The aim of this study was to analyse the accuracy of the soluble form of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (sTREM-1) to predict positive blood cultures in comparison with established clinical prognostic
variables.
Methods: In addition to collecting clinical and laboratory information, a commercially available immunoassay kit was used learn more to measure the serum sTREM-1 levels on the first day of admit ion in patients with CAP. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to compare the ability of sTREM-1 and commonly used clinical variables to identify bacteremia.
Results: Blood cultures yielded a pathogen in 13 (10.4%) out of 124 patient samples. The microorganisms isolated were Streptococcus pneumoniae (11 patients) and CBL0137 molecular weight Klebsiella pneumoniae (2 patients). The presence of pleuritic chest pain, tachycardia and extreme white cell count (WCC) were associated with bacteremia. However, ROC curve analysis showed an accuracy of sTREM-1 (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) 0.84, 95% CI: 0.72-0.95), which was higher than pleuritic chest pain (AUC 0.71, 95% CI:
0.57-0.84), tachycardia (AUC 0.73, 95% CI: 0.58-0.88) and extreme WCC (AUC 0.70, 95% CI: 0.55-0.85) for predicting positive blood cultures. Low admission sTREM-1 serum values had a high negative predictive value for excluding bacteremia (sTREM-1 <120 pg/mL = 98.8%).
Conclusions: This preliminary study suggests that the determination of sTREM-1 serum levels on admission
may be more accurate than clinical variables for identifying bacteremic patients.”
“Purpose of review
Over the past 2 years, four new treatments have entered the treatment armamentarium MK0683 for patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Although these novel agents differ in their mechanism of action, they all face the same challenges: patient selection, timing of therapy and the cost/benefit of their use. In this review, we will discuss their development and implications when selecting treatment options for CRPC patients.
Recent findings
Over the past few years, a better understanding of the biology of CRPC has allowed us to develop rational therapies that have resulted in an improvement in the outcome of prostate cancer patients. Immunotherapy has entered the field and despite its limitations and challenges is here to stay. A better understanding of the long-term complications of androgen deprivation has changed the initial approach to most patients with advanced disease, and bone health has become a major focus in their management. Understanding the importance of the androgen receptor and other ligands has led to a dramatic paradigm shift in the treatment of patients with metastatic disease in which the androgen receptor becomes a central therapeutic target in the disease.