Summary Background Research into mechanisms of skin scarring identified transforming growth factor β3 (TGFβ3) as a potential antiscarring therapy. We assessed scar improvement with avotermin ...(recombinant, active, human TGFβ3). Methods In three double-blind, placebo-controlled studies, intradermal avotermin (concentrations ranging from 0·25 to 500 ng/100 μL per linear cm wound margin) was administered to both margins of 1 cm, full-thickness skin incisions, before wounding and 24 h later, in healthy men and women. Treatments (avotermin and placebo or standard wound care) were randomly allocated to wound sites by a computer generated randomisation scheme, and within-participant controls compared avotermin versus placebo or standard wound care alone. Primary endpoints were visual assessment of scar formation at 6 months and 12 months after wounding in two studies, and from week 6 to month 7 after wounding in the third. Investigators, participants, and scar assessors were blinded to treatment. Efficacy analyses were intention to treat. These studies are registered with ClinicalTrials.gov , numbers NCT00847925 , NCT00847795 , and NCT00629811. Results In two studies, avotermin 50 ng/100 μL per linear cm significantly improved median score on a 100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS) by 5 mm (range −2 to 14; p=0·001) at month 6 and 8 mm (−29 to 18; p=0·0230) at month 12. In the third, avotermin significantly improved total scar scores at all concentrations versus placebo (mean improvement: from 14·84 mm 95 % CI 5·5–24·2 at 5 ng/100 μL per linear cm to 64·25 mm 49·4–79·1 at 500 ng/100 μL per linear cm). Nine 60% scars treated with avotermin 50 ng/100 μL per linear cm showed 25% or less abnormal orientation of collagen fibres in the reticular dermis versus five 33% placebo scars. After only 6 weeks from wounding, avotermin 500 ng/100 μL per linear cm improved VAS score by 16·12 mm (95% CI 10·61–21·63). Adverse events at wound sites were similar for avotermin and controls. Erythema and oedema were more frequent with avotermin than with placebo, but were transient and deemed to be consistent with normal wound healing. Interpretation Avotermin has potential to provide an accelerated and permanent improvement in scarring. Funding Renovo (UK).
Aims
We investigated the effects of a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor (itraconazole) or inducer (rifampicin) on the pharmacokinetics of the epidermal growth factor receptor‐tyrosine kinase inhibitor ...osimertinib, in patients with advanced non‐small cell lung cancer in two Phase I, open‐label, two‐part clinical studies. Part one of both studies is reported.
Methods
In the itraconazole study (NCT02157883), patients received single‐dose osimertinib 80 mg on Days 1 and 10 and itraconazole (200 mg twice daily) on Days 6–18 orally. In the rifampicin study (NCT02197247), patients received osimertinib 80 mg once daily on Days 1–77 and rifampicin 600 mg once daily on Days 29–49.
Results
In the itraconazole study (n = 36), the geometric least squares mean (GMLSM) ratios (osimertinib plus itraconazole/osimertinib alone) for Cmax and AUC were 80% (90% CI 73, 87) and 124% (90% CI 115, 135), respectively, below the predefined no‐effect upper limit of 200%. In the rifampicin study (n = 40), the GMLSM ratios (osimertinib plus rifampicin/osimertinib alone) for Css,max and AUCτ were 27% (90% CI 24, 30) and 22% (90% CI 20, 24), respectively, below the predefined no‐effect lower limit of 50%. The induction effect of rifampicin was apparent within 7 days of initiation; osimertinib Css,max and AUCτ values returned to pre‐rifampicin levels within 3 weeks of rifampicin discontinuation. No new osimertinib safety findings were observed.
Conclusions
Osimertinib can be co‐administered with CYP3A4 inhibitors, but strong CYP3A inducers should be avoided if possible.
Cutaneous scarring affects up to 100 million people per annum. There is no effective scar reducing/preventing therapeutic developed to date. Interleukin (IL)‐10 is an anti‐inflammatory and ...antifibrotic cytokine. In the embryo it is important for scarless wound repair. We investigated the effect on wound healing and scarring of a double deletion of the IL‐10 and IL‐4 genes in a knockout (KO) mouse model, and also the effect of exogenous addition of recombinant human (rh) IL‐10 into rat and human cutaneous incisions. Mouse study: Two incisions were made on the dorsal skin of 20 double IL‐4/IL‐10 KO mice and 20 wild‐type (WT) controls. Rat study: Three concentrations of rhIL‐10 were investigated. Four incisions were made on the dorsal skin of 30 rats. Each rat received two concentrations. Each incision receiving a concentration of rhIL‐10 was matched with a control incision, which received either placebo or standard care. Human study: Eight concentrations of rhIL‐10 were investigated. Four incisions were made on each arm of 175 healthy volunteers. Four incisions received four different concentrations, which were matched with four control incisions that received either standard care or placebo. KO mice healed with poor scar histology and increased inflammation. rhIL‐10–treated rat incisions healed with decreased inflammation, better scar histology, and better macroscopic scar appearance. rhIL‐10–treated human incisions at low concentrations healed with better macroscopic scar appearance and less red scars. IL‐10 is an important cytokine in wound healing and its suppression of inflammation and scarring is demonstrated in mice and rats with a translational effect in humans.
Selumetinib is an oral, potent, and highly selective allosteric MEK1/2 inhibitor approved for the treatment of pediatric patients (aged ≥2 years) with neurofibromatosis type 1 who have symptomatic, ...inoperable plexiform neurofibromas. A granule formulation of selumetinib is under development to improve dosing precision for younger pediatric patients who may be unable to swallow capsules. This phase I crossover study investigated the effect of food on the pharmacokinetic (PK) properties of selumetinib capsule and granule formulations. Healthy male volunteers were randomized to receive selumetinib granules (25 mg) or capsules (50 mg 2 × 25 mg) under fasted or fed conditions (a low‐fat meal). Plasma concentrations and PK parameters were determined less than or equal to 48 h postdose. Safety and tolerability were assessed. Across 24 volunteers, selumetinib was absorbed quickly, with a time to maximum concentration (Tmax) ranging from ~1–3 h. Geometric mean ratios (90% confidence interval CI) for maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) in the fed versus fasted state were 0.61 (90% CI 0.51–0.72) and 0.40 (90% CI 0.33–0.48) for the granule and capsule formulations, respectively, whereas geometric mean ratios (90% CI) for area under the plasma drug concentration‐time curve in the fed versus fasted state were 0.97 (90% CI 0.91–1.02) and 0.62 (90% CI 0.55–0.70), respectively. Levels of less than 10% conversion to the N‐desmethyl selumetinib metabolite were observed. Selumetinib was well‐tolerated, with only a few adverse events of mild intensity reported. Selumetinib administration with a low‐fat meal resulted in lower Cmax and longer Tmax for both formulations versus fasted conditions. However, area under the curve for selumetinib granules was similar under fasted and fed conditions. Overall, these findings support further development of this formulation for pediatric patients.
Aim
We report on two Phase 1, open‐label, single‐arm studies assessing the effect of osimertinib on simvastatin (CYP3A substrate) and rosuvastatin (breast cancer resistance protein substrate BCRP ...substrate) exposure in patients with advanced epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)‐mutated non‐small cell lung cancer who have progressed after treatment with an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, to determine, upon coadministration, whether osimertinib could affect the exposure of these agents.
Methods
Fifty‐two patients in the CYP3A study (pharmacokinetic PK analysis, n = 49), and 44 patients in the BCRP study were dosed (PK analysis, n = 44). In the CYP3A study, patients received single doses of simvastatin 40 mg on Days 1 and 31, and osimertinib 80 mg once daily on Days 3–32. In the BCRP study, single doses of rosuvastatin 20 mg were given on Days 1 and 32, and osimertinib 80 mg once daily on Days 4–34.
Results
Geometric least squares mean (GLSM) ratios (90% confidence intervals) of simvastatin plus osimertinib for area under the plasma concentration–time curves from zero to infinity (AUC) were 91% (77–108): entirely contained within the predefined no relevant effect limits, and Cmax of 77% (63, 94) which was not contained within the limits. GLSM ratios of rosuvastatin plus osimertinib for AUC were 135% (115–157) and Cmax were 172 (146, 203): outside the no relevant effect limits.
Conclusions
Osimertinib is unlikely to have any clinically relevant interaction with CYP3A substrates and has a weak inhibitory effect on BCRP. No new safety concerns were identified in either study.
Osimertinib is a third-generation, central nervous system-active, epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) selective for EGFR-TKI sensitizing and T790M resistance ...mutations. This phase 1, open-label study (NCT02491944) investigated absolute bioavailability and pharmacokinetics (PK) of oral and intravenous (IV) osimertinib. Ten healthy subjects (21-61 years) received a single oral 80-mg dose concomitantly with a 100 μg (containing 1 μCi) IV microtracer dose of
Cosimertinib. Oral and IV PK were determined simultaneously for osimertinib and its active metabolites, AZ5104 and AZ7550. High-performance liquid chromatography and accelerator mass spectrometry were used to characterize IV dose PK. Geometric mean absolute oral bioavailability of osimertinib was 69.8% (90% confidence interval, 66.7, 72.9). Oral osimertinib was slowly absorbed (median time to maximum plasma concentration t
7.0 hours). Following t
, plasma concentrations fell in an apparent monophasic manner. IV clearance and volume of distribution were 16.8 L/h and 1285 L, respectively. Arithmetic mean elimination half-life estimates were 59.7, 52.6, and 72.6 hours for osimertinib, AZ5104, and AZ7550, respectively (oral dosing), and 54.9, 68.4, and 99.7 hours for
Cosimertinib,
CAZ5104, and
CAZ7550, respectively (IV dosing). Oral osimertinib was well absorbed. Simultaneous IV and oral PK analysis proved useful for complete understanding of osimertinib PK and showed that the first-pass effect was minimal for osimertinib.
Introduction:
Patella fractures managed by fixation with metal implants often cause local soft tissue irritation and necessitate implant removal. An alternative is to utilize suture-based fixation ...methods. We have adopted suture and hybrid fixation in the routine management of patella fractures. Here, we compare the results of 3 fixation techniques.
Materials and Methods:
Eighty-seven eligible patients underwent patella fracture fixation over a 3-year period. As determined by fracture configuration, patients received (1) suture fixation (transosseous sutures and figure-of-eight tension banding with FiberWire), (2) hybrid fixation (transosseous FiberWire sutures and metal tension banding), or (3) metal fixation. Primary outcome measures included reoperation rate and soft tissue irritation. Secondary outcomes included surgical complications, radiological, and functional parameters.
Results:
Reoperation rate was highest for metal fixation (25/57, 43.9%) and lowest for suture fixation (2/13, 15.4%). Soft tissue irritation necessitating implant removal was the predominant reason for reoperation and was significantly less prevalent following suture fixation (1/13, 7.7%, P < .01). Hybrid fixation resulted in similar rates of soft tissue irritation (6/17, 35.3%) and implant removal (7/17, 41.2%) as compared to metal fixation. There was a significant increase in patella baja (13/17, 76.5%) and reduction in Insall-Salvati ratio (0.742; 95% confidence interval: 0.682-0.802) following hybrid fixation as compared to the other 2 fixation methods (P < .05).
Discussion:
Suture fixation results in the least amount of soft tissue irritation and lowest reoperation rate, but these advantages are negated with the addition of a metal tension band wire. Hybrid fixation also unbalances the extensor mechanism.
Conclusion:
Patients should be counseled as to the expected sequelae of their fixation method. Suture fixation is the favored means to fix distal pole fractures of the patella. An additional metal tension band loop may confer additional stability but should be applied with caution.
Facial paresis is one of the complications after treatment for vestibular schwannoma (VS). Acupuncture has been used for Bell palsy but not in iatrogenic facial paresis. The objective of this study ...is to measure the efficacy of using acupuncture for iatrogenic facial nerve palsy and patients' satisfaction.
This is a single-center retrospective study with patients from 2007–2019 received treatment for newly diagnosed or recurrent VS. Some patients who suffered facial paresis after surgery had self-initiated acupuncture. All patients who had facial paresis were included. Their facial nerve status before and immediately after surgery, postoperative 6 months and 12 months, were recorded. Those who received acupuncture also answered 6- and 12-month patient satisfaction surveys over the phone. Adverse effects were also assessed.
There were 123 patients in this period. Of these, 29 patients had iatrogenic facial paresis and 23 of them received acupuncture. There was significant improvement of facial paresis for the acupuncture group compared with the nonacupuncture group at 6 and 12 months. More than 80% of patients who received acupuncture were satisfied. They had motor improvement and experienced less pain and tightness. No adverse effects were reported.
Acupuncture for postresection VS facial paresis seemed to speed up its recovery. Both patients' recovery and satisfaction were good after acupuncture, and it seemed to be a safe procedure in trained hands.
Abstract Purpose Selumetinib (AZD6244, ARRY-142886), an oral mitogen activated kinase 1/2 inhibitor, is in clinical development for the treatment of a variety of different tumor types. Herein, we ...report a study that determined the distribution, metabolism, and excretion of selumetinib in healthy male volunteers. Methods In this open-label, single-center, Phase I clinical trial, 6 subjects received a single 75-mg dose of 14 C-selumetinib. Blood and excreta samples were collected for pharmacokinetic and radiometric analyses. Tolerability monitoring was performed throughout the study. Findings The Cmax of plasma selumetinib was 1520 ng/mL at 1 hour postdose and declined with a t1/2 of 13.7 hours. Over a 216-hour postdose collection period, total dose recovery was 93% of the radioactive dose, with 59% recovered from feces and 33% from urine. Circulating drug-related material was primarily associated with plasma, with minimal distribution into red blood cells. Selumetinib was the major circulating drug-related component and accounted for 40% of the plasma radioactivity (mean of AUC0–72h pool). The major circulating metabolite (M2; accounting for 22% of the plasma radioactivity) resulted from multiple biotransformation pathways, including loss of the ethanediol moiety in combination with glucuronidation. A further 6 circulating metabolites were identified, each accounting for between 2% and 7% of plasma radioactivity. Selumetinib was a minor component in urine, accounting for ≤1% of the dose. M2 was the most abundant metabolite in urine, accounting for 10% of the dose, and there were 5 other metabolites accounting for between 1% and 10% of the dose. In feces, selumetinib accounted for a mean of 19% of the dose. Also present were 7 metabolites accounting for between 1% and 9% of the dose. The majority of the dose was recovered as metabolites, indicating that the liver is the major route of drug elimination. There were no tolerability concerns. Implications The findings from this study will inform the label and will contribute to the understanding of the clinical pharmacology of selumetinib. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01931761.
Skin scarring is associated with psychosocial distress and has a negative effect on quality of life. The transforming growth factor (TGF)-β family of cytokines plays a key role in scarring. TGF-β3 ...improves scar appearance in a range of mammalian species. This study was performed to assess the efficacy of intradermal avotermin (TGF-β3) for the improvement of scar appearance following scar revision surgery.
Sixty patients (35 men and 25 women; age, 19 to 78 years; 53 Caucasians; scar length, 5 to 21 cm) received intradermal avotermin (200 ng/100 μl/linear cm wound margin) and placebo to outer wound segments immediately after, and again 24 hours after, complete (group 1) or staged (group 2) scar revision surgery. A within-patient design was chosen to control for interindividual factors that affect scarring. The primary efficacy variable was a total scar score derived from a visual analogue scale, scored by a lay panel from standardized photographs from months 1 through 7 following treatment.
: Primary endpoint data from the combined surgical groups showed that avotermin significantly improved scar appearance compared with placebo (total scar score difference, 21.93 mm; p = 0.04). Profilometry showed a greater reduction in scar surface area from baseline with avotermin treatment compared with placebo, significant in group 2 at months 7 and 12 (difference, 41.99 mm and 25.85 mm, respectively; p = 0.03 for both comparisons). Histologic analysis from group 2 showed that, compared with placebo treatment, collagen organization in avotermin-treated scars more closely resembled normal skin in 14 of 19 cases. Avotermin was well tolerated.
Avotermin administration following scar revision surgery is well tolerated and significantly improves scar appearance compared with placebo.
Therapeutic, I.(Figure is included in full-text article.).