Introduction
Tralokinumab and dupilumab are biological agents licensed for the treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) in adult patients who are candidates for systemic treatment. ...However, no head-to-head studies of their efficacy have been conducted. This study indirectly compared the efficacy of tralokinumab and dupilumab, both in combination with topical corticosteroids (TCS), at week 32.
Methods
An unanchored matching-adjusted indirect comparison was conducted using individual patient data (IPD) from the ECZTRA 3 tralokinumab trial and aggregate data from the LIBERTY AD CHRONOS dupilumab trial. IPD were selected by applying inclusion criteria from LIBERTY AD CHRONOS and weighting to match summary baseline characteristics—age, sex, race, body mass index, disease duration, Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI), Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and SCORing Atopic Dermatitis index—of patients treated with dupilumab. Week 32 outcomes of interest were 50%, 75% or 90% improvements in EASI (EASI-50, EASI-75 and EASI-90), IGA scores of 0 or 1 (IGA 0/1), ≥ 4-point improvement in worst daily pruritus numerical rating scale (NRS) score, and mean improvements in DLQI and the Patient Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM).
Results
After matching, tralokinumab and dupilumab, both in combination with TCS, showed similar efficacy across clinical response endpoints at week 32 (IGA 0/1, tralokinumab 49.9% vs dupilumab 39.3%; EASI-50, 78.9% vs 77.5%; EASI-75, 71.5% vs 71.9%; EASI-90, 53.3% vs 56.2%). The mean change from baseline in DLQI was statistically significantly larger in the matched tralokinumab plus TCS population than in the dupilumab plus TCS arm (− 12.1 vs − 10.4,
p
= 0.005). Changes in POEM and worst daily pruritus NRS were similar in the two groups.
Conclusion
The results of this analysis demonstrate that, in combination with TCS, tralokinumab and dupilumab have similar efficacy in the treatment of moderate-to-severe AD at 32 weeks of therapy.
Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by vascular thrombosis and/or pregnancy morbidity in the presence of circulating antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). Different ...pathogenic mechanisms for aPL-mediated pregnancy failure have been proposed. In particular a direct effect of aPL on both maternal and fetal side of the placental tissue has been reported, since their reactivity with β2-glycoprotein I (β2GPI) makes them adhere to trophoblast and human endometrial endothelial cell (HEEC) membranes. β2GPI can be recognized by aPL that, once bound, interfere with both trophoblast functions and with the HEEC differentiation.APS patients can be successfully treated with Low Molecular Weight Heparin (LMWH). Recent reports suggest that LMWH acts through mechanisms alternative to its well known anticoagulant effect, because of its ability to bind β2GPI. In our previous studies, we showed that LMWH is able to reduce the aPL binding to trophoblasts and restore cell invasiveness and differentiation. So far, however, no study has described its effects on endometrial angiogenesis.The aim of our research was to evaluate whether two LMWHs, tinzaparin and enoxaparin, have an effect on the aPL-inhibited endometrial angiogenesis. This prompted us to investigate: (i) in vitro HEEC angiogenesis through a Matrigel assay; (ii) VEGF secretion by ELISA; (iii) matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) activity by gelatin zymography; (iv) Nuclear Factor-κB (NF-κB) DNA binding activity by colorimetric assay; (v) STAT-3 activation by a sandwich-ELISA kit. Furthermore, using an in vivo murine model we investigated the LMWHs effects on angiogenesis.We demonstrated that the addition of LMWHs prevents aPL-inhibited HEEC angiogenesis, both in vitro and in vivo, and is able to restore the aPL inhibited NF-κB and/or STAT-3 activity, the VEGF secretion and the MMPs activity.The demonstration of a beneficial role for LMWHs on the aPL-inhibited HEEC angiogenesis might provide additional mechanisms whereby this treatment protects early pregnancy in APS.
Objective To examine the effects of low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs) on extravillous trophoblast (EVTC) invasiveness and on EVTC expression/secretion of heparin binding-EGF (HB-EGF) and ...cystein-rich angiogenic inducer 61 (Cyr61), both of which are involved in the process of EVTC invasion. Furthermore, to investigate the intracellular DNA binding activity of activator protein (AP)-1. Design Experimental study. Setting Department of Obstetrics Gynecology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy. Patient(s) Cultures of primary EVTC cells isolated from patients with first trimester unexplained recurrent miscarriage. Intervention(s) The effects of LMWHs on EVTC invasiveness were examined by an in vitro matrigel invasion assay. Matrix metalloprotease-2 activity (MMP-2) was examined by gelatin zimography. HB-EGF and Cyr61 expression and secretion were studied by Western blot analysis and ELISA assay. AP-1 activity was measured through a multiwell colorimetric assay. Main Outcome Measure(s) The EVTC invasiveness, the expression/secretion of HB-EGF and Cyr61 proteins, and the AP-1 DNA binding activity in the presence of increasing concentrations of LMWHs were investigated. Result(s) Both LMWHs, and primarily tinzaparin, increased EVTC invasiveness, by enhancing the MMP-2 proteolytic activity, and induced the expression/secretion of HB-EGF and Cyr61 in EVTC. This effect was mediated by an increased DNA binding activity of AP-1. Conclusion(s) Both LMWHs are able to promote EVTC development because they are able to stimulate the EVTC invasive properties. Our results may provide a possible biological rationale for the clinical use of LMWH for placental-mediated pregnancy complications unrelated to prothrombotic disorders.
Abstract
Introduction/Background
Tralokinumab is a high-affinity, fully human IgG4 monoclonal antibody that specifically targets interleukin-13, a key driver of atopic dermatitis (AD) disease ...progression. Clinical trials have shown that tralokinumab is efficacious in patients with moderate-to-severe AD and has a favorable safety profile, including a low frequency of adverse events such as conjunctivitis. Management of patients in routine clinical practice differs from those enrolled in clinical trials due to strict protocol criteria, and there is a lack of clinical data on tralokinumab use in the real-world setting.
Objectives
TRACE is a real-world study in patients with AD, aiming to better understand the effectiveness, safety, and clinical use of tralokinumab in daily practice. Here, we describe baseline characteristics from the first patients enrolled into TRACE in Germany.
Methods
TRACE is an observational, prospective, single-cohort study of adult patients with moderate-to-severe AD who are treated with tralokinumab, according to national approved labels. Eleven countries are participating in the study across Europe, North America and the Middle East. The primary objective is to assess changes in clinical signs and symptoms of AD in tralokinumab-treated patients. Secondary objectives are to investigate safety, quality of life, patient-reported outcomes and treatment adherence, among others.
Results
Of the first 100 patients initiated on tralokinumab, the mean age (standard deviation SD) was 44.7 years (17.9) and 58% were male. Most patients had moderate-to-severe AD with a mean Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA) score of 3.5 (SD 0.7) and mean Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) of 22.5 (SD 12.9). Patients reported heavy symptomatic burden of disease; the mean eczema-related sleep numerical rating scale (NRS) was 5.6 (SD 2.9) and mean worst daily pruritus NRS was 6.2 (SD 2.7). Patients also reported a substantial impact on quality of life, demonstrated by a mean Dermatology Life Quality Index of 15.6 (SD 6.9). Overall, 79 patients were biologic-naïve and 19 were biologic-experienced (data missing; n=2). All biologic-experienced patients were previously treated with dupilumab, of whom most experienced one or more treatment failures. Reasons for switching from dupilumab included lack or loss of effectiveness, and adverse events, which most commonly included conjunctivitis.
Conclusions
Initial findings showed that most adult patients with moderate-to-severe AD who were treated with tralokinumab were biologic-naïve, indicating tralokinumab is prescribed as first-line systemic treatment in real-world clinical practice, in line with European Dermatology Forum guidelines. The main reasons for switching from dupilumab were lack or loss of effectiveness, and adverse events, such as conjunctivitis, indicating the need for alternative biologic treatments such as tralokinumab.
Abstract
Tralokinumab is a high-affinity, fully human IgG4 monoclonal antibody that specifically inhibits interleukin-13 (IL-13), a key driver of atopic dermatitis (AD) disease progression. Clinical ...trials have shown that tralokinumab is efficacious in patients with moderate-to-severe AD and has a favorable safety profile, including a low frequency of adverse events (AEs) such as conjunctivitis. However, management of patients in routine clinical practice differ from those enrolled in clinical trials due to strict inclusion/exclusion criteria, and there is currently a lack of clinical data on tralokinumab use in the real-world setting. TRACE is an observational cohort study of patients with AD, which aims to better understand the effectiveness, safety and clinical use of tralokinumab in the real-world setting. This study aims to describe baseline characteristics and initial insights from the first 100 patients enrolled into TRACE in Germany. TRACE is a longitudinal, prospective, new user, noncomparative, observational, single-cohort study, with primary data collection of adult patients with AD who are treated with tralokinumab, according to national approved labels. The study is taking place across countries in Europe, North America and the Middle East. The primary objective is to assess changes in clinical signs and symptoms of AD in tralokinumab-treated patients. Secondary objectives are to investigate safety, quality of life, patient-reported outcomes and adherence, among others. This analysis includes the first 100 patients enrolled from 39 sites across Germany. Of the first 100 patients in TRACE initiated on tralokinumab in Germany, the majority were males. Most patients had moderate-to-severe disease as indicated by their mean Investigator’s Global Assessment score and mean Eczema Area and Severity Index. Patients reported heavy symptomatic burden of disease, as demonstrated by their mean eczema-related sleep numerical rating scale (NRS) and mean worst daily pruritus NRS. Patients also reported a substantial impact on quality of life, as demonstrated by mean Dermatology Life Quality Index. Overall, approximately 4/5 of the patients were biologic-naïve. All biologic-experienced patients were previously treated with dupilumab, of whom most experienced one or more treatment failures. Reasons for switching from dupilumab included lack or loss of efficacy, and AEs, which included mainly conjunctivitis. Initial findings from the first 100 patients from TRACE in Germany showed that the majority of adult patients with moderate-to-severe AD treated with tralokinumab were biologic-naïve, indicating that tralokinumab is prescribed as first-line systemic treatment in the real world, in line with European Dermatology Forum guidelines. Of patients who switched from dupilumab, the main reasons for switching were lack or loss of efficacy, and conjunctivitis, indicating the need for an alternative biologic treatment such as tralokinumab.
Abstract
Introduction/Background
Tralokinumab is a fully human, high-affinity, monoclonal antibody that specifically neutralizes interleukin-13, a key driver of atopic dermatitis (AD) pathogenesis. ...Numerous clinical studies have established that tralokinumab is an efficacious treatment for patients with moderate-to-severe AD, along with having a favorable safety profile. However, there is a lack of evidence on tralokinumab use in routine clinical practice, where patient management may differ from that defined by clinical trial protocols.
Objectives
TRACE is a global, real-world study that aims to better understand the effectiveness, safety, and clinical use of tralokinumab in patients with AD in daily practice.
Methods
TRACE is a global, observational, prospective, single-cohort study of tralokinumab-treated adults with moderate-to-severe AD. Overall, 11 countries across Europe, North America and the Middle East are participating. The primary objective of TRACE is to assess changes in clinical signs and symptoms of AD in patients treated with tralokinumab according to the nationally approved labels. Secondary objectives include safety, quality of life, patient-reported outcomes and treatment adherence. For this interim analysis, the objective was to report the baseline characteristics of the first 100 US patients.
Results
Overall, 55% of the first 100 US patients initiated on tralokinumab in the TRACE study were female; the majority (54%) were White, followed by 18% Black or African American and 12% Asian. Mean (standard deviation SD) age was 46.4 years (18.2) and body mass index was 28.6 kg/m2 (7.7). Patients had a mean disease duration of 13.9 years (SD 16.5), with 46% being biologic-naïve and 54% biologic-experienced. Most patients (88%) had moderate-to-severe AD, with a mean Investigator’s Global Assessment score of 3.2 (SD 0.8); mean Eczema Area and Severity Index was 15.4 (SD 7.9). A heavy symptomatic burden of disease was evident, with a mean eczema-related sleep numerical rating scale (NRS) of 4.2 (SD 3.3) and mean worst daily pruritus NRS of 6.1 (SD 2.6). Patients also reported a substantial impact of AD on quality of life; mean Dermatology Life Quality Index was 13.2 (SD 8.5). Almost one quarter (24%) of patients reported ≥1 atopic comorbidity, with asthma (12%), cardiovascular disease (8%) and autoimmune disease (6%) being the most frequent; 3% of patients had psychiatric illness.
Conclusions
Initial findings showed that tralokinumab is being prescribed as a first-line biologic treatment option in the US in accordance with the label. Treated patients had a heavy burden of disease with considerable impact on quality of life.
The management of hypertension is suboptimal in Ireland and internationally. The role of a specialist hypertension clinic is not always defined but an analysis of the reasons for referral are likely ...informative. Also, a description of the clinical characteristics of patients with hypertension will inform requirements for comprehensive hypertension management in the community and secondary care. Patients were recruited at consecutive hypertension clinics at St James Hospital, Dublin from July to September 2019. Reasons for referral, clinical characteristics of patients, their investigations and treatment were analyzed. 236 patients were included in the study. The majority of patients, 83%, were obese or overweight. A family history of hypertension was a frequent finding with 70.8% of patients reporting same. 26.7% of patients were under the age of 40. 78% of referrals were from primary care and the most referrals were to investigate secondary causes of hypertension or because the patient was ≤40 years of age. Calcium channel blockers were the treatment most frequently prescribed (51.7%). Clinic blood pressure for the cohort was 137/81 mmHg and this was replicated by their ambulatory BP. This insight into the contemporary management of hypertension highlights the frequency of obesity and a positive family history in those with hypertension. Most referrals were consistent with international guidance though deviations were evident. Findings suggest a national program for hypertension with greater focus on public health interventions and better resourcing of primary care is required.
Roth intends readers to draw a thematic point from the emphasis he gives (a page in length) to "I Declare War," the only street game referenced in the book:3 we all have a certain capacity to descend ...to the level of the worst Nazis.\n5 Roth's readers may also expect sports and games to garner some significant space in The Plot because it tracks the lives of two healthy and active boys, Sandy and Phil Roth. (Ron Patimkin of "Goodbye, Columbus" provides a comically satiric stereotype of the Jewish boy who has "succeeded" because of sports accomplishment.) In The Plot, however, "I Declare War" is the only game given any real attention (aside, perhaps, from the "following people" game), and it furnishes just the opposite: a dark foreboding of the Jewish boys' sense of separation from a gentile America whose anti-Semitism, usually held in check, has alarmingly been released, as if by a declaration of war.
The recent STEP trials reported blood pressure reductions for obese patients treated with semaglutide. We analyzed a cohort of patients attending our hypertension clinic and found that 26% were ...severely or morbidly obese and morbidly obese patients frequently had resistant hypertension (41%). We suggest semaglutide may be an effective anti-hypertensive agent for obese patients with resistant hypertension and this hypothesis should be assessed in randomized clinical trials.
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