scholarly journals Pharmacologic doses of recombinant human erythropoietin in the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes [see comments]

Blood ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 78 (7) ◽  
pp. 1658-1663
Author(s):  
RS Stein ◽  
RI Abels ◽  
SB Krantz

Twenty patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) entered a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial designed to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of high doses of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO). Patients completing the trial were eligible to receive rhEPO as part of an open-label study. Eighteen patients were transfusion dependent; 10 had refractory anemia (RA), and 10 had refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts (RARS). A response to rhEPO was defined as an increase in hematocrit of 4 percentage points or more over baseline, or the elimination of all transfusions with the hematocrit stable at the baseline level. In the double-blind trial, 1 patient (12.5%) receiving rhEPO responded, as compared with no responses in the placebo group. Overall, responses occurred in 4 of 17 patients (24%) receiving rhEPO at a dose of 1,200 to 1,600 U/kg intravenously (IV) twice weekly. Changes in granulocyte or platelet counts were not observed. Despite the administration of high doses of rhEPO, toxicity attributable to rhEPO was not observed in either the double-blind or open-label study. Response to rhEPO was not significantly related to age, gender, type of MDS, time since diagnosis, time since initiation of transfusion therapy, or baseline serum EPO. These studies indicate that rhEPO can be administered safely in very high doses to patients with MDS and that 24% of these patients will respond with increased erythropoiesis.

Blood ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 78 (7) ◽  
pp. 1658-1663 ◽  
Author(s):  
RS Stein ◽  
RI Abels ◽  
SB Krantz

Abstract Twenty patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) entered a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial designed to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of high doses of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO). Patients completing the trial were eligible to receive rhEPO as part of an open-label study. Eighteen patients were transfusion dependent; 10 had refractory anemia (RA), and 10 had refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts (RARS). A response to rhEPO was defined as an increase in hematocrit of 4 percentage points or more over baseline, or the elimination of all transfusions with the hematocrit stable at the baseline level. In the double-blind trial, 1 patient (12.5%) receiving rhEPO responded, as compared with no responses in the placebo group. Overall, responses occurred in 4 of 17 patients (24%) receiving rhEPO at a dose of 1,200 to 1,600 U/kg intravenously (IV) twice weekly. Changes in granulocyte or platelet counts were not observed. Despite the administration of high doses of rhEPO, toxicity attributable to rhEPO was not observed in either the double-blind or open-label study. Response to rhEPO was not significantly related to age, gender, type of MDS, time since diagnosis, time since initiation of transfusion therapy, or baseline serum EPO. These studies indicate that rhEPO can be administered safely in very high doses to patients with MDS and that 24% of these patients will respond with increased erythropoiesis.


Author(s):  
Christos M. Polymeropoulos ◽  
Justin Brooks ◽  
Emily L. Czeisler ◽  
Michaela A. Fisher ◽  
Mary M. Gibson ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose To assess the efficacy of tasimelteon to improve sleep in Smith–Magenis syndrome (SMS). Methods A 9-week, double-blind, randomized, two-period crossover study was conducted at four US clinical centers. Genetically confirmed patients with SMS, aged 3 to 39, with sleep complaints participated in the study. Patients were assigned to treatment with tasimelteon or placebo in a 4-week crossover study with a 1-week washout between treatments. Eligible patients participated in an open-label study and were followed for >3 months. Results Improvement of sleep quality (DDSQ50) and total sleep time (DDTST50) on the worst 50% of nights were primary endpoints. Secondary measures included actigraphy and behavioral parameters. Over three years, 52 patients were screened, and 25 patients completed the randomized portion of the study. DDSQ50 significantly improved over placebo (0.4, p = 0.0139), and DDTST50 also improved (18.5 minutes, p = 0.0556). Average sleep quality (0.3, p = 0.0155) and actigraphy-based total sleep time (21.1 minutes, p = 0.0134) improved significantly, consistent with the primary outcomes. Patients treated for ≥90 days in the open-label study showed persistent efficacy. Adverse events were similar between placebo and tasimelteon. Conclusion Tasimelteon safely and effectively improved sleep in SMS.


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 45-47
Author(s):  
L W Liu ◽  
M Syrzycka ◽  
P Janiszewski ◽  
L Kemps ◽  
B Degeronimo

Abstract Background Diabetic gastroparesis(DG) is a serious, chronic complication of type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus(DM) presenting with a delay in gastric emptying(GE). An estimated 3 million Canadians have been diagnosed with DM; up to 5% of these patients may develop DG. DG can result in poor glycemic control, recurrent nausea and vomiting, often resulting in hospitalization. To date, no effective treatments are available. A phase 2 study showed that relamorelin (RLM), a synthetic ghrelin agonist, was safe and effective in treating DG. Investigators across Canada are participating in a set of phase 3 international trials of RLM in the treatment of DG. Aims To report the Canadian involvement in the international effort to evaluate the safety and efficacy of RLM in the treatment of DG. PLEDGE is a set of 5 trials: two identical 12-week studies, a 46-week extension study, a 52-week exposure study, and an open-label extension study. Collectively, the data from these studies will help to evaluate the safety and efficacy of RLM, a novel treatment for Canadian patients living with DG. Methods Four global, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group studies compare the efficacy of RLM with placebo in participants with DG using composite endpoints of nausea, abdominal pain, postprandial fullness, bloating. Participants are randomized to RLM 10μg or placebo subcutaneously (SC) twice daily groups. The open-label continuation of treatment will follow participants until RLM becomes commercially available to provide long-term safety information to support the safe use of RLM as a chronic treatment of DG. As seen in Figure 1, participants from the two 12-week studies will rollover into the third study that will continue for 46 weeks. The fourth study will enroll participants that were not randomized in the first two studies because their symptoms were less severe and will also accept new participants. Participants will be randomized 2:1 to RLM 10μg or placebo SC twice daily groups. Participants from the third and fourth studies have the option to enroll in the open-label study. Results Target enrollment is approx. 1800 participants for the 4 global, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group studies and 1000 participants for the open label study. 700 sites are expected to participate globally; 15 Canadian sites in 6 provinces are participating. Conclusions Canadian centers are actively involved in the PLEDGE trials to help determine the efficacy and safety of RLM, a potential new treatment for DG. This publication increases awareness of the Canadian gastroenterology community, providing an option to refer interested patients to PLEDGE study centers. PLEDGE Studies (NCT03285308, NCT03426345, NCT03420781, NCT03383146, NCT03786380): Placebo-controlled, randomized RLM-MD-01/02/03/04 and open-label study 3071-305-020 to study the safety and efficacy of relamorelin for the treatment of diabetic gastroparesis Funding Agencies None


2000 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 255-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
K P Johnson ◽  
B R Brooks ◽  
C C Ford ◽  
A Goodman ◽  
J Guarnaccia ◽  
...  

In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study, glatiramer acetate (Copaxone®) reduced the relapse rate and slowed accumulation of disability for patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Of the original 251 patients randomized to receive glatiramer acetate or placebo, 208 chose to continue in an open-label study with all patients receiving active drug. The majority of the original double-blind cohort continues to receive glatiramer acetate by daily subcutaneous injection and are evaluated at 6-month intervals and during suspected relapse. The data reported here are from approximately 6 years of organized evaluation, including the double-blind phase of up to 35 months and the open-label phase of over 36 months. Daily subcutaneous injections of 20 mg glatiramer acetate were well tolerated. The mean annual relapse rate of the patients who received glatiramer acetate since randomization and continued into the open-label study was 0.42 (95% confidence interval (CI), CI=0.34-0.51). The rate per year has continued to drop and for the sixth year is 0.23. Of the group who have received glatiramer acetate without interruption for 5 or more years, 69.3% were neurologically unchanged or have improved from baseline by at least one step on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Patients who left the open-label phase were surveyed by questionnaire. The majority responded, providing information about their current status and reasons for dropping out. This study demonstrates the sustained efficacy of glatiramer acetate in reducing the relapse rate and in slowing the accumulation of disability in patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis.


Cephalalgia ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 33 (13) ◽  
pp. 1117-1121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Werner J Becker

Objective: The objective was to determine, through a literature review, whether treatment during the premonitory phase of migraine is a potentially useful migraine management strategy. Methods: A general literature review was done with regard to the nature of migraine premonitory symptoms, their frequency, their reliability in predicting migraine attacks, and the effectiveness of medication treatment when given during the premonitory phase. Results: Many different symptoms have been reported as premonitory symptoms that occur before migraine attacks. Up to 87% of patients with migraine may experience premonitory symptoms, although some studies have provided estimates as low as 33%. In selected patients, premonitory symptoms may be relatively reliable predictors of a migraine attack to follow. Both naratriptan (open-label study) and domperidone (double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study) have been reported to be effective when given during the premonitory phase. Conclusions: More research is needed, but there is some evidence that medication treatment during the premonitory phase has the potential to be helpful in selected patients with migraine.


2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (11) ◽  
pp. 1850-1856 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger M. Lyons ◽  
Thomas M. Cosgriff ◽  
Sanjiv S. Modi ◽  
Robert H. Gersh ◽  
John D. Hainsworth ◽  
...  

Purpose Azacitidine (AZA) is effective treatment for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) at a dosing schedule of 75 mg/m2/d subcutaneously for 7 days every 4 weeks. The initial phase of this ongoing multicenter, community-based, open-label study evaluated three alternative AZA dosing schedules without weekend dosing. Patients and Methods MDS patients were randomly assigned to one of three regimens every 4 weeks for six cycles: AZA 5-2-2 (75 mg/m2/d subcutaneously for 5 days, followed by 2 days no treatment, then 75 mg/m2/d for 2 days); AZA 5-2-5 (50 mg/m2/d subcutaneously for 5 days, followed by 2 days no treatment, then 50 mg/m2/d for 5 days); or AZA 5 (75 mg/m2/d subcutaneously for 5 days). Results Of patients randomly assigned to AZA 5-2-2 (n = 50), AZA 5-2-5 (n = 51), or AZA 5 (n = 50), most were French-American-British (FAB) lower risk (refractory anemia [RA]/RA with ringed sideroblasts/chronic myelomonocytic leukemia with < 5% bone marrow blasts, 63%) or RA with excess blasts (30%), and 79 (52%) completed ≥ six treatment cycles. Hematologic improvement (HI) was achieved by 44% (22 of 50), 45% (23 of 51), and 56% (28 of 50) of AZA 5-2-2, AZA 5-2-5, and AZA 5 arms, respectively. Proportions of RBC transfusion–dependent patients who achieved transfusion independence were 50% (12 of 24), 55% (12 of 22), and 64% (16 of 25), and of FAB lower-risk transfusion-dependent patients were 53% (nine of 17), 50% (six of 12), and 61% (11 of 18), respectively. In the AZA 5-2-2, AZA 5-2-5, and AZA 5 groups, 84%, 77%, and 58%, respectively, experienced ≥ 1 grade 3 to 4 adverse events. Conclusion All three alternative dosing regimens produced HI, RBC transfusion independence, and safety responses consistent with the currently approved AZA regimen. These results support AZA benefits in transfusion-dependent lower-risk MDS patients.


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