Prior Treatment Failure Research Articles

Assessments and admissions during the first 6 years of a UK medium secure DSPD service

Offenders with personality disorder represent a considerable burden on mental health and criminal justice services. Millfields Unit was one of the pilot medium secure units (MSUs) established by the UK Department of Health and Ministry of Justice to provide dedicated services for such individuals. Our study aimed to describe a complete cohort of referrals made to the service and to explore decisions on admissions to the Unit. File review was used to collect a structured data set of information on the first 158 referrals. These were then analysed descriptively and inferentially. Previous psychological treatment in prison and evidence of motivation for further treatment were the strongest predictors of admission to the service. People admitted showed evidence of more extensive criminal histories, prior treatment failure and higher level of risk than those accepted into conventional medium secure units. Despite the stated purpose of the units being for people with personality disorder, a high number of patients with a primary diagnosis of psychotic illness were referred. The new service accepted a high-risk group of people with personality disorder whose needs would not otherwise have been met.

PERSIST: Physician's Evaluation of Restasis® Satisfaction in Second Trial of topical cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion 0.05% for dry eye: a retrospective review

BackgroundChronic dry eye disease often requires long-term therapy. Tear film alterations in the setting of dry eye may include reduced tear volume as well as an increase in inflammatory cytokines and osmolarity. Topical cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion 0.05% (Restasis®; Allergan Inc, Irvine, CA) is indicated to increase tear production in patients with dry eye and reduced tear production presumed to be due to ocular inflammation. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of a second trial of topical cyclosporine in patients with dry eye who were previously considered treatment failures.Materials and methodsThis multicenter (three cornea practices) retrospective chart review evaluated clinical outcomes in patients with dry eye who received a second trial of cyclosporine after a prior treatment failure, defined as prior discontinuation of topical cyclosporine after less than 12 weeks.ResultsThirty-five patients, most of whom were female (71.4%) and Caucasian (62.9%), were identified. Prior discontinuation was most commonly due to burning/stinging (60%). The median duration of second treatment was 10 months (range 1 week to 45 months). Physician education was provided in the second trial in 97.1% of cases. At initiation of the second trial of cyclosporine, 10 (28.6%) patients received courses of topical corticosteroids. Physicians reported on a questionnaire that 80% of patients achieved clinical benefit with a second trial of cyclosporine.ConclusionA repeat trial with topical cyclosporine can achieve clinical success. Direct patient education via the physician and staff may be key to success. Proper patient education may overcome adherence issues, particularly with respect to the need for long-term treatment of chronic dry eye. This study has the usual limitations associated with a retrospective chart review, and future prospective studies are warranted.

High Rate of Complete Viral Suppression With Combination Therapy in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B and Prior Treatment Failure

Combination therapy for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is recommended for patients with antiviral resistance (AVR) or partial response (PR) to earlier antiviral therapy; however, data on outcomes are limited. To determine the rate of complete viral suppression (CVS) with combination therapy and to compare CVS among different indications and treatment regimens. A cohort of 109 consecutive patients with chronic hepatitis B from 3 liver clinics in Northern California was retrospectively studied. All patients started combination therapy between April 2004 and August 2009 for the following indications: AVR (n = 29), PR (n = 60), or others (n = 20). Combination treatments included lamivudine (LAM), adefovir (ADV), telbivudine (LdT), entecavir (ETV), tenofovir (TDF), and emtricitabine (FTC). CVS was defined as undetectable serum HBV DNA <100 IU/mL. Among the patients, who were nearly all Asian (99%), 73% had ≥ 2 prior treatments and 82% had treatment failure (AVR or PR). Median treatment duration of combination therapy was 21 months (range, 6 to 50 mo). The majority (77%) achieved CVS after 6 months of various combination regimens: 80% for ETV+TDF, 76% for TDF+LAM or FTC or LdT, 75% for ETV+ADV, and 69% for ADV+LAM or LdT (P = 0.86). After 6 months of therapy, CVS was observed in a similar proportion of patients treated for PR and AVR (72% and 74%, respectively). Although the majority of 109 treatment-experienced patients had prior treatment failure, high rates of CVS were rapidly achieved and did not significantly differ between indications of AVR and PR or between ETV-based and TDF-based regimens.

Burden of new and recurrent tuberculosis in a major South African city stratified by age and HIV-status.

AimTo describe the burden of tuberculosis (TB) in Cape Town by calculating TB incidence rates stratified by age and HIV-status, assessing the contribution of retreatment disease and estimating the cumulative lifetime TB risk in HIV-negative individuals.MethodsDetails of TB cases were abstracted from the 2009 electronic TB register. Population denominators were estimated from census data and actuarial estimates of HIV prevalence, allowing calculation of age-specific and HIV-stratified TB notification rates.ResultsThe 2009 mid-year population was 3,443,010 (3,241,508 HIV-negative and 201,502 HIV-positive individuals). There were 29,478 newly notified TB cases of which 56% were laboratory confirmed. HIV status was recorded for 87% of cases and of those with known HIV-status 49% were HIV-negative and 51% were positive. Discrete peaks in the incidence of non-HIV-associated TB occurred at three ages: 511/100,000 at 0–4 years of age, 553/100,000 at 20–24 years and 628/100,000 at 45–49 years with 1.5%, 19% and 45% being due to retreatment TB, respectively. Only 15.5% of recurrent cases had a history of TB treatment failure or default. The cumulative lifetime risks in the HIV-negative population of all new TB episodes and new smear-positive TB episodes were 24% and 12%, respectively; the lifetime risk of retreatment disease was 9%. The HIV-positive notification rate was 6,567/100,000 (HIV-associated TB rate ratio = 17). Although retreatment cases comprised 30% of the HIV-associated TB burden, 88% of these patients had no history of prior treatment failure or default.ConclusionsThe annual burden of TB in this city is huge. TB in the HIV-negative population contributed almost half of the overall disease burden and cumulative lifetime risks were similar to those reported in the pre-chemotherapy era. Retreatment TB contributed significantly to both HIV-associated and non-HIV-associated TB but infrequently followed prior inadequate treatment. This likely reflects ongoing TB transmission to both HIV-negative and positive individuals.

Safety and efficacy of raltegravir in patients with HIV‐1 and hepatitis B and/or C virus coinfection

The aim was to examine the long-term safety and efficacy of raltegravir in patients with HIV-1 and hepatitis B virus (HBV) and/or hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection in three double-blind, randomized, controlled Phase III studies. In STARTMRK, treatment-naïve patients received raltegravir 400 mg twice a day (bid) or efavirenz 600 mg at bedtime, both with tenofovir/emtricitabine. In BENCHMRK-1 and -2, highly treatment-experienced patients with multi-drug resistant virus and prior treatment failure received raltegravir 400 mg bid or placebo, both with optimized background therapy. Patients with chronic HBV and/or HCV coinfection were enrolled if baseline liver function tests were ≤5 times the upper limit of normal. HBV infection was defined as HBV surface antigen positivity for all studies; HCV infection was defined as HCV RNA positivity for STARTMRK and HCV antibody positivity for BENCHMRK. Hepatitis coinfection was present in 6% (34 of 563) of treatment-naïve patients (4% HBV only, 2% HCV only and 0.2% HBV+HCV) and 16% (114 of 699) of treatment-experienced patients (6% HBV only, 9% HCV only and 1% HBV+HCV). The incidence of drug-related adverse events was similar in raltegravir recipients with and without hepatitis coinfection in both STARTMRK (50 vs. 47%) and BENCHMRK (34 vs. 38.5%). Grade 2-4 liver enzyme elevations were more frequent in coinfected vs. monoinfected patients, but were not different between the raltegravir and control groups. At week 96, the proportion of raltegravir recipients with HIV RNA <50 HIV-1 RNA copies/mL was similar between coinfected and monoinfected patients (93 vs. 90% in STARTMRK; 63 vs. 61% in BENCHMRK). Raltegravir was generally well tolerated and efficacious up to 96 weeks in HIV-infected patients with HBV/HCV coinfection.

Impact of IL28B polymorphisms on response to peginterferon and ribavirin in HIV–hepatitis C virus-coinfected patients with prior nonresponse or relapse

IL28B polymorphisms predict treatment response in chronic hepatitis C. However, no information exists in prior treatment failures. A total of 62 HIV/hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients who completed retreatment with peginterferon-α/ribavirin were examined, of whom 25 (40%) had been cured. Predictors of response [odds ratio, OR (95% confidence interval, CI)] were HCV genotypes 2/3 [16.1 (2.7-90.9)], prior relapse [9.6 (1.5-62.4)] and ribavirin plasma trough concentrations at week 4 [4.9 (1.3-18.4)]. IL28B-CC only predicted response in prior nonresponders carrying HCV genotypes 1/4 [25.1 (1.9-337)].

5 REALIZE TRIAL FINAL RESULTS: TELAPREVIR-BASED REGIMEN FOR GENOTYPE 1 HEPATITIS C VIRUS INFECTION IN PATIENTS WITH PRIOR NULL RESPONSE, PARTIAL RESPONSE OR RELAPSE TO PEGINTERFERON/RIBAVIRIN

5 REALIZE TRIAL FINAL RESULTS: TELAPREVIR-BASED REGIMEN FOR GENOTYPE 1 HEPATITIS C VIRUS INFECTION IN PATIENTS WITH PRIOR NULL RESPONSE, PARTIAL RESPONSE OR RELAPSE TO PEGINTERFERON/RIBAVIRIN S. Zeuzem, P. Andreone, S. Pol, E.J. Lawitz, M. Diago, S. Roberts, R. Focaccia, Z.M. Younossi, G.R. Foster, A. Horban, P.J. Pockros, R. Van Heeswijk, S. de Meyer, D. Luo, G. Picchio, M. Beumont. Johann Wolfgang Goethe University Medical Center, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Universita di Bologna, Bologna, Italy; Universite Paris Descartes, INSERM Unite 567, and Assistance Publique-Hopitaux de Paris, Cochin Hospital, Paris, France; Alamo Medical Resarch, San Antonio, TX, USA; Hospital General de Valencia, Valencia, Spain; Department of Gasteroenterology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Emilio Ribas Infectious Diseases Institute, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Center for Liver Disease, Inova Fairfax Hospital, Falls Church, VA, USA; Institute of Cell and Molecular Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK; Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland; Scripps Clinic and The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA; Tibotec BVBA, Beerse, Belgium; Tibotec Inc., Titusville, NJ, USA E-mail: zeuzem@em.uni-frankfurt.de Background: The Phase 3 study REALIZE evaluated telaprevir (T) in combination with pegylated-IFN alfa-2a (P) and ribavirin (R) in well-characterised prior PR treatment-failure patients. Methods: REALIZE was a randomised, international, multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of T (750mg q8h) plus P (180mg/w) and R (1000– 1200mg/d) compared with PR alone in G1 HCV-infected patients with prior PR treatment failure including non-responders (nulland partial-responders) and relapsers. The treatment arms (randomised 2:2:1, stratified by viral load and type of prior response) were: 1) T/PR for 12 weeks, followed by PR for 36 weeks (T12/PR48); 2) PR for 4 weeks followed by T/PR for 12 weeks, then PR for 32 weeks (Lead-in T12/PR48); 3) PR for 48 weeks (Pbo/PR48). The primary objective was to evaluate the superior efficacy of the T/PR arms for non-responders and relapsers. Secondary objectives included the evaluation of a lead-in and efficacy in prior nulland partialresponders separately. HCVRNA was quantified with the COBAS TaqMan v2.0 assay (LLOQ=25 IU/mL). ESAs were not allowed for anaemia management. Results: 833 patients were screened, 663 randomised, and 662 treated. 70% of patients were male, 93% were Caucasian, 26% had cirrhosis, and 89% had baseline HCVRNA ≥800,000 IU/mL.

Phase 1b Evaluation of the Safety and Efficacy of a 30-Minute IV Infusion of Carfilzomib In Patients with Relapsed and/or Refractory Multiple Myeloma

AbstractAbstract 3024 Background:Carfilzomib (CFZ) is a novel, highly selective, epoxyketone proteasome inhibitor. In two separate Phase 2 trials in patients (pts) with relapsed and/or refractory (R/R) multiple myeloma (MM), single-agent CFZ administered as an IV bolus over 1–10 minutes has demonstrated durable activity at 20/27 mg/m2 and is well-tolerated with no clinically significant cumulative toxicity. In rats, significantly improved tolerability of CFZ was obtained following administration as a 30 min infusion as compared to a rapid IV bolus. Notably, a dose of 48 mg/m2 via IV bolus resulted in 50% lethality, compared to minimal toxicity without lethality at the same dose via a 30 min infusion. The reduced toxicity with 30-min infusion may reflect the role of Cmax (45 μM for bolus vs. 1.5 μM for infusion), since proteasome inhibition in blood and tissue was equivalent in both groups. Here we report on the results of administration of CFZ as a 30-minute IV infusion in a Phase 1b study in pts with R/R MM. The goals of this study are to determine the maximum recommended dose for infusion, safety, efficacy, pharmacokinetics (PK), and pharmacodynamic (PD) parameters. Methods:This Phase 1b trial is enrolling pts with R/R MM after ≥2 prior treatment failures. CFZ is given as a 30-minute IV infusion on days (D) 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, and 16 of a 28-day cycle (C) until progression. Dosing in all cohorts is initiated at 20 mg/m2 for the first two doses, with subsequent escalation to 36, 45, 56, or 70 mg/m2. Dose escalation follows standard 3+3 rules. Dexamethasone (4 mg for doses up to 45 mg/m2) is given prior to each infusion, with 8 mg given at higher doses. Responses by IMWG Uniform Response Criteria are measured at every C. Plasma samples for PK analysis and peripheral blood samples for PD analysis were obtained from pts at C1D1 (20 mg/m2) and C2D1 (all dose cohorts). Results:To date, 16 pts with R/R MM have been enrolled in the Phase 1b infusion study (4 at 36 mg/m2; 3 at 45 mg/m2; 7 at 56 mg/m2 and 2 at 70 mg/m2). Pts have remained on study for a median of 4 cycles (range 1–13+). Dose Limiting Toxicity (DLT) was observed in both pts treated at 70 mg/m2: reversible Grade (G) 3 renal failure in one pt within 24-hours following his first dose at 70 mg/m2 (C1D8); reversible G3 fatigue with fevers 4 days following four doses of 70 mg/m2 (C1 D20). Both pts were successfully rechallenged and continue on treatment. Seven patients have started dosing at 56 mg/m2; to date, one DLT (reversible G3 hypoxia with fevers) was observed. Thirteen pts are evaluable for efficacy (2 pts withdrew prior to 1st response assessment; 1 pt is too early to assess). Responses, time on study and prior regimens are detailed in the following table.Preliminary PK analysis demonstrates that the Cmax with 30-minute infusion is lower than obtained with a 5–10 minute IV bolus of the same dose. Inhibition of proteasome activity in red blood cells (RBCs) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was >80% at 20 mg/m2 and >90% at 36 mg/m2 and above. Common adverse events (AEs) with CFZ delivered as a 30-minute infusion have included fatigue, fevers, myalgias, diarrhea, nausea, thrombocytopenia, and reversible elevations in serum creatinine. There have been no episodes of worsening of baseline peripheral neuropathy or hepatotoxicity. Conclusions:In pts with R/R MM, single-agent CFZ as 30-minute IV infusion is both active and well-tolerated at doses ≥36 mg/m2; the dose level of 56 mg/m2 is being expanded as the recommended phase 2 dose on this schedule. Responses were seen in 8 out of 13 evaluable MM pts, including three VGPRs in pts who had received 5–7 prior regimens. Similar to animal studies, improved safety outcomes in MM patients can be achieved with near complete proteasome inhibition when CFZ is administered as a 30-minute infusion. An additional schedule of CFZ using weekly dosing (30-minute infusion for 5 weeks out of every 6) will be investigated in this trial.Best ResponseDose (mg/m2)Prior RegimensPrior Bortezomib RegimensTime on Study (months)VGPR56733.7+56534.8+56625.1+PR361112.4+36734.845603.056300.9+70 −> 56411.6+SD36105.145424.870 −>36/45632.6+ Disclosures:Papadopoulos:Onyx Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Research Funding. Siegel:Millenium: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria. Singhal:Celgene: Speakers Bureau; Takeda/Millenium: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Onyx: Research Funding. Gordon:Onyx Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding. Kauffman:Onyx Pharmaceuticals: Employment. Woo:Onyx Pharmaceuticals: Employment. Lee:Onyx Pharmaceuticals: Employment. Bui:Onyx Pharmaceuticals: Employment. Hannah:Onyx Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy.

Insulin resistance predicts re-treatment failure in an efficacy study of peginterferon-α-2a and ribavirin in HIV/HCV co-infected patients

Few studies evaluated the efficacy of HCV re-treatment and the predictors of response in HIV/HCV co-infected patients. The role of insulin resistance as a predictor of response in this population is unknown. The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of pegylated interferon-α-2a and ribavirin in re-treatment of HIV/HCV co-infected patients, predictors of sustained virological response, including insulin resistance, and the relationship between insulin resistance and liver histology. This prospective, multi-centered study included HIV/HCV co-infected patients with prior interferon-based treatment failure. Patients received pegylated interferon-α-2a and ribavirin for 48 weeks. Serum HCV RNA was measured 24 weeks post treatment to assess sustained virological response. Insulin resistance was defined as HOMA-IR >2. Correlations between baseline insulin resistance and steatosis, and/or cirrhosis were determined. Sustained virological response was achieved in 14/96 (15%) patients. 35% of patients with HOMA-IR < 2 (6/17) achieved sustained virological response vs 14% (5/36) of those with HOMA-IR between 2-4, and 7% (3/41) of those with HOMA-IR > 4 (p = 0.01). In multivariable analysis, insulin resistance and log₁₀ HCV RNA were negatively associated with sustained virological response [AOR 0.17; 95% CI 0.05-0.64, p = 0.009, and AOR 0.36; 95% CI 0.14-0.93, p = 0.04, respectively]. Steatosis and cirrhosis correlated with insulin resistance (p = 0.02 and 0.03, respectively) but neither independently predicted sustained virological response. Discontinuations due to severe adverse events occurred in 8% of cases, and 2 patients died of unrelated causes. In HIV/HCV co-infected patients undergoing re-treatment, sustained virological response rate is low; those patients without insulin resistance are significantly more likely to achieve sustained virological response.

Antifungal Drug Resistance: Clinical Relevance and Impact of Antifungal Drug Use

Antifungal drug resistance significantly impacts treatment outcomes in patients with invasive fungal infections (IFIs). Although primary (intrinsic) resistance may occur independent of previous therapy, prior concomitant antifungal exposure increases the risk for secondary (acquired) resistance and subsequent colonization or infection with less-susceptible pathogens. Among various pathogen-antifungal combinations, this effect has been best studied clinically with azole exposure and the risk of Candida spp. with reduced susceptibility. The rapid development of secondary resistance to flucytosine in Candida spp. has limited its use as monotherapy. Secondary resistance to amphotericin B is infrequent. In contrast, secondary resistance in Aspergillus spp. is less of a concern. Recent reports of secondary resistance in patients receiving fluconazole for cryptococcal infections may justify susceptibility testing in the setting of prior therapy or treatment failure. Despite numerous patient-focused, drug-focused, and disease-focused strategies to improve treatment outcomes, clinical resistance (manifesting as treatment failures despite adequate antifungal therapy) continues to be problematic in patients with serious IFIs.

Therapeutic Options for Treatment-Resistant Depression

Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) presents major challenges for both patients and clinicians. There is no universally accepted definition of TRD, but results from the US National Institute of Mental Health's (NIMH) STAR*D (Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression) programme indicate that after the failure of two treatment trials, the chances of remission decrease significantly. Several pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatments for TRD may be considered when optimized (adequate dose and duration) therapy has not produced a successful outcome and a patient is classified as resistant to treatment. Nonpharmacological strategies include psychotherapy (often in conjunction with pharmacotherapy), electroconvulsive therapy and vagus nerve stimulation. The US FDA recently approved vagus nerve stimulation as adjunctive therapy (after four prior treatment failures); however, its benefits are seen only after prolonged (up to 1 year) use. Other nonpharmacological options, such as repetitive transcranial stimulation, deep brain stimulation or psychosurgery, remain experimental and are not widely available. Pharmacological treatments of TRD can be grouped in two main categories: 'switching' or 'combining'. In the first, treatment is switched within and between classes of compounds. The benefits of switching include avoidance of polypharmacy, a narrower range of treatment-emergent adverse events and lower costs. An inherent disadvantage of any switching strategy is that partial treatment responses resulting from the initial treatment might be lost by its discontinuation in favour of another medication trial. Monotherapy switches have also been shown to have limited effectiveness in achieving remission. The advantage of combination strategies is the potential to build upon achieved improvements; they are generally recommended if partial response was achieved with the current treatment trial. Various non-antidepressant augmenting agents, such as lithium and thyroid hormones, are well studied, although not commonly used. There is also evidence of efficacy and increasing use of atypical antipsychotics in combination with antidepressants, for example, olanzapine in combination with fluoxetine (OFC) or augmentation with aripiprazole. The disadvantages of a combination strategy include multiple medications, a broader range of treatment-emergent adverse events and higher costs. Several experimental pharmaceutical treatment alternatives for TRD are also being explored in combination with antidepressants or as monotherapy. These less studied alternative compounds include pindolol, inositol, CNS stimulants, hormones, herbal supplements, omega-3 fatty acids, S-adenosyl-L-methionine, folic acid, lamotrigine, modafinil, riluzole and topiramate. In summary, despite an increasing variety of choices for the treatment of TRD, this condition remains universally undefined and represents an area of unmet medical need. There are few known approved pharmacological agents for TRD (aripiprazole and OFC) and overall outcomes remain poor. This might be an indication that depression itself is a heterogeneous condition with a great diversity of pathologies, highlighting the need for careful evaluation of individuals with depressive symptoms who are unresponsive to treatment. Clearly, more research is needed to provide clinicians with better guidance in making those treatment decisions--especially in light of accumulating evidence that the longer patients are unsuccessfully treated, the worse their long-term prognosis tends to be.

Rages—What Are They and Who Has Them?

The purpose of this study was to examine rages and define their associated clinical and diagnostic conditions systematically. Children's severe anger outbursts, sometimes called "rages," have been associated with many disorders, including mania, "severe mood dysregulation," and oppositional defiant/conduct disorder. Although reactive aggression has been studied extensively, there are almost no data on this important and disabling clinical phenomenon. A total of 130 different 5-12 year olds were hospitalized over 151 consecutive admissions were evaluated diagnostically with information from parents, children, doctors, nursing staff, and teachers. Rages were operationally defined as agitated/angry behaviors requiring seclusion or medication because the child could not be verbally redirected to "time out." Rage behaviors were categorized as they occurred with the specially designed Children's Agitation Inventory. Hypotheses were that rages would be associated with prior treatment failure, and that children with rages would have the most co-morbidities, including learning/language disorders. We did not expect narrow-phenotype bipolar disorder to be specifically associated with rages. Of 130 children, 71 (54.6%) were admitted for rages. Preadmission rages and admission taking an atypical antipsychotic significantly predicted the subsequent number of in-hospital rages. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder with learning/language disorder significantly predicted the occurrence and number of rages. Bipolar disorder was the referring diagnosis in 17/49 (34.7%) admissions with rages and 15/102 (14.7%) of admissions without rages (odds ratio [OR] 3.05, confidence interval [CI] 1.36, 6.80). However, a consensus diagnosis of bipolar disorder occurred in 5 (9.1%) of the sample with rages and 5 (5.8%) in the rest of admissions. Psychiatrically hospitalized children with multiple rages have complex, chronic neuropsychiatric disorders and have failed prior conventional treatment. One third of children with rages had been given a bipolar diagnosis prior to admission. However, only 9% of children with rages were given that diagnosis after careful observation.

A phase I/II safety and efficacy study of intratumoral light-activated drug therapy using talaporfin sodium in patients with inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma

e15684 Background: Light Infusion Therapy™ (Litx™) consists of the light-activated drug, talaporfin sodium (LS11®; mono-L-aspartyl chlorin e6), activated by a single-use, disposable device with an array of light-emitting diodes (LEDs). We evaluated talaporfin in combination with the light source in a phase 1/2 safety and efficacy trial in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first clinical study of light-activated drug therapy in patients with HCC. Methods: Patients had confirmed primary HCC, 1–3 liver lesions, an ECOG score of 0–2, and a life expectancy of at least 16 weeks. Prior treatment failure with locally ablative techniques was allowed. The light-activated drug used in the study was talaporfin, a semi-synthesized, water-soluble chlorin e6 derivative. The LED device used in this study was a 1.5 mm diameter linear array of LEDs with a 25 mm emitting length at a wavelength of 664 nm. Patients underwent image-guided percutaneous placement of 1–4 LED device(s) using either local anesthesia or conscious sedation. The LED devices were used in single lesions or in multiple lesions. Following intratumoral placement of the LED devices, patients received talaporfin at 1 mg/kg IV bolus. Delivery of light energy commenced 15 min to 1 hr following drug administration with a total illumination time of 2.8 hrs. Results: The enrolled study group consisted of 8 patients. All 8 patients completed the week 4 assessment and were evaluated for tumor response. One (12.5%) out of 8 patients in this study was reported to have a complete response at week 4. Five patients (62.5%) were reported to have stable disease, and another 2 patients (25%) showed progressive disease. During the study, 7 patients reported a total of 16 treatment-related adverse events. There were no treatment-related adverse events that were greater than grade 2. At 1 year post treatment, all patients were alive. Conclusions: The results from this phase 2 study demonstrated that the therapy was safe for the treatment of HCC. A subsequent randomized controlled phase 3 pivotal trial is nearing completion and is designed to prove efficacy in patients with inoperable HCC. [Table: see text]

Management of chronic hepatitis C treatment failures: role of consensus interferon

Management of chronic hepatitis C treatment failures: role of consensus interferon Stevan A Gonzalez1, Emmet B Keeffe21Division of Hepatology, Baylor Regional Transplant Institute, Baylor All Saints Medical Center, Fort Worth and Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA; 2Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA, USAAbstract: A significant proportion of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection who undergo antiviral therapy have persistent or recurrent viremia and fail to achieve a sustained virologic response (SVR). Factors associated with treatment failure include HCV genotype 1 infection, high serum HCV RNA levels, and advanced fibrosis. Consensus interferon (CIFN) is a synthetic type I interferon derived from a consensus sequence of the most common amino acids found in naturally occurring alpha interferon subtypes. Several prospective clinical studies have demonstrated that CIFN may be a treatment option in patients who have failed prior interferonbased therapy, including those who have failed combination therapy with standard interferon or peginterferon plus ribavirin. Daily CIFN in combination with ribavirin may be an effective regimen in this setting; however, optimal dose and treatment duration of CIFN therapy have not been well established. Patients who achieve viral suppression during prior interferon-based therapy and those who do not have advanced fibrosis have a greater likelihood of achieving a SVR with CIFN retreatment. Individualized therapy targeting specific patient groups will be an important consideration in the successful management of prior treatment failures. Additional prospective studies are required in order to identify optimal treatment strategies for the use of CIFN in these patients.Keywords: consensus interferon, hepatitis C, interferon, nonresponder, relapser

Management of chronic hepatitis C treatment failures: role of consensus interferon

A significant proportion of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection who undergo antiviral therapy have persistent or recurrent viremia and fail to achieve a sustained virologic response (SVR). Factors associated with treatment failure include HCV genotype 1 infection, high serum HCV RNA levels, and advanced fibrosis. Consensus interferon (CIFN) is a synthetic type I interferon derived from a consensus sequence of the most common amino acids found in naturally occurring alpha interferon subtypes. Several prospective clinical studies have demonstrated that CIFN may be a treatment option in patients who have failed prior interferon-based therapy, including those who have failed combination therapy with standard interferon or peginterferon plus ribavirin. Daily CIFN in combination with ribavirin may be an effective regimen in this setting; however, optimal dose and treatment duration of CIFN therapy have not been well established. Patients who achieve viral suppression during prior interferon-based therapy and those who do not have advanced fibrosis have a greater likelihood of achieving a SVR with CIFN retreatment. Individualized therapy targeting specific patient groups will be an important consideration in the successful management of prior treatment failures. Additional prospective studies are required in order to identify optimal treatment strategies for the use of CIFN in these patients.

Children Who Have Been Traumatized: One Court's Response

ABSTRACTA court that is trauma‐informed can assist with the process of identifying children in need of trauma‐focused services and can provide education and direction to families frustrated by prior treatment failures. The unique role of the juvenile court judge as a community convener offers an opportunity to increase community awareness about the impact of trauma, and to promote the adoption of evidence‐based treatment for trauma victims. This article outlines the way that increased trauma awareness and trauma screening within a family court system mobilized the development of effective resources for children and families affected by trauma.

Daily Left Prefrontal Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in the Acute Treatment of Major Depression: Clinical Predictors of Outcome in a Multisite, Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Randomized controlled trials support the antidepressant efficacy of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS); however, there is individual variability in the magnitude of response. Examination of response predictors has been hampered by methodological limitations such as small sample sizes and single-site study designs. Data from a multisite sham-controlled trial of the antidepressant efficacy of TMS provided an opportunity to examine predictors of acute outcome. An open-label extension for patients who failed to improve provided the opportunity for confirmatory analysis. Treatment was administered to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex at 10 pulses per second, 120% of motor threshold, for a total of 3000 pulses per day. Change on the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale after 4 weeks was the primary efficacy outcome. A total of 301 patients with nonpsychotic unipolar major depression at 23 centers were randomized to active or sham TMS. Univariate predictor analyses showed that the degree of prior treatment resistance in the current episode was a predictor of positive treatment outcome in both the controlled study and the open-label extension trial. In the randomized trial, shorter duration of current episode was also associated with a better outcome. In the open-label extension study, absence of anxiety disorder comorbidity was associated with an improved outcome, but duration of current episode was not. The number of prior treatment failures was the strongest predictor for positive response to acute treatment with TMS. Shorter duration of current illness and lack of anxiety comorbidity may also confer an increased likelihood of good antidepressant response to TMS.

Antiretroviral drug resistance among antiretroviral-naïve persons with recent HIV infection in Thailand

To evaluate the prevalence and patterns of antiretroviral (ARV) drug resistance (ARV-DR) among ARV drug-naïve, recently infected persons with HIV in the 4-year interval (2003-2006) after the inception of the National Access to ARV Programme for People who have AIDS in Thailand. Cross-sectional study of patients with recent HIV infection for HIV risks, ARV-DR risks and baseline ARV-DR. Seven of the 305 patients (2%) had baseline ARV-DR. Via contract tracing, all seven patients with transmitted ARV-DR identified sexual partners with prior ARV treatment failure and had documented low (<75%) ARV adherence. Annual ARV-DR increased from 0 to 5.2% (P=0.06) between 2003 and 2006. Report of sexual partners with potential HIV and ARV drug exposures can prompt baseline ARV-DR testing of at-risk individuals, while behavioural interventions for adherence and safer sex are refined to minimize the emergence of resistance to generic, fixed-dose combination stavudine, lamivudine and nevirapine (GPO-VIR) therapy.

Increased duration of viral suppression is associated with lower viral rebound rates in patients with previous treatment failures

We investigated whether the rate of viral rebound decreases with increasing duration of viral suppression and, if so, whether rebound rates in patients previously failing antiretroviral regimens ultimately decline to levels as low as those seen in patients who have never experienced virological failure. All patients from the UK CHIC Study (n = 21 256) who achieved a viral load (VL) of < or = 50 copies/ml while receiving HAART were followed until viral rebound (two consecutive VL > 400 copies/ml). Patients could re-enter the analysis if they experienced a subsequent VL < or = 50 copies/ml. Rebound rates were calculated according to the number of regimens previously failed and duration of viral suppression. Of 12 648 patients on HAART 10 237 (80.9%) achieved a VL < or = 50 copies/ml. During 26 494 person-years (PY) of follow-up, 1853 (18.1%) patients experienced at least one viral rebound 'event', with 2460 events in total [rebound rate, 9.3 (range, 8.9-9.7)/100 PY). Within the first year of viral suppression, the rate of viral rebound was 8.3 (7.5-9.1)/100 PY in patients who had not previously failed treatment, increasing to 32.7 (27.6-37.8)/100 PY in patients who had failed more than four regimens. Irrespective of previous treatment failure, rebound rates in those who remained suppressed for > 4 years were similar to those in patients who had at no time experienced treatment failure. After around 4 years of viral suppression rebound rates in individuals with multiple prior treatment failures approach those of individuals with no prior treatment failure.

“Was it worth it?” A pilot study of advanced cancer patients’ retrospective perceptions of benefit from phase I trial participation

19670 Background: Subjects who enroll in phase I cancer trials generally are those with advanced and terminal disease. Although all such patients (pts) undergo an informed consent process, there is evidence that these pts may not appreciate the primary aims of a phase I trial and have unrealistic expectations of therapeutic benefit. However, these perceptions of benefit have not been described in pts after trial enrollment. Methods: As a pilot study, pts previously enrolled on Phase I trials were interviewed regarding their retrospective perceptions of benefit. A total of 9 pts have been interviewed to date: median age: 72 yr (range: 59–82 yr); 55% male; 77% Caucasian. The interview included open-ended questions assessing patient experiences with the trial, including reasons for enrollment, impressions of quality of life, costs incurred, and other benefits. Pts’ qualitative responses were recorded and analyzed for content and themes. Results: Reasons for enrollment included hope, prior treatment failure, altruism, and family influence. Described perceptions of anticipated benefit included stabilization of disease and close monitoring of their disease. Unexpected costs involved time spent during clinic visits, financial costs, time taken off work by family members, time spent away from family, and additional trial procedures. Issues of quality of life revolved around side effects from the investigational agent. Many interviewed pts (44%) described improved quality of life off the trial as compared to during trial participation. The majority of interviewed pts (67%) believed that the trial had no effect on their survival. Conclusions: Our data suggest that pts’ perceptions of therapeutic benefit after trial enrollment may be different from pre-enrollment expectations. There would also appear to be potentially significant and otherwise undescribed out-of-pocket expenses incurred by subjects as a result of phase I enrollment. Further research is needed to examine how side effects, unexpected costs, and lack of improved survival contribute to these pts’ perceptions of trial benefit. No significant financial relationships to disclose.