scholarly journals Levetiracetam Compared to Phenobarbital as a First Line Therapy for Neonatal Seizures: An Unexpected Influence of Benzodiazepines on Seizure Response

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 144-150
Author(s):  
Charlotte B. Wagner ◽  
Alexander M. Kreimer ◽  
Nina P. Carrillo ◽  
Elizabeth Autry ◽  
Aric Schadler ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVES Neonatal seizures are common complications. Phenobarbital is the agent of choice but leads to adverse neurologic outcomes. There has been increased use of newer agents like levetiracetam. The objective of this study was determining the rate of seizure resolution in neonates treated with phenobarbital or levetiracetam. METHODS This was a retrospective, single-center, cohort study from June 1, 2012–June 1, 2018 evaluating seizure resolution in neonates following first-line treatment with phenobarbital versus levetiracetam. Data were collected via review of the patient's charts in the electronic medical record. The primary outcome was seizure resolution without addition of a second antiepileptic agent. Logistic regression was used to assess the impact of pertinent variables. RESULTS Each group included 73 patients. The mean gestational age was 36.01 and 37.91 weeks for the phenobarbital and levetiracetam groups, respectively (p = 0.011). The phenobarbital group had higher rates of intraventricular hemorrhage at baseline. The median birth weight was 2750 and 3002 grams in the phenobarbital and levetiracetam groups, respectively (p = 0.10). Forty-five neonates (61.6%) achieved seizure resolution with phenobarbital compared with 30 neonates (41.1%) with levetiracetam (p = 0.01). In neonates who did not receive a benzodiazepine, seizure resolution was similar between groups (51–52%). In neonates who received a benzodiazepine, seizure resolution rate was 94.1% (16/17 neonates) for phenobarbital and 18.2% (4/22 neonates) for levetiracetam. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest seizure resolution with levetiracetam, and phenobarbital may be impacted by benzodiazepine administration. If no benzodiazepine is used, these agents demonstrated similar efficacy. Further research into the pharmacodynamic interaction with benzodiazepines is necessary.

2020 ◽  
pp. 088506662098250
Author(s):  
Chad M. Conner ◽  
William H. Perucki ◽  
Andre Gabriel ◽  
David M. O’Sullivan ◽  
Antonio B. Fernandez

Introduction: There is a paucity of data evaluating the impact of heart rate (HR) during Targeted Temperature Management (TTM) and neurologic outcomes. Current resuscitation guidelines do not specify a HR goal during TTM. We sought to determine the relationship between HR and neurologic outcomes in a single-center registry dataset. Methods: We retrospectively studied 432 consecutive patients who completed TTM (33°C) after cardiac arrest from 2008 to 2017. We evaluated the relationship between neurologic outcomes and HR during TTM. Pittsburgh Cerebral Performance Categories (CPC) at discharge were used to determine neurological recovery. Statistical analysis included chi square, Student’s t-test and Mann-Whitney U. A logistic regression model was created to evaluate the strength of contribution of selected variables on the outcome of interest. Results: Approximately 94,000 HR data points from 432 patients were retrospectively analyzed; the mean HR was 82.17 bpm over the duration of TTM. Favorable neurological outcomes were seen in 160 (37%) patients. The mean HR in the patients with a favorable outcome was lower than the mean HR of those with an unfavorable outcome (79.98 bpm vs 85.67 bpm p < 0.001). Patients with an average HR of 60-91 bpm were 2.4 times more likely to have a favorable neurological outcome compared to than HR’s < 60 or > 91 (odds ratio [OR] = 2.36, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.61-3.46, p < 0.001). Specifically, mean HR’s in the 73-82 bpm range had the greatest rate of favorable outcomes (OR 3.56, 95% CI 1.95-6.50), p < 0.001. Administration of epinephrine, a history of diabetes mellitus and hypertension all were associated with worse neurological outcomes independent of HR. Conclusion: During TTM, mean HRs between 60-91 showed a positive association with favorable outcomes. It is unclear whether a specific HR should be targeted during TTM or if heart rates between 60-91 bpm might be a sign of less neurological damage.


2021 ◽  
Vol 92 (12) ◽  
pp. 980-986
Author(s):  
Edwin Hong-Teck Loh ◽  
Feng Wei Soh ◽  
Brian See ◽  
Benjamin Boon Chuan Tan

BACKGROUND: Graves’ Disease (GD) is a common cause of hyperthyroidism. Although definitive treatment with radioactive iodine (RAI) is preferred for military aircrew, there are cultural and individual differences in receptivity toward RAI, and clinical guidelines that recommend antithyroid drugs (ATD) as the first line therapy. We examined a case series of Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) aviators with GD treated with ATD and the impact of their condition on aeromedical disposition.CASE SERIES: All RSAF aircrew diagnosed with GD and treated with ATD over a 15-yr period were retrospectively identified and analyzed to determine the impact on their fitness for flying duties. The mean age of the 13 aircrew was 33 ± 7.1 yr (range, 25–47 yr), with 11 (84.6%) being males. There were 10 (76.9%) who had ATD as the only treatment while 3 (23.1%) were initially treated with ATD but subsequently underwent RAI or surgery. Of the 10 treated with only ATD, 3 (30.0%) were returned to restricted flying, 6 (60.0%) were returned to unrestricted flying, and 1 (10.0%) is still undergoing ATD titration. There were 10 (76.9%) aircrew who were returned to some form of flying duties while on low doses of ATD.DISCUSSION: This case series suggests that ATD is a viable treatment modality in the aeromedical management of military aviators with GD and it is possible to return military aircrew on a stable maintenance dose of ATD to flying duties. A framework is proposed to support the aeromedical decision-making process for military aircrew in the treatment of GD.Loh EH-T, Soh FW, See B, Tan BBC. Aeromedical decision making for military aircrew with Graves’ disease. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2021; 92(12):980–986.


2020 ◽  
pp. 135245852093764
Author(s):  
Yael Hacohen ◽  
Brenda Banwell ◽  
Olga Ciccarelli

Paediatric multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with higher relapse rate, rapid magnetic resonance imaging lesion accrual early in the disease course and worse cognitive outcome and physical disability in the long term compared to adult-onset disease. Current treatment strategies are largely centre-specific and reliant on adult protocols. The aim of this review is to examine which treatment options should be considered first line for paediatric MS and we attempt to answer the question if injectable first-line disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) are still an optimal option. To answer this question, we review the effects of early onset disease on clinical course and outcomes, with specific considerations on risks and benefits of treatments for paediatric MS. Considering the impact of disease activity on brain atrophy, cognitive impairment and development of secondary progressive MS at a younger age, we would recommend treating paediatric MS as a highly active disease, favouring the early use of highly effective DMTs rather than injectable DMTs.


2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1039-1039 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. N. Sherif ◽  
B. Sherrill ◽  
M. Amonkar ◽  
Y. Wu ◽  
J. Maltzman ◽  
...  

1039 Background: A phase III randomized double-blind multicenter trial compared lapatinib plus letrozole (L+Let) with letrozole plus placebo (Let), as first-line therapy for hormone receptor positive (HR+) MBC. Median PFS, the primary endpoint of the study, in patients who were HER2+ was significantly prolonged for L+Let compared with Let (8.2 vs 3 months, Hazard Ratio (95% CI)=0.71(0.53,0.96), p=0.019). This analysis focuses on the impact of treatments on QOL in the HER2+ subgroup. Methods: QOL outcomes included the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-B) total, FACT-general (FACT-G), and trial outcome index (TOI) scores assessed at screening, every 12 weeks and at withdrawal. Higher scores indicate better QOL. Changes from baseline were analyzed using analysis of covariance. In a responder analysis, patients achieving minimally important differences in QOL scores (QOL responders) were compared with Fisher's exact test. Results: Among 1,286 patients, 219 were identified as HER2+ (L+Let n=111; Let n=108). Baseline QOL scores were comparable in the two arms. In this population, mean changes in subscale and total QOL scores were generally stable over time in both treatment arms for patients who stayed on study. For example, on the FACT-B, the average change from baseline in both groups was positive at all scheduled visits through Week 48 and the maximum difference between arms was 2.6 points (CI: -5.8, 11). There were no significant differences between the two treatment arms in percentage of QOL responders (Table). Conclusions: The addition of lapatinib to letrozole significantly increases PFS while maintaining QOL when compared with letrozole alone thus confirming the clinical benefit of the combination therapy in the HR+, HER2+ MBC patient population. This combination provides an effective option in this patient population by maintaining QOL and delaying the need for chemotherapy and its accompanying side effects. [Table: see text] [Table: see text]


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hye Ryeon Kim ◽  
Soomin Ahn ◽  
Hyunji Jo ◽  
Hongsik Kim ◽  
Joohyun Hong ◽  
...  

BackgroundTrastuzumab is a HER2-trargeted humanized monoclonal antibody that has been studied as a first-line treatment for patients with HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer (AGC). The effect of anti-HER2 therapy according to tumor mutational burden (TMB) in HER2-positive AGC remains unclear.MethodsWe performed next-generation sequencing (NGS), including TMB analysis, in 31 HER2-positive AGC patients with trastuzumab plus chemotherapy as first-line therapy for recurrent (n=8) or metastatic (n=23) tumors. The TruSight Oncology 500 Assay from Illumina (San Diego, CA, USA) was used to evaluate TMB.ResultsAmong 31 patients, 30 had tumors with immunohistochemistry (IHC) 3+, and one was IHC 2+ and silver in situ hybridization (SISH) positive. The median age was 57.0 years old (range, 35-76), and the majority had tumors with low TMB (87.1%, n=27/31). Only four (12.9%) had tumors with high TMB. Of these four, three achieved complete response (CR) or partial response (PR) to treatment, and the remaining patient was not evaluable for tumor response. Objective response rate (ORR) to trastuzumab plus chemotherapy showed a favorable trend in patients with high TMB (75.0%, n=3/4) compared to patients with low TMB (59.3%, n=16/27) (P=0.546). The median progression-free survival (PFS) was not reached in the TMB-high group but was 8.0 months (95% CI, 7.6-8.5) in the TMB-low group (P=0.019)ConclusionThe status of TMB could be a novel biomarker in predicting the efficacy of trastuzumab plus chemotherapy in HER2-positive AGCs.


2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 4517-4517 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Riess ◽  
U. Pelzer ◽  
J. Stieler ◽  
I. Schwaner ◽  
G. Heil ◽  
...  

4517 Objective: For nearly ten years gemcitabine (G) was standard first line therapy for patients (pts) with advanced pancreatic cancer (APC). There is no consensus about second line therapy after disease progression while receiving G, but 5-FU-based regimens are considered. Results about randomized second line studies in APC are very rare. Our phase II study (ASCO 2002) showed activity of the OFF (oxaliplatin/folinic Acid (FA)/5-fluorouracil (FU) [24h] ) regimen in 23 pts. To examine the impact and the side effects of oxaliplatin we initiated a multicenter phase III study to compare OFF and FF in pts with G refractory APC. Methods: Pts with CT/ MRT confirmed failure with G in first line therapy, Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) >60%, controlled pain, adequate hematological, renal and liver functions were eligible. Pts were stratified according to duration of first line therapy, KPS and tumor stage. We randomized pts to outpatient treatment with FF (FU 2g/m2 (24h)/ FA 200 mg/m2 (30min) on d1, d8, d15 and d22) or OFF (FF+Oxaliplatin 85mg/m2, d8, d22). In both arms the next cycle started on day 43. Pts were followed with regular staging every 3 months or at any signs of disease progression. Results: Until now we randomized 161 of 165 (planned) pts between 02/2004 and 01/2007. So we expect to present first results (side effects, progression free survival, overall survival) at the meeting. No significant financial relationships to disclose.


2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (4_suppl) ◽  
pp. 633-633 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Tschaika ◽  
Hans-Joachim Schmoll ◽  
Jorge Riera-Knorrenschild ◽  
Dieter Nitsche ◽  
Jorg Trojan ◽  
...  

633 Background: The synthetic DNA-based immunomodulator MGN1703 acts as an agonist of toll-like receptor 9. Based on promising data from a phase I study in patients with metastatic solid tumors including those with CRC, a phase II-III study was initiated in patients with advanced CRC having disease control after first-line therapy. The objective of the study is to assess efficacy and safety of the MGN1703 treatment in comparison to placebo. Methods: The IMPACT study is designed as a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled phase II-III study, which is conducted in patients with advanced CRC showing disease control after first-line therapy with standard chemotherapy regimen. The treatment is administered subcutaneously twice weekly in a ratio 2:1 (60 mg MGN1703 or placebo). The study is conducted in Germany, Austria, France, UK, Czech Republic and Russia, and 129 patients will be recruited into the study. The efficacy and safety of the study treatment will be evaluated based on extensive immunological tests, radiological assessment, safety laboratory results and assessments of the quality of life. The study treatment will be continued until tumor progression, intolerable toxicity, exclusion criteria or withdrawal of consent. Results: The majority of adverse events were assessed as not drug-related by the investigator. The remaining AEs include mild night sweat (not assessable), mild fever (at three occasions, possible related), and mild arthralgia (certain related) in one patient each. Three SAE have been reported so far of which one was assessed as probably drug-related – atypical pneumonia. Only in single patients local reactions such as mild redness and swelling at injection site were reported. No laboratory or clinical signs of autoimmunity or dose-limiting toxicities were reported, so far. Conclusions: With these preliminary safety results of the ongoing clinical study in patients with advanced CRC it could be shown that ttreatment with MGN1703 at the dosage of 60 mg is well tolerated and safe. Reported adverse events assessed as possibly drug-related belong to expected study drug reactions known for immune modulating drugs. These events were not accompanied by any signs of autoimmunity.


2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 9049-9049
Author(s):  
Boris Pfeiffer ◽  
Mahmoud Hashim ◽  
Monica Duran ◽  
Maarten Postma ◽  
Bart Heeg

9049 Background: Correlations between overall survival (OS) and objective response rate (ORR) or progression-free survival (PFS) are poor. We aimed to evaluate the impact of crossover and unbalanced subsequent treatments on ORR and PFS as surrogate endpoints for OS in patients with advanced NSCLC receiving first-line therapy. Methods: A systematic literature review of randomized clinical trials of systemic treatment for patients with stage IIIB/IV NSCLC receiving first-line therapy was performed. Weighted (by trial size) linear regression models were fitted with the absolute difference in ORR or median PFS as an independent variable and the absolute difference in median OS as a dependent variable. The analysis was repeated in predefined subsets based on crossover and balance of post-progression therapies. Surrogate threshold effect (STE) was estimated using prediction intervals. Results: 317 trials (78,644 patients) fulfilled the eligibility criteria. In all treatment arms, the mean ORR, median PFS, and median OS were 28.2% (standard deviation (SD) = 12.4%), 5.1 months (SD = 2.1), and 10.4 months (SD = 2.5), respectively. ORR and PFS had weak (R = 0.351; 95% CI: 0.251-0.443) and (R = 0.397; 95% CI: 0.267-0.512) associations with OS, respectively. However, within phase III trials that did not allow crossover and reported balanced post-progression treatments, both ORR and PFS had stronger associations with OS (ORR and OS: R = 0.601, 95% CI: 0.399-0.747; PFS and OS: R = 0.695, 95% CI: 0.446-0.844). STE estimation indicated that trials that show statistically significant treatment effect size of ≥43% ORR or ≥3.2 median PFS months can be expected to show significant OS benefit with sufficient certainty. Conclusions: Surrogacy of ORR and PFS for OS might be better estimated in trials that do not allow crossover and report balanced post-progression treatments. Presented STE calculation can be used to estimate the expected effect on OS when either ORR or PFS are used as primary endpoints.


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (4_suppl) ◽  
pp. 12-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gemma Zucchelli ◽  
Roberto Moretto ◽  
Daniele Rossini ◽  
Sara Lonardi ◽  
Sabina Murgioni ◽  
...  

12 Background: According to the ESMO guidelines a metastatic spread involving up to 2 or occasionally 3 sites with 5 or sometimes more metastases (mts) is defined as oligometastatic disease (OMD) and the possibility to offer locoregional treatments (LRTs) should be carefully considered. Tumor load and treatment’s objective (cytoreduction vs disease control) are included among factors affecting the choice of the intensity of the upfront chemotherapy (CT). Nevertheless, no data from clinical trials adopting this definition are currently available, so that the prognostic effect of tumor load, the impact of LRTs and the magnitude of benefit from the CT-intensification in OMD remain unclear. Here we assess the effect of FOLFOXIRI/bev compared to doublets (FOLFOX or FOLFIRI)/bev and the impact of LRTs according to tumor load (OMD vs non-OMD) in a pooled analysis of two randomized phase III studies (TRIBE and TRIBE2). Methods: Subgroup analyses for ORR, PFS and OS were performed according to tumor load at baseline. OMD was defined as up to 5 mts, up to 3 mts in one organ, up to 3 affected organs, mts size ≤ 3 cm, absence of ascites and peritoneal, bone and central nervous system mts. Results: Among 1187 patients (pts) enrolled, 1158 were classifiable: 126 as OMD (11%) and 1032 as non-OMD (89%). Pts with OMD had longer PFS (14.3 vs 10.5 months (mos); p < 0.01) and OS (44.3 vs 24.0 mos; p < 0.01) compared with those with non-OMD. These results were confirmed in multivariable models (p < 0.01). Also among pts who underwent LRTs with curative intent during first line (N = 202), those with OMD at baseline (N = 35) reported longer OS than those with non-OMD (59.6 vs 50.6 mos; p = 0.04). The benefit provided by FOLFOXIRI/bev compared to doublets/bev was confirmed in the OMD subgroup with no interaction effect between treatment arm and tumor load in terms of ORR, PFS and OS (p for interaction = 0.10, 0.58 and 0.23, respectively). Conclusions: OMD is confirmed as a positive prognostic factor and is associated with a higher magnitude of long-term benefit from LRTs than non-OMD. The positive impact of the intensification of the upfront CT is independent of tumor load.


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (4_suppl) ◽  
pp. TPS271-TPS271
Author(s):  
Niall C. Tebbutt ◽  
Christopher B. Steer ◽  
Katrin Marie Sjoquist ◽  
Lorraine A. Chantrill ◽  
Christos Stelios Karapetis ◽  
...  

TPS271 Background: Pan added to combination chemotherapy is established first-line therapy for RAS and BRAF wild type mCRC. Elderly patients are not well represented in clinical trials and may be more suited to treatment protocols with lower toxicity risks; FU plus bevacizumab (bev) is commonly used. Treatment related efficacy, toxicity, impact on quality of life and other outcomes of pan based regimens in an elderly population have not been well studied. Methods: A prospective non-comparative randomized phase 2 study. Australian Clinical Trials Registry Number: ACTRN 12618000233224. Main inclusion criteria include: Untreated patients aged 70 years or older; RAS and BRAF wild type; ECOG performance 0-2. Randomisation 1:1, stratified by primary tumour side, performance status, number of metastatic sites; to pan 6mg/kg 2 weekly or panitumumab plus FU 400 mg/m² bolus; leucovorin 200mg/m²; FU 2400mg/m² 48 hour infusion 2 weekly. Primary endpoint is 6-month progression-free survival (PFS). Sample size is 80 patients based on expected 6-month PFS rate of 73% with FU and bev. Using the method of Metha-Cain, if 24 or more patients are progression free at 6 months, the one sided 95% confidence interval includes 73% and we declare similar activity. Secondary endpoints include overall survival; toxicity and overall treatment utility, a composite measure of treatment benefit based on radiology, clinical progress, toxicity and patient reflection of the impact of treatment on their daily lives. Patients undergo a comprehensive health assessment at baseline and limited health assessment at 4 months. Physical activity trackers are worn for 2 weeks at treatment commencement and again at week 16. Tumour tissue and blood samples (at baseline, cycle 3 day 1 and at 24 weeks) will be collected for translational research. First site opened in June 2018. Twelve patients have been recruited to date from 9 sites in Australasia. Eighteen sites were open as at September 2019. Clinical trial information: 12618000233224.


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