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Asfeen U, Raj R, Ezeafulukwe CJ, Hassan OA, Francis DT, Dhillon SS, Khan A. Amiodarone-Induced Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis in a Decompensated Heart Failure Patient: A Case Report. Cureus 2024; 16:e51817. [PMID: 38327906 PMCID: PMC10847063 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.51817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV) is a small-vessel vasculitis characterized by inflammation and damage to the walls of small blood vessels. It typically presents with palpable purpura and can be associated with various systemic conditions. Although its etiology is diverse, LCV has been associated with systemic diseases, infections, medications, and autoimmune disorders. Here, we present a case of LCV in a patient with decompensated heart failure. A 58-year-old man presented with progressively deteriorating swelling in both his lower limbs and scrotum, a persistent dry cough associated with minor ulcerative lesions on his shins, and a patchy rash with pustules and flat reddish spots. He was hospitalized three days prior due to atrial fibrillation and rapid ventricular rate, for which he was commenced on amiodarone. This rash persisted for three days, yet he denied experiencing any discomfort or itchiness along with it. Based on his clinical picture, laboratory evaluations, and imaging findings, he was diagnosed with LCV induced by amiodarone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ummul Asfeen
- Internal Medicine, New York Medical College, Saint Michael's Medical Center, Newark, USA
| | - Rohan Raj
- Internal Medicine, Nalanda Medical College and Hospital, Patna, IND
| | | | - Omar A Hassan
- General Practice, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, TUR
| | | | - Sukhmeet S Dhillon
- Internal Medicine, Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Patiala, IND
| | - Aadil Khan
- Trauma Surgery, OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, University of Illinois Chicago, Peoria, USA
- Cardiology, University of Illinois Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Internal Medicine, Lala Lajpat Rai Hospital, Kanpur, IND
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Aiman W, Ali MA, Jumean S, Asfeen U, Garcia J, Quirem M, Ahmad A, Rayad MN, Alkhlaifat O, Al Omour B, Chemarthi VS, Maroules M, Guron G, Shaaban H. BRAF Inhibitors in BRAF-Mutated Colorectal Cancer: A Systematic Review. J Clin Med 2023; 13:113. [PMID: 38202120 PMCID: PMC10779564 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13010113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally. BRAF mutation is present in about 10% of CRC patients and is associated with a poor response to chemotherapy. These patients have a relatively poor prognosis. This review aims to assess the efficacy and safety of BRAF inhibitors in BRAF-mutated CRC patients. A literature search was performed on PubMed and Embase, and clinical trials relevant to BRAF inhibitors in CRC were included. Data were extracted for efficacy and safety variables. Two randomized clinical trials (n = 765) and eight non-randomized trials (n = 281) were included based on inclusion criteria. In RCTs, an overall response was reported in 23% of the patients treated with BRAF inhibitor-based regimens compared to 2.5% with control regimens. The hazard ratio of overall survival was also significantly better with triplet encorafenib therapy at 0.52 (95% CI = 0.39-0.70). In single-arm trials, ORR was 17% and 34% in two-drug and three-drug regimens, respectively. BRAF inhibitor-based regimens were safe and effective in the treatment of BRAF-mutated CRC. Large-scale randomized trials are needed to find a suitable population for each regimen. PROSPERO registration No. CRD42023471627.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wajeeha Aiman
- Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Michael’s Medical Center, New York Medical College, Newark, NJ 07102, USA; (W.A.); (S.J.); (U.A.); (J.G.); (M.Q.); (A.A.); (M.N.R.); (O.A.)
| | - Muhammad Ashar Ali
- Department of Internal Medicine, St. Mary’s and St. Clare’s Hospitals, New York Medical College, Denville, NJ 07834, USA
| | - Samer Jumean
- Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Michael’s Medical Center, New York Medical College, Newark, NJ 07102, USA; (W.A.); (S.J.); (U.A.); (J.G.); (M.Q.); (A.A.); (M.N.R.); (O.A.)
| | - Ummul Asfeen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Michael’s Medical Center, New York Medical College, Newark, NJ 07102, USA; (W.A.); (S.J.); (U.A.); (J.G.); (M.Q.); (A.A.); (M.N.R.); (O.A.)
| | - Jose Garcia
- Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Michael’s Medical Center, New York Medical College, Newark, NJ 07102, USA; (W.A.); (S.J.); (U.A.); (J.G.); (M.Q.); (A.A.); (M.N.R.); (O.A.)
| | - Murad Quirem
- Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Michael’s Medical Center, New York Medical College, Newark, NJ 07102, USA; (W.A.); (S.J.); (U.A.); (J.G.); (M.Q.); (A.A.); (M.N.R.); (O.A.)
| | - Amaar Ahmad
- Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Michael’s Medical Center, New York Medical College, Newark, NJ 07102, USA; (W.A.); (S.J.); (U.A.); (J.G.); (M.Q.); (A.A.); (M.N.R.); (O.A.)
| | - Mohammad Nabil Rayad
- Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Michael’s Medical Center, New York Medical College, Newark, NJ 07102, USA; (W.A.); (S.J.); (U.A.); (J.G.); (M.Q.); (A.A.); (M.N.R.); (O.A.)
| | - Osama Alkhlaifat
- Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Michael’s Medical Center, New York Medical College, Newark, NJ 07102, USA; (W.A.); (S.J.); (U.A.); (J.G.); (M.Q.); (A.A.); (M.N.R.); (O.A.)
| | - Bader Al Omour
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Saint Michael’s Cancer Center, New York Medical College, Newark, NJ 07102, USA (V.S.C.); (G.G.); (H.S.)
| | - Venkata S. Chemarthi
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Saint Michael’s Cancer Center, New York Medical College, Newark, NJ 07102, USA (V.S.C.); (G.G.); (H.S.)
| | - Michael Maroules
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Saint Mary’s Cancer Center, New York Medical College, Passaic, NJ 07055, USA;
| | - Gunwant Guron
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Saint Michael’s Cancer Center, New York Medical College, Newark, NJ 07102, USA (V.S.C.); (G.G.); (H.S.)
| | - Hamid Shaaban
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Saint Michael’s Cancer Center, New York Medical College, Newark, NJ 07102, USA (V.S.C.); (G.G.); (H.S.)
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Sharma S, Tasnim N, Agadi K, Asfeen U, Kanda J. Vulnerability for Respiratory Infections in Asthma Patients: A Systematic Review. Cureus 2022; 14:e28839. [PMID: 36225449 PMCID: PMC9536399 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.28839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Asthma is a non-communicable and long-term condition affecting children and adults. The air passages in the lungs become narrow due to inflammation and tightening of the muscles around the small airways. Symptoms of asthma are intermittent and include cough, wheeze, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. Asthma is very often underdiagnosed and under-treated in many regions, especially in developing countries. While many studies show that viral infections can precipitate asthmatic attacks, very few studies have been conducted to see if history or current asthmatic attack increases the risk of viral infections. Our study aims to determine the predisposition of asthmatics to develop various viral infections and susceptibility toward certain viruses that cause upper respiratory tract infections. We performed a literature review of both published and unpublished articles. We included case reports, case series, reviews, clinical trials, cohort, and case-control studies, written only in English. Commentaries, letters to editors, and book chapters were excluded. Our initial search yielded 948 articles, of which 826 were rejected either because they were irrelevant or because they did not meet our inclusion criteria. We finally screened 122 abstracts and identified 24 relevant articles. People with a history of asthma have an abnormal innate immune response, making them potentially slower in clearing the infection and susceptible to both infections and virus-induced cell cytotoxicity. Also, in these studies, deficiencies in the interferon alpha response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and plasmacytoid dendritic cells have been observed in asthmatics, both adults and children. Asthmatics with a viral infection usually present with an acute exacerbation of asthma, represented by dyspnea and cough, with other prodromal symptoms including vomiting and general malaise. The review includes an update on the relevance of dysregulated immune pathways in causing viral infections in asthmatic populations. It focuses on the evidence to suggest that people with asthma are at increased risk of viral infection, and viral infections in turn are known to precipitate and worsen the asthmatic status, making this a vicious cycle. The authors also suggest that further studies be undertaken to elucidate the pathophysiology and identify the critical therapeutic steps to break this vicious cycle and improve the quality of life for people with asthma.
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