Effects of exercise training on cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant treatment: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: This systematic review aimed to analyze the effects of different exercise protocols on physical fitness (cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, and body composition), quality of life, cancer-related fatigue, and sleep quality in patients with different types of cancer undergoing neoadjuvant treatment. DESIGN: Systematic review. METHOD: A comprehensive search of existing literature was carried out using four electronic databases: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library (published until October 19, 2022). All databases were searched for randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental investigations, and pre-post investigations assessing the effects of exercise in cancer patients during neoadjuvant treatment. Excluded articles included multicomponent interventions, such as exercise plus diet or behavioral therapy, and investigations performed during adjuvant treatment or survivorship. The methodological quality of each study was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale. RESULTS: Twenty-seven trials involving 999 cancer patients were included in this review. The interventions were conducted in cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant treatment for rectal (n = 11), breast (n = 5), pancreatic (n = 4), esophageal (n = 3), gastro-esophageal (n = 2), and prostate (n = 1) cancers, and leukemia (n = 1). Among the investigations included, 14 utilized combined exercise protocols, 11 utilized aerobic exercise, and two utilized both aerobic and resistance training separately. Exercise interventions appeared to improve cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, body composition, and quality of life, although many investigations lacked a between-group analysis. CONCLUSION: Despite limited evidence, exercise interventions applied during neoadjuvant treatment demonstrate promising potential in enhancing cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, body composition, and overall quality of life. However, a scarcity of evidence remains on the effects of exercise on cancer-related fatigue and sleep quality. Further research with high-quality randomized controlled trials is warranted.

Effects of home-based exercise programs on physical fitness in cancer patients undergoing active treatment: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

OBJECTIVES: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effects of home-based exercise on physical fitness (cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, and body composition) in cancer patients undergoing active treatment. DESIGN: Systematic review with meta-analysis and Grading Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation of the evidence. METHODS: A comprehensive search of existing literature was carried out in four electronic databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and PEDro. All databases were searched for randomized controlled trials assessing the effects of home-based exercise on physical fitness outcomes in cancer patients during active treatment. Multicomponent interventions (i.e., exercise plus diet/behavioral therapy) were excluded. The methodological quality of each study was assessed using the Revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials. Meta-analytical procedures were performed when appropriate and standardized mean differences (SMD) were calculated. RESULTS: Twenty-eight randomized controlled trials (n = 2424 cancer patients) were included. Most of the interventions were conducted in breast cancer patients (n = 13) during the adjuvant treatment period (n = 17); 18 studies included a walking component in their home-based protocol. Home-based exercise was effective at improving the distance of the 6-minute walk test (k = 6; SMD = 0.321, p = 0.010). However, the results were no longer significant when performing sensitivity analysis based on exclusively walking (k = 1) and non-exclusively walking interventions (k = 5; SMD = 0.258; p = 0.072). No effects were found for muscle strength and body composition outcomes (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Regular home-based exercise programs are an effective strategy to improve 6-minutes walk test in cancer patients undergoing active treatment. Conversely, no alterations were found in muscle strength and body composition.

Necrotizing fasciitis of the vulva due to carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae as a complication of acute myeloid leukemia treatment: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae strains have been reported in healthcare facilities with a rising incidence and are a major concern owing to infections that are often severe and can be potentially fatal, with limited therapeutic options. Klebsiella pneumonia represents the most frequently isolated microorganism. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a Caucasian 52-year old Caucasian woman with acute myeloid leukemia was admitted to the inpatient hematology unit at a university referral hospital in Portugal. This hospital has endemic colonization of Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae and contention measures are being implemented to reduce spreading of these multidrug resistant bacteria. After receiving first line chemotherapy according to the intermediate-dose cytarabine regimen, in context of deep medullary aplasia, the patient developed a localized infection of the vulva, which progressed to a necrotizing fasciitis. This is a rare, life-threatening, and fulminant infection. Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella was isolated in both vulvar exudate and blood cultures. The patient underwent multiple schemes of antimicrobials, but progressed with multiorgan compromise and was admitted to the intensive care unit for a short period for stabilization. Surgical debridement was performed twice with clinical improvement and, after 6 weeks, a skin graft was executed with good response. Reevaluation of the hematologic disease showed a complete response to first cycle of induction therapy. Despite success in resolving this complex infection, decisions regarding antibiotic treatment represented a tremendous challenge for the whole team. The importance of multidisciplinary collaboration was key for the patient's recovery and survival, and therefore, needs to be acknowledged. CONCLUSIONS: This clinical case raises awareness on a clinical entity that can be life threatening and, therefore, requires a high level of suspicion to assure an early integrated approach to avoid complications. Endemic spreading of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae is becoming a reality, and health policies need to be urgently undertaken at the national level to decrease morbidity and mortality because of health facilities-related infections.

COVID-19 and aging: Identifying measures of severity.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to compare clinical features of older age group and young and middle-aged patients with COVID-19 and analyze mortality predictors. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of ongoing collection of prespecified data, on a single institution, including patients hospitalized consecutively due to COVID-19 infection, from March to June 2020. RESULTS: Of 195 patients, 56.9% were ⩾65 years (older age group). Older age group had multimorbidity (p < 0.001). At admission Early Warning Score-2 (p < 0.001), C-reactive protein, D-dimer, creatinine, anemia and lymphopenia were higher in older age group, as well as median time of hospitalization (14 vs 10 days, p = 0.004). Complications were more common in older age group, but there were no significant differences in admission to intensive care. There were 18 deaths, 16 in older age group. Modified Early Warning Score at admission (odds ratio = 1.60, 95% confidence interval = 1.07-1.37, p = 0.021) and C-reactive protein >5 mg/dL (odds ratio = 2.12, 95% confidence interval = 1.13-26.26, p = 0.034) were independent predictors of inhospital mortality in older age group but not in young and middle-aged. CONCLUSION: Older age group was at higher risk for complications and inhospital mortality. Identification of specific scores of severity for this population is essential to ensure that best care is provided.

Endocrine therapy for the treatment of leptomeningeal carcinomatosis in luminal breast cancer: a comprehensive review.

Leptomeningeal disease (LMD) represents a devastating complication of advanced breast cancer (ABC), with survival of <5 months with multimodal treatment. The role of endocrine therapy (ET), due to its favorable toxicity profile and first-line indication in luminal ABC, appears promising in the setting of LMD, where symptom stabilization and quality-of-life preservation are the main goals; however, evidenced-based data are lacking. We conducted a thorough review of published evidence, aiming to investigate the role of ET in LMD treatment in luminal ABC. Twenty-one of 342 articles, evaluating 1302 patients, met inclusion criteria. ET use was rarely reported. New targeted agents show CNS activity. Research is lacking on the role of ET and targeted agents in BC-LMD treatment.

Metastatic extramammary paget disease, a remarkable clinical case and a brief review of a rare disease.

Extramammary Paget Disease (EMPD) is an often-misdiagnosed rare disorder, whose cause remains unknown. Diagnosis is confirmed by skin biopsy. Primary treatment for EMPD is surgery. Recurrence is common in the first two years and prognosis is good if the disease is localized and there is no underlying associated cancer. Patients with invasive and metastatic EMPD are uncommon and exhibit a poor prognosis, even when there is good response to a first chemotherapy line. Multiple chemotherapeutic regimens, with varying levels of success, have been attempted, but standard of care is not established. The central nervous system seems to be a common metastatic site with better survival than visceral metastasis.We report a case of metastatic EMPD that addresses the difficulties associated with the treatment of this rare disease, that has no current guidelines.