Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) treated with omalizumab, dupilumab, or mepolizumab: A systematic review of the current knowledge towards an attempt to compare agents' efficacy

BACKGROUND

The heterogeneity of existing studies, along with the fact that there are no published head-to-head trials, are the main reasons for the lack of guidelines regarding the selection of the proper biologic in treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with nasal polyps. The aim of this study is to summarize the current knowledge regarding the efficacy of omalizumab, dupilumab, and mepolizumab in CRS treatment. We also attempt to proceed to an indirect comparison of the agents and try to answer the tricky question: which agent to select and why?

METHODS

An extensive search in English literature was conducted in PubMed/Medline, Embase, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Database/Library. Eligibility criteria included papers with full text published in English, adult population studies, clearly described intervention protocol, and documented primary and secondary outcomes.

RESULTS

The studies included numbered 37. All agents provided significant improvement in polyp size, sinuses opacification, severity of symptoms, need for surgery and systemic corticosteroids use. Analysis of available systematic reviews, meta-analyses and indirect treatment comparison studies showed that dupilumab appeared to be the most beneficial agent, in terms of primary and secondary outcomes. However, these results are of relatively low level of evidence due to several methodological limitations.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the present analysis showed a moderate supremacy of dupilumab, there is still no evidence-based answer to the question "which biologic agent is the most effective in CRS treatment?" Improved statistical methodology, head-to-head trials, and real-life studies could lead to more robust conclusions, establishing the real role of the specific biologic agents.

Olfactory neuroblastoma (esthesioneuroblastoma): towards minimally invasive surgery and multi-modality treatment strategies - an updated critical review of the current literature

Olfactory neuroblastoma (esthesioneuroblastoma) was first described by Berger and Luc in 1924. It is considered to be an uncommon malignancy of the nasal cavity. The tumor arises from the specialized sensory epithelial olfactory cells, normally situated at the upper part of the nasal cavity, including the superior nasal concha, the roof of the nose and the cribriform plate. The imaging modalities of choice are computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Combination of surgery and radiotherapy (either conventional radiotherapy or stereotactic radiosurgery), with or without chemotherapy is considered to be the standard of care for primary site disease by the majority of researchers. Combined transfacial and neurosurgical conventional approaches are also adopted in many reported cases, mainly due to the endocranial extension and the close anatomic relationship of esthesioneuroblastomas with the ethmoid roof and cribriform plate. Recent literature supports that endoscopic resection correlates with similar oncologic control rates compared with conventional open surgery, provided that basic oncologic surgical principles with clearance of margins and intradural dissection (when required) are completely maintained.

Laryngeal paragangliomas - controversies in diagnosis and management

Paragangliomas of the larynx are rare neuroendocrine tumors with difficulties in diagnosis and management. A review of the literature was carried out, using Medline and other available databases. Electronic links and related books were also included. The most reliable diagnostic imaging procedures are MRI, CT scan, and octreotide scintigraphy. Complete surgical excision with the maximal possible preservation of the laryngeal function is the treatment of choice. Many different surgical techniques have been reported but open surgical procedures seem to provide better results with lower recurrence rates, although endoscopic approaches and laser surgery have also been used with variable results. The use of long-acting depot octreotide has been used for the relief of symptoms and stabilization of the disease, especially in inoperable lesions with positive initial octreotide scintigraphy imaging. Detailed preoperative assessment and treatment planning in individual basis are essential in the management of these tumors.