The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has a major impact not only on public health and daily living, but also on clinical trials worldwide. To investigate the potential impact of the ...COVID‐19 pandemic on the initiation of clinical trials, we have descriptively analyzed the longitudinal change in phase II and III interventional clinical trials initiated in Europe and in the United States. Based on the public clinical trial register EU Clinical Trials Register and clinicaltrials.gov, we conducted (i) a yearly comparison of the number of initiated trials from 2010 to 2020 and (ii) a monthly comparison from January 2020 to February 2021 of the number of initiated trials. The analyses indicate that the COVID‐19 pandemic affected both the initiation of clinical trials overall and the initiation of non‐COVID‐19 trials. An increase in the overall numbers of clinical trials could be observed both in Europe and the United States in 2020 as compared with 2019. However, the number of non‐COVID‐19 trials initiated is reduced as compared with the previous decade, with a slightly larger relative decrease in the United States as compared to Europe. Additionally, the monthly trend for the initiation of non‐COVID‐19 trials differs between regions. In the United States, after a sharp decrease in April 2020, trial numbers reached the levels of 2019 from June 2020 onward. In Europe, the decrease was less pronounced, but trial numbers mainly remained below the 2019 average until February 2021.
Purpose Following the Sorafenib Hepatocellular Carcinoma Assessment Randomized Protocol (SHARP) trial, sorafenib has become the standard of care for patients with advanced unresectable hepatocellular ...carcinoma, but the relation between survival advantage and disease etiology remains unclear. To address this, we undertook an individual patient data meta-analysis of three large prospective randomized trials in which sorafenib was the control arm. Methods Of a total of 3,256 patients, 1,643 (50%) who received sorafenib were available. The primary end point was overall survival (OS). A Bayesian hierarchical approach for individual patient data meta-analyses was applied using a piecewise exponential model. Results are presented in terms of hazard ratios comparing sorafenib with alternative therapies according to hepatitis C virus (HCV) or hepatitis B virus (HBV) status. Results Hazard ratios show improved OS for sorafenib in patients who are both HBV negative and HCV positive (log hazard ratio, -0.27; 95% CI, -0.46 to -0.06). Median unadjusted survival is 12.6 (11.15 to 13.8) months for sorafenib and 10.2 (8.88 to 12.2) months for "other" treatments in this subgroup. There was no evidence of improvement in OS for any other patient subgroups defined by HBV and HCV. Results were consistent across all trials with heterogeneity assessed using Cochran's Q statistic. Conclusion There is consistent evidence that the effect of sorafenib on OS is dependent on patients' hepatitis status. There is an improved OS for patients negative for HBV and positive for HCV when treated with sorafenib. There was no evidence of any improvement in OS attributable to sorafenib for patients positive for HBV and negative for HCV.
Nitisinone causes acquired tyrosinosis in alkaptonuria Khedr, Milad; Cooper, Maggie S.; Hughes, Andrew T. ...
Journal of inherited metabolic disease,
September 2020, 2020-09-00, 20200901, Letnik:
43, Številka:
5
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
For over two decades, nitisinone (NTBC) has been successfully used to manipulate the tyrosine degradation pathway and save the lives of many children with hereditary tyrosinaemia type 1. More ...recently, NTBC has been used to halt homogentisic acid accumulation in alkaptonuria (AKU) with evidence suggesting its efficacy as a disease modifying agent. NTBC‐induced hypertyrosinaemia has been associated with cognitive impairment and potentially sight‐threatening keratopathy. In the context of a non‐lethal condition (ie, AKU), these serious risks call for an evaluation of the wider impact of NTBC on the tyrosine pathway. We hypothesised that NTBC increases the tyrosine pool size and concentrations in tissues.
In AKU mice tyrosine concentrations of tissue homogenates were measured before and after treatment with NTBC. In humans, pulse injection with l‐13C9tyrosine and l‐d8phenylalanine was used along with compartmental modelling to estimate the size of tyrosine pools before and after treatment with NTBC. We found that NTBC increased tyrosine concentrations in murine tissues by five to nine folds. It also significantly increased the tyrosine pool size in humans (P < .001), suggesting that NTBC increases tyrosine not just in serum but also in tissues (ie, acquired tyrosinosis).
This study provides, for the first time, the experimental proof for the magnitude of NTBC‐related acquired tyrosinosis which should be overcome to ensure the safe use of NTBC in AKU.
IntroductionIn one-third of all abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs), the aneurysm neck is short (juxtarenal) or shows other adverse anatomical features rendering operations more complex, hazardous and ...expensive. Surgical options include open surgical repair and endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) techniques including fenestrated EVAR, EVAR with adjuncts (chimneys/endoanchors) and off-label standard EVAR. The aim of the UK COMPlex AneurySm Study (UK-COMPASS) is to answer the research question identified by the National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment (NIHR HTA) Programme: ‘What is the clinical and cost-effectiveness of strategies for the management of juxtarenal AAA, including fenestrated endovascular repair?’Methods and analysisUK-COMPASS is a cohort study comparing clinical and cost-effectiveness of different strategies used to manage complex AAAs with stratification of physiological fitness and anatomical complexity, with statistical correction for baseline risk and indication biases. There are two data streams. First, a stream of routinely collected data from Hospital Episode Statistics and National Vascular Registry (NVR). Preoperative CT scans of all patients who underwent elective AAA repair in England between 1 November 2017 and 31 October 2019 are subjected to Corelab analysis to accurately identify and include every complex aneurysm treated. Second, a site-reported data stream regarding quality of life and treatment costs from prospectively recruited patients across England. Site recruitment also includes patients with complex aneurysms larger than 55 mm diameter in whom an operation is deferred (medical management). The primary outcome measure is perioperative all-cause mortality. Follow-up will be to a median of 5 years.Ethics and disseminationThe study has received full regulatory approvals from a Research Ethics Committee, the Confidentiality Advisory Group and the Health Research Authority. Data sharing agreements are in place with National Health Service Digital and the NVR. Dissemination will be via NIHR HTA reporting, peer-reviewed journals and conferences.Trial registration numberISRCTN85731188.
Nitisinone (NTBC) was recently approved to treat alkaptonuria (AKU), but there is no information on its impact on oxidative stress and inflammation, which are observed in AKU. Therefore, serum ...samples collected during the clinical studies SONIA1 (40 AKU patients) and SONIA2 (138 AKU patients) were tested for Serum Amyloid A (SAA), CRP and IL-8 by ELISA; Advanced Oxidation Protein Products (AOPP) by spectrophotometry; and protein carbonyls by Western blot. Our results show that NTBC had no significant effects on the tested markers except for a slight but statistically significant effect for NTBC, but not for the combination of time and NTBC, on SAA levels in SONIA2 patients. Notably, the majority of SONIA2 patients presented with SAA > 10 mg/L, and 30 patients in the control group (43.5%) and 40 patients (58.0%) in the NTBC-treated group showed persistently elevated SAA > 10 mg/L at each visit during SONIA2. Higher serum SAA correlated with lower quality of life and higher morbidity. Despite no quantitative differences in AOPP, the preliminary analysis of protein carbonyls highlighted patterns that deserve further investigation. Overall, our results suggest that NTBC cannot control the sub-clinical inflammation due to increased SAA observed in AKU, which is also a risk factor for developing secondary amyloidosis.
Abstract
Background
Worldwide, >60% patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are overweight/obese (body mass index, BMI≥25kg/m2). Studies demonstrate poorer disease outcomes and health-related quality ...of life in these patients. However, little is known about the effect of increased BMI on drug choice, dosing, or treatment response. Objective: To explore the effect of increased BMI on DMARD-prescribing, methotrexate (MTX)-dose, and disease activity over 12 months.
Methods
Participants registered on METEOR (international database of RA patients) were stratified into early (<1year post-diagnosis, eRA), and established RA (estRA). EULAR response and DAS28 remission (including components), and treatment regimens were recorded at baseline, 6, and 12 months. Increased BMI (defined overweight and obese) were explored in 1) eRA and 2) estRA, as predictors of good EULAR response, DAS28 remission, number of DMARDs prescribed, and MTX-dose. Logistic and linear regression models (controlling for age, gender, smoking, and baseline outcome values), subgroup analyses (by drug exposure), and sensitivity analyses, were performed.
Results
1,313 patients (1056 female) were included, 582 eRA. In eRA, increased BMI was not significantly associated with remission outcomes. In estRA, obese patients on monotherapy were statistically significantly less likely to achieve good EULAR response OR 0.4 (95%CI 0.23-0.7) or DAS28 remission OR 0.47 (95%CI 0.24-0.88) at 6 months, compared to those of normal weight. A similar trend observed at 12 months did not reach significance. Obese estRA patients were more likely to be treated with combination conventional synthetic DMARDs (csDMARD) than monotherapy, compared with those of normal weight, significant at 6 months OR 1.59 (95%CI 1.03-2.45). In early and established disease, no significant difference in remission outcomes was demonstrated for combination compared to monotherapy. However, overweight/obese individuals were less likely to achieve remission overall (non-significant). Regarding components of remission, tender joint count and ESR in estRA were higher in overweight/obese individuals at 6 months β 1.05 (95%CI 0.05-2.06) and 12 months β 6.58 (95%CI 0.16-12.99) respectively, compared to those of normal weight. Sensitivity analyses showed no difference in the above results. MTX-dose was available for 613 patients at sequential visits. Within this subgroup, overweight/obese patients with both eRA and estRA were exposed to higher doses of MTX (mono- and combination-therapy) at any time-point, compared to those of normal weight. eRA: overweight: β 5.33, 95%CI 3.10-7.56; obese: β 6.01, 95%CI 3.57-8.46. estRA: overweight: β 4.87, 95%CI 3.79-5.95; obese: β 2.69, 95%CI 1.56-3.83. An average weekly dose of 20mg was prescribed in overweight/obese patients, compared to 15mg in those of normal weight.
Conclusion
We observed that overweight/obese individuals require more intense csDMARD therapy to achieve the same treatment targets as those of normal weight. Awareness of this is particularly important given the increasing obesity prevalence in RA.
Disclosures
M. Dey None. S.S. Zhao None. E. Psarelli None. R.J. Moots None. R. Landewe Other; Member of METEOR board. N.J. Goodson None.
Approximately 30% of patients with pancreas cancer have unresectable locally advanced disease, which is currently treated with systemic chemotherapy. A new treatment option of irreversible ...electroporation (IRE) has been investigated for these patients since 2005. Cohort studies suggest that IRE confers a survival advantage, but with associated, procedure-related complications. Selection bias may account for improved survival and there have been no prospective randomised trials evaluating the harms and benefits of therapy. The aim of this trial is to evaluate the feasibility of a randomised comparison of IRE therapy with chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC).
Eligible patients with LAPC who have undergone first-line 5-FluoroUracil, Leucovorin, Irinotecan and Oxaliplatin chemotherapy will be randomised to receive either a single session of IRE followed by (if indicated) further chemotherapy or to chemotherapy alone (standard of care). Fifty patients from up to seven specialist pancreas centres in the UK will be recruited over a period of 15 months. Trial follow-up will be 12 months. The primary outcome measure is ability to recruit. Secondary objectives include practicality and technical success of treatment, acceptability of treatment to patients and clinicians and safety of treatment. A qualitative study has been incorporated to evaluate the patient and clinician perspective of the locally advanced pancreatic cancer with percutaneous irreversible electroporation trial. It is likely that the data obtained will guide the structure, the primary outcome measure, the power and the duration of a subsequent multicentre randomised controlled trial aimed at establishing the clinical efficiency of pancreas IRE therapy. Indicative procedure-related costings will be collected in this feasibility trial, which will inform the cost evaluation in the subsequent study on efficiency.
The protocol has received approval by London-Brent Research Ethics Committee reference number 21/LO/0077.Results will be analysed following completion of trial recruitment and follow-up. Results will be presented to international conferences with an interest in oncology, hepatopancreaticobiliary surgery and interventional radiology and be published in a peer-reviewed journal.
ISRCTN14986389.
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