Assessing Gender Differences for Non-Predictable Breakthrough Cancer Pain Phenomenon: A Secondary Analysis from IOPS-MS Study.

Purpose: Breakthrough cancer pain (BTcP) is a temporary exacerbation of pain that "breaks through" a phase of adequate pain control by an opioid-based therapy. The non-predictable BTcP (NP-BTcP) subtype occurs in the absence of any specific activity. Evidence showed that gender differences exist in pain response sensitivity and clinical pain risk. This analysis aimed to signify the gender differences for the NP-BTcP phenomenon. Patients and Methods: This is a secondary analysis of the Italian Oncologic Pain multiSetting-Multicentric Survey (IOPS-MS), the largest study on BTcP. The subset of NP-BTcP cases for non-gender-specific cancer was considered. Univariable and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify gender differences for the NP-BTcP profile about its intensity, number of episodes per day, and type. A metastatic status-stratified analysis was performed to compare gender with the main clinical variables among the population with NP-BTcP. Results: Males exhibited a higher occurrence of BTcP in the thorax region compared to females (15% vs 11%, respectively, p = 0.03). Males also had a higher onset of BTcP, a higher BTcP therapy dosage (33% vs 28%, p = 0.04, mean: 201 vs 186, p = 0.02) and a lower Karnofsky score (mean: 46.9 vs 49.2, p = 0.03) compared to females. Similar gender differences were found for metastatic patients in the BTcP site (14% vs 8.5%, respectively; p = 0.01), peak onset (33% vs 27%, p = 0.02), BTcP therapy dosage (199 vs 185, p=0.04), and Karnofsky score (mean 47.5 vs 50.4, p = 0.009). Phenotype 2 was more characterized by non-metastatic males (41% vs 23%, p = 0.020) while non-metastatic females presence was predominant among others. Conclusion: In this study, gender differences according to site, onset and dosage of BTcP were found. The phenotype characterization of BTcP needs to be further investigated for a possible useful function in the management of cancer-related pain in non-metastatic patients.

Opportunities and barriers for telemedicine in pain management: insights from a SIAARTI survey among Italian pain physicians.

BACKGROUND: The integration of telemedicine in pain management represents a significant advancement in healthcare delivery, offering opportunities to enhance patient access to specialized care, improve satisfaction, and streamline chronic pain management. Despite its growing adoption, there remains a lack of comprehensive data on its utilization in pain therapy, necessitating a deeper understanding of physicians' perspectives, experiences, and challenges. METHODS: A survey was conducted in Italy between January 2024 and May 2024. Specialist center members of the SIAARTI were sent an online questionnaire testing the state of the art of telemedicine for pain medicine. RESULTS: One-hundred thirty-one centers across Italy reveal varied adoption rates, with 40% routinely using telemedicine. Regional disparities exist, with Northern Italy showing higher adoption rates. Barriers include the absence of protocols, resource constraints, and bureaucratic obstacles. Despite challenges, telemedicine has shown positive impacts on service delivery, with increased service volume reported. Technological capabilities, including image sharing and teleconsultation with specialists, indicate promising interdisciplinary potential. CONCLUSIONS: The integration of advanced telemedicine software utilizing artificial intelligence holds promise for enhancing telemonitoring and alert systems, potentially leading to more proactive and personalized pain management strategies.

Advancing the integration of biosignal-based automated pain assessment methods into a comprehensive model for addressing cancer pain.

BACKGROUND: Tailoring effective strategies for cancer pain management requires a careful analysis of multiple factors that influence pain phenomena and, ultimately, guide the therapy. While there is a wealth of research on automatic pain assessment (APA), its integration with clinical data remains inadequately explored. This study aimed to address the potential correlations between subjective and APA-derived objectives variables in a cohort of cancer patients. METHODS: A multidimensional statistical approach was employed. Demographic, clinical, and pain-related variables were examined. Objective measures included electrodermal activity (EDA) and electrocardiogram (ECG) signals. Sensitivity analysis, multiple factorial analysis (MFA), hierarchical clustering on principal components (HCPC), and multivariable regression were used for data analysis. RESULTS: The study analyzed data from 64 cancer patients. MFA revealed correlations between pain intensity, type, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance status (ECOG), opioids, and metastases. Clustering identified three distinct patient groups based on pain characteristics, treatments, and ECOG. Multivariable regression analysis showed associations between pain intensity, ECOG, type of breakthrough cancer pain, and opioid dosages. The analyses failed to find a correlation between subjective and objective pain variables. CONCLUSIONS: The reported pain perception is unrelated to the objective variables of APA. An in-depth investigation of APA is required to understand the variables to be studied, the operational modalities, and above all, strategies for appropriate integration with data obtained from self-reporting. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number (NCT04726228), registered 27 January 2021, https://classic. CLINICALTRIALS: gov/ct2/show/NCT04726228?term=nct04726228&draw=2&rank=1.

Advanced statistical approaches for predicting pain after pediatric thoracotomy: a cross-sectional study using zero-inflated and Poisson models.

BACKGROUND: Thoracotomy is one of the surgical procedures most burdened by chronic post-operative pain. There is poor evidence regarding the possibility that even in pediatric patients, thoracotomy can be followed by post-operative pain. The primary objective of this analysis is to identify associations with home pain therapy, pain intensity, and possible protective factors acting on chronic pain in this population. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù IRCCS. The study included pediatric patients undergoing thoracotomy. For statistical analyses, a logistic model and a zero-inflated strategy were implemented to explore associations and predict factors related to home-based analgesic therapy and pain intensity. RESULTS: Gender and age were identified as significant factors in the assignment of home therapy, with males having over seven times the risk compared to females (OR = 7.06, 95% CI = [2.11, 29.7]). At the last measurement, pain intensity was positively associated with age and the number of pain events during the week. CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights significant factors influencing post-thoracotomy pain management in pediatric patients. These findings underscore the importance of tailored pain management strategies that consider gender and age to improve post-operative care and outcomes in pediatric thoracotomy patients.

Recent Advances and Perspectives in Anesthesiology: Towards Artificial Intelligence-Based Applications.

In recent years, the field of anesthesiology has seen remarkable advancements in patient safety, comfort, and outcomes [...].

Transforaminal Steroid Injection After Dorsal Root Ganglion Pulsed Radiofrequency (DRG-PRF): Impact on Pain Intensity and Disability.

INTRODUCTION: Dorsal root ganglion pulsed radiofrequency (DRG-PRF) is frequently used for the treatment of chronic lumbar radicular pain with good outcomes in terms of pain management. Transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) is often administered immediately after DRG-PRF to increase the anti-inflammatory effects, but support for the synergic mechanism is lacking in the literature. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential role of TFESI immediately after DRG-PRF and its possible role on pain intensity and patient disability. METHODS: A database of patients who underwent DRG-PRF with or without TFESI immediately after DRG-PRF was retrospectively analysed; propensity score matching was applied to the analysis to reduce possible bias. Pain intensity (numerical rating scale [NRS]) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were recorded pre-operatively and at the 1- and 3-month follow-up in the two groups of patients. RESULTS: A total of 252 patients were included in this retrospective analysis, 126 patients in the DRG-PRF + TFESI group and 126 patients in the DRG-PRF group after propensity score matching. Both groups displayed a significant reduction in pain intensity (NRS score reduction; p < 0.0001) and improvement in the ODI (p < 0.0001) from baseline at the 3-month follow-up. Interestingly, the use of TFESI after DRG-PRF was not associated with any clinical benefit as no difference in NRS and ODI was found between the two groups at the 1- and 3-month follow-ups. CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed a significant pain reduction and disability improvement after DRG-PRF in patients with lumbar radicular pain. Interestingly, no positive role of TFESI immediately after DRG-PRF was observed. These findings suggest that DRG-PRF provides substantial pain relief, and no added benefit is obtained with subsequent steroid injection. Future prospective studies with expanded follow-up periods are needed to confirm these findings.

Exploring a Novel Approach to Spare Classic Chemotherapy in HER2-Low, ER-Positive Breast Cancer Based on Trastuzumab Deruxtecan Combined with Endocrine Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer presents diverse molecular subtypes affecting treatment strategies. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-low, hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer poses a challenge due to limited targeted therapies. Current neoadjuvant treatment primarily utilizes chemotherapy, with conflicting results regarding efficacy in patients with HER2-low breast cancer. Trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) shows promise in HER2-low metastatic disease, and preliminary evidence suggests synergy with endocrine therapy. OBJECTIVE: This editorial explores the hypothesis that neoadjuvant T-DXd with or without endocrine therapy offers efficacy in the clinical management of HR+/HER2-low breast cancer. METHODS: We propose a phase II study with two treatment arms: T-DXd + letrozole and T-DXd alone. The primary endpoint is the radiological complete response rate. Secondary endpoints include pathological complete response rate, safety, event-free survival, and overall survival. Exploratory analyses will compare the arms to identify potential for optimizing treatment efficacy and minimizing side effects. CONCLUSIONS: This study design allows for initial assessment of T-DXd with or without endocrine therapy in the treatment of HER2-low breast cancer. The findings may pave the way for personalized treatment strategies and inform future research, potentially leading to a chemotherapy-sparing approach.

Maladaptive personality traits are associated with burnout risk in Italian anesthesiologists and intensivists: a secondary analysis from a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Burnout is a maladaptive response to chronic stress, particularly prevalent among clinicians. Anesthesiologists are at risk of burnout, but the role of maladaptive traits in their vulnerability to burnout remains understudied. METHODS: A secondary analysis was performed on data from the Italian Association of Hospital Anesthesiologists, Pain Medicine Specialists, Critical Care, and Emergency (AAROI-EMAC) physicians. The survey included demographic data, burnout assessment using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and subscales (emotional exhaustion, MBI-EE; depersonalization, MBI-DP; personal accomplishment, MBI-PA), and evaluation of personality disorders (PDs) based on DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition) criteria using the assessment of DSM-IV PDs (ADP-IV). We investigated the aggregated scores of maladaptive personality traits as predictor variables of burnout. Subsequently, the components of personality traits were individually assessed. RESULTS: Out of 310 respondents, 300 (96.77%) provided complete information. The maladaptive personality traits global score was associated with the MBI-EE and MBI-DP components. There was a significant negative correlation with the MBI-PA component. Significant positive correlations were found between the MBI-EE subscale and the paranoid (r = 0.42), borderline (r = 0.39), and dependent (r = 0.39) maladaptive personality traits. MBI-DP was significantly associated with the passive-aggressive (r = 0.35), borderline (r = 0.33), and avoidant (r = 0.32) traits. Moreover, MBI-PA was negatively associated with dependent (r = - 0.26) and avoidant (r = - 0.25) maladaptive personality features. CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant association between different maladaptive personality traits and the risk of experiencing burnout among anesthesiologists. This underscores the importance of understanding and addressing personality traits in healthcare professionals to promote their well-being and prevent this serious emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion state.

Ultrasound-assisted Thoracic Intervertebral Foramen Block. A Cadaveric Study.

BACKGROUND: A thoracic paravertebral block can be a useful opioid-sparing technique for controlling postoperative pain after thoracic and visceral abdominal surgery. OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to assess dye spread into the ventral branch, connecting branch, sympathetic trunk, thoracic paravertebral space, and epidural space after performing a modified ultrasound-assisted thoracic paravertebral block via the intervertebral foramen. STUDY DESIGN: This was a nonrandomized cadaveric study. SETTING: The cadavers were kept at the Department of Anatomopathology of the San Salvatore Academic Hospital of L'Aquila (L'Aquila, Italy). METHODS: We performed a bilateral thoracic paravertebral block via the intervertebral foramen at the second, fifth, ninth, and twelfth thoracic vertebrae. A linear array ultrasound transducer was used. Then, cadaveric dissection was performed. A Tuohy needle was gently inserted in-plane with the ultrasound beam in a lateromedial direction to contact the spinous process. Subsequently, the needle tip was advanced 2 mm along the transverse process of the vertebra, and 5 mL of methylene blue 1% dye was injected at each level. Then, 2 continuous catheter sets were inserted. RESULTS: Forty intervertebral foramen blocks were performed in 5 cadavers. For 38 injection sites, we found dye on both sides of the thoracic paravertebral space and epidural space at each level of puncture. The retropleural organs were also stained. In 2 cases, methylene blue accumulated intramuscularly at the level of the twelfth thoracic vertebra. RESULTS: The spread of dye into the ventral rami, communicating rami, and sympathetic trunk in the thoracic paravertebral space and the epidural space was assessed. We also evaluated the position and the distance (mm) between the catheter tip and the thoracic intervertebral foramen content. Finally, puncturing of intervertebral blood vessels, nerve rootlet and root damage, lung and pleural injuries, and the extent of intramuscular dye accumulation were evaluated and recorded as iatrogenic complications related to the anesthetic procedure. Forty thoracic paravertebral blocks in 5 cadavers were performed. For 38 injection sites, we found dye on both sides of the thoracic paravertebral space and the epidural space at each level of puncture. The ventral rami, the communicating rami, and the sympathetic trunk were also stained. In 2 cases, methylene blue accumulated intramuscularly at the level of the twelfth thoracic vertebra. LIMITATIONS: The first limitation of this study is its small sample size. In addition, the study design did not consider or measure the width of the transverse processes. Another limitation is that the ultrasound beam could not identify the thoracic intervertebral foramen content or the needle tip behind the acoustic shadow of the transverse and vertebral articular processes. CONCLUSION: Paravertebral block via the thoracic intervertebral foramen achieved consistent dye spread into the thoracic paravertebral space and epidural space, capturing retropleural organs.

Algor-ethics: charting the ethical path for AI in critical care.

The integration of Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) based on artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare is groundbreaking evolution with enormous potential, but its development and ethical implementation, presents unique challenges, particularly in critical care, where physicians often deal with life-threating conditions requiring rapid actions and patients unable to participate in the decisional process. Moreover, development of AI-based CDSS is complex and should address different sources of bias, including data acquisition, health disparities, domain shifts during clinical use, and cognitive biases in decision-making. In this scenario algor-ethics is mandatory and emphasizes the integration of 'Human-in-the-Loop' and 'Algorithmic Stewardship' principles, and the benefits of advanced data engineering. The establishment of Clinical AI Departments (CAID) is necessary to lead AI innovation in healthcare, ensuring ethical integrity and human-centered development in this rapidly evolving field.

Two-year Opioid Prescription Trends in Local Sanitary Agency Naples 3 South, Campania Region, Italy. Descriptive Analyses and AI-based Translational Perspectives.

Aims: This study delves into the two-year opioid prescription trends in the Local Sanitary Agency Naples 3 South, Campania Region, Italy. The research aims to elucidate prescribing patterns, demographics, and dosage categories within a population representing 1.7% of the national total. Perspectives on artificial intelligence research are discussed. Methods: From the original dataset, spanning from January 2022 to October 2023, we processed multiple variables including demographic data, medications, dosages, drug consumption, and administration routes. The dispensing quantity was calculated as defined daily doses (DDD). Results: The analysis reveals a conservative approach to opioid therapy. In subjects under the age of 20, prescriptions accounted for 2.1% in 2022 and declined to 1.4% in 2023. The drug combination paracetamol/codeine was the most frequently prescribed, followed by tapentadol. Approximately two-thirds of the consumption pertains to oral formulations. Transdermal formulations were 15% (fentanyl 9.8%, buprenorphine 5.1%) in 2022; and 16.6% (fentanyl 10%, buprenorphine 6.6%) in 2023. These data were confirmed by the DDD analysis. The trend analysis demonstrated a significant reduction ( p < 0.001) in the number of prescribed opioids from 2022 to 2023 in adults (40-69 years). The study of rapid-onset opioids (ROOs), drugs specifically used for breakthrough cancer pain, showed higher dosage (>267 mcg) consumption among women, whereas a lower dosage (<133 mcg) was calculated for men. Fentanyl pectin nasal spray accounted for approximately one-fifth of all ROOs. Conclusion: Despite limitations, the study provides valuable insights into prescribing practices involving an important study population. The findings underscore the need for tailored approaches to prescribing practices, recognizing the complexities of pain management in different contexts. This research can contribute to the ongoing discourse on opioid use, advocating for innovative strategies that optimize therapeutic outcomes while mitigating potential risks.

Adverse events related to drug-drug interactions in COVID-19 patients. A persistent concern in the post-pandemic era: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Since COVID-19 patients are often polytreated, monitoring drug-drug interaction (DDIs) is necessary. We evaluated whether drugs used after the second COVID-19 pandemic wave were associated with DDI-related adverse events and the role of drug interaction checkers in identifying them. METHODS: The study (PROSPERO-ID: CRD42024507634) included: 1) consulting the drug interaction checkers Drugs.com, Liverpool COVID-19 Interactions, LexiComp, Medscape, and Micromedex; 2) systematic review; 3) reviewed studies analysis; 4) evaluating drug interaction checkers potential to anticipate DDI-related adverse events.The systematic review was performed searching PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane databases from 1 March 2022 to 11 November 2023. Observational studies, and clinical trials were included. Article without reporting direct association between DDIs and adverse events were excluded. The risk of bias was assessed by Newcastle-Ottawa scale. RESULTS: The most frequent DDIs involved nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (N/R) and fluvoxamine. Fifteen studies, including 150 patients and 35 DDI-related outcomes, were analyzed. The most frequent DDIs involved tacrolimus with N/R, resulting in creatinine increase.Eighty percent of reported DDI-related adverse events would have been identified by all drug-interaction checkers, while the remaining 20% by at least 2 of them. CONCLUSIONS: Drug interaction checkers are useful but show inconsistencies. Multiple sources are needed to tailor treatment in the context of COVID-19.

Predictive significance of FGFR4 p.G388R polymorphism in metastatic colorectal cancer patients receiving trifluridine/tipiracil (TAS-102) treatment.

BACKGROUND: TAS-102 (Lonsurf®) is an oral fluoropyrimidine consisting of a combination of trifluridine (a thymidine analog) and tipiracil (a thymidine phosphorylation inhibitor). The drug is effective in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients refractory to fluorouracil, irinotecan and oxaliplatin. This study is a real-world analysis, investigating the interplay of genotype/phenotype in relation to TAS-102 sensitivity. METHODS: Forty-seven consecutive mCRC patients were treated with TAS-102 at the National Cancer Institute of Naples from March 2019 to March 2021, at a dosage of 35 mg/m2, twice a day, in cycles of 28 days (from day 1 to 5 and from day 8 to 12). Clinical-pathological parameters were described. Activity was evaluated with RECIST criteria (v1.1) and toxicity with NCI-CTC (v5.0). Survival was depicted through the Kaplan-Meyer curves. Genetic features of patients were evaluated with Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) through the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 platform and TruSigt™Oncology 500 kit. RESULTS: Median age of patients was 65 years (range: 46-77). Forty-one patients had 2 or more metastatic sites and 38 patients underwent to more than 2 previous lines of therapies. ECOG (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group) Performance Status (PS) was 2 in 19 patients. The median number of TAS-102 cycles was 4 (range: 2-12). The most frequent toxic event was neutropenia (G3/G4 in 16 patients). There were no severe (> 3) non-haematological toxicities or treatment-related deaths. Twenty-six patients experienced progressive disease (PD), 21 stable disease (SD). Three patients with long-lasting disease control (DC: complete, partial responses or stable disease) shared an FGFR4 (p.Gly388Arg) mutation. Patients experiencing DC had more frequently a low tumour growth rate (P = 0.0306) and an FGFR4 p.G388R variant (P < 0.0001). The FGFR4 Arg388 genotype was associated with better survival (median: 6.4 months) compared to the Gly388 genotype (median: 4 months); the HR was 0.25 (95% CI 0.12- 0.51; P = 0.0001 at Log-Rank test). CONCLUSIONS: This phenotype/genotype investigation suggests that the FGFR4 p.G388R variant may serve as a new marker for identifying patients who are responsive to TAS-102. A mechanistic hypothesis is proposed to interpret these findings.

Translational Insights in the Landscape of Salivary Gland Cancers: Ready for a New Era?

Salivary gland carcinomas (SGCs) are rare neoplasms, representing less than 10% of all head and neck tumors, but they are extremely heterogeneous from the histological point of view, their clinical behavior, and their genetics. The guidelines regarding their treatment include surgery in most cases, which can also play an important role in oligometastatic disease. Where surgery cannot be used, systemic therapy comes into play. Systemic therapy for many years has been represented by polychemotherapy, but recently, with the affirmation of translational research, it can also count on targeted therapy, at least in some subtypes of SGCs. Interestingly, in some SGC histotypes, predominant mutations have been identified, which in some cases behave as "driver mutations", namely mutations capable of governing the carcinogenesis process. Targeting these driver mutations may be an effective therapeutic strategy. Nonetheless, it is not always possible to have drugs suitable for targeting driver mutations-and targeting driver mutations is not always accompanied by a clinical benefit. In this review, we will analyze the main mutations predominant in the various histotypes of SGCs.

rs822336 binding to C/EBPß and NFIC modulates induction of PD-L1 expression and predicts anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy in advanced NSCLC.

Efficient predictive biomarkers are needed for immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-based immunotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Testing the predictive value of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) or its ligand 1 (PD-L1) has shown contrasting results. Here, we aim to validate the predictive value of PD-L1 SNPs in advanced NSCLC patients treated with ICIs as well as to define the molecular mechanisms underlying the role of the identified SNP candidate. rs822336 efficiently predicted response to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy in advanced non-oncogene addicted NSCLC patients as compared to rs2282055 and rs4143815. rs822336 mapped to the promoter/enhancer region of PD-L1, differentially affecting the induction of PD-L1 expression in human NSCLC cell lines as well as their susceptibility to HLA class I antigen matched PBMCs incubated with anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody nivolumab. The induction of PD-L1 expression by rs822336 was mediated by a competitive allele-specificity binding of two identified transcription factors: C/EBPß and NFIC. As a result, silencing of C/EBPß and NFIC differentially regulated the induction of PD-L1 expression in human NSCLC cell lines carrying different rs822336 genotypes. Analysis by binding microarray further validated the competitive allele-specificity binding of C/EBPß and NFIC to PD-L1 promoter/enhancer region based on rs822336 genotype in human NSCLC cell lines. These findings have high clinical relevance since identify rs822336 and induction of PD-L1 expression as novel biomarkers for predicting anti-PD-1/PD-L1-based immunotherapy in advanced NSCLC patients.

The Breakthrough of Large Language Models Release for Medical Applications: 1-Year Timeline and Perspectives.

Within the domain of Natural Language Processing (NLP), Large Language Models (LLMs) represent sophisticated models engineered to comprehend, generate, and manipulate text resembling human language on an extensive scale. They are transformer-based deep learning architectures, obtained through the scaling of model size, pretraining of corpora, and computational resources. The potential healthcare applications of these models primarily involve chatbots and interaction systems for clinical documentation management, and medical literature summarization (Biomedical NLP). The challenge in this field lies in the research for applications in diagnostic and clinical decision support, as well as patient triage. Therefore, LLMs can be used for multiple tasks within patient care, research, and education. Throughout 2023, there has been an escalation in the release of LLMs, some of which are applicable in the healthcare domain. This remarkable output is largely the effect of the customization of pre-trained models for applications like chatbots, virtual assistants, or any system requiring human-like conversational engagement. As healthcare professionals, we recognize the imperative to stay at the forefront of knowledge. However, keeping abreast of the rapid evolution of this technology is practically unattainable, and, above all, understanding its potential applications and limitations remains a subject of ongoing debate. Consequently, this article aims to provide a succinct overview of the recently released LLMs, emphasizing their potential use in the field of medicine. Perspectives for a more extensive range of safe and effective applications are also discussed. The upcoming evolutionary leap involves the transition from an AI-powered model primarily designed for answering medical questions to a more versatile and practical tool for healthcare providers such as generalist biomedical AI systems for multimodal-based calibrated decision-making processes. On the other hand, the development of more accurate virtual clinical partners could enhance patient engagement, offering personalized support, and improving chronic disease management.

Cannabinoids for Cancer-related Pain Management: An Update on Therapeutic Applications and Future Perspectives.

Pain is a debilitating phenomenon that dramatically impairs the quality of life of patients. Many chronic conditions, including cancer, are associated with chronic pain. Despite pharmacological efforts that have been conducted, many patients suffering from cancer pain remain without treatment. To date, opioids are considered the preferred therapeutic choice for cancer-related pain management. Unfortunately, opioid treatment causes side effects and inefficiently relieves patients from pain, therefore alternative therapies have been considered, including Cannabis Sativa and cannabinoids. Accumulating evidence has highlighted that an increasing number of patients are choosing to use cannabis and cannabinoids for the management of their soothing and non-palliative cancer pain and other cancer-related symptoms. However, their clinical application must be supported by convincing and reproducible clinical trials. In this review, we provide an update on cannabinoid use for cancer pain management. Moreover, we tried to turn a light on the potential use of cannabis as a possible therapeutic option for cancer-related pain relief.

Bridging knowledge gaps: a bibliometric analysis of non-invasive ventilation in palliative care studies.

BACKGROUND: Despite being a useful strategy for providing respiratory support to patients with advanced or terminal illnesses, non-invasive ventilation (NIV) requires in-depth investigation in several key aspects. OBJECTIVES: This bibliometric analysis seeks to comprehensively examine the existing research on the subject. Its goal is to uncover valuable insights that can inform the prediction trajectory of studies, guide the implementation of corrective measures, and contribute to the improvement of research networks. METHODS: A comprehensive review of literature on NIV in the context of palliative care was conducted using the Web of Science core collection online database. The search utilized the key terms "non-invasive ventilation" and "palliative care" to identify the most relevant articles. All data were gathered on November 7, 2023. Relevant information from documents meeting the specified criteria was extracted, and Journal Citation Reports™ 2022 (Clarivate Analytics) served as the data source. The analysis employed literature analysis and knowledge visualization tools, specifically CiteScope (version 6.2.R4) and VOSviewer (version 1.6.20). RESULTS: A dataset with bibliometric findings from 192 items was analyzed. We found a consistent upward of the scientific output trend over time. Guidelines on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis management received the highest number of citations. Most documents were published in top-ranked journals. Less than one-third of the documents pertain to clinical studies, especially retrospective analyses (25%). Key topics such as "decision making", and "communication" were less addressed. CONCLUSIONS: Given the substantial clinical implications, further high-quality studies on this subject are recommended. Encouraging international collaborations is needed. Despite the growing volume of documents in the field, this bibliometric analysis indicates a decline in collaborative networks.