scholarly journals Safety and Efficacy of Tocilizumab 4 or 8 mg/kg in Hospitalized Patients With Moderate to Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Author(s):  
Princy N Kumar ◽  
Jules Hernández-Sánchez ◽  
Sandra Nagel ◽  
Yuning Feng ◽  
Fang Cai ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Tocilizumab, an interleukin 6 receptor (IL-6R) antagonist monoclonal antibody, has shown efficacy in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia, but the optimal dose is unknown. Methods Patients hospitalized for moderate-to-severe COVID-19 pneumonia were randomized 1:1 to receive standard care treatment and 1 to 2 doses of intravenous tocilizumab 4 or 8 mg/kg (open-label). Primary pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic end points were serum concentrations of tocilizumab and soluble IL-6R (sIL-6R), IL-6, ferritin, and C-reactive protein (CRP), from baseline to day 60. The secondary end point was safety. Key exploratory efficacy end points included clinical status, time to discharge, mortality rate, and incidence of mechanical ventilation. Results Of 100 patients randomized, 49 received tocilizumab 4 mg/kg and 48 received 8 mg/kg. In pharmacokinetic and sIL-6R assessments, dose-dependent differences were seen in patients who received 1 or 2 doses of 4 or 8 mg/kg. Serum concentrations of IL-6, ferritin, and CRP and safety outcomes were comparable between groups. Through day 60, serious adverse events were reported in 30.6% and 25.0% of patients in the 4- and 8-mg/kg group, respectively. Eight patients (16.3%) in the 4-mg/kg group and 6 (12.5%) in the 8-mg/kg group died. Exploratory time-to-event outcomes favored 8-mg/kg within the first 2 weeks. Conclusions In patients with moderate-to-severe COVID-19 pneumonia who received tocilizumab 4 or 8 mg/kg, pharmacokinetic and sIL-6R assessments showed expected dose-dependent effects; pharmacodynamic assessments and safety were comparable, with no new safety signals. Further study is required before a lower dose of tocilizumab can be recommended in patients with COVID pneumonia.

Toxins ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 317
Author(s):  
Hussain Allawati ◽  
Linda Dallas ◽  
Sreejith Nair ◽  
Janine Palmer ◽  
Shaiju Thaikandy ◽  
...  

Medium cut-off membrane (MCO) dialysers have been shown to remove a range of middle molecules, which are associated with adverse outcomes in haemodialysis (HD) patients, more effectively than high-flux HD. Vancomycin is widely used in HD patients for treating a variety of infections. To avoid subtherapeutic trough concentrations, it is important to understand vancomycin clearance in patients undergoing HD with the MCO membrane. This open label single centre, cross-over clinical study compared the vancomycin pharmacokinetics in chronic HD patients using MCO membrane (Theranova) and high-flux membrane (Revaclear). Five patients established on chronic HD who were due to receive vancomycin were enrolled. The study used alternating Theranova and Revaclear dialysis membranes over six consecutive sessions. Vancomycin was administered over the last one to two hours of each HD session. The maintenance dose was adjusted based on pre-HD serum concentrations. Over the 210 study samples, vancomycin clearance was higher with MCO-HD compared to high-flux HD but not statistically significant. Median percentage of vancomycin removal at 120 min by MCO membrane was 39% (20.6–51.5%) compared with 34.1% (21.3–48.4%) with high-flux HD. MCO-HD removes a slightly higher percentage of vancomycin at 120 min into dialysis compared to high-flux membrane dialysis in HD patients with infections. Application of vancomycin during the last one to two hours of each dialysis is required to maintain therapeutic concentrations to minimise loss through the dialyser and maintain therapeutic levels.


Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (11) ◽  
pp. 1149-1149
Author(s):  
Bruce A. Wallin ◽  
Denise Ramjit ◽  
Michael Seiberling ◽  
David Zopf

Abstract NE-180 is a glycoPEGylated recombinant human erythropoietin that binds to and activates the erythropoietin (EPO) receptor. It has demonstrated in vitro activities comparable to EPO and an extended serum half-life in animal studies. This may allow less frequent dosing in patients being treated with chronic anemia. METHODS: A single center, open-label study of NE-180, administered as single escalating doses given by the SC or IV route, was conducted to assess the safety, tolerability, PK and PD. Subjects (male or female NHV) were planned to be assigned to one of 4 dose groups, 10 subjects per dose with 5 SC and 5 IV subjects per group: 0.5, 1.5, 3, or 4.5 mg/kg. Each dose group was planned to be initiated in an ascending, sequential fashion unless or until stopping rules were met. RESULTS: 25 NHV (16 females) were enrolled in the first two dose cohorts and have completed 56 day follow-up. The 1.5 mg/kg IV cohort met the protocol-specified Hb rate of rise stopping rule (change in Hb greater than 1 g/dL during any 14 day period). Injections were generally well tolerated with no discontinuations for adverse events or serious adverse events. Reticulocyte increases were dose proportional. Average reticulocyte count at baseline was 1.0±0.3%. The maximal increase occurred at day 7. The mean change from baseline for the 0.5 and 1.5 mg/kg SC group was: 0.9±0.4% and 2.2±0.9%, respectively. The mean change from baseline for the 0.5 and 1.5 mg/kg IV group was: 1.7±0.8% and 2.3±0.8%, respectively. PK data will be presented. CONCLUSIONS: Single doses up to 1.5 mg/kg of NE-180 administered to NHV were generally well tolerated and demonstrated potent dose-dependent erythropoietic activity.


Blood ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 110 (11) ◽  
pp. 1295-1295
Author(s):  
Louis Fehrenbacher ◽  
Jonathan A. Polikoff ◽  
Robert Hermann ◽  
Haresh Jhangiani ◽  
Jean Bjerke ◽  
...  

Abstract The addition of rituximab (R) therapy significantly improves PFS in patients with relapsedl/refractory disease responding after CHOP as well as responders after R-CHOP induction (van Oers, 2005). The aim of this study was to assess, in patients with previously untreated indolent NHL, the safety, efficacy and PK of additional R therapy in responders to R-CHOP induction. Between 10/01 and 08/06, 102 patients aged 28–84 (mean 57 yr) yrs with Ann Arbor Stage III (28.4%) or IV (71.6%) indolent NHL were treated on this Phase II single-arm, open-label, multi-center, community-based trial. Baseline LDH and β2 microglobulin were above normal in 20.6% and 66.3% of patients, respectively. Treatment consisted of 6 cycles of R-CHOP (cyclophosphamide 750 mg/m2, vincristine 1.4 mg/m2, and doxorubicin 50 mg/m2 all IV on Day 1 of each 21-day cycle; prednisone 100 mg/d po Days 1–5; and R 375 mg/m2 IV 2–3 days prior to first dose of CHOP and thereafter on Day 1 of each cycle). Patients with ongoing response (CR/CRu or PR) received R 375 mg/m2 weekly x 4, repeated every 6 months x 2 yrs, for a total of up to 16 R doses, within 28 days after completion of R-CHOP. Median follow-up was 39 mos. ORR after R-CHOP was 86.3% (95% CI: 78.3, 92.1), with CR/CRu 48% (95% CI: 38.0, 58.2). As measured from initiation of R-CHOP, PFS at 2 and 3 yrs was 75.2% (95% CI: 64.0, 83.3) and 67.3% (95% CI: 54.6, 77.2), respectively. OS at 2 and 3 yrs was 92.9% (95% CI: 85.7, 96.6) and 89.4% (95% CI: 81.2, 94.2), respectively. Infusion-related toxicity with R given after R-CHOP was less frequent than seen with R-CHOP in this study. The overall incidence of serious adverse events during R therapy given after R-CHOP was 8.5%, including 3 NCI-CTC grade 3/4 events: viral encephalitis (n=1), patellar fracture (n=1) & development of colon cancer (n=1). Serum R concentrations were collected over serial timepoints from 12 patients. Both pre- and end of infusion serum R concentrations were similar across cycles 2–4 of R therapy given after R-CHOP. R concentration was higher just prior to infusion of the first R dose given after R-CHOP due to residual concentration from the R-CHOP treatment. Concentrations were very low (< 10 ug/mL) just prior to initiation of the subsequent R cycles. During R therapy given after R-CHOP, serum R concentrations were similar to those previously reported during R monotherapy treatment (Berinstein, 1998). In summary, this study demonstrated that R therapy given after R-CHOP to be generally well-tolerated, and associated with 75.2% PFS and 92.9% OS at 2 yrs, and 67.3% PFS and 89.4% OS at 3 yrs. Moreover, the current study demonstrates that PK data from R induction can be extrapolated to R given after R-CHOP. The benefit of adding additional R therapy to responders to R-chemotherapy will be addressed in the analysis of the ongoing Phase III PRIMA study, wherein patients with advanced follicular lymphoma who respond to R-chemotherapy induction are randomized to receive further R therapy vs. observation.


Author(s):  
Ivan Rosas ◽  
Norbert Bräu ◽  
Michael Waters ◽  
Ronaldo C. Go ◽  
Bradley D. Hunter ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND COVID-19 is associated with immune dysregulation and hyperinflammation. Tocilizumab is an anti-interleukin-6 receptor antibody. METHODS Patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19 pneumonia receiving standard care were randomized (2:1) to double-blinded intravenous tocilizumab 8 mg/kg or placebo. The primary outcome measure was clinical status on a 7-category ordinal scale at day 28 (1, discharged/ready for discharge; 7, death). RESULTS Overall, 452 patients were randomized; the modified-intention-to-treat population included 294 tocilizumab-treated and 144 placebo-treated patients. Clinical status at day 28 was not statistically significantly improved for tocilizumab versus placebo (P=0.36). Median (95% CI) ordinal scale values at day 28: 1.0 (1.0 to 1.0) for tocilizumab and 2.0 (1.0 to 4.0) for placebo (odds ratio, 1.19 [0.81 to 1.76]). There was no difference in mortality at day 28 between tocilizumab (19.7%) and placebo (19.4%) (difference, 0.3% [95% CI, -7.6 to 8.2]; nominal P=0.94). Median time to hospital discharge was 8 days shorter with tocilizumab than placebo (20.0 and 28.0, respectively; nominal P=0.037; hazard ratio 1.35 [95% CI 1.02 to 1.79]). Median duration of ICU stay was 5.8 days shorter with tocilizumab than placebo (9.8 and 15.5, respectively; nominal P=0.045). In the safety population, serious adverse events occurred in 34.9% of 295 patients in the tocilizumab arm and 38.5% of 143 in the placebo arm. CONCLUSIONS In this randomized placebo-controlled trial in hospitalized COVID-19 pneumonia patients, tocilizumab did not improve clinical status or mortality. Potential benefits in time to hospital discharge and duration of ICU stay are being investigated in ongoing clinical trials.


2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. TPS3618-TPS3618 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis A. Diaz ◽  
Dung T. Le ◽  
Takayuki Yoshino ◽  
Thierry Andre ◽  
Johanna C. Bendell ◽  
...  

TPS3618 Background: About 5% of mCRCs are dMMR, leading to high levels of MSI. CRCs with MSI-H have abundant lymphocyte infiltrates and strong expression of immune checkpoints. In the phase 2 KEYNOTE-016 study, the anti-programmed death 1 (PD-1) antibody pembro provided an ORR of 40% in patients (pts) with progressive dMMR mCRC vs 0% in pts with MMR-proficient mCRC. KEYNOTE-177 (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02563002) is an international, randomized, open-label, phase 3 study designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pembro vs standard-of-care (SOC) chemotherapy in the first-line setting for dMMR or MSI-H mCRC. Methods: Key eligibility criteria include age ≥ 18 years, locally confirmed dMMR or MSI-H stage IV CRC, measurable disease per RECIST v1.1 by local site assessment, ECOG performance status 0-1, no active autoimmune disease or brain metastases, and no prior therapy for mCRC. Pts are to be randomized 1:1 to receive either pembro 200 mg Q3W or investigator’s choice of SOC chemotherapy, which must be chosen prior to randomization; options include mFOLFOX6 or FOLFIRI alone or in combination with bevacizumab or cetuximab. Treatment is to continue until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, pt/investigator decision, or completion of 35 cycles (pembro only). Response is to be evaluated Q9W per RECIST v1.1 by central imaging vendor review and per RECIST adapted for immunotherapy response patterns. Pts in the SOC arm who have disease progression and meet crossover criteria may be eligible to receive pembro for up to 17 treatment cycles. Eligible pts may continue pembro beyond initial RECIST-defined progression. AEs are to be assessed throughout treatment and for 30 days thereafter (90 days for serious AEs) and graded per NCI CTCAE v4.0. Pts are to be followed for survival Q9W. Primary end point is PFS per RECIST v1.1 by central imaging vendor review. Secondary end points include ORR per RECIST v1.1 by central imaging vendor review, OS, and safety and tolerability. Other end points include DOR and HRQoL. Planned enrollment in KEYNOTE-177 is 270 pts across 21 countries. Clinical trial information: NCT02563002.


2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (10) ◽  
pp. 1766-1772 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lama M Hsaiky ◽  
Francine D Salinitri ◽  
Judy Wong ◽  
Sin-Ling T Jennings ◽  
Neha H Desai ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Previous pharmacokinetic studies demonstrated an increase in serum ertapenem concentrations with decreasing kidney function, including patients receiving renal replacement therapy. This study evaluated the pharmacokinetic parameters of ertapenem in patients receiving hemodialysis. Methods This prospective, single-center, open-label study examined the pharmacokinetics of a single intravenous (IV) dose of ertapenem 1 g in seven hospitalized noninfected patients undergoing hemodialysis. Blood samples were collected prior to ertapenem administration and at 0.5, 1, 2, 6, 12 and 48 hours (h) after administration. Ertapenem concentrations were determined by validated liquid chromatography mass spectrometry assay. Results Following an IV bolus of 1 g ertapenem, plasma concentrations declined relatively slowly with a mean ±standard deviation (SD) elimination half-life of 19.3 ±6.6 h. Plasma concentrations were similar in all subjects, with maximum mean plasma concentration observed of 343±48 µg/mL postdose. The mean ±SD values for systemic plasma clearance (CL) and volume of distribution at steady state (Vss) were 2±0.5 mL/min and 3295±1187 mL, respectively. The area under the curve for 0 h–∞ (AUCinf) was 7494 ±1424 h•µg/mL. No gender effect was observed and no serious adverse events were reported. Conclusions Ertapenem half-life was prolonged in hemodialysis patients. Considering the nonrenal clearance and the expected 70% removal with high-efficacy hemodialysis, the dose of 1 g ertapenem, three times weekly, after hemodialysis may produce pharmacodynamically sufficient exposure for potential antimicrobial efficacy. Further studies are warranted to assess the clinical efficacy and safety of this dose with prolonged duration of therapy.


2000 ◽  
Vol 18 (13) ◽  
pp. 2522-2528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eileen Johnston ◽  
Jeffrey Crawford ◽  
Susan Blackwell ◽  
Toni Bjurstrom ◽  
Pamela Lockbaum ◽  
...  

PURPOSE: To explore the use of SD/01 (a polyethylene glycol–conjugated filgrastim shown in preclinical studies to have a prolonged half-life) in patients with chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirteen patients with non–small-cell lung cancer were randomized to receive daily filgrastim (5 μg/kg/d) or a single injection of SD/01 (30, 100, or 300 μg/kg) 2 weeks before chemotherapy and again 24 hours after administration of carboplatin and paclitaxel. Pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic, and safety analyses were performed. RESULTS: Peak serum concentrations of SD/01 and the duration of increased serum concentrations were dependent on the SD/01 dose. SD/01 concentrations remained increased longer in patients with chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. Prechemotherapy median absolute neutrophil counts (ANCs) in patients receiving SD/01 were increased in a dose-dependent fashion, with the duration of this effect also being dose dependent. After chemotherapy, median ANC nadirs were similar in the filgrastim cohort and the cohort receiving SD/01 30 μg/kg, with higher nadirs seen in the cohorts receiving SD/01 100 or 300 μg/kg. Dose-limiting toxicities were not noted. CD34+ cells were mobilized in all cohorts. CONCLUSION: A single dose of SD/01 increases the serum concentration of SD/01 for several days in a dose-dependent fashion and is not associated with significant toxicity. The effects of SD/01 on ANC and CD34+ cell mobilization are comparable or greater than those achieved with daily filgrastim. The self-regulation of this molecule provides a potential therapeutic advantage in a variety of clinical settings associated with neutropenia.


1997 ◽  
Vol 272 (6) ◽  
pp. R1972-R1979 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. M. Berry ◽  
D. H. Polk ◽  
M. Ikegami ◽  
A. H. Jobe ◽  
J. F. Padbury ◽  
...  

The optimal dose, route of administration, and treatment-to-delivery interval necessary to induce beneficial extrapulmonary effects of glucocorticoids are not known. Pregnant ewes (127 days gestation) were randomized to receive maternal or fetal intramuscular injections of betamethasone (0.2 or 0.5 mg/kg body wt) or saline 24 h before cesarean delivery of their lambs. Three hours after delivery, low-dose maternal vs. control lamb mean arterial pressure [64 +/- 4 vs. 47 +/- 2 (SE) mmHg], glomerular filtration rate (1.7 +/- 0.2 vs. 0.7 +/- 0.1 ml.min-1.kg-1), and total renal sodium reabsorption (219 +/- 31 vs. 85 +/- 12 mueq.min-1.kg-1) were increased. Comparable increases were observed in the high-dose maternal and fetal groups without effects in the low-dose fetal group. This study provides the first quantitative data demonstrating that even short-term (24-h) antenatal betamethasone exposure alters preterm newborn cardiovascular and renal functions. These responses are route and dose dependent and are comparable to glucocorticoid-induced maturational effects after longer-term antenatal exposure.


Reproduction ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 135 (6) ◽  
pp. 879-887 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clay A Lents ◽  
Neely L Heidorn ◽  
C Richard Barb ◽  
J Joe Ford

It is well established that kisspeptin signaling is necessary for the onset of puberty in laboratory animals. However, the role that kisspeptin may have in regulating puberty in large domestic animals is unknown. We tested the hypothesis that either central or peripheral infusion of kisspeptin would stimulate gonadotropin and GH secretion in prepubertal gilts. In experiment 1, prepubertal gilts were fitted with i.c.v. cannula and indwelling jugular catheters. Animals were randomly assigned to receive 0, 10, or 100 μg kisspeptin in saline. In experiment 2, prepubertal gilts, fitted with indwelling jugular catheters, randomly received 0, 1, 2.5, or 5 mg kisspeptin in saline intravenously. Serial blood samples were collected every 15 min for 3 h before and 5 h after infusions, and serum concentrations of LH, FSH, and GH were determined. Mean concentrations of LH and FSH remained at basal levels for control animals but were increased (P<0.001) for animals receiving i.c.v. infusion of kisspeptin. Area under the LH and FSH curves following i.c.v. infusion of kisspeptin increased (P<0.001) in a dose-dependent manner. Concentrations of GH were unaffected by i.c.v. treatment. Peripheral administration of kisspeptin increased (P<0.05) serum concentrations of LH but not FSH or GH. Thus, kisspeptin can activate gonadotropic but not somatotropic hormone secretion in prepubertal gilts. The present data support the concept that kisspeptin plays a role in the mechanism involved in initiating puberty in swine.


Author(s):  
Jeffrey R Strich ◽  
Xin Tian ◽  
Mohamed Samour ◽  
Christopher S King ◽  
Oksana Shlobin ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) requiring hospitalization is characterized by robust antibody production, dysregulated immune response and immunothrombosis. Fostamatinib, is a novel spleen tyrosine kinase inhibitor we hypothesize will ameliorate Fc activation and attenuate harmful effects of the anti-COVID-19 immune response. Methods We conducted a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in hospitalized adults requiring oxygen with Covid-19 where patients receiving standard of care were randomized to receive fostamatinib or placebo. The primary outcome was serious adverse events by day 29. Results A total of 59 patients underwent randomization (30 to fostamatinib and 29 to placebo). Serious adverse events occurred in 10.5% of patients in the fostamatinib group compared to 22% in placebo (P = .2). Three deaths occurred by day 29, all receiving placebo. The mean change in ordinal score at day 15 was greater in the fostamatinib group (-3.6 ± 0.3 vs. -2.6 ± 0.4, P = .035) and the median length in the ICU was 3 days in the fostamatinib group vs. 7 days in placebo (P = .07). Differences in clinical improvement were most evident in patients with severe or critical disease (median days on oxygen, 10 vs. 28, P = .027). There were trends towards more rapid reductions in C-reactive protein, D-dimer, fibrinogen and ferritin levels in the fostamatinib group. Conclusion For COVID-19 requiring hospitalization, the addition of fostamatinib to standard of care was safe and patients were observed to have improved clinical outcomes compared to placebo. These results warrant further validation in larger confirmatory trials.


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