scholarly journals Efficacy and Safety of Azathioprine during Remission of Immune-Mediated Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Blood ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 773-773
Author(s):  
Christian Bichard ◽  
Ilaria Mancini ◽  
Pasquale Agosti ◽  
Pasqualina De Leo ◽  
Andrea Artoni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Events ◽  
Median Time ◽  
Clinical Remission ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Clinical Relapse ◽  
Adamts13 Activity ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
Immune Mediated ◽  
Azathioprine Treatment ◽  
Secondary Outcomes

Abstract Introduction Acquired immune-mediated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (iTTP) is a rare and life-threatening thrombotic microangiopathy caused by the development of anti-ADAMTS13 autoantibodies. Up to 50% of patients surviving an acute iTTP event experience one or more relapses. Recent guidelines suggest treatment with rituximab in clinical remission in iTTP patients with low ADAMTS13 activity to prevent acute iTTP relapses. A 10% of cases who do not respond to rituximab or develop allergic reactions requiring therapy discontinuation have been reported. In these patients, azathioprine might be an alternative treatment to prevent acute iTTP relapses. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of azathioprine treatment in iTTP patients in clinical remission. Methods We designed a retrospective cohort study including all iTTP patients treated with azathioprine during clinical remission, enrolled in the Milan TTP Registry between May 2003 and October 2020 and followed for at least six months. The efficacy of azathioprine was assessed in patients with at least four weeks of treatment. The primary outcome was clinical relapse during azathioprine treatment. The secondary outcomes were the partial and complete responses of ADAMTS13 (an ADAMTS13 activity increase above 20% and 45%, respectively) in patients with ADAMTS13 activity below 20% before azathioprine start. ADAMTS13 relapse (an ADAMTS13 activity decrease below 20%) in patients with a prior ADAMTS13 response was also assessed. As for the safety analysis, adverse events (AEs), associated or not with treatment discontinuation, were retrieved from clinical charts of all patients. Lastly, we assessed the association between variables such as sex, age, and concomitant autoimmune diseases, and ADAMTS13 response, using logistic regression models. Results We enrolled 43 patients with iTTP treated with azathioprine during clinical remission (Table 1). Forty-two percent of the patients had at least one concomitant autoimmune disease. The median exposure to azathioprine was 16 months (interquartile range [IQR] 8-49 months), the median dosage 1.3 mg/kg/day (IQR 0.9-1.6 mg/kg/day). Thirty-five cases were available for the primary outcome analysis (Table 2). Seven patients relapsed after a median time of 14 months after azathioprine start (IQR 8-58 months). The cumulative incidence of clinical relapse during azathioprine treatment was 10% at 1 year (95% Confidence Interval [CI] 0-21%), 22% at 2 years (95% CI 6-38%). Twenty-one cases were available for the secondary outcomes analysis. An ADAMTS13 partial response occurred in 10 patients (48%), after a median time of 3 months (IQR 3-9 months) after azathioprine start and lasted for a median time of 40 months (IQR 16-56 months). An ADAMTS13 complete response was achieved in 33% of patients, after a median time of 8 months (IQR 3-16 months) after azathioprine start and lasted for a median time of 16 months (IQR 0-53 months). Of the 10 responders, 3 (30%) had a subsequent ADAMTS13 relapse at 22, 24 and 37 months after azathioprine start. Adverse events were observed in 30% of patients, after a median time of 50 days after azathioprine start (IQR 26-331 days). Liver and pancreas alterations with increased levels of ALT, AST, GGT, ALP and lipase were the most frequent, followed by nausea and leukopenia (Table 3). In one patient, acute myeloid leukemia was diagnosed 6 months after azathioprine start. Fifteen percent of the patients had to stop the treatment due to AEs. No demographic or anamnestic variables were associated with ADAMTS13 response to azathioprine. Conclusions Forty-eight percent of patients attained an ADAMTS13 activity above 20%, with a durable response lasting more than 3 years, while adverse events were generally mild in nature. Azathioprine could be a valid and safe alternative in case of ineligibility or failure to respond to rituximab. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Mancini: Instrumentation Laboratory, Sanofi: Honoraria. Peyvandi: Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria; Sanofi: Consultancy, Honoraria; Sobi: Consultancy, Honoraria. OffLabel Disclosure: Azathioprine. It is an immunosuppressive drug used for the prevention of rejection in renal homotransplantation and for treatment of active rheumatoid arthritis.

scholarly journals Quantitative analysis of efficacy and safety of LABA/LAMA fixed-dose combinations in the treatment of stable COPD

2022 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
pp. 175346662110660
Author(s):  
Yiwen Gong ◽  
Yinghua Lv ◽  
Hongxia Liu ◽  
Qingshan Zheng ◽  
Lujin Li
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Events ◽  
Rescue Medication ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Medication Use ◽  
Fixed Dose ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
Copd Exacerbations ◽  
Safety Outcomes ◽  
Secondary Outcomes ◽  
Long Acting

Objective: This study aimed to quantitatively compare the efficacy and safety of long-acting β2-agonist (LABA)/long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) for the treatment of stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), especially in terms of their loss of efficacy in lung function. Methods: Randomized controlled clinical trials of LABA/LAMA FDCs for the treatment of stable COPD were comprehensively searched for in public databases. Pharmacodynamic models were established to describe the time course of the primary outcome [trough forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1)]. Secondary outcomes [COPD exacerbations, St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), Transition Dyspnoea Index (TDI), and rescue medication use] and safety outcomes [mortality, serious adverse events (SAEs), and withdrawals due to adverse events (AEs)] were also compared via a meta-analysis. Results: A total of 22 studies involving 16,486 participants were included in this study. The results showed that in terms of primary outcome (change from baseline in trough FEV1), the efficacy of vilanterol/umeclidinium was the highest, while the efficacy of formoterol/aclidinium was the lowest, with a maximum effect value (Emax) of 0.185 L [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.173–0.197 L] and 0.119 L (95% CI: 0.103–0.135 L), respectively. The efficacy of other drugs, such as formoterol/glycopyrronium, indacaterol/glycopyrronium, and olodaterol/tiotropium, were comparable, and their Emax values were 0.150–0.177 L. Except for vilanterol/umeclidinium, the other four LABA/LAMA FDCs showed a certain degree of loss of efficacy. Compared with the efficacy at 2 days, the trough FEV1 (L) relative to baseline at 24 weeks decreased by 0.029–0.041 L. In terms of secondary outcomes, the efficacy of different LABA/LAMA FDCs was similar in TDI and rescue medication use. However, formoterol/aclidinium was better in preventing the COPD exacerbations, while vilanterol/umeclidinium was the best in terms of SGRQ. In addition, different LABA/LAMA FDCs and placebo had similar safety outcomes. Conclusion: The present findings may provide necessary quantitative information for COPD medication guidelines.

Implementation of a pharmacy consult service for evaluation of immune checkpoint inhibitor related adverse events at a large community hospital

2020 ◽  
pp. 107815522097026
Author(s):  
Jeff Kamta ◽  
Bren Magruder ◽  
Lisa Hymel
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Events ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Delayed Presentation ◽  
Consult Service ◽  
Organ Systems ◽  
History Of ◽  
Secondary Outcomes

Introduction Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are novel oncolytic therapies associated with various immune related adverse events (irAEs) affecting multiple organ systems, which may have a delayed presentation. Identification of irAEs and prompt initiation of appropriate treatment represents a challenge to clinicians. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a pharmacy consult service in identification and management of irAEs. Methodology: This was a single center, retrospective study. Patients included were: ≥18 years old, admitted as inpatients, and reported a history of cancer treatment within the last year. A pharmacy consult was developed and implemented for patients who reported a history of ICI therapy within the last year. Education regarding the consult service was provided to select physicians, nurses, and all pharmacists. Primary outcome: percent of admitted patients reporting ICI therapy within the last year, who required pharmacist intervention for an irAE. Secondary outcomes: types of interventions performed, percentage of recommendation acceptance, pharmacist time spent. Results Fifty-one patients received a pharmacy immunotherapy consult. Seventeen patients (33%) met the primary outcome. Thirty-three separate recommendations were made by pharmacists for these 17 patients. The secondary outcomes of interventions made and percentage accepted (n; % accepted): Initiation/adjustment of steroid therapy (20; 40%), placement of a consult for oncology or other specialist (10; 70%), other therapeutic interventions (3; 67%). Average time spent by pharmacist on initial consultations (SD): 29 minutes (15). Conclusion A pharmacy consult service may help to increase identification of patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors and initiate timely interventions.

Role of Breathing Exercises and Yoga/Pranayama in Childhood Asthma: A Systematic Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 175-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rashmi Ranjan Das ◽  
Jhuma Sankar ◽  
Sushil Kumar Kabra
Keyword(s):  
Lung Function ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Childhood Asthma ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Immunological Parameters ◽  
Breathing Exercise ◽  
Breathing Exercises ◽  
Secondary Outcomes

Background: arious complementary or alternative medicines (including breathing exercises and yoga/pranayama) have been tried as an attractive option to pharmacotherapy in childhood asthma. Objective: To evaluate the role of breathing exercise and yoga/pranayama as add on therapy to the “pharmacologically recommended treatment” of childhood asthma. Methods: We searched the published literature in the major databases: Medline via Ovid, PubMed, CENTRAL, Embase, and Google Scholar till June 2018. Randomized trials comparing breathing exercises and yoga/ pranayama versus control or as part of a composite intervention versus control were included. The primary outcome measures were quality of life and change in asthma symptoms. Secondary outcomes were: decrease in medication use, number of exacerbations, change in lung function and immunological parameters, school absenteeism and adverse events. Results: A total of 10 trials (466 children, 6-14 years age) were included. The severity of asthma varied among the trials. The data for primary outcome measures could not be pooled, there were mixed results for both primary and secondary outcomes. No significant benefit was obtained in acute asthma and the lung function tests [except PEFR % at 4-6 weeks, PEF absolute at 3 months, and FVC absolute at 3 months] in chronic asthma. One trial compared breathing exercise versus yoga and found no difference. Adverse events were not significant. Conclusion: Breathing exercise and yoga/ pranayama may have some additive role in the treatment of childhood asthma. However, at present, it cannot be recommended as a standard of care due to insufficient data.

scholarly journals Efficacy and Safety of Eltrombopag with or without Immunosuppressant in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Acquired Aplastic Anemia: A Real-World Experience

Blood ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 1124-1124
Author(s):  
Jiang Ji ◽  
Ziqi Wan ◽  
Jing Ruan ◽  
Yali Du ◽  
Miao Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Events ◽  
Aplastic Anemia ◽  
Median Time ◽  
Relapse Rate ◽  
Real World ◽  
Reticulocyte Count ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
Overall Response ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Background: Eltrombopag (EPAG) with or without immunosuppressant (IST) has been applied in acquired aplastic anemia (AA), yet data of EPAG+IST in relapsed/refractory AA was limited, and no study has compared efficacy and safety between EPAG+IST and EPAG monotherapy in relapsed/refractory AA patients. Aims: To evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety between EPAG+IST and EPAG monotherapy in relapsed/refractory AA patients in a real-world setting. Methods: Data from patients diagnosed as acquired AA in our center were retrospectively collected. All the enrolled patients were refractory/relapsed to the standard IST for at least 6 months before EPAG. All patients had been treated with EPAG, which was started at 25 mg/day and increased every 2 weeks to a maximum of 150 mg/day until a best response was achieved. Meanwhile, some patients were treated with cyclosporin A (CsA) or tacrolimus (FK506) at the same time. EPAG had to be prescribed for at least 6 months before evaluation. Complete response (CR), overall response (OR) and relapse rate, as well as adverse events and factors which could affect efficacy were analyzed. Results: Totally 99 patients (83 non-severe AA (NSAA) and 16 SAA) were included in the study. The median age at EPAG initiation was 46 (13-88) years old, the median time of EPAG treatment was 11 (6-41) months and the median time of follow-up was 18 (6-41) months. 72 patients were treated with EPAG+IST, including 41 (56.9%) treated with EPAG+FK506 and 31 (43.1%) treated with EPAG+CsA. 27 patients were treated with EPAG alone. No significant difference was found between EPAG+IST group and EPAG group in patient baseline characteristics like age, male proportion, NSAA proportion, presence of PNH clone, proportion of previous ATG+CsA / CsA treatment, previous IST duration and dosage. With compatible follow-up time, EPAG exposure duration and dosage, there was no significant difference in OR/CR rate at 3 rd/6 th/12 th month between patients who was treated with EPAG+FK506 and EPAG+CsA. Under similar compatible baseline conditions, the OR rate was 33.3% vs 22.2% (P=0.284) at 3 rd month, 61.1% vs 37.0% (P=0.032) at 6 th month, and 67.2% vs 42.1% (P=0.051) at 12 th month for patients treated with EPAG+IST and EPAG alone, respectively, but no significant difference was found in time to response (3 (1-12) vs 3 (1-7) months, P=0.679) or CR rate at 3 rd/6 th/12 th month (6.9%/12.5%/20.7% vs 3.7%/7.4%/5.3%, P>0.05) between the two groups. Relapse occurred at 6 th to 12 th month of EPAG treatment, and the relapse rate at 12 th month was 9.8% and 27.3% (P=0.154) for patients treated with EPAG+IST and EPAG alone, respectively. For patients treated with EPAG+IST, responders had a significantly higher baseline reticulocyte count (60.25 (11.5-230.5)×10 9/L vs 16.7 (6.6-56.6)×10 9/L, P=0.040) compared with non-responders. No predictive factors for the overall response were found for patients treated with EPAG alone. Adverse events which led to dosage regulation were gastrointestinal disorders (2.8% vs 3.7%, P=1.000), elevated creatinine (2.8% vs 0, P=0.599), elevated ALT (1.4% vs 0, P=1.000) and arthralgia (0 vs 3.7%, P=0.280) for patients with EPAG+IST and EPAG, respectively. No deaths were found in either group, while the clone evolution rate was 2.8% and 3.7% (P=1.000) in EPAG+IST and EPAG monotherapy group, respectively. Conclusion: EPAG+IST had higher OR rate than EPAG monotherapy with similar side effects for patients with relapsed/refractory acquired AA. Those with higher baseline reticulocyte count were more likely to respond to EPAG+IST. Key words: relapsed/refractory, aplastic anemia, eltrombopag, immunosuppressant, efficacy Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare. OffLabel Disclosure: In the presented study, eltrombopag was prescribed in relapsed/refractory aplastic anemia patients.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Inhaled Tobramycin in Early Eradication of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Infants With Cystic Fibrosis

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (8) ◽  
pp. 709-716
Author(s):  
Jane Choi ◽  
Kimberly Novak ◽  
Rohan Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Chronic Infection ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
Limited Data ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Infection ◽  
Secondary Outcomes ◽  
Safety Assessments ◽  
First Time

OBJECTIVE Early antibiotic therapy has the potential to eradicate initial Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection and postpone chronic infection. There are limited data evaluating the efficacy and safety of inhaled tobramycin in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) who are younger than 1 year. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of inhaled tobramycin in early eradication of P aeruginosa in infants with CF. METHODS This retrospective study evaluated patients with CF younger than 1 year with first time infection with P aeruginosa. The primary outcome was the frequency of P aeruginosa eradication. Secondary outcomes were sustained culture negativity at 12 and 18 months and safety assessments. RESULTS Of 18 patients included in the study, 9 received inhaled tobramycin and an enteral fluoroquinolone and 9 received inhaled tobramycin alone. Microbiologic clearance of respiratory cultures was observed in 83% patients at end of therapy and 78% of patients at 1 month posttherapy. Eradication of P aeruginosa was observed in 56% of patients at 6 months posttreatment with sustained culture negativity observed in 39% of patients up to 18 months. CONCLUSIONS Inhaled-tobramycin therapy is effective in early eradication of P aeruginosa infection and is well tolerated in infants younger than 1 year.

Tocilizumab for the management of immune mediated adverse events secondary to PD-1 blockade.

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e21712-e21712 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chipman Robert Geoffrey Stroud ◽  
Cynthia R. Cherry ◽  
Abdul Rafeh Naqash ◽  
Nitika Sharma ◽  
Sulochana Devi Cherukuri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Events ◽  
Clinical Improvement ◽  
Median Time ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Therapeutic Option ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Blockade ◽  
Inpatient Setting ◽  
Immune Mediated ◽  
Steroid Refractory

e21712 Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors are poised to revolutionize the management of a growing number of malignancies. Unfortunately, the management of steroid-refractory immune mediated adverse events (irAEs) is based on a paucity of randomized data and limited to single center experiences. Our initial experience with the IL-6 receptor antagonist tocilizumab showed clinical improvement in a wide variety of irAEs. As a result, we adopted the use of tocilizumab for the management of steroid-refractory irAEs. Methods:The character and clinical course of irAEs were abstracted from the medical record and analyzed. The dose of tocilizumab was 4 mg/kg given IV over 1 hour. C-reactive protein was drawn at first nivolumab infusion and at q 2 weeks (and with irAEs) thereafter. Clinical improvement was defined as either: documentation of resolution of symptoms or hospital d/c within 7 days. Results:Of the initial 87 patients that were treated with nivolumab, 34 required tocilizumab (39.1%). All pts were on corticosteroids. The majority (88.2%) were lung cancer patients. The index grade 3/4 irAE was pneumonitis in 35.3%, cytokine release syndrome/SIRS in 35.3%, cerebritis in 14.7% and one case each of hypophysitis, colitis, pancreatitis, hepatitis and immune mediated coagulopathy. Median time between first nivolumab and initiation of tocilizumab was 76 days (range 1-429). Median CRP at initial tocilizumab dose was 100.5 mg/L (2.0 -350.4). Clinical improvement was noted in 27/34 pts (79.4%). 52.9% of pts required a single dose, while 35.3% required two, 8.8% required three and 1 pt required 4 doses. Twenty seven doses were given in the inpatient setting (49.1%). Median time to discharge was 4 days (range 1-27). Seventy four percent of pts were discharged home. For the 55 doses of tocilizumab that were delivered there was a cost savings of $147,174.94 (WAC) during the 18 month period versus infliximab 5 mg/kg IV dose. Conclusions: Tocilizumab is a therapeutic option for the management of steroid refractory irAEs secondary to immune checkpoint blockade. However, randomized trials are needed to better elucidate the relative efficacy and safety of these agents.

scholarly journals An open-label study to assess safety, tolerability, and effectiveness of dextromethorphan/quinidine for pseudobulbar affect in dementia: PRISM II results

CNS Spectrums ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 450-459 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachelle S. Doody ◽  
Stephen D’Amico ◽  
Andrew J. Cutler ◽  
Charles S. Davis ◽  
Paul Shin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Open Label ◽  
Open Label Study ◽  
Label Study ◽  
Pseudobulbar Affect ◽  
Secondary Outcomes ◽  
Global Impression Of Change ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

BackgroundDextromethorphan (DM)/quinidine (Q) is an approved treatment for pseudobulbar affect (PBA) based on trials in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or multiple sclerosis. PRISM II evaluated DM/Q effectiveness and tolerability for PBA secondary to dementia, stroke, or traumatic brain injury; dementia cohort results are reported.MethodsThis was an open-label, multicenter, 90 day trial; patients received DM/Q 20/10 mg twice daily. Primary outcome was change in Center for Neurologic Study–Lability Scale (CNS-LS) score. Secondary outcomes included PBA episode count and Clinical and Patient/Caregiver Global Impression of Change scores with respect to PBA (CGI-C/PGI-C).Results134 patients were treated. CNS-LS improved by a mean (SD) of 7.2 (6.0) points at Day 90/Endpoint (P<.001) vs. baseline. PBA episodes were reduced 67.7% (P<.001) vs. baseline; global measures showed 77.5% CGI-C and 76.5% PGI-C “much”/”very much” improved. Adverse events included headache (7.5%), urinary tract infection (4.5%), and diarrhea (3.7%); few patients dropped out for adverse events (10.4%).ConclusionsDM/Q significantly reduced PBA symptoms in patients with dementia; reported adverse events were consistent with the known safety profile of DM/Q.Trial Registrationclinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT01799941.

scholarly journals Stereotactic Radiosurgery for the Treatment of Primary and Metastatic Spinal Sarcomas

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 276-284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob A. Miller ◽  
Ehsan H. Balagamwala ◽  
Lilyana Angelov ◽  
John H. Suh ◽  
Toufik Djemil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pain Relief ◽  
Stereotactic Radiosurgery ◽  
Median Time ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Local Treatment ◽  
Hazard Ratio ◽  
Conventional Radiotherapy ◽  
History Of ◽  
Prescription Dose ◽  
Secondary Outcomes

Purpose: Despite advancements in local and systemic therapy, metastasis remains common in the natural history of sarcomas. Unfortunately, such metastases are the most significant source of morbidity and mortality in this heterogeneous disease. As a classically radioresistant histology, stereotactic radiosurgery has emerged to control spinal sarcomas and provide palliation. However, there is a lack of data regarding pain relief and relapse following stereotactic radiosurgery. Methods: We queried a retrospective institutional database of patients who underwent spine stereotactic radiosurgery for primary and metastatic sarcomas. The primary outcome was pain relief following stereotactic radiosurgery. Secondary outcomes included progression of pain, radiographic failure, and development of toxicities following treatment. Results: Forty treatment sites were eligible for inclusion; the median prescription dose was 16 Gy in a single fraction. Median time to radiographic failure was 14 months. At 6 and 12 months, radiographic control was 63% and 51%, respectively. Among patients presenting with pain, median time to pain relief was 1 month. Actuarial pain relief at 6 months was 82%. Median time to pain progression was 10 months; at 12 months, actuarial pain progression was 51%. Following multivariate analysis, presence of neurologic deficit at consult (hazard ratio: 2.48, P < .01) and presence of extraspinal bone metastases (hazard ratio: 2.83, P < .01) were associated with pain relief. Greater pain at consult (hazard ratio: 1.92, P < .01), prior radiotherapy (hazard ratio: 4.65, P = .02), and greater number of irradiated vertebral levels were associated with pain progression. Conclusions: Local treatment of spinal sarcomas has remained a challenge for decades, with poor rates of local control and limited pain relief following conventional radiotherapy. In this series, pain relief was achieved in 82% of treatments at 6 months, with half of patients experiencing pain progression by 12 months. Given minimal toxicity and suboptimal pain control at 12 months, dose escalation beyond 16 Gy is warranted.

scholarly journals Efficacy and Safety of Hydroxychloroquine for Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 2503
Author(s):  
Adrian V. Hernandez ◽  
Mi T. Phan ◽  
Jonathon Rocco ◽  
Vinay Pasupuleti ◽  
Joshuan J. Barboza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Events ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
Serious Adverse Events ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Non Invasive Ventilation ◽  
Inverse Variance ◽  
Secondary Outcomes ◽  
Meta Analyses

We systematically reviewed the efficacy and safety of hydroxychloroquine as treatment for hospitalized COVID-19. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating hydroxychloroquine as treatment for hospitalized COVID-19 patients were searched until 2nd of December 2020. Primary outcomes were all-cause mortality, need of mechanical ventilation, need of non-invasive ventilation, ICU admission and oxygen support at 14 and 30 days. Secondary outcomes were clinical recovery and worsening, discharge, radiological progression of pneumonia, virologic clearance, serious adverse events (SAE) and adverse events. Inverse variance random effects meta-analyses were performed. Thirteen RCTs (n=18,540) were included. Hydroxychloroquine total doses ranged between 2000 and 12,400 mg; treatment durations were from 5 to 16 days and follow up times between 5 and 30 days. Compared to controls, hydroxychloroquine non-significantly increased mortality at 14 days (RR 1.07, 95%CI 0.92–1.25) or 30 days (RR 1.08, 95%CI 1.00–1.16). Hydroxychloroquine did not affect other primary or secondary outcomes, except SAEs that were significantly higher than the control (RR 1.24, 95%CI 1.05–1.46). Eleven RCTs had high or some concerns of bias. Subgroup analyses were consistent with main analyses. Hydroxychloroquine was not efficacious for treating hospitalized COVID-19 patients and caused more severe adverse events. Hydroxychloroquine should not be recommended as treatment for hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

scholarly journals Efficacy and Safety of CGRP Monoclonal Antibodies for the Prevention of Migraine Compared with Placebo: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaojing Yi ◽  
Yun Chen ◽  
Kun Chen ◽  
Mo Liu ◽  
Jiale Yi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Monoclonal Antibodies ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Injection Site ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
Upper Respiratory ◽  
Secondary Outcomes

Abstract Background: Calcitonin gene-related peptide monoclonal antibodies (CGRP mAbs) are a novel class of drugs for migraine that includes erenumab, fremanezumab, galcanezumab and eptinezumab. In clinical trials, CGRP mAbs have been reported to show good efficacy in the prevention of episodic migraines or chronic migraines. Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CGRP monoclonal antibodies in this study.Methods: We systematically searched for randomized controlled trials in the PubMed, Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Cochrane Library databases. The primary outcome was overall mean change from baseline to end of treatment in the number of monthly migraine headache days (MMHDs). The secondary outcomes included 50% response rate, in the number of monthly headache days (MHDs), in the number of monthly headache hours (MHHs), and in the number of monthly acute migraine-specific medication days (MSMDs). The safety outcomes were evaluated in terms of reported adverse events. Results: Eighteen studies including 11,099 patients were included in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis showed that CGRP mAbs exhibited a significant benefit in reducing the number of MMHDs compared to placebo (Episodic migraine: Std. MD -0.42, 95% CI -0.47 to -0.36; Chronic migraine: Std. MD -0.28, 95% CI -0.35 to -0.21). Similarly, CGRP mAbs were superior to placebo in the secondary outcomes of 50% response rate, MHDs, MHHs, and MSMDs. With respect to safety, serious adverse events and withdrawal due to adverse events were not significantly associated with CGRP mAbs. Fremanezumab was associated with a significantly higher incidence of any adverse event compared with placebo (RR 1.10, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.17). Galcanezumab was associated with significantly higher treatment-emergent adverse events compared with placebo (RR 1.11, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.17). Constipation and injection site pain were significantly higher with erenumab than placebo. Injection site erythema and injection site induration were significantly higher with fremanezumab than placebo. Upper respiratory tract infection, injection site erythema, injection site pruritus and injection site reaction were significantly higher with galcanezumab than placebo. Conclusions: This study confirms that CGRP mAbs are effective as preventive treatments for episodic migraines and chronic migraines. Adverse reactions at the injection site were associated with erenumab, fremanezumab and galcanezumab therapy. Constipation was more common with erenumab. The risk of upper respiratory tract infection was higher with galcanezumab.Systematic review registration: Our PROSPERO protocol registration number: CRD42019125928. Registered 26 November 2019.

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