N08C9 (Alliance): A Phase 3 Randomized Study of Sulfasalazine Versus Placebo in the Prevention of Acute Diarrhea in Patients Receiving Pelvic Radiation Therapy

Racecadotril Versus Loperamide in Acute Radiation Enteritis: A Randomized, Double-Masked, Phase 3, Noninferiority Trial

PURPOSE

There is currently no gold standard for the management of acute radiation enteritis. We compared the efficacy and safety of Racecadotril, an anti-hypersecretory drug, versus Loperamide, an anti-motility agent, in acute radiation enteritis.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

We conducted a randomized, double-masked, non-inferiority trial at a single research institute. Patients receiving curative radiation for pelvic malignancies, who developed grade 2 or 3 diarrhea (as per Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, v 4.0) were included in the study. Patients in the intervention arm received Racecadotril and placebo. Patients in the control arm received Loperamide and placebo. The primary outcome was the resolution of diarrhea, 48 hours after the start of treatment.

RESULTS

162 patients were randomized between 2019 and 2022. On intention-to-treat analysis, 68/81 patients, 84%, (95% CI, 74.1%-91.2%) in the Racecadotril arm and 70/81, 86.4%, (95% CI, 77.0%-93.0%) in the Loperamide arm improved from grade 2 or 3 diarrhea to grade 1 or 0, (P= .66, χ2 test). The difference in proportion was 2.4% (95% CI: -8.5% to 13.4%). Since the upper boundary of the 95% CI crossed our non-inferiority margin of 10% (13.4%) we could not prove the non-inferiority of Racecadotril over Loperamide. Rebound constipation was more in the Loperamide arm compared to Racecadotril (17.3% vs 6.2%; P = .028) CONCLUSIONS: The non-inferiority of Racecadotril to Loperamide in acute radiation enteritis could not be demonstrated. However, Racecadotril can be the preferred drug of choice in acute radiation enteritis because Racecadotril does not affect bowel motility, achieved a high clinical success rate similar to that of Loperamide, and was associated with lesser side effects.

Recent advances of ferroptosis in tumor: From biological function to clinical application

Ferroptosis is a recently recognized form of cell death with distinct features in terms of morphology, biochemistry, and molecular mechanisms. Unlike other types of cell death, ferroptosis is characterized by iron dependence, reactive oxygen species accumulation and lipid peroxidation. Recent studies have demonstrated that selective autophagy plays a vital role in the induction of ferroptosis, including ferritinophagy, lipophagy, clockophagy, and chaperone-mediated autophagy. Emerging evidence has indicated the involvement of ferroptosis in tumorigenesis through regulating various biological processes, including tumor growth, metastasis, stemness, drug resistance, and recurrence. Clinical and preclinical studies have found that novel therapies targeting ferroptosis exert great potential in the treatment of tumors. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the molecular mechanisms in ferroptosis, especially in autophagy-driven ferroptosis, discusses the recent advances in the biological roles of ferroptosis in tumorigenesis, and highlights the application of novel ferroptosis-targeted therapies in the clinical treatment of tumors.

Some important inhibitors and mechanisms of rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease that seriously affects human health and quality of life, and it is one of the main causes of labor loss and disability. Many countries have listed rheumatoid arthritis as one of the national a key diseases to tackle. The pathogenesis of RA in humans is still unknown, and medical researchers believe that the pathogenesis of RA may be the result of a combination of genetic and environmental factors. RA is an incurable condition that can only be controlled and treated with conventional drugs. In this paper, the pathologic features and pathogenesis of RA were introduced, and the research progress of new anti-rheumatoid arthritis chemical drugs in recent years was reviewed.

Ionizing radiation induces BH4 deficiency by downregulating GTP-cyclohydrolase 1, a novel target for preventing and treating radiation enteritis

Radiation enteritis (RE) is a common side effect after radiotherapy for abdominal cancer. RE pathogenesis is complicated, with no drugs available for prevention or treatments. Intestinal ischemia is a key factor in the occurrence and development of enteritis. The effect of ionizing radiation (IR) on intestinal ischemia is unknown. Deficiency of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) produced by GTP-cyclohydrolase 1 (Gch1) is important in ischemic diseases. This study focused on the relationship of Gch1/BH4 between intestinal ischemia in radiation enteritis. BH4 levels were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography in humans and rats after radiotherapy. Intestinal blood perfusion was measured by laser doppler flow imaging. Vascular ring tests determined the diastolic functions of rat mesenteric arteries. Gene, protein, and immunohistochemical staining experiments and inhibitor interventions were used to investigate Gch1 and endothelial NOS (eNOS) in rat mesenteric arteries and endothelial cells. The results showed that IR decreased BH4 levels in patients and rats after radiotherapy and decreased intestinal blood perfusion in rats. The degree of change in intestinal ischemia was consistent with intestinal villus injury. Gch1 mRNA and protein levels and nitric oxide (NO) production significantly decreased, while eNOS uncoupling in arterial and vascular endothelial cells strongly increased. BH4 supplementation improved eNOS uncoupling and NO levels in vascular endothelia after IR. The results of this study showed that downregulation of Gch1 in intestinal blood vessels after IR is an important target in RE. BH4 supplementation may prevent intestinal ischemia and improve vascular endothelial function after IR. These findings have clinical significance for the prevention and treatment of RE.

Radiation enteritis: from diagnosis to management

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

As cancer treatments improve more patients than ever are living for longer with the side effects of these treatments. Radiation enteritis is a heterogenous condition with significant morbidity. The present review aims to provide a broad overview of the condition with particular attention to the diagnosis and management of the condition.

RECENT FINDINGS

Radiation enteritis appears to be more prevalent than originally thought because of patient underreporting and a lack of clinician awareness. Patient-related and treatment-related risk factors have now been identified and should be modified where possible. Medical and surgical factors have been explored, but manipulation of the gut microbiota offers one of the most exciting recent developments in disease prevention. Diagnosis and treatment are best approached in a systematic fashion with particular attention to the exclusion of recurrent malignancy and other gastrointestinal conditions. Surgery and endoscopy both offer opportunities for management of the complications of radiation enteritis. Experimental therapies offer hope for future management of radiation enteritis but large-scale human trials are needed.

SUMMARY

Radiation enteritis is an important clinical problem, but awareness is lacking amongst patients and physicians. Clinical guidelines would allow standardised management which may improve the burden of the disease for patients.

Efficacy of herbal medicine TJ-14 for acute radiation-induced enteritis: a multi-institutional prospective Phase II trial

The purpose of this multi-institutional Phase II trial study was to prospectively investigate the efficacy of the herbal medicine TJ-14 for acute radiation-induced enteritis (ARE). TJ-14 was administered orally as a first-line treatment for ARE. The primary end point was efficacy at 1 week. The secondary end points were: (i) the efficacy of TJ-14 at 2 and 3 weeks after its administration, (ii) the quality of life score (FACT-G) at 1, 2 and 3 weeks after its administration, and (iii) adverse events. If the efficacy of TJ-14 was observed in eight patients or fewer, its efficacy was rejected. Results: Forty patients receiving pelvic radiotherapy were enrolled. Of these, 22 developed ARE and received TJ-14. Among these, 19 had cervical cancer and 9 received chemoradiotherapy. TJ-14 efficacy was shown in 19 out of the 22 patients (86%). Stool frequency per day at 1 week significantly decreased (mean ± SD: 4.9 ± 2.1 vs 3.7 ± 1.9, P = 0.02). This effect continued at 2 (2.2 ± 1.4, P = 0.004) and 3 weeks (2.1 ± 0.9, P = 0.05). Thirteen out of the 22 patients (59%) continued TJ-14 until the end of radiotherapy. FACT-G score deterioration was not observed after the administration of TJ-14. Grade 1 hypokalemia was observed in 4 patients, and Grade 1 constipation in 3. We concluded that TJ-14 is sufficiently promising to be examined in a Phase III trial. A randomized controlled trial is currently being planned.

Microbiota- and Radiotherapy-Induced Gastrointestinal Side-Effects (MARS) Study: A Large Pilot Study of the Microbiome in Acute and Late-Radiation Enteropathy

PURPOSE

Radiotherapy is important in managing pelvic cancers. However, radiation enteropathy may occur and can be dose limiting. The gut microbiota may contribute to the pathogenesis of radiation enteropathy. We hypothesized that the microbiome differs between patients with and without radiation enteropathy.Experimental Design: Three cohorts of patients (n = 134) were recruited. The early cohort (n = 32) was followed sequentially up to 12 months post-radiotherapy to assess early radiation enteropathy. Linear mixed models were used to assess microbiota dynamics. The late cohort (n = 87) was assessed cross-sectionally to assess late radiation enteropathy. The colonoscopy cohort compared the intestinal mucosa microenvironment in patients with radiation enteropathy (cases, n = 9) with healthy controls (controls, n = 6). Fecal samples were obtained from all cohorts. In the colonoscopy cohort, intestinal mucosa samples were taken. Metataxonomics (16S rRNA gene) and imputed metataxonomics (Piphillin) were used to characterize the microbiome. Clinician- and patient-reported outcomes were used for clinical characterization.

RESULTS

In the acute cohort, we observed a trend for higher preradiotherapy diversity in patients with no self-reported symptoms (P = 0.09). Dynamically, diversity decreased less over time in patients with rising radiation enteropathy (P = 0.05). A consistent association between low bacterial diversity and late radiation enteropathy was also observed, albeit nonsignificantly. Higher counts of Clostridium IV, Roseburia, and Phascolarctobacterium significantly associated with radiation enteropathy. Homeostatic intestinal mucosa cytokines related to microbiota regulation and intestinal wall maintenance were significantly reduced in radiation enteropathy [IL7 (P = 0.05), IL12/IL23p40 (P = 0.03), IL15 (P = 0.05), and IL16 (P = 0.009)]. IL15 inversely correlated with counts of Roseburia and Propionibacterium.

CONCLUSIONS

The microbiota presents opportunities to predict, prevent, or treat radiation enteropathy. We report the largest clinical study to date into associations of the microbiota with acute and late radiation enteropathy. An altered microbiota associates with early and late radiation enteropathy, with clinical implications for risk assessment, prevention, and treatment of radiation-induced side-effects.See related commentary by Lam et al., p. 6280.

Interventions to reduce acute and late adverse gastrointestinal effects of pelvic radiotherapy for primary pelvic cancers

BACKGROUND

An increasing number of people survive cancer but a significant proportion have gastrointestinal side effects as a result of radiotherapy (RT), which impairs their quality of life (QoL).

OBJECTIVES

To determine which prophylactic interventions reduce the incidence, severity or both of adverse gastrointestinal effects among adults receiving radiotherapy to treat primary pelvic cancers.

SEARCH METHODS

We conducted searches of CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and Embase in September 2016 and updated them on 2 November 2017. We also searched clinical trial registries.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of interventions to prevent adverse gastrointestinal effects of pelvic radiotherapy among adults receiving radiotherapy to treat primary pelvic cancers, including radiotherapy techniques, other aspects of radiotherapy delivery, pharmacological interventions and non-pharmacological interventions. Studies needed a sample size of 20 or more participants and needed to evaluate gastrointestinal toxicity outcomes. We excluded studies that evaluated dosimetric parameters only. We also excluded trials of interventions to treat acute gastrointestinal symptoms, trials of altered fractionation and dose escalation schedules, and trials of pre- versus postoperative radiotherapy regimens, to restrict the vast scope of the review.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We used standard Cochrane methodology. We used the random-effects statistical model for all meta-analyses, and the GRADE system to rate the certainty of the evidence.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 92 RCTs involving more than 10,000 men and women undergoing pelvic radiotherapy. Trials involved 44 different interventions, including radiotherapy techniques (11 trials, 4 interventions/comparisons), other aspects of radiotherapy delivery (14 trials, 10 interventions), pharmacological interventions (38 trials, 16 interventions), and non-pharmacological interventions (29 trials, 13 interventions). Most studies (79/92) had design limitations. Thirteen studies had a low risk of bias, 50 studies had an unclear risk of bias and 29 studies had a high risk of bias. Main findings include the following:Radiotherapy techniques: Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) versus 3D conformal RT (3DCRT) may reduce acute (risk ratio (RR) 0.48, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.26 to 0.88; participants = 444; studies = 4; I2 = 77%; low-certainty evidence) and late gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity grade 2+ (RR 0.37, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.65; participants = 332; studies = 2; I2 = 0%; low-certainty evidence). Conformal RT (3DCRT or IMRT) versus conventional RT reduces acute GI toxicity grade 2+ (RR 0.57, 95% CI 0.40 to 0.82; participants = 307; studies = 2; I2 = 0%; high-certainty evidence) and probably leads to less late GI toxicity grade 2+ (RR 0.49, 95% CI 0.22 to 1.09; participants = 517; studies = 3; I2 = 44%; moderate-certainty evidence). When brachytherapy (BT) is used instead of external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) in early endometrial cancer, evidence indicates that it reduces acute GI toxicity (grade 2+) (RR 0.02, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.18; participants = 423; studies = 1; high-certainty evidence).Other aspects of radiotherapy delivery: There is probably little or no difference in acute GI toxicity grade 2+ with reduced radiation dose volume (RR 1.21, 95% CI 0.81 to 1.81; participants = 211; studies = 1; moderate-certainty evidence) and maybe no difference in late GI toxicity grade 2+ (RR 1.02, 95% CI 0.15 to 6.97; participants = 107; studies = 1; low-certainty evidence). Evening delivery of RT may reduce acute GI toxicity (diarrhoea) grade 2+ during RT compared with morning delivery of RT (RR 0.51, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.76; participants = 294; studies = 2; I2 = 0%; low-certainty evidence). There may be no difference in acute (RR 2.22, 95% CI 0.62 to 7.93, participants = 110; studies = 1) and late GI toxicity grade 2+ (RR 0.44, 95% CI 0.12 to 1.65; participants = 81; studies = 1) between a bladder volume preparation of 1080 mls and that of 540 mls (low-certainty evidence). Low-certainty evidence on balloon and hydrogel spacers suggests that these interventions for prostate cancer RT may make little or no difference to GI outcomes.Pharmacological interventions: Evidence for any beneficial effects of aminosalicylates, sucralfate, amifostine, corticosteroid enemas, bile acid sequestrants, famotidine and selenium is of a low or very low certainty. However, evidence on certain aminosalicylates (mesalazine, olsalazine), misoprostol suppositories, oral magnesium oxide and octreotide injections suggests that these agents may worsen GI symptoms, such as diarrhoea or rectal bleeding.Non-pharmacological interventions: Low-certainty evidence suggests that protein supplements (RR 0.23, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.74; participants = 74; studies = 1), dietary counselling (RR 0.04, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.60; participants = 74; studies = 1) and probiotics (RR 0.43, 95% CI 0.22 to 0.82; participants = 923; studies = 5; I2 = 91%) may reduce acute RT-related diarrhoea (grade 2+). Dietary counselling may also reduce diarrhoeal symptoms in the long term (at five years, RR 0.05, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.78; participants = 61; studies = 1). Low-certainty evidence from one study (108 participants) suggests that a high-fibre diet may have a beneficial effect on GI symptoms (mean difference (MD) 6.10, 95% CI 1.71 to 10.49) and quality of life (MD 20.50, 95% CI 9.97 to 31.03) at one year. High-certainty evidence indicates that glutamine supplements do not prevent RT-induced diarrhoea. Evidence on various other non-pharmacological interventions, such as green tea tablets, is lacking.Quality of life was rarely and inconsistently reported across included studies, and the available data were seldom adequate for meta-analysis.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Conformal radiotherapy techniques are an improvement on older radiotherapy techniques. IMRT may be better than 3DCRT in terms of GI toxicity, but the evidence to support this is uncertain. There is no high-quality evidence to support the use of any other prophylactic intervention evaluated. However, evidence on some potential interventions shows that they probably have no role to play in reducing RT-related GI toxicity. More RCTs are needed for interventions with limited evidence suggesting potential benefits.

Efficacy and safety of stellate ganglion block in chronic ulcerative colitis

AIM

To investigate the efficacy and safety of stellate ganglion block for the treatment of patients with chronic ulcerative colitis.

METHODS

A total of 120 randomly selected patients with chronic ulcerative colitis treated in Cangzhou Central Hospital from January 2014 to January 2016 were included in this study. These patients were divided into two groups: control group (n = 30), patients received oral sulfasalazine treatment; experimental group (n = 90), patients received stellate ganglion block treatment. Clinical symptoms and disease activity in these two groups were compared before and after treatment using endoscopy. Blood was collected from patients on day 0, 10, 20 and 30 after treatment. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to determine interleukin-8 (IL-8) level. The changes in IL-8 level post-treatment in the two groups were compared using repeated measures analysis of variance.

RESULTS

After treatment, clinical symptoms and disease activity were shown to be alleviated by endoscopy in both the control and experimental groups. However, patients in the control group did not have obvious abdominal pain relief. In addition, the degree of pain relief in the experimental group was statistically better than that in the control group (P < 0.05). Ten days after treatment, IL-8 level was found to be significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). In addition, adverse events were significantly higher in the control group than in the experimental group, and the difference was statistically significant (χ² = 33.215, P = 0.000).

CONCLUSION

The application of stellate ganglion block effectively improves treatment efficacy in chronic ulcerative colitis, relieves clinical symptoms in patients, and reduces the level of inflammatory factors. Furthermore, this approach also had a positive impact on the disease to a certain extent.

Dialysis encephalopathy: precipitating factors and improvement in prognosis

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) contribute to the initiation, recurrence, and metastasis of cancer; however, there are still no drugs targeting CSCs in clinical application. There are several signaling pathways playing critical roles in CSC progression, such as the Wnt, Hedgehog, Notch, Hippo, and autophagy signaling pathways. Additionally, targeting the ferroptosis signaling pathway was recently shown to specifically kill CSCs. Therefore, targeting these pathways may suppress CSC progression. The structure of small-molecule drugs shows a good spatial dispersion, and its chemical properties determine its good druggability and pharmacokinetic properties. These characteristics make small-molecule drugs show a great advantage in drug development, which is increasingly popular in the market. Thus, in this review, we will summarize the current researches on the small-molecule compounds suppressing CSC progression, including inhibitors of Wnt, Notch, Hedgehog, and autophagy pathways, and activators of Hippo and ferroptosis pathways. These small-molecule compounds emphasize CSC importance in tumor progression and propose a new strategy to treat cancer in clinic via targeting CSCs.