Ricerc@Sapienza

Novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) became pandemic by the end of March 2020. In contrast to the 2002–2003 SARS-CoV outbreak, which had a higher pathogenicity and lead to higher mortality rates, SARSCoV-2 infection appears to be much more contagious. Moreover, many SARS-CoV-2 infected patients are reported to develop low-titer neutralizing antibody and usually suffer prolonged illness, suggesting a more effective SARS-CoV-2 immune surveillance evasion than SARS-CoV.

Emicizumab has been approved in several countries for regular prophylaxis in patients with congenital haemophilia A and FVIII inhibitors because it substantially reduces their bleeding risk and improves quality of life. However, although significantly less frequent, some breakthrough bleeds may still occur while on emicizumab, requiring treatment with bypassing or other haemostatic agents. Thrombotic complications have been reported with the associated use of activated prothrombin complex concentrates.

We read with interest the paper by Giacobbe et al. estimating a cumulative risk of developing at least one bloodstream infection (BSI) episode (largely due to Gram‐positive pathogens) of almost 50% after 30 days at risk in severe COVID‐19 patients. (2) Similarly, Somers et al. reported an increased risk to develop bacterial superinfections, principally represented by Staphylococcus aureus ventilatory associated pneumonia (VAP), in critically ill patients infected with SARS‐CoV‐2 and treated with Tocilizumab.

Meningococcal polysaccharide (Men-Ps) vaccine immunogenicity following either primary immunization or revaccination in adults was evaluated. The study population consisted of subjects who have received tetravalent Men-Ps vaccine once (group 1) or at least twice, with a 2–6 dose range (group 2). Human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-typing was performed by polymerase chain reaction and specific immunoglobulin (Ig)G was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Background: Chronic migraine is a disabling condition that is currently underdiagnosed and undertreated. In this narrative review, we discuss the future of chronic migraine management in relation to recent progress in evidence-based pharmacological treatment. Findings: Patients with chronic migraine require prophylactic therapy to reduce the frequency of migraine attacks, but the only currently available evidence-based prophylactic treatment options for chronic migraine are topiramate and onabotulinumtoxinA.

Introduction: Eculizumab is effective and well tolerated in patients with antiacetylcholine receptor antibody-positive refractory generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG; REGAIN; NCT01997229). We report an interim analysis of an open-label extension of REGAIN, evaluating eculizumab's long-term safety and efficacy. Methods: Eculizumab (1,200 mg every 2 weeks for 22.7 months [median]) was administered to 117 patients. Results: The safety profile of eculizumab was consistent with REGAIN; no cases of meningococcal infection were reported during the interim analysis period.

To evaluate the effect of eculizumab on perceived fatigue in patients with anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive, refractory, generalized myasthenia gravis (MG) using the Quality of Life in Neurological Disorders (Neuro-QOL) Fatigue subscale, and to evaluate correlations between improvements in Neuro-QOL Fatigue and other clinical endpoints.

Background: Single-agent pembrolizumab represents the standard first-line option for metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with a PD-L1 (programmed death-ligand 1) expression of ≥ 50%. Methods: We conducted a multicenter retrospective study aimed at evaluating the clinicopathologic correlates of pembrolizumab effectiveness in patients with treatment-naïve NSCLC and a PD-L1 expression of ≥ 50%. Results: One thousand and twenty-six consecutive patients were included.

Introduction: Radiolabelled autologous white blood cells (WBC) scintigraphy is being standardized all over the world to ensure high quality, specificity and reproducibility. Similarly, in many European countries radiolabelled anti-granulocyte antibodies (anti-G-mAb) are used instead of WBC with high diagnostic accuracy. The EANM Inflammation & Infection Committee is deeply involved in this process of standardization as a primary goal of the group.

In the field of inflammation imaging, nuclear medicine techniques can be considered as a non-invasive tool to early detect pathophysiological changes in affected tissues. These changes usually occur before clinical onset of symptoms and before the development of anatomical changes, that are commonly detected by radiological procedures. This is particularly important for prognostic purposes, therapy decision making and for therapy follow-up.