A Review of Abiraterone Acetate for the Treatment of Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is a common malignant tumor of the urinary system in men,and the incidence and detection rate of prostate cancer have been rising significantly in recent years.Androgens play an important role in the occurrence and development of prostate cancer,so hormone deprivation therapy has become an essential means of prostate cancer treatment.Abiraterone acetate is a therapeutic agent for prostate cancer by inhibiting the enzyme activity of CYP17,thereby blocking androgen biosynthesis.In this paper,we present a review of the current mechanism of action of abiraterone acetate for prostate cancer treatment,research progress,and its side effects and limitations.It is expected to provide help for further research on the treatment of prostate cancer.

Monitoring hepatitis C virus treatment rates in an Opioid Treatment Program:A longitudinal study

BACKGROUND Direct-acting antivirals(DAAs)are recommended for the treatment of hepatitis C virus(HCV)infection in patients treated with methadone or buprenorphine.AIM To assess HCV treatment rates in an Opioid Treatment Program(OTP).METHODS This longitudinal study included 501 patients(81.4%men,median age:45 years;interquartile range:39-50 years)enrolled in an OTP between October 2015 and September 2017.Patients were followed until September 2019.Data on sociodemographics,substance use,HCV infection,human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)infection and laboratory parameters were collected at entry.We analyzed medical records to evaluate HCV treatment.Kaplan-Meier methods and Cox regression models were used to analyze the DAA treatment uptake and to identify treatment predictors.RESULTS Prevalence of HCV and HIV infection was 70%and 34%,respectively.Among anti-HCV-positive(n=336)patients,47.2%,41.3%,and 31.9%used alcohol,cannabis,and cocaine,respectively.HCV-RNA tests were positive in 233(69.3%)patients.Twentyeight patients(8.3%)cleared the infection,and 59/308(19.1%)had received interferon-based treatment regimens before 2015.Among 249 patients eligible,111(44.6%)received DAAs.Treatment rates significantly increased over time from 7.8/100 person-years(p-y)(95%CI:5.0-12.3)in 2015 to 18.9/100 p-y(95%CI:11.7-30.3)in 2019.In a multivariate analysis,patients with HIV co-infection were twice as likely to receive DAAs(HR=1.94,95%CI:1.21-3.12)than patients with HCV mono-infection.Current drug use was an independent risk factor for not receiving treatment against infection(HR=0.48,95%CI:0.29-0.80).CONCLUSION HCV treatment is evolving in patients with HCV-HIV co-infection.Ongoing drug use while in an OTP might negatively impact the readiness to treat infection.

Overview of antiretroviral treatment in China： advancement and challenges

As the severity of the HIV epidemic in China grew, National Free Antiretroviral Treatment （ART） Program was announced since 2003. Even though there still were many difficulties, China had obtained great achievements in fighting against HIV.Over 52 000 adult patients had received first-line HAART thus far and the mortality of AIDS in China decreased significantly. This paper presents an overview of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in China; the status of national free ART program,the difficulties suffered and the achievements made since the initiation of program and the challenges ahead for continued progress for China. This paper also provides suggestions to overcome these challenges.

Improving China＇s antiretroviral treatment program： assessing current and future performance using the principals of ethics

The global commitment to providing antiretroviral therapy （ART） to people living with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome （HIV/AIDS） in low-income countries has raised hope that the increasing momentum in the fight against the worldwide HIV/AIDS pandemic will be sufficient to control it. However, improved availability of subsidized antiretroviral （ARV） treatments in low-income .countries raises complex ethical issues. In many resource-constrained countries the number of individuals infected with HIV in need of treatment far exceeds the supply of ARV medication. Resource allocation decisions can be made on the basis of many epidemiological, ethical, or preferential treatment priority criteria. Healthcare systems and funding in low-income countries are limited, requiring a step-by-step approach to scaling- up programs to reach their stated aims.