Adverse Events Of Moderate Severity Research Articles

Olezarsen, Acute Pancreatitis, and Familial Chylomicronemia Syndrome

BackgroundFamilial chylomicronemia syndrome is a genetic disorder associated with severe hypertriglyceridemia and severe acute pancreatitis. Olezarsen reduces the plasma triglyceride level by reducing hepatic synthesis of apolipoprotein C-III.MethodsIn a phase 3, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we randomly assigned patients with genetically identified familial chylomicronemia syndrome to receive olezarsen at a dose of 80 mg or 50 mg or placebo subcutaneously every 4 weeks for 49 weeks. There were two primary end points: the difference between the 80-mg olezarsen group and the placebo group in the percent change in the fasting triglyceride level from baseline to 6 months, and (to be assessed if the first was significant) the difference between the 50-mg olezarsen group and the placebo group. Secondary end points included the mean percent change from baseline in the apolipoprotein C-III level and an independently adjudicated episode of acute pancreatitis.ResultsA total of 66 patients underwent randomization; 22 were assigned to the 80-mg olezarsen group, 21 to the 50-mg olezarsen group, and 23 to the placebo group. At baseline, the mean (±SD) triglyceride level among the patients was 2630±1315 mg per deciliter, and 71% had a history of acute pancreatitis within the previous 10 years. Triglyceride levels at 6 months were significantly reduced with the 80-mg dose of olezarsen as compared with placebo (−43.5 percentage points; 95% confidence interval [CI], −69.1 to −17.9; P<0.001) but not with the 50-mg dose (−22.4 percentage points; 95% CI, −47.2 to 2.5; P=0.08). The difference in the mean percent change in the apolipoprotein C-III level from baseline to 6 months in the 80-mg group as compared with the placebo group was −73.7 percentage points (95% CI, −94.6 to −52.8) and between the 50-mg group as compared with the placebo group was −65.5 percentage points (95% CI, −82.6 to −48.3). By 53 weeks, 11 episodes of acute pancreatitis had occurred in the placebo group, and 1 episode had occurred in each olezarsen group (rate ratio [pooled olezarsen groups vs. placebo], 0.12; 95% CI, 0.02 to 0.66). Adverse events of moderate severity that were considered by a trial investigator at the site to be related to the trial drug or placebo occurred in 4 patients in the 80-mg olezarsen group.ConclusionsIn patients with familial chylomicronemia syndrome, olezarsen may represent a new therapy to reduce plasma triglyceride levels. (Funded by Ionis Pharmaceuticals; Balance ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04568434.)

High Incidence of Psychiatric Disorders Associated with Cycloserine Treatment of Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis Patients: A Cohort Study in Beijing, China.

ObjectiveCycloserine (CS) is a group B anti-tuberculosis (TB) drug endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO) for the treatment of drug-resistant (DR)-TB. Despite CS widespread acceptance and known efficacy, the high potential of drug-associated psychiatric disorders is a major concern to multidrug-resistant (MDR)-TB patients. In this study, we investigated CS-associated psychiatric disorders in a cohort of MDR-TB patients in Beijing, China. Our aim was to determine psychiatric disorder prevalence rates and associated risk factors in this population.MethodsThis MDR-TB cohort study was conducted at Beijing Chest Hospital between February 2018 and February 2021. All patients received individualized treatment regimens that included CS at some point during the full treatment course. Patient psychological status was assessed using the Symptom Checklist (SCL-90) questionnaire during the post-treatment follow-up period.ResultsTwo hundred and thirty-seven MDR-TB patients were included in the final analysis. Overall, psychiatric disorders were recorded in 22 (9.28%) of the 237 patients in our cohort, with severity grades of 1 or 2 observed for the majority (8.44%) of psychiatric adverse events. As compared to results obtained for control group patients who were ≥40 years of age, patients who were <40 years of age (77.3%, 17/22) were more likely to experience psychiatric disorders [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 3.060; 95% CI (1.060–8.828)]. Additionally, patients with body mass index (BMI)s of <18.5 kg/m2 [aOR = 3.824; 95% CI (1.502–9.739)] had significantly higher odds of being afflicted with psychiatric disorders as compared with patients with BMIs that were ≥18.5 kg/m2.ConclusionOur results demonstrated that approximately one-tenth of Chinese MDR-TB patients experienced psychiatric disorders during CS treatment, with the majority of adverse events of moderate severity. In addition, low BMI and age <40 years were identified as independent risk factors for psychiatric disorders in MDR-TB patients receiving CS therapy.

SAT-LB12 Once-Weekly Somapacitan vs Daily Growth Hormone in Growth Hormone Deficiency: 2-Year Safety Results From Real 3, a Randomized Phase 2 Trial

Growth hormone (GH) replacement therapy currently requires daily injections. Somapacitan is a long-acting GH-derivative being developed for once-weekly (OW) use in children and adults with GH deficiency (GHD). A phase 2, multinational, randomized, open-label, controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02616562) investigated the efficacy and safety of OW somapacitan compared with daily GH (Norditropin® FlexPro®). GH-treatment-naïve prepubertal children with GH deficiency received 0.04 (n=16), 0.08 (n=15) or 0.16 mg/kg/wk (n=14) subcutaneous (sc) OW somapacitan, or sc GH 0.034 mg/kg/day (0.24 mg/kg/wk; n=14) for 52 wks, followed by a 104-wk safety extension with all patients on somapacitan receiving 0.16 mg/kg/wk while GH dose was unaltered. Safety endpoints included frequency of adverse events (AEs), including injection-site reactions, and occurrence of anti-somapacitan/anti-human growth hormone (hGH) antibodies. The 52-wk efficacy and safety results have been reported. We report here safety results at 104 wks’ total treatment. Number of AEs (% of patients) was as follows: OW somapacitan 0.04/0.16 mg/kg/wk, 51 (75%); 0.08/0.16 mg/kg/wk, 89 (80%); 0.16/0.16 mg/kg/wk, 89 (100%); and for daily GH, 82 (100%). Nasopharyngitis, influenza, allergic rhinitis and gastroenteritis were the most common AEs across all treatment groups. Pyrexia was more common in the OW somapacitan 0.04/0.16 mg/kg/wk (43.8%) and 0.08/0.16 mg/kg/wk (26.7%) groups vs the higher-dose OW somapacitan and daily GH groups (7.1% each). Most AEs were mild to moderate and unlikely related to treatment. Ten serious AEs were reported in five (8.5%) children and unlikely related to treatment, except two AEs of moderate severity during the first 26 wks: generalized edema and vomiting in one child on 0.16 mg/kg/wk OW somapacitan, rated as probably related to treatment although she was also given intravenous antibiotics for suspected infection. Injection-site reactions were reported in the 0.04/0.16 mg/kg/wk (n=2) and 0.16/0.16 mg/kg/wk (n=1) OW somapacitan groups and in the daily GH group (n=1). Four children (0.04/0.16 mg/kg/wk) and one child (0.16/0.16 mg/kg/wk) had transient anti-somapacitan antibodies; one child (0.16/0.16 mg/kg/wk) had low-titer anti-somapacitan antibodies at two consecutive visits; in one child (daily GH group) with persistent low-titer anti-hGH antibodies, treatment was discontinued at wk 52. All antibodies were non-neutralizing. In conclusion, OW somapacitan was well tolerated at all doses, with no new safety or tolerability issues identified after up to 104 wks of treatment. The frequency, severity and type of AEs were similar in the OW somapacitan and daily GH treatment groups except for pyrexia, which was unlikely related to treatment and more frequently reported in the lowest dose somapacitan group.

Intracellular interactions of serum-derived C3 in human B cells – Regulation of gene transcription

For the first time combretastatins were isolated from African willow tree Combretum Caffrum. Subsequent studies have shown the impact of combretastatin A4 phosphate, a water-soluble prodrug, on endothelial cells in tumor vascular system. The same effect was not observed in the vascular system. This selectivity is associated with combretastatins mechanism of action: binding to colchicine domain of microtubules, which affects the cytoskeleton functionality of immature endothelial cells. At the same time, combretastatins directly induce cell death via apoptosis and/or mitotic catastrophe pathways. The combination of both elements makes combretastatin an anticancer compound of high efficiency.The cis-configuration is crucial for its biological activity. To date, many derivatives were synthesized. The attempts to resolve spontaneous isomerization to less active trans-stilbene derivative are still in progress. This issue seems to be overcome by incorporation of the ethene bridge with heterocyclic moiety in combretastatins structure. This modification retains the cis-configuration and prevents isomerization. Nevertheless, combretastatin A4 phosphate disodium is still the most potent compound of this group.The combination therapy, which is the most effective treatment, includes combretastatin A4 phosphate (CA4P) and conventional chemotherapeutics and/or radiotherapy. CA4P is relatively well tolerated giving adverse events of moderate severity, which includes: nausea, vomiting, headache, and tumor pain. The aforementioned effects subside on the day of drug administration or on the following day.

PD48 OTL38, A Tumour-Specific Agent In Surgery For Ovarian Cancer

Introduction:Ovarian cancer (OC) has the highest mortality rate of all gynecologic malignancies. Completeness of cytoreductive surgery is a key prognostic factor for survival. To differentiate clearly between malignant and healthy tissue is essential for achieving complete cytoreduction. Using current approaches, this differentiation is difficult and can lead to incomplete tumour removal. OTL38 is a folate analogue conjugated to a near-infrared fluorescent dye which has high specificity and affinity for folate receptor alpha (FRα) expressed in OC. OTL38 together with a specific imaging system can help the surgeon to visualize diseased tissue. The objective of this work is to know the effectiveness and safety of OTL38 in of OC surgery.Methods:Early assessment of OTL38 identified through the early-awareness and alert-system, “SINTESIS-new technologies”, of AETS-ISCIII. The searched databases were: PubMed, WOS, Tripdatabase, Dynamed, Cochrane Library and ICTRP. Clinical studies using the OTL38 in cytoreductive surgery in OC published until September 2017 were reviewed.Results:Only one publication, supported by industry, was retrieved. The study assesses the pharmacokinetics and tolerability of OLT38 in 30 healthy people randomized into 4 groups with different doses and a control group. The study also analyses the percentage of cytoreduction in 12 OC patients. Infusion of 0.025, 0.05, and 0.1 mg/kg OTL38 doses was associated with mild adverse events which did not require intervention. The 0.2 mg/kg dose was associated to adverse events of moderate severity. In OC patients, 0.0125 mg/kg dose was considered the optimal dose with mild adverse events. OTL38 accumulated in FRα-positive tumours and metastases allowed the surgeon to resect an additional 29 percent of malignant lesions which were not detected using standard inspection and palpation methods.Conclusions:The OTL38 is an emergent health technology, which could help in cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer. However, the evidence is scarce and it would be necessary to continue further studies.

Combretastatins: In vitro structure-activity relationship, mode of action and current clinical status.

For the first time combretastatins were isolated from African willow tree Combretum Caffrum. Subsequent studies have shown the impact of combretastatin A4 phosphate, a water-soluble prodrug, on endothelial cells in tumor vascular system. The same effect was not observed in the vascular system. This selectivity is associated with combretastatins mechanism of action: binding to colchicine domain of microtubules, which affects the cytoskeleton functionality of immature endothelial cells. At the same time, combretastatins directly induce cell death via apoptosis and/or mitotic catastrophe pathways. The combination of both elements makes combretastatin an anticancer compound of high efficiency. The cis-configuration is crucial for its biological activity. To date, many derivatives were synthesized. The attempts to resolve spontaneous isomerization to less active trans-stilbene derivative are still in progress. This issue seems to be overcome by incorporation of the ethene bridge with heterocyclic moiety in combretastatins structure. This modification retains the cis-configuration and prevents isomerization. Nevertheless, combretastatin A4 phosphate disodium is still the most potent compound of this group. The combination therapy, which is the most effective treatment, includes combretastatin A4 phosphate (CA4P) and conventional chemotherapeutics and/or radiotherapy. CA4P is relatively well tolerated giving adverse events of moderate severity, which includes: nausea, vomiting, headache, and tumor pain. The aforementioned effects subside on the day of drug administration or on the following day.