Chinese Guideline on the Management of Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy (2022)

Background In China's Mainland,patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration(nAMD)have approximately an 40%prevalence of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy(PCV).This disease leads to recurrent retinal pigment epithelium detachment(PED),extensive subretinal or vitreous hemorrhages,and severe vision loss.China has introduced various treatment modalities in the past years and gained comprehensive experience in treating PCV.Methods A total of 14 retinal specialists nationwide with expertise in PCV were empaneled to prioritize six questions and address their corresponding outcomes,regarding opinions on inactive PCV,choices of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor(anti-VEGF)monotherapy,photodynamic therapy(PDT)monotherapy or combined therapy,patients with persistent subretinal fluid(SRF)or intraretinal fluid(IRF)after loading dose anti-VEGF,and patients with massive subretinal hemorrhage.An evidence synthesis team conducted systematic reviews,which informed the recommendations that address these questions.This guideline used the GRADE(Grading of Recommendations,Assessment,Development,and Evaluation)approach to assess the certainty of evidence and grade the strengths of recommendations.Results The panel proposed the following six conditional recommendations regarding treatment choices.(1)For patients with inactive PCV,we suggest observation over treatment.(2)For treatment-na?ve PCV patients,we suggest either anti-VEGF monotherapy or combined anti-VEGF and PDT rather than PDT monotherapy.(3)For patients with PCV who plan to initiate combined anti-VEGF and PDT treatment,we suggest later/rescue PDT over initiate PDT.(4)For PCV patients who plan to initiate anti-VEGF monotherapy,we suggest the treat and extend(TE)regimen rather than the pro re nata(PRN)regimen following three monthly loading doses.(5)For patients with persistent SRF or IRF on optical coherence tomography(OCT)after three monthly anti-VEGF treatments,we suggest proceeding with anti-VEGF treatment rather than observation.(6)For PCV patients with massive subretinal hemorrhage(equal to or more than four optic disc areas)involving the central macula,we suggest surgery(vitrectomy in combination with tissue-plasminogen activator(tPA)intraocular injection and gas tamponade)rather than anti-VEGF monotherapy.Conclusions Six evidence-based recommendations support optimal care for PCV patients'management.

Platinum is essential in neoadjuvant treatment of triple-negative breast cancer: a network meta-analysis

Objective:This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of various neoadjuvant regimens for patients diagnosed with early-stage or locally advanced triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC).Methods:Medline,EMBASE,Cochrane Library,and Web of Science were searched in May 2020 to identify randomized controlled trials(RCTs).Bayesian network meta-analysis(NMA)was performed(Registration:PROSPERO CRD42020223012).Results:A total of 35 RCTs involving 8,424 participants were reviewed,of which 22 RCTs with 5,203 patients were included in this NMA focusing on pathologic complete response(pCR).An anthracycline-taxane-based(AT)regimen combined with a platinum(ATPt)[odds ratio(OR)=2.04,95%credible interval(CrI):1.69,2.48]regimen,and a docetaxel regimen combined with a carboplatin(TCb;OR=2.16,95%CrI:1.20,3.91)regimen improved pCR beyond that with AT only.AT and ATPt combined with targeted therapy[including bevacizumab(Bev),veliparib,atezolizumab,or pembrolizumab]also improved pCR.Five RCTs included in this NMA reported serious adverse events(SAEs)or grade≥3 AEs.TCb was associated with fewer grade≥3 AEs than was AT(OR=0.66,95%CrI:0.23,1.72)alone.In contrast,ATPt,AT+Bev,ATPt+Bev,ATPt+veliparib,and ATPt+pembrolizumab were associated with more SAEs than was AT alone.Conclusions:In patients with TNBC,platinum-based neoadjuvant regimens ATPt and TCb increase pCR beyond that with AT alone,but TCb appears to be better tolerated than either AT or ATPt.Platinum-based regimens combined with targeted therapies(Bev,PARPi,and PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor)also improve the pCR rate beyond that with AT alone,but this benefit is accompanied by greater toxicity.

2022 Chinese national clinical practice guideline on Helicobacter pylori eradication treatment

Background:Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)infection is an infectious disease with a prevalence rate of up to 50%worldwide.It can cause indigestion,gastritis,peptic ulcer,and gastric cancer.H.pylori eradication treatment can effectively control disease progression and reduce the risk of the above conditions.However,the escalating trend of antibiotic resistance presents a global challenge for H.pylori eradication.We aim to provide guidance on pharmacological treatment of H.pylori infection.Methods:This clinical practice guideline is developed following the World Health Organization’s recommended process,adopting Grading of Recommendations Assessment,Development and Evaluation in assessing evidence quality,and utilizing Evidence to Decision framework to formulate clinical recommendations,minimizing bias and increasing transparency of the clinical practice guideline development process.We used the Reporting Items for practice Guidelines in HealThcare(RIGHT)statement and The Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation Ⅱ(AGREE Ⅱ)as reporting and conduct guides to ensure the guideline’s completeness and transparency.Results:Though decreasing in developed countries,the prevalence of H.pylori remains high in developing countries,causing a major public health burden.This clinical practice guideline contains 12 recommendations concerning pharmacological treatment for H.pylori eradication.Among them,it is worth highlighting that bismuth preparations are inexpensive,safe,and effective,consequently making bismuth quadruple therapy a preferred choice for initial and rescue treatment.In empirical treatment,high-dose dual therapy is equally effective compared with bismuth quadruple therapy.Conclusions:The 12 recommendations in this clinical practice guideline are formed with consideration for stakeholders’values and preferences,resource use,feasibility,and acceptability.Recommendations are generalizable to resource limited settings with similar antibiotic resistance pattern as China,and lower middle-income countries facing comparable sociological and technical challenges.Registration:Guidelines International Network(GIN)website,https://guidelines.ebmportal.com/node/69996.