@article{KuntzenKuhnKuntzenetal.2016,
  author    = {Kuntzen, Thomas and Kuhn, Sereina and Kuntzen, Daniela and Seifert, Burkhardt and M{\"u}llhaupt, Beat and Geier, Andreas},
  title     = {Influence of Ribavirin Serum Levels on Outcome of Antiviral Treatment and Anemia in Hepatitis C Virus Infection},
  series = {PLoS ONE},
  volume    = {11},
  journal   = {PLoS ONE},
  number    = {7},
  doi       = {10.1371/journal.pone.0158512},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-166888},
  pages     = {e0158512},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {Background Ribavirin blood levels vary considerably between patients with standard weight-based dosing. Their impact on sustained virological response (SVR) with pegylated interferon and ribavirin is controversial, but has mostly been studied before the IL28b gene polymorphism as a possible confounder was discovered. Methods The impact of serum ribavirin trough levels at week 4, at the end of treatment and of mean levels across the entire antiviral treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin on relapse, SVR rates and anemia was retrospectively studied by univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses in 214 patients with HCV genotype 1-4 infection, including 88 patients with available IL28b genotyping. Results Mean ribavirin levels varied between 0.68-5.65 mg/l and significantly differed between patients with or without SVR. By multivariable regression including age, sex, HCV viral load, HCV genotype, liver fibrosis stage, prior treatments, immunosuppression and IL28b genotype, ribavirin levels consistently displayed significant influence on SVR and relapse without indication for a specific importance of higher concentrations early or late in the treatment course. Although hemoglobin decline was on average more pronounced in patients with higher ribavirin levels, hemoglobin remained relatively stable in a significant proportion of these, indicating that ribavirin levels alone are insufficient to predict anemia. Conclusion While data are scarce to draw conclusions applicable for modern DAA therapies, these results support ribavirin treatment based on serum levels instead of purely weight-based dosing in combination with pegylated interferon.},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Lorenz2007,
  author    = {Lorenz, Ren{\´e}},
  title     = {Vergleichende Langzeitbeobachtung Zidovudin- und Stavudin-haltiger Therapieregime in der antiretroviralen Therapie HIV-positiver Patienten},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-25897},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2007},
  abstract  = {Die Nukleosidischen Reverse Transkriptase Hemmer (NRTI) Zidovudin (AZT) und Stavudin (d4T) sind h{\"a}ufig eingesetzte Bestandteile der antiretroviralen Kombinationstherapie. Die Behandlung erstreckt sich oft {\"u}ber viele Jahre, sodass neben der antiviralen und immunologischen Effektivit{\"a}t besonders das Auftreten von Langzeitnebenwirkungen von Bedeutung ist. Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit wurden retrospektiv die Langzeit-Therapieverl{\"a}ufe von 213 Patienten, die zwischen 1990 und 2003 mit Zidovudin oder Stavudin behandelt wurden, verglichen. Die Kombinationsegime unterschieden sich nicht in ihrer antiretroviralen Wirksamkeit oder Einnahmedauer, jedoch in ihrem Nebenwirkungsprofil. So traten h{\"a}matologische Nebenwirkungen (An{\"a}mien, Leukopenien, Neutropenien) signifikant h{\"a}ufiger unter AZT auf. Die Gabe von Stavudin kann die h{\"a}matotoxische Wirkung von Zidovudin zum Teil kompensieren. Nach Therapieumstellung von AZT auf d4T kam es zu einem Anstieg der absoluten Leukozyten, der neutrophilen Granulozyten und des H{\"a}moglobins. Sowohl in Zidovudin- als auch Stavudin-haltigen Regimen trat nach Beginn der antiretroviralen Therapie eine Makrozytose auf. Patienten mit Noncompliance zeigten eine anhaltende Normozytose bzw. eine Normalisierung des MCV, falls nach Beginn der ART eine Makrozytose bestand. Das MCV kann als Compliancemarker genutzt werden. Unter d4T-haltigen Regimen traten h{\"a}ufiger metabolische Nebenwirkungen wie Hypercholesterin{\"a}mien, Hypertriglycerid{\"a}mien und Hepatotoxizit{\"a}t auf, v.a. in Kombination mit Proteaseinhibitoren. Lipodystrophien wurden unter Proteasehemmer-haltigen und -freien Regimen beobachtet. Unter Stavudin traten Ver{\"a}nderungen der K{\"o}rperfettverteilung signifikant h{\"a}ufiger auf als unter Zidovudin.},
  subject      = {Zidovudin},
  language  = {de}
}
@phdthesis{Nguyen2012,
  author    = {Nguyen, Hoang Duong},
  title     = {Vaccinia virus mediated expression of human erythropoietin in colonized human tumor xenografts results in faster tumor regression and increased red blood cell biogenesis in mice},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-85383},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2012},
  abstract  = {Cancer-related anemia is prevalent in cancer patients. Anemia negatively affects normal mental and physical function capacity with common symptoms s like fatigue, headache, or depression. Human erythropoietin (hEPO), a glycoprotein hormone regulating red blood cell formation, is approved for the treatment of cancer-related anemia. It has shown benefits in correcting anemia, and subsequently improving health-related quality of life and/or enhancing radio-, and chemotherapy. Several recent clinical trials have suggested that recombinant hEPO (rhEPO) may promote tumor growth that raises the questions concerning the safety of using rhEPO for cancer treatment. However in others, such effects were not indicated. As of today, the direct functional effect of rhEPO in tumor models remains controversial and needs to be further analyzed. Based on the GLV-1h68 backbone, the hEPO-expressing recombinant VACV strains (EPO-VACVs) GLV-1h210, GLV-1h211, GLV-1h212 and GLV-1h213 were generated by replacing the lacZ expression cassette at the J2R locus with hEPO under the control of different vaccinia promoters p7.5, pSE, pSEL, pSL, respectively. Also, GLV-1h209 was generated, which is similar to GLV-1h210 but expresses a mutated non-functinal EPO (R103A). The EPO-VACV strains were characterized for their oncolytic efficacy in lung (A549) cancer cells in culture and tumor xenografts. Concomitantly, the effects of locally expressed hEPO in tumors on virus replication, host immune infiltration, tumor vascularization and tumor growth were also evaluated. As expected, EPO-VACVs enhanced red blood cell (RBC) formation in xenograft model. The number of RBCs and hemoglobin (Hb) levels were significantly increased in EPO-VACVs-treated mice compared to GLV-1h68-treated or untreated control mice. However, the mean size of RBC or Hb content per RBC remained normal. Furthermore, over-expression of hEPO did not significantly affect numbers of lymphocytes, monocytes, leucocytes or platelets in the peripheral blood stream. The expression of hEPO in colonized tumors of mice treated with EPO-VACVs was demonstrated by immunohistological staining. Interestingly, there were 9 - 10 hEPO isoforms detected either in tumors, cells, or supernatant, while 3-4 basic isoforms were missing in blood serum, where only six hEPO isoforms were found. Tumor-bearing mice after treatment with EPO-VACVs showed enhanced tumor regression compared to GLV-1h68. The virus titers in tumors in EPO-VACVs-treated mice were 3-4 fold higher compared to GLV-1h68-treated mice. Nevertheless, no significant difference in virus titers among EPO-VACVs was found. The blood vessels in tumors were significantly enlarged while the blood vessel density remained unchanged compared to the GLV-1h68 treated mice, indicating that hEPO did not affect endothelial cell proliferation in this model. Meanwhile, rhEPO (Epoetin alfa) alone or in combination with GLV-1h68 did not show any signs of enhanced tumor growth when compared to untreated controls and GLV-1h68 groups, while doses used were clinical relevant (500 U/kg). These findings suggested that hEPO did not promote angiogenesis or tumor growth in the A549 tumor xenograft model. Human EPO has been reported to function as an immune modulator. In this study, however, we did not find any involvement of hEPO in immune cytokine and chemokine expression or innate immune cell infiltration (leucocytes, B cells, macrophages and dendritic cells) into infected tumors. The degree of immune infiltration and cytokine expression was directly correlated to the number of virus particles. Increased virus replication, led to more recruited immune cells and secreted cytokines/chemokines. It was proposed that tumor regression was at least partially mediated through activation of innate immune mechanisms. In conclusion, the novel EPO-VACVs were shown to significantly increase the number of RBCs, Hb levels, and virus replication in tumors as well as to enhance tumor regression in the A549 tumor xenograft model. Moreover, locally expressed hEPO did not promote tumor angiogenesis, tumor growth, and immune infiltration but was shown to causing enlarged tumoral microvessels which facilitated virus spreading. It is conceivable that in a possible clinical application, anemic cancer patients could benefit from the EPO-VACVs, where they could serve as "wellness pills" to decrease anemic symptoms, while simultaneously destroying tumors.},
  subject      = {Erythropoietin},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Rauh2011,
  author    = {Rauh, Katharina},
  title     = {Erythropoietin und Inflammation bei diabetischer Nephropathie},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-66637},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2011},
  abstract  = {Bei Patienten mit Diabetes mellitus Typ 2 und chronischer Niereninsuffizienz ist An{\"a}mie h{\"a}ufig. Zum Teil ist sie durch ungen{\"u}gende EPO-Produktion bedingt. Zus{\"a}tzlich wird die H{\"a}moglobinsynthese, wie bei der An{\"a}mie chronischer Krankheiten (anemia of chronic disease, ACD) beschrieben, durch entz{\"u}ndliche Vorg{\"a}nge unterdr{\"u}ckt. Der Stellenwert endogenen Erythropoietins bei Patienten mit diabetischer Nephropathie und ACD bleibt noch unsicher sowie auch der Zusammenhang zwischen EPO und der Nierenfunktion. Diese Querschnittsanalyse schloss 224 Patienten mit Typ 2-Diabetes in allen Stadien chronischer Niereninsuffizienz (CNI-Stadium 1-5) ein. Das mediane Alter betrug 67 Jahre, 54 \% waren m{\"a}nnlich und die mediane GFR lag bei 49 ml/min. Gem{\"a}ß den Definitionen der K/DOQI-Richtlinien waren 41 \% der Patienten an{\"a}misch. Von der Studie ausgeschlossen wurden wegen der An{\"a}mie behandelte Patienten und solche mit Eisenmangel. Pr{\"a}diktoren der log-transformierten EPO-Spiegel wurden unter Benutzung multivariater linearer Regressionsmodelle ausgewertet. Die univariate und inverse Beziehung zwischen GFR und EPO-Spiegeln (p = 0,009) wurde in der multivariaten Analyse nicht-signifikant. Erh{\"o}htes CRP (p < 0,001), niedriges Ferritin (p = 0,002), kardiovaskul{\"a}re Ereignisse in der Vorgeschichte (p = 0,02) und Hypertension (p = 0,04) waren nach Adjustierung f{\"u}r Alter, Geschlecht, Hb, GFR und andere klinische Faktoren unabh{\"a}ngig mit erh{\"o}hten EPO-Spiegeln assoziiert. In der untersuchten Population fand sich kein Zusammenhang zwischen EPO-Spiegeln und H{\"a}moglobin. Bei diabetischen Patienten mit chronischer Niereninsuffizienz werden die EPO-Spiegel trotz gleichzeitig niedriger H{\"a}moglobinspiegel vor allem durch Entz{\"u}ndungsparameter und den Eisenstatus vorhergesagt und sind dabei unabh{\"a}ngig von der Nierenfunktion. Deshalb k{\"o}nnte die An{\"a}mie bei Patienten mit diabetischer Nephropathie haupts{\"a}chlich durch Inflammation entstehen, die zu einem relativen Eisenmangel und einer Resistenz des Knochenmarks gegen{\"u}ber endogenem EPO f{\"u}hrt.},
  subject      = {Diabetes mellitus},
  language  = {de}
}
@article{SaintFleurLominyMausVaethetal.2018,
  author    = {Saint Fleur-Lominy, Shella and Maus, Mate and Vaeth, Martin and Lange, Ingo and Zee, Isabelle and Suh, David and Liu, Cynthia and Wu, Xiaojun and Tikhonova, Anastasia and Aifantis, Iannis and Feske, Stefan},
  title     = {STIM1 and STIM2 Mediate Cancer-Induced Inflammation in T Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia},
  series = {Cell Reports},
  volume    = {24},
  journal   = {Cell Reports},
  number    = {11},
  doi       = {10.1016/j.celrep.2018.08.030},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-227259},
  pages     = {3045-3060},
  year      = {2018},
  abstract  = {T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is commonly associated with activating mutations in the NOTCH1 pathway. Recent reports have shown a link between NOTCH1 signaling and intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis in T-ALL. Here, we investigate the role of store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) mediated by the Ca2+ channel ORAI1 and its activators STIM1 and STIM2 in T-ALL. Deletion of STIM1 and STIM2 in leukemic cells abolishes SOCE and significantly prolongs the survival of mice in a NOTCH1-dependent model of T-ALL. The survival advantage is unrelated to the leukemic cell burden but is associated with the SOCE-dependent ability of malignant T lymphoblasts to cause inflammation in leukemia-infiltrated organs. Mice with STIM1/STIM2-deficient T-ALL show a markedly reduced necroinflammatory response in leukemia-infiltrated organs and downregulation of signaling pathways previously linked to cancer-induced inflammation. Our study shows that leukemic T lymphoblasts cause inflammation of leukemia-infiltrated organs that is dependent on SOCE.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{WagnerAshbyKurtzetal.2015,
  author    = {Wagner, Martin and Ashby, Damien R. and Kurtz, Caroline and Alam, Ahsan and Busbridge, Mark and Raff, Ulrike and Zimmermann, Josef and Heuschmann, Peter U. and Wanner, Christoph and Schramm, Lothar},
  title     = {Hepcidin-25 in diabetic chronic kidney disease is predictive for mortality and progression to end stage renal disease},
  series = {PLoS One},
  volume    = {10},
  journal   = {PLoS One},
  number    = {4},
  doi       = {10.1371/journal.pone.0123072},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-125514},
  pages     = {e0123072},
  year      = {2015},
  abstract  = {Background Anemia is common and is associated with impaired clinical outcomes in diabetic chronic kidney disease (CKD). It may be explained by reduced erythropoietin (EPO) synthesis, but recent data suggest that EPO-resistance and diminished iron availability due to inflammation contribute significantly. In this cohort study, we evaluated the impact of hepcidin-25—the key hormone of iron-metabolism—on clinical outcomes in diabetic patients with CKD along with endogenous EPO levels. Methods 249 diabetic patients with CKD of any stage, excluding end-stage renal disease (ESRD), were enrolled (2003-2005), if they were not on EPO-stimulating agent and iron therapy. Hepcidin-25 levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. The association of hepcidin-25 at baseline with clinical variables was investigated using linear regression models. All-cause mortality and a composite endpoint of CKD progression (ESRD or doubling of serum creatinine) were analyzed by Cox proportional hazards models. Results Patients (age 67 yrs, 53\% male, GFR 51 ml/min, hemoglobin 131 g/L, EPO 13.5 U/L, hepcidin-25 62.0 ng/ml) were followed for a median time of 4.2 yrs. Forty-nine patients died (19.7\%) and forty (16.1\%) patients reached the composite endpoint. Elevated hepcidin levels were independently associated with higher ferritin-levels, lower EPO-levels and impaired kidney function (all p<0.05). Hepcidin was related to mortality, along with its interaction with EPO, older age, greater proteinuria and elevated CRP (all p<0.05). Hepcidin was also predictive for progression of CKD, aside from baseline GFR, proteinuria, low albumin- and hemoglobin-levels and a history of CVD (all p<0.05). Conclusions We found hepcidin-25 to be associated with EPO and impaired kidney function in diabetic CKD. Elevated hepcidin-25 and EPO-levels were independent predictors of mortality, while hepcidin-25 was also predictive for progression of CKD. Both hepcidin-25 and EPO may represent important prognostic factors of clinical outcome and have the potential to further define "high risk" populations in CKD.},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Wissmann2001,
  author    = {Wißmann, Saskia},
  title     = {Evaluation kognitiver St{\"o}rungen bei Patienten mit chronischer Hepatitis C unter Therapie mit Interferon-alpha und Ribavirin},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-1182294},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2001},
  abstract  = {Patienten mit chronischer Hepatitis C in Behandlung mit Interferon-a als Monotherapie oder in Kombination mit dem Guaninanalogon Ribavirin wurden auf h{\"a}ufig geschilderte neurotoxische Nebenwirkungen, insbesondere kognitive St{\"o}rungen sowie die Entwicklung von Symptomen eines depressiven Syndromes objektiv untersucht. Zur Evaluation der geschilderten Beschwerden dienten computergesteuerte neuropsychologische Testverfahren sowie etablierte psychometrische Testverfahren. 39 Patienten mit bioptisch gesicherter Hepatitis C nahmen an der regelm{\"a}ßigen Datenerhebung vor, im Verlauf und nach Therapiebeendigung teil. Die psychometrischen Meßverfahren ergaben nahezu einheitlich statistisch signifikante Zunahmen von Depressivit{\"a}t, Angst und Aggressivit{\"a}t. In den neuropsychologischen Testverfahren best{\"a}tigen sich die h{\"a}ufig, jedoch bisher subjektiv beschriebenen kognitiven St{\"o}rungen w{\"a}hrend einer Langzeittherapie mit Interferon-a auch objektiv. In erster Linie betroffen sind hierbei Vigilanz und Daueraufmerksamkeit. Insgesamt stellt sich das Maximum der Beeintr{\"a}chtigungen zum dritten Meßzeitpunkt, d.h. drei Monate nach Therapiebeginn dar. Sowohl die kognitiven St{\"o}rungen als auch die Entwicklung von Symptomen des depressiven Syndromes sind rasch reversibel. Therapiebedingte kognitive Defizite sind zumindest teilweise im Zusammenhang mit einer auftretenden An{\"a}mie als h{\"a}ufige Nebenwirkung des Ribavirins zu sehen. Die erfaßten kognitiven Defizite stehen jedoch nicht im Zusammenhang mit der depressiven Symptomatik.},
  language  = {de}
}