scholarly journals The impact of participant engagement activities in supporting dapivirine ring use among participants enrolled in the Phase III MTN-020/ASPIRE study

Author(s):  
Morgan Garcia ◽  
Ellen Luecke ◽  
Ashley Mayo ◽  
Rachel Scheckter ◽  
Patrick Ndase ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Low adherence to investigational products can negatively impact study outcomes, limiting the ability to demonstrate efficacy. To continue advancing potential new HIV prevention technologies for at-risk individuals, efforts are needed to improve adherence among study participants. In MTN-020/ASPIRE, a phase III randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the dapivirine vaginal ring carried out across 15 sites in sub-Saharan Africa, a multifaceted approach to adherence support was implemented, including a strong focus on participant engagement activities (PEAs). In this manuscript, we describe PEAs and participant attendance, and analyze the potential impact of PEAs on ring use. Methods: All sites implemented PEAs and submitted activity and attendance reports to the study management team throughout the study. Participant demographics were collected via case report forms. Ring use was estimated based on residual dapivirine remaining in the last returned ring by each participant and connected to PEA attendance using participant identification numbers. We used multivariate logistic regression to explore differences in ring use between PEA attendance groups and reviewed qualitative reports for illustrative quotes highlighting participant experiences with PEAs. Results: 2,312 of 2,629 study participants attended at least one of 389 PEAs conducted across sites. Participant country and partner knowledge of study participation were most strongly associated with PEA attendance (p < 0.005) with age, education, and income status also associated with event attendance (p < 0.05). When controlling for these variables, participants who attended at least one event were more likely to return a last ring showing at least some use (AOR=3.52) than those who never attended an event. There was an even stronger correlation between a last returned ring showing use and participant attendance at multiple events (AOR=4.03). Conclusions: Our analysis supports the growing body of work illustrating the importance of meaningfully engaging research participants to achieve study success and aligns with other analyses of adherence support efforts during ASPIRE. While causation between PEA attendance and product use cannot be established, residual drug levels in returned rings strongly correlated with participant attendance at PEAs, and the benefits of incorporating PEAs should be considered when designing future studies of investigational products.

2011 ◽  
Vol 29 (27_suppl) ◽  
pp. 268-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. A. Yardley ◽  
R. Ismail-Khan ◽  
P. Klein

268 Background: Hormonal therapy, including AIs, is the mainstay of ER+ breast cancer (BC) treatment; however, both acquired and intrinsic resistance limits its clinical benefit. Entinostat is a novel, oral, class I selective histone deacetylase inhibitor that has been shown to inhibit growth factor signaling pathways that mediate AI resistance. This study was designed to evaluate the impact of the addition of entinostat to exemestane therapy on progression-free survival (PFS). Methods: Postmenopausal women with ER+ advanced BC who had progressed on a non-steroidal AI were randomized to exemestane 25 mg daily + entinostat 5 mg or placebo weekly. Results: A total of 130 women were enrolled (66 exemestane+placebo; 64 exemestane+entinostat). All but 1 patient had Stage IV disease, and 82% had measurable disease. All patients had received prior hormonal therapy (1 prior line 42%; >1 prior line 58%), and 62% had received prior chemotherapy (33% in the advanced BC setting). Analysis of the intent-to-treat population showed that PFS was significantly (defined prospectively as p <0.10) longer with exemestane+entinostat than with exemestane+placebo (4.28 versus 2.27 months, respectively; hazard ratio [HR] = 0.73; p=0.06). Entinostat combined with exemestane was well-tolerated with the most frequent adverse events (AEs) consisting of fatigue, gastrointestinal disturbances, and hematologic abnormalities. AEs with a ≥20% higher incidence with exemestane+entinostat than with exemestane+placebo were fatigue (46% versus 26%, respectively) and uncomplicated neutropenia (25% versus 0%, respectively). The serious AE rate was similar for exemestane+entinostat (13%) and exemestane+placebo (12%). Conclusions: Exemestane+entinostat significantly prolonged the median PFS and reduced the risk of disease progression by 27% versus exemestane+placebo (HR = 0.73). In light of these positive data, a phase III evaluation of this combination is planned.


2021 ◽  
pp. jrheum.201088
Author(s):  
Peter C. Taylor ◽  
Désirée van der Heijde ◽  
Robert Landewé ◽  
Shannon McCue ◽  
Sue Cheng ◽  
...  

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of apremilast, an oral phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor, in patients with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Methods This phase III, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study (NCT01583374) randomized patients with active AS (1:1:1) to placebo, apremilast 20 mg twice daily, or apremilast 30 mg twice daily for 24 weeks, followed by a long-term extension phase (up to 5 years). The primary endpoint was assessment of the SpondyloArthritis International Society 20 (ASAS 20) response at Week 16. The impact of treatment on radiographic outcomes after 104 weeks was assessed using the modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Score (mSASSS). Results In total, 490 patients with active AS were randomized in the study (placebo: n=164; apremilast 20 mg twice daily: n=163; apremilast 30 mg twice daily: n=163). The primary endpoint of ASAS 20 response at Week 16 was not met (placebo: 37%; apremilast 20 mg twice daily: 35%; apremilast 30 mg twice daily: 33%; p=0.44 vs placebo). At Week 104, mean (SD) changes from baseline in mSASSS were 0.83 (3.6), 0.98 (2.2), and 0.57 (1.9) in patients initially randomized to placebo, apremilast 20 mg twice daily, and apremilast 30 mg twice daily, respectively. The most frequently reported adverse events through Week 104 were diarrhea, nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory infection, and nausea. Conclusion No clinical benefit was observed with apremilast treatment in patients with active AS. The safety and tolerability of apremilast were consistent with its known profile.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christophe Lay ◽  
Collins Wenhan Chu ◽  
Rikky Wenang Purbojati ◽  
Enzo Acerbi ◽  
Daniela I. Drautz-Moses ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The compromised gut microbiome that results from C-section birth has been hypothesized as a risk factor for the development of non-communicable diseases (NCD). In a double-blind randomized controlled study, 153 infants born by elective C-section received an infant formula supplemented with either synbiotic, prebiotics, or unsupplemented from birth until 4 months old. Vaginally born infants were included as a reference group. Stool samples were collected from day 3 till week 22. Multi-omics were deployed to investigate the impact of mode of delivery and nutrition on the development of the infant gut microbiome, and uncover putative biological mechanisms underlying the role of a compromised microbiome as a risk factor for NCD. Results As early as day 3, infants born vaginally presented a hypoxic and acidic gut environment characterized by an enrichment of strict anaerobes (Bifidobacteriaceae). Infants born by C-section presented the hallmark of a compromised microbiome driven by an enrichment of Enterobacteriaceae. This was associated with meta-omics signatures characteristic of a microbiome adapted to a more oxygen-rich gut environment, enriched with genes associated with reactive oxygen species metabolism and lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis, and depleted in genes involved in the metabolism of milk carbohydrates. The synbiotic formula modulated expression of microbial genes involved in (oligo)saccharide metabolism, which emulates the eco-physiological gut environment observed in vaginally born infants. The resulting hypoxic and acidic milieu prevented the establishment of a compromised microbiome. Conclusions This study deciphers the putative functional hallmarks of a compromised microbiome acquired during C-section birth, and the impact of nutrition that may counteract disturbed microbiome development. Trial registration The study was registered in the Dutch Trial Register (Number: 2838) on 4th April 2011.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 427
Author(s):  
Stefania Cicolari ◽  
Chiara Pavanello ◽  
Elena Olmastroni ◽  
Marina Del Puppo ◽  
Marco Bertolotti ◽  
...  

Background: Oxysterol relationship with cardiovascular (CV) risk factors is poorly explored, especially in moderately hypercholesterolaemic subjects. Moreover, the impact of nutraceuticals controlling hypercholesterolaemia on plasma levels of 24-, 25- and 27-hydroxycholesterol (24-OHC, 25-OHC, 27-OHC) is unknown. Methods: Subjects (n = 33; 18–70 years) with moderate hypercholesterolaemia (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C:): 130–200 mg/dL), in primary CV prevention as well as low CV risk were studied cross-sectionally. Moreover, they were evaluated after treatment with a nutraceutical combination (Bifidobacterium longum BB536, red yeast rice extract (10 mg/dose monacolin K)), following a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled design. We evaluated 24-OHC, 25-OHC and 27-OHC levels by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis. Results: 24-OHC and 25-OHC were significantly correlated, 24-OHC was correlated with apoB. 27-OHC and 27-OHC/total cholesterol (TC) were higher in men (median 209 ng/mL and 77 ng/mg, respectively) vs. women (median 168 ng/mL and 56 ng/mg, respectively); 27-OHC/TC was significantly correlated with abdominal circumference, visceral fat and, negatively, with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Triglycerides were significantly correlated with 24-OHC, 25-OHC and 27-OHC and with 24-OHC/TC and 25-OHC/TC. After intervention, 27-OHC levels were significantly reduced by 10.4% in the nutraceutical group Levels of 24-OHC, 24-OHC/TC, 25-OHC, 25-OHC/TC and 27-OHC/TC were unchanged. Conclusions: In this study, conducted in moderate hypercholesterolemic subjects, we observed novel relationships between 24-OHC, 25-OHC and 27-OHC and CV risk biomarkers. In addition, no adverse changes of OHC levels upon nutraceutical treatment were found.


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