period. Blood lymphocyte counts, immune organ weights, histopathological analysis, and serum interferon (IFN)-gamma, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and interleukin (IL)-12 levels were determined. OPE-treated rats consumed more food and had an increased thymic cortex to medulla ratio than that observed in FSC group rats (P<0.05). The area of the white pulp in the spleens of OPE-treated group rats was increased compared with that in FSC group rats (P<0.05). Furthermore, blood lymphocyte numbers and IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, and IL-12 concentrations were significantly higher in OPE-fed groups than in FSC group (P<0.05). These results suggest that an OPE supplement can improve the immune status by increasing the number of immune-related cells and specific cytokine levels.
Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Cytokines ; Diet ; Flavonoids ; Humans ; Interferons ; Interleukin-12 ; Interleukins ; Lymphocyte Count ; Male ; Models, Animal* ; Onions* ; Organ Size ; Physical Exertion ; Quercetin ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spleen ; Swimming* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Water*

Currently, the most widely prescribed standard therapy for chronic hepatitis C consists of pegylated-interferon combined with ribavirin. Although the response rate to interferon-based treatments has improved since interferon monotherapy was first combined with ribavirin, and then pegylated-interferon was adopted, patients eligible for this treatment are limited; the side effects are unbearable in some patients, and the response rates are still unsatisfactory for those who have unfavorable clinical features. Achievements in molecular research have led to the discovery of enormous molecules with anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) activity. Telaprevir, boceprevir, simeprevir, and sofosbuvir have already been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and many new drugs are being evaluated in ongoing clinical trials. We review the clinical efficacy of approved new anti-HCV drugs, along with many promising treatment options under development.
Hepatitis C, Chronic* ; Humans ; Interferons ; Ribavirin ; United States Food and Drug Administration ; Simeprevir

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Interferons ; administration & dosage ; Interleukin-2 ; administration & dosage ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; drug therapy ; Recurrence ; Thalidomide ; administration & dosage

Aspirin ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Blood Cell Count ; Blood Platelets ; drug effects ; physiology ; C-Reactive Protein ; analysis ; Child, Preschool ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Hydroxyurea ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Interferons ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Platelet Count ; Thrombocythemia, Essential ; blood ; diagnosis ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the therapeutic efficacy of standard antiviral therapy applied after interferon (IFN) treatment failure in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC).

METHODSCHC patients who completed a 48-week course of IFN therapy (pegylated (Peg)-IFNa-2a at 180 mug, qw, ih with or without ribavirin (RBV) at 15 mg/kg/w) in our hospital between January 2009 and June 2012 but who showed no response (at week 48) or who relapsed (at week 72) were enrolled in the study. Prior to initiating the 48-week course of retreatment therapy (Peg-IFNa-2a plus RBV as above), the hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype was detected and the viral load measured (baseline) by PCR of HCV RNA. Each patient's response to therapy was classified as follows: baseline vs. week 4 (rapid virological response, RVR), vs. weeks 12 and 24 (early virological response, EVR), vs. week 48 (end of treatment virological response, ETVR) and vs. week 72 (sustained virological response, SVR).

RESULTSOf the total 235 cases administered retreatment therapy, 60.0% (n = 140) achieved RVR, 77.4% (n = 182) achieved EVR, 83.8% (n = 197) achieved ETVR, 68.0% (n = 68%) achieved SVR, and 15.7% (n = 37) relapsed. Stratification analysis of recurrence (n = 158) and non-responsive (n = 77) sub-groups showed that the recurrence group experienced significantly higher rates of RVR, EVR, ETVR and SVR, but a significantly lower rate of relapse. Stratification analysis of genotype 1b carrier (n = 206) and non-1b carrier (n = 29) sub-groups showed that the 1b carriers had significantly lower rates of RVR, EVR, ETVR and SVR, but a significantly higher rate of relapse. Finally, the patients who achieved RVR (vs. non RVR, n = 95) and EVR (vs. non-EVR, n = 53) showed higher rates of SVR and ETVR.

CONCLUSIONCHC patients who fail to respond to the initial course of standard IFN-based therapy may achieve SVR upon retreatment, especially those infected with the HCV genotype 1b.

Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Genotype ; Hepacivirus ; genetics ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Interferons ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polyethylene Glycols ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Recombinant Proteins ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Retreatment ; Ribavirin ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Failure