Review
Pediatrics
So Yoon Choi, Ben Kang
Summary: The introduction of biological agents, particularly anti-TNF agents, has significantly improved the long-term prognosis of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In pediatric populations, only two biological agents, infliximab (IFX) and adalimumab (ADL), have been approved for use. ADL has shown efficacy in achieving mucosal healing (MH) and histological remission in both naive patients and those who have previously received biologic treatment. Therapeutic drug monitoring may further enhance the effectiveness of ADL treatment and reduce treatment failure.
FRONTIERS IN PEDIATRICS
(2022)
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
M. Ellen Kuenzig, Stephen G. Fung, Luba Marderfeld, Joyce W. Y. Mak, Gilaad G. Kaplan, Siew C. Ng, David C. Wilson, Fiona Cameron, Paul Henderson, Paulo G. Kotze, Jasmine Bhatti, Vixey Fang, Samantha Gerber, Evelyne Guay, Supun Kotteduwa Jayawarden, Leo Kadota, Fernando D. Maldonado, Jessica Amankwah Osei, Ryan Sandarage, Amanda Stanton, Melissa Wan, Eric Benchimol
Summary: The incidence of pediatric-onset inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is increasing worldwide, with the highest rates in Northern Europe and North America and the lowest rates in Southern Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Most studies reported significant increases in incidence, while there is limited data on very early onset IBD.
Review
Pediatrics
Marleen Bouhuys, Willem S. Lexmond, Patrick F. van Rheenen
Summary: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are chronic, immune-mediated disorders that include Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Pediatric onset of the disease occurs in about 10% of cases. The management of pediatric IBD has evolved, with anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy being used upfront for patients at high risk for complications. Biochemical or endoscopic remission is the therapeutic goal, and pediatric IBD comes with unique challenges such as growth impairment and psychological issues. General pediatricians play a crucial role in integrating these challenges in the clinical care of patients with IBD and optimizing their outcomes.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Sara Salvador-Martin, Bartosz Kaczmarczyk, Rebeca Alvarez, Victor Manuel Navas-Lopez, Carmen Gallego-Fernandez, Ana Moreno-Alvarez, Alfonso Solar-Boga, Cesar Sanchez, Mar Tolin, Marta Velasco, Rosana Munoz-Codoceo, Alejandro Rodriguez-Martinez, Concepcion A. Vayo, Ferran Bossacoma, Gemma Pujol-Muncunill, Maria J. Fobelo, Antonio Millan-Jimenez, Lorena Magallares, Eva Martinez-Ojinaga, Ines Loverdos, Francisco J. Eizaguirre, Jose A. Blanca-Garcia, Susana Clemente, Ruth Garcia-Romero, Vicente Merino-Bohorquez, Rafael Gonzalez de Caldas, Enrique Vazquez, Ana Dopazo, Maria Sanjurjo-Saez, Luis A. Lopez-Fernandez
Summary: This study identified overexpression of FCGR1A, FCGR1B, and GBP1 genes as potential pharmacogenomic markers of early response to anti-TNF agents in pediatric IBD patients.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Sara Salvador-Martin, Alejandra Melgarejo-Ortuno, Luis A. Lopez-Fernandez
Summary: The use of biological drugs in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease has shown significant improvements, and predicting response to these drugs is particularly valuable in children. Clinical, biochemical, and genetic parameters can potentially predict response to biological drugs in children with IBD.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ondrej Fabian, Lukas Bajer, Pavel Drastich, Karel Harant, Eva Sticova, Nikola Daskova, Istvan Modos, Filip Tichanek, Monika Cahova
Summary: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are systemic immune-mediated conditions that primarily affect the gastrointestinal tract. Despite advancements in research, the exact causes of IBD remain largely unknown, leading to limited success in achieving remission and the development of severe complications. The use of proteomics, which analyzes a wide range of proteins in tissues, may provide valuable insights into the identification of new biomarkers for IBD.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vishal Khatri, Ramaswamy Kalyanasundaram
Summary: This review focuses on the association between IBD and gut inflammasome, as well as recent advances in research and therapeutic strategies for IBD, discussing inflammasomes and their components, outcomes from experimental animals and human studies, inflammasome inhibitors, and developments in inflammasome-targeted therapies for IBD.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
HyunTaek Jung, Jae Seok Kim, Keum Hwa Lee, Kalthoum Tizaoui, Salvatore Terrazzino, Sarah Cargnin, Lee Smith, Ai Koyanagi, Louis Jacob, Han Li, Sung Hwi Hong, Dong Keon Yon, Seung Won Lee, Min Seo Kim, Paul Wasuwanich, Wikrom Karnsakul, Jae Il Shin, Andreas Kronbichler
Summary: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract that mainly affects young people. Recent studies have shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of IBD.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Editorial Material
Pediatrics
Hilary K. Michel, Ross M. Maltz, Brendan Boyle, Amy Donegan, Jennifer L. Dotson
Summary: Multidisciplinary care is crucial for children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease, with team members including medical, psychosocial, and ancillary providers as well as patient and family advocates. The COVID-19 pandemic prompted many medical centers to shift to telemedicine technology for delivering comprehensive care, highlighting the importance of leveraging technology and a multidisciplinary team for successful healthcare delivery.
Article
Pediatrics
Maya Ruban, Adam Slavick, Achiya Amir, Amir Ben-Tov, Hadar Moran-Lev, Yael Weintraub, Adi Anafy, Shlomi Cohen, Anat Yerushalmy-Feler
Summary: The rate of a positive family history of IBD in the pediatric IBD population is increasing, and patients with a positive family history are more likely to have a severe phenotype, receive more nutritional therapy, and less corticosteroids. Patients with a negative family history may require intensified biologic therapy.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Uma Mahadevan, Millie D. Long, Sunanda Kane, Abhik Roy, Marla C. Dubinsky, Bruce E. Sands, Russell D. Cohen, Christina D. Chambers, William J. Sandborn
Summary: The study found that exposure to biologic, thiopurine, or combination therapy during pregnancy did not increase adverse maternal or fetal outcomes, and these treatments can be continued throughout pregnancy for women with IBD to maintain disease control.
Article
Pediatrics
Maria Hemming-Harlo, Laura Merras-Salmio, Anne Nikkonen, Kaija-Leena Kolho
Summary: This study investigated the trough levels of vedolizumab (VDZ) in a pediatric population with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in a real-life setting. The results showed that trough levels of VDZ were not associated with clinical remission or continuation of treatment, while a positive response on gut inflammation after induction predicted the need for maintenance therapy.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Silvia Salvatori, Francesco Baldassarre, Michelangela Mossa, Giovanni Monteleone
Summary: Long COVID is common in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), with fatigue being the most frequent symptom. It does not influence the frequency of IBD relapses, but is more prevalent in female patients.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Thomas M. Goodsall, Tran M. Nguyen, Claire E. Parker, Christopher Ma, Jane M. Andrews, Vipul Jairath, Robert Bryant
Summary: The study systematically identified ultrasound scoring indices for assessing inflammatory bowel disease activity, with common components including bowel wall thickness, colour Doppler imaging, and bowel wall stratification. The correlation between ultrasound indices and reference standards, as well as sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and other properties, varied within certain ranges. However, reliability and responsiveness data were limited, and most studies were rated with unclear or high risk of bias.
JOURNAL OF CROHNS & COLITIS
(2021)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Katarzyna Akutko, Andrzej Stawarski
Summary: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are chronic inflammatory diseases of the digestive tract with periods of remission and relapses. The etiopathogenesis is not fully understood, leading to only symptomatic treatment. There is a constant need to search for new high safety profile therapies for IBD.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Suvi Kontro, Jani Raitanen, Kimmo Porkka, Anssi Auvinen
Summary: This study based on nationwide registry data shows that the incidence of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) in Finland is similar or slightly higher than in other Western countries, with an increasing trend followed by a decline towards the end of the study period.
Article
Oncology
Jad Abuhamed, Atte Nikkila, Jani Raitanen, Wafa Alimam, Olli Lohi, Janne Pitkaniemi, Hannu Haapasalo, Anssi Auvinen
Summary: This study aimed to analyze the incidence trends of pediatric central nervous system (CNS) tumors in Finland over the last three decades. The results showed a slight increase in incidence rates from 1990 to 2017, indicating a potential true increase in pediatric CNS tumors. However, variations in diagnostic and registration practices over time may have influenced the rates.
Article
Oncology
Antti Peltomaa, Kirsi Talala, Kimmo Taari, Teuvo L. J. Tammela, Anssi Auvinen, Teemu J. Murtola
Summary: The study found that there is an inverse association between the use of statins and cancer mortality in men with decreased cholesterol levels. This suggests that the observed reduced cancer mortality associated with statin use is related to cholesterol level. This is the first study to evaluate the separate effects of cholesterol level and statin use on cancer mortality.
Article
Oncology
Idris Olasunmbo Ola, Kirsi Talala, Teuvo Tammela, Kimmo Taari, Teemu Murtola, Paula Kujala, Jani Raitanen, Anssi Auvinen
Summary: PSA-based screening can reduce prostate cancer mortality, but may also lead to overdetection of low-risk disease. The incidence of prostate cancer is associated with PSA levels, with higher PSA values indicating an increased risk of aggressive disease. Risk stratification and appropriate rescreening intervals can help reduce overdetection.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Lotta H. Nygard, Kirsi Talala, Kimmo Taari, Teuvo L. J. Tammela, Anssi Auvinen, Teemu J. Murtola
Summary: The use of antidiabetic medication, especially insulin, and untreated hyperglycemia are associated with an elevated risk of BPH surgery in diabetic men. These findings suggest that insulin use and high blood glucose levels may be risk factors for BPH.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Kaja Rahu, Mati Rahu, Hajo Zeeb, Anssi Auvinen, Evelyn Bromet, John D. D. Boice Jr
Summary: Mortality among Estonian cleanup workers in the Chernobyl area from 1986 to 2020 was studied. The all-cause standardized mortality ratio (SMR) was 1.04 and all-cancer mortality was elevated (SMR 1.16), with radiation-related cancers in excess (SMR 1.20). However, the excesses could be attributed to tobacco and alcohol consumption. Longer stays in the Chernobyl area, non-Estonian ethnicity, and lower education were associated with increased mortality risks. Suicide mortality was also increased, particularly among men with lower education.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Olli Kurkela, Jaakko Nevalainen, Salla-Maaria Patsi, Katja Kojo, Olli Holmgren, Anssi Auvinen
Summary: This study estimated the number of lung cancer cases attributable to residential radon in Finland in 2017, considering factors such as age, sex, dwelling type, and smoking status. The results showed that at least 3% and at most 8% of all lung cancers were attributed to residential radon. Among smokers, the majority of radon-related cases were due to the joint effect of radon and smoking. Reducing radon exposure to specified action levels could significantly decrease the number of radon-attributable cases.
RADIATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOPHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Wafa Alimam, Atte Nikkila, Jani Raitanen, Kaija-Leena Kolho, Anssi Auvinen
Summary: The purpose of the study was to examine the association between residential mobility and childhood inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) risk. The findings suggest a slightly decreased risk of childhood IBD associated with residential mobility, especially when moving to rural areas and distances less than 50 km.
ANNALS OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Sebastiaan Remmers, Chris H. Bangma, Rebecka A. Godtman, Sigrid. Carlsson, Anssi Auvinen, Teuvo L. J. Tammela, Louis J. Denis, Vera Nelen, Arnauld Villers, Xavier Rebillard, Maciej Kwiatkowski, Franz Recker, Stephen Wyler, Marco Zappa, Donella Puliti, Giuseppe Gorini, Alvaro Paez, Marcos Lujan, Daan Nieboer, Fritz H. Schroeder, Monique J. Roobol
Summary: Based on the guidelines of the European Association of Urology, a risk-based strategy for prostate cancer screening should be determined by the first prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level and age. In this study, the baseline PSA level was found to guide decisions on the repeat screening interval and had an impact on prostate cancer detection and specific mortality rates.
Article
Oncology
Kaja Rahu, Mati Rahu, Anssi Auvinen, Hajo Zeeb, John D. Boice Jr
Summary: From 1986 to 1991, 4831 men from Estonia were sent to clean up radioactively contaminated areas near Chernobyl. The study compared their cancer incidence rates to that of the male population of Estonia. It was found that there was an excess of radiation-related cancers combined, but not when smoking- and alcohol-related cancers were excluded. Less educated workers had a higher risk of all cancers and smoking-related cancers. An elevated risk of alcohol-related cancers was evident 15 to 24 years after return from the Chernobyl area.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2023)
Editorial Material
Medicine, General & Internal
Anssi Auvinen
BMJ-BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Julia Ventela, Anni Alanko, Anssi Auvinen, Olli Lohi, Atte Nikkila
Summary: This article conducted a systematic review to evaluate the association between childhood leukemia and autoimmune diseases. The study found a moderately increased risk of leukemia in children with autoimmune diseases. Further investigation is needed to explore the association for specific autoimmune diseases.
CANCER EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Anna-Maija Talvitie, Mika Helminen, Hanna Ojala, Teuvo Tammela, Anssi Auvinen, Ilkka Pietilae
Summary: Researchers found missing data issue in EPIC-26 scale, with 37% of patients leaving at least one question unanswered during follow-up. Factors associated with missingness include older age, lower education level, no relationship, more severe cancer, lower function scores in some EPIC domains, lower treatment satisfaction, or self-rated health. To improve validity, the hormonal section of the questionnaire needs additional explanation, and questions 8-10 should include a not-applicable option for sexually inactive patients.
HEALTH AND QUALITY OF LIFE OUTCOMES
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Tuomas Natukka, Joonas Haapasalo, Tomi Kivioja, Linnea Rajala, Jani Raitanen, Jaakko Nevalainen, Sirpa-Liisa Lahtela, Kristiina Nordfors, Minna Rauhala, Arja Jukkola, Juhana Frosen, Pauli Helen, Anssi Auvinen, Hannu Haapasalo
Summary: The study aimed to analyze the impact of time interval from referral to surgery and from surgery to adjuvant treatment on survival of adult isocitrate dehydrogenase-wild-type (IDH-wt) glioblastomas. The results showed that the time interval from referral to surgery within 4-10 weeks was not associated with decreased survivals in IDH-wt glioblastomas, while a delay exceeding 30 days from surgery to adjuvant treatment may decrease long-term survival.
WORLD NEUROSURGERY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Aino Siltari, Teemu J. Murtola, Josefina Kausz, Kirsi Talala, Kimmo Taari, Teuvo L. J. Tammela, Anssi Auvinen
Summary: This study found that men using testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) were not at increased risk for prostate cancer (PCa) and did not experience increased mortality rate specifically from PCa or cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared to non-users. In fact, TRT users had a lower PCa mortality rate and slightly lower CVD and all-cause mortality.