Efficacy and safety of teneligliptin add-on to insulin monotherapy in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a 16-week,randomized, double-blind,placebo-controlled trial with an open-label period

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of teneligliptin as add-on to insulin monotherapy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Research design and methods: In a 16-week, double-blind period, 148 Japanese T2DM patients with inadequate glycemic control with insulin and diet/exercise therapies were randomized to placebo or teneligliptin 20 mg. In a subsequent 36-week, open-label period, all patients received teneligliptin once daily. The primary outcome measure was change in HbA1c at the end of the double-blind period.

Results: The difference between placebo and teneligliptin in change in HbA1c in the double-blind period (least squares mean ± SE) was ?0.80% ± 0.11%; teneligliptin was superior (ANCOVA, P < 0.001). The HbA1c-lowering effect of teneligliptin was maintained throughout the open-label period. The incidence of adverse events was 53.5% with placebo and 44.2% with teneligliptin in the double-blind period, 66.7% in the placebo/teneligliptin group in the open-label period, and 77.9% in the teneligliptin/teneligliptin group over both double-blind/open-label periods. The incidence of hypoglycemic symptoms was 11.1% in the placebo/teneligliptin group in the open-label period and 27.3% in the teneligliptin/teneligliptin group over both double-blind/open-label periods.

Conclusion: Teneligliptin was effective and well tolerated in Japanese T2DM patients with inadequate glycemic control.

Clinical trial registration: NCT02081599     

Onset of pain relief with rofecoxib in chronic low back pain: results of two four-week,randomized, placebo-controlled trials

SUMMARY

Objective: We recently reported the efficacy of rofecoxib in two randomized controlled trials in chronic low back pain (CLBP). The objectives of this report are to present data regarding the onset of efficacy of rofecoxib from these trials and propose methods for reporting onset.

Research design and methods: Patients were aged 18-75, with non-radicular CLBP for >3 months. Patients were randomized to rofecoxib 25?mg, 50?mg, or placebo once daily for 4 weeks. Assessments included Low Back Pain and Bothersomeness scales every morning and Relief from Starting Pain after the first dose at 0.5,1, 2, 3,4h, bedtime, and next morning. Onset of meaningful relief was measured by Time to Confirmed 50% Reduction in Pain and Time to Confirmed 'Slightly' or 'Not At All' Bothersome Pain. Onset of perceptible pain relief was measured by Time to At Least 'A Little' Confirmed Pain Relief.

Results: 690 patients entered. Significantly more patients treated with rofecoxib had meaningful relief compared to placebo: 60.4,58.4, and 34.7% for rofecoxib 25mg, 50mg, and placebo (p?<?0.001). Median time to meaningful relief for rofecoxib was 2 days, 1 day sooner than placebo. Rofecoxib was superior to placebo by bedtime after the first dose.

Conclusions: Approximately 2/3 of patients achieved meaningful pain relief with rofecoxib compared with 1/3 receiving placebo. Median time to onset of meaningful relief was about 2 days, but superior relief over placebo was seen by bedtime after the first dose. Onset of perceptible pain relief was within 2?h. We propose that measures of onset of analgesic effect include the proportion of patients who achieve meaningful pain relief and in this subgroup, the time-to-onset of confirmed meaningful reduction in pain intensity, time-to-onset of confirmed pain relief, and time to first separation from placebo in the proportion of patients who achieve meaningful pain relief.     

Ginger for prevention of antiretroviral-induced nausea and vomiting: a randomized clinical trial

Objective: In this randomized clinical trial ginger efficacy for prevention of antiretroviral-induced nausea and vomiting (N/V) was investigated.

Methods: From July 2011 until the end of June 2013, 102 HIV positive patients attending the HIV clinic of Imam Khomeini Hospital participated in the study. In a double blinded manner, participants randomly received either 500 mg ginger or placebo two times per day, 30 min before each dose of antiretroviral regimen for 14 days. The severity of nausea was assessed based on the visual analogue scale. The number of vomiting episodes were also recorded during the study period.

Results: A total of 46 (90.2%) and 29 (56.4%) of the patients in placebo and ginger groups experienced some degree of nausea during the first 2 weeks of antiretroviral therapy (ART), respectively (p = 0.001). Frequency of mild, moderate and severe nausea were significantly lower in the ginger than placebo group (p = 0. 001). Also, 24 (47.1%) and 5 (9.8%) of the patients in the placebo and ginger groups reported at least one episode of vomiting during their time on ART, respectively (p = 0.01).

Conclusion: Ginger was effective in ameliorating of antiretroviral-induced N/V.     

Efficacy and safety of alogliptin added to insulin in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized,double-blind, 12-week,placebo-controlled trial followed by an open-label,long-term extension phase

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of alogliptin added to insulin in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who are poorly controlled with insulin and diet or exercise.

Study design: This was a randomized, double-blind, 12-week comparative trial of alogliptin and insulin versus placebo and insulin in 179 patients with T2DM followed by a 40-week, open-label phase in 169 patients on alogliptin and insulin.

Primary outcome measure: Change in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) from baseline to the end of double-blind phase (week 12).

Results: The change in HbA1c (least squares means) from baseline to week 12 was ?0.96% for the alogliptin and insulin group and ?0.29% for the placebo and insulin group. The point estimate (95% confidence interval) intergroup difference was ?0.66% ([?0.824%, ?0.503%]). In the alogliptin and insulin group, HbA1c started to decrease from week 2 onward and peaked by week 12. The proportions of patients who achieved HbA1c < 8.0, < 7.0 and < 6.0% at week 12 were significantly higher in alogliptin and insulin group (73.0, 23.3 and 1.1%) than in placebo and insulin group (25.0, 5.7 and 0%). Incidences of adverse effects were comparable between groups, with no relevant increases in hypoglycemia or weight gain seen.

Conclusions: Alogliptin 25 mg/day was effective and well tolerated when added to insulin in Japanese patients with inadequately controlled T2DM.     

A double-blind trial of ‘ Nethaprin’ Expectorant syrup in patients with bronchospastic disease

Summary

In a double-blind comparative trial of'Nethaprin¹ Expectorant syrup versus placebo in 36 patients with bronchospastic disease, 20 patients received placebo for 1 week and 16 patients ‘Nethaprin’' for 1 week. Assessments of response to treatment were based on symptomatic improvement and on increases in objective measures of ventilatory capacity, namely forced expiratory volume over 1 second (FEV,) and vital capacity (VC). Following ‘Nethaprin’, there was a 79% overall improvement in symptoms compared to 21% with placebo. FEV₁ and VC were significantly increased in the 'Nethapriri group compared to the placebo group.     

A randomized clinical trial of the safety and efficacy of sitagliptin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus inadequately controlled by acarbose alone

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of sitagliptin when added to the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and inadequate glycemic control on acarbose monotherapy.

Research design and methods: This was a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial. Patients (N?=?381) with T2DM and inadequate glycemic control (glycated hemoglobin [HbA1c] ≥?7.0% and ≤10.0%) on acarbose monotherapy (at least 50?mg three times daily) were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive the addition of sitagliptin 100?mg or matching placebo once daily for 24 weeks.

Main outcome measures: Changes from baseline in HbA1c and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) at Week 24.

Results: The mean baseline HbA1c in randomized patients was 8.1%. At Week 24, the placebo-controlled, least squares mean changes from baseline (95% confidence interval) in HbA1c and FPG in the sitagliptin group were ?0.62% and ?0.8?mmol/L (p?p?Conclusions: Sitagliptin was generally well tolerated and provided statistically superior and clinically meaningful improvements in glycemic control after 24 weeks of treatment compared to placebo when added to treatment of patients with inadequate glycemic control on acarbose monotherapy.

Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01177384.     

Effects of rotigotine on daytime symptoms in patients with primary restless legs syndrome: a randomized,placebo-controlled study

Objective:

This 12 week double-blind, placebo-controlled study (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01569464) was conducted to evaluate the effects of rotigotine transdermal patch on daytime symptoms in patients with idiopathic restless legs syndrome (RLS).

Methods:

Adult patients with moderate-to-severe RLS were randomized to rotigotine (optimal dose: 1–3?mg/24?h) or placebo. A modified four-assessment version (4:00?pm, 6:00?pm, 8:00?pm, and 10:00?pm) of the Multiple Suggested Immobilization Test (m-SIT) was performed at baseline and end of 4 week maintenance (EoM). Primary study outcomes were change from baseline to EoM in International Restless Legs Syndrome Rating Scale (IRLS) and in average of means for the m-SIT Discomfort Scale (m-SIT-DS) (combined average of mean values from each of the individual assessments). Secondary outcomes included average of means of Periodic Limb Movement during Wakefulness Index (PLMWI; PLM/hour) for the combination of m-SIT.

Results:

A total of 150 patients were randomized and 137 (rotigotine: 92/101 [91.1%]; placebo: 45/49 [91.8%]) completed maintenance. All 150 randomized patients were assessed for efficacy. At EoM, mean change in IRLS was ?14.9?±?9.3 with rotigotine vs. ?12.7?±?7.6 with placebo (ANCOVA, LS mean treatment difference [95% CI]: ?0.27 [?2.96, 2.42]; p?=?0.8451). Changes in average of means of m-SIT-DS values of each individual SIT were comparable with rotigotine (?2.68?±?2.31) vs. placebo (?2.62?±?2.61) (ANCOVA, LS mean treatment difference [95% CI]: 0.07 [?0.61, 0.75]; p?=?0.8336) and comparable reductions in PLMWI were observed in both treatment groups (8.34 [?8.50, 25.17]; p?=?0.3290). Rotigotine was generally well tolerated. Application site reactions (rotigotine: 20 patients [19.8%]; placebo: 4 [8.2%]) and nausea (16 [15.8%]; 3 [6.1%]) were the most common AEs.

Conclusions:

Rotigotine was beneficial in improving overall RLS symptom severity (assessed by IRLS) and RLS symptom severity at various times of the day (m-SIT-DS); however, superiority to placebo was not established.     

Delayed release phosphatidylcholine as new therapeutic drug for ulcerative colitis – a review of three clinical trials

Importance of the field: As the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC) is unknown, a causative therapy is lacking. Therefore, some UC patients suffer from disease activity despite symptomatic anti-inflammatory treatment strategies. We claim that reduction of phosphatidylcholine (PC) in colonic mucus impairs the mucosal barrier and, thus, causes attacks of the commensal bacterial flora to induce colitis. Thus, mucus PC substitution could provide a causal therapy for UC.

Areas covered in this review: A delayed released oral PC preparation (rPC) was found to substitute for the lack of PC in rectal mucus. In non-steroid-treated active UC, 53% of rPC-treated patients reached remission compared with 10% of placebo patients (p < 0.001). In a second trial with chronic-active, steroid-dependent UC patients, steroid withdrawal with a concomitant achievement of remission (CAI ≤ 3) or clinical response (≥ 50% CAI improvement) was reached in 15 rPC-treated patients (50%) but only in 3 (10%) placebo patients (p = 0.002).

What the reader will gain: The concept that missing PC in colonic mucus is the main pathogenetic factor for development of UC. PC can be substituted by rPC, which cures the disease in the majority of patients.

Take home message: rPC is, to our knowledge, the first causative therapeutic option for patients with UC.     

Evaluation of levalbuterol metered dose inhaler in pediatric patients with asthma: a double-blind,randomized, placebo- and active-controlled trial

ABSTRACT

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of levalbuterol metered dose inhaler (MDI) in children aged 4-11 years (n = 173).

Research design and methods: Multicenter, randomized, double-blind 28‐day study of QID levalbuterol 90?µg, racemic albuterol 180?µg, and placebo (2:1:1 ratio). Serial spirometry was performed on Days 0, 14, and 28. The primary endpoint was the double-blind average peak percent (%) change in FEV₁ from visit pre-dose; the primary comparison was with placebo. Secondary endpoints included the area under the FEV₁ percent change from pre-dose curve and peak % predicted FEV₁. Safety endpoints included adverse events, laboratory tests, rescue medication use, and electrocardiograms.

Results: Levalbuterol significantly improved the least square mean peak percent change in FEV₁ compared with placebo (levalbuterol 25.6% ± 1.3% [p < 0.001]; racemic albuterol 21.8% ± 1.8% [p = ns]; placebo 16.8% ± 1.9%). Results for levalbuterol were similar for the other spirometry endpoints (?p < 0.05 vs. placebo). No levalbuterol-treated patients had a peak percent change in FEV₁ < 10% (compared with 15.8% of racemic albuterol-treated patients and 30.3% of placebo-treated patients). The incidence of adverse events was 43.4% for levalbuterol, 56.4% for racemic albuterol, and 51.4% for placebo. The rate of discontinuation was 1.3% for levalbuterol, 2.6% for racemic albuterol, and 8.6% for placebo. The rate of asthma attacks (10.5%, 12.8%, 14.3%, respectively) was similar among treatments. Levalbuterol and racemic albuterol both reduced rescue medication use (?p < 0.01 vs. placebo) and produced changes in ventricular heart rate and QT_c‐F that were similar to placebo.

Conclusions: In this study, levalbuterol administered via MDI significantly improved airway function in comparison with placebo in asthmatic children aged 4–11 years with a safety profile that was similar to placebo.     

Efficacy and safety of pantoprazole 20 mg once daily treatment in patients with ulcer-like functional dyspepsia*

ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of pantoprazole 20 mg once daily (o.d.) in relieving epigastric pain associated with ulcer-like functional dyspepsia.

Research design and methods: In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre study, patients experiencing ulcer-like functional dyspepsia, with epigastric pain as the predominant symptom, were randomised to receive pantoprazole 20 mg or placebo o.d. for 28 days. Primary endpoint was the complete relief (i.e. absence) from epigastric pain after 28 days’ treatment. The odds ratio (OR) for pantoprazole/placebo and its 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were determined. Significant superiority of pantoprazole was concluded if the value 1.0 was above this interval.

Results: Of 419 patients (intention-to-treat [ITT]) randomised to treatment, 207 received pantoprazole and 212 received placebo. Epigastric pain relief was achieved after 28 days’ treatment in 55% of pantoprazole recipients and 45% of placebo recipients (per-protocol [PP]: 58% and 47%, respectively). Pantoprazole demonstrated statistically significant superiority compared with placebo in the ITT (OR: 0.68; 95% CI: 0.46?0.99) and PP populations (OR: 0.64; 95% CI: 0.42?0.98). Pantoprazole was more efficacious than placebo in relieving heartburn and acid regurgitation after 7, 14 and 28 days of treatment. The sum score of gastrointestinal symptoms after 28 days was statistically significantly lower in the pantoprazole than placebo group. Fewer patients receiving concomitant psychotropic medication experienced relief from epigastric pain than those not receiving such medication. Adverse events did not significantly differ between pantoprazole and placebo.

Conclusions: Results of this study suggest that pantoprazole 20 mg is more efficacious than placebo, and is a well-tolerated treatment for relieving epigastric pain in patients with ulcer-like functional dyspepsia. Further research is needed to confirm these findings.     

质子泵抑制剂治疗功能性消化不良的Meta-分析

目的 系统评价质子泵抑制剂（PPI）治疗功能性消化不良的临床疗效和安全性。方法 计算机检索Pubmed、Embase、Central、中国期刊全文数据库（CNKI）、中国生物医学文献数据库（CBM）和万方数据库,收集PPI治疗功能性消化不良的随机对照试验（RCT）,检索时限均从建库至2017年9月30日,并同时追溯纳入研究的参考文献。由两名研究者根据纳入和排除标准独立进行文献筛选、资料提取、质量评价并交叉核对后,采用RevMan 5.3和R软件进行Meta-分析。结果 最终纳入15个RCTs,共6 350例患者（试验组4 266例,对照组2 084例）。Meta-分析结果显示：PPI与安慰剂组相比,在综合疗效[RR=1.27,95%CI（1.12,1.44）,P=0.000 2]和整体症状完全缓解[RR=1.42,95%CI（1.13,1.80）,P=0.003]方面,两组差异有统计学意义,而在不良反应发生率[RR=1.18,95%CI（0.97,1.43）,P=0.09]方面,差异无统计学意义。而PPI对亚洲国家功能性消化不良患者未显示出优势[RR=1.26,95%CI（0.80,1.97）,P=0.32]。结论 PPI能提高功能性消化不良的综合疗效和整体症状完全缓解率,与安慰剂比较安全性相当。受纳入研究样本量和质量的限制,PPI对亚洲国家功能性消化不良患者的疗效有待大样本、高质量的RCT进一步验证。     

Safety of celecoxib compared with placebo and non-selective NSAIDs: cumulative meta-analysis of 89 randomized controlled trials

Objective: Further understand the safety profile of celecoxib and provide safety information for important adverse events (AEs).

Methods: Analysis of randomized controlled trials from the Pfizer clinical trial repository (final study reports completed by 31 July 2011) in which celecoxib was compared with placebo or non-selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (nsNSAIDs) for treatment of pain or inflammation in adults. Safety end points comprised 18 terms that had been identified as important AEs among all NSAIDs.

Results: There was a greater risk of edema (risk difference (95% confidence interval) 0.77% (0.45, 1.09)); hypertension (0.28% (-0.01, 0.57)); angioedema (0.16% (-0.06, 0.39) and allergic reactions (0.15% (-0.10, 0.40)) with celecoxib than with placebo, while a greater risk of gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage (-0.15% (-0.47, 0.16)) was seen with placebo. There was a greater risk of GI hemorrhage (-0.53% (-0.72, -0.33)), GI ulceration (-0.46% (-0.60, -0.33)), edema (-0.62% (-0.89, -0.35)) and hypertension (-0.57% (-0.82, -0.33)) with nsNSAIDs than with celecoxib.

Conclusions: The magnitude of risks associated with NSAIDs is small and similar in celecoxib-, nsNSAID- and placebo-treated patients. This analysis provides safety information that will allow physicians to make informed treatment decisions for patients who are appropriate candidates for celecoxib use.     

Effects of canrenone in patients with metabolic syndrome

Background: Metabolic syndrome is becoming a common disease due to a rise in obesity rates among adults.

Objectives: The aim was to evaluate the effects of canrenone compared to placebo on metabolic and inflammatory parameters in patients affected by metabolic syndrome.

A total of 145 patients were treated with placebo or canrenone, 50 mg/day, for 3 months and then 50 mg b.i.d. till the end of the study.

Blood pressure, body weight, body mass index, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), fasting plasma insulin, HOMA-IR, lipid profile, plasma aldosterone, brain natriuretic peptide, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and M value were evaluated.

Results: A decrease of blood pressure was observed in canrenone group compared to baseline; moreover, systolic blood pressure value recorded after 6 months of canrenone therapy was lower than the one recorded with placebo. Canrenone gave a significant decrease of FPI and HOMA index, and an increase of M value both compared to baseline and to placebo. Canrenone also decreased triglycerides and FPG was not observed with placebo. Canrenone also decreased plasma aldosterone, Hs-CRP and TNF-α compared to baseline and to placebo.

Conclusion: Canrenone seems to be effective in reducing some factors involved in metabolic syndrome and in improving insulin-resistance and the inflammatory state observed in these patients.     

Safety and tolerability of as-needed nalmefene in the treatment of alcohol dependence: results from the Phase III clinical programme

Objective: To investigate safety and tolerability of nalmefene for reduction of alcohol consumption in alcohol-dependent patients.

Methods: Pooled data from three randomized, placebo-controlled studies (two 6-month; one 12-month) of 18 mg nalmefene (as-needed use) in alcohol-dependent patients looking at the total population (placebo n = 824, nalmefene n = 1123) and patients with high/very high drinking risk levels at screening and randomization (target population: placebo n = 374, nalmefene n = 450).

Results: In the study, 62.7% of patients on placebo and 74.7% on nalmefene in the total population had treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs). Fourty-seven (5.9%) on placebo and 149 (13.0%) on nalmefene dropped out due to TEAEs. Thirty-five (4.4%) on placebo and 57 (5.0%) on nalmefene had serious adverse events. Tolerability and safety were similar in the target population and total population. Most frequent TEAEs were transient, mainly occurring at treatment initiation. There was no difference in tolerability and safety if nalmefene was taken daily or intermittently; no signal of increased risk of suicide-related behavior with nalmefene. The higher incidence of psychiatric events in the nalmefene group was mainly due to the TEAE of confusional state.

Conclusions: Although there was a higher incidence of TEAEs and TEAEs leading to dropout, nalmefene was well-tolerated and no major safety issues were identified.     

Verteporfin PDT for subfoveal occult CNV in AMD: two-year results of a randomized trial

ABSTRACT

Objective: To determine whether verteporfin photodynamic therapy (PDT) can safely reduce the risk of vision loss in patients with subfoveal occult with no classic choroidal neovascularization (CNV) due to age-related macular degeneration.

Research design and methods: Eligible patients were ≥50 years of age with lesion size ≤6 disc areas and best-corrected vision 20/40–20/200. A total of 364 patients with occult with no classic CNV were randomly assigned 2 : 1 to verteporfin PDT (n?=?244) or placebo (n?=?120). The primary outcome measures were loss of ≥15 and ≥30 letters of visual acuity (VA) from baseline at 12 and 24 months.

Results: A total of 37% and 47% of verteporfin-treated patients versus 45% and 53% of placebo recipients lost ≥15 letters of VA at month 12 and month 24, respectively; 16% and 23% of verteporfin-treated patients versus 17% and 25% of placebo recipients lost ≥30 letters at month 12 and month 24, respectively. These differences were not statistically significant. Four (1.6%) verteporfin-treated patients and one placebo patient (who received verteporfin in error) experienced an acute severe VA decrease; all five patients recovered some degree of vision. No unexpected ocular or systemic adverse events were identified.

Conclusions: Verteporfin PDT in the treatment of occult with no classic CNV was safe and well-tolerated. The differences between the two groups in the primary efficacy variables were not significant. Baseline characteristics and patient selection methods may have contributed to the small treatment effect.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00121407.     

Efficacy of vardenafil for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in men with hypertension:a meta-analysis of clinical trial data

ABSTRACT

Objective: To review the evidence evaluating the efficacy of vardenafil in subgroups of hypertensive patients with erectile dysfunction (ED).

Methods: Meta-analysis of randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, flexible-dose vardenafil clinical trials that were ≥12 weeks in duration evaluated men with a ≥ 6-month history of ED and required a ≥?50% failure rate in baseline sexual attempts. The primary endpoints analyzed were the erectile function domain of the International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire (IIEF‐EF) and Sexual Encounter Profile questions 2 (SEP2) and 3 (SEP3).

Results: Eight clinical trials were included (n = 2427 patients) consisting of 839 patients (35%) with a self-reported diagnosis of hypertension (HTN): 498 in the vardenafil and 341 in the placebo groups. Vardenafil's efficacy was evidenced by an average increase of 8.9 points in the IIEF‐EF (95% CI: 7.4, 10.5) at week 12 compared to placebo, with individual trial values ranging from 16.4 to 26.1 and 11.3 to 17.8 for the vardenafil and placebo groups, respectively. Vardenafil also increased success rates for the ability to obtain erections (SEP2) by 32.4% (95% CI: 27.4%, 37.5%) over a 12-week timeframe compared to placebo, with individual trial values ranging from 57.2% to 92.2% for vardenafil and 32.0% to 66.9% for placebo. Similarly, success rates for the ability to maintain erections (SEP3) improved 38.0% (95% CI: 29.5%, 46.6%) compared to placebo, with individual trial values ranging from 41.7% to 88.2% for vardenafil and 20.5% to 51.4% for placebo. Vardenafil was equally efficacious in improving IIEF‐EF, SEP2, and SEP3 in those with and without self-reported HTN.

Conclusion: This meta-analysis demonstrated that vardenafil was significantlly more efficacious than placebo for the treatment of ED in patients with comorbid HTN and offered similar treatment benefits in patients without HTN.     

Efficacy and safety of canagliflozin monotherapy in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled with diet and exercise: a 24-week,randomized, double-blind,placebo-controlled,Phase III study

Objective: To examine the efficacy and safety of canagliflozin monotherapy, a sodium/glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor, in Japanese type 2 diabetes patients.

Methods: In this double-blind, multi-centre Phase III study, patients aged ≥ 20 years with hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) 7.0 – 10.0% on diet/exercise therapy alone received placebo or canagliflozin (100 or 200 mg) once daily for 24 weeks. The main outcome measure was the change in HbA1c from baseline to Week 24.

Results: The changes in HbA1c (?0.74 and ?0.76 vs + 0.29%), fasting plasma glucose (1 mg/dl = 0.0555 mmol/l; ?31.6 and ?31.9 vs + 3.7 mg/dl), 2-h plasma glucose after 75-g glucose load (?84.9 and ?79.0 vs ?0.5 mg/dl), body weight (percent change: ?3.76 and ?4.02 vs ?0.76%) and systolic blood pressure (?7.88 and ?6.24 vs ?2.72 mmHg) were significantly greater with 100 and 200 mg canagliflozin than with placebo (all, p < 0.05). Genital infections in females (6.5, 6.3 and 0%) and asymptomatic hypoglycemia (4.4, 5.6 and 2.2%), but not symptomatic hypoglycemia (2.2, 1.1 and 1.1%), were more frequent in the 100- and 200-mg groups than in the placebo group.

Conclusion: Canagliflozin significantly improved glycemic control and was well tolerated.     

The VIOXX in prostate cancer prevention study: cardiovascular events observed in the rofecoxib 25 mg and placebo treatment groups

ABSTRACT

Background: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study was designed to determine the cumulative incidence of developing prostate cancer over 6 years of treatment with rofecoxib 25?mg/day versus placebo. Before completion, this trial was terminated following the voluntary withdrawal of rofecoxib. (On September 30, 2004, Merck & Co., Inc. announced the voluntary worldwide withdrawal of rofecoxib from the market.) Here we report the cardiovascular (CV) safety data collected from this study.

Methods: A total of 4741 men (44–81 years old) exhibiting prostate-specific antigen levels (PSA) between 2.5 and 10?ng/mL were enrolled. Patients were stratified by PSA level and use of low-dose aspirin (LDA), then randomized to rofecoxib 25?mg (n = 2369) or placebo (n = 2372). Safety data were analyzed in all patients receiving ≥1 dose of study medication. All reported thrombotic CV events occurring on-treatment or within 14 days after study drug discontinuation were adjudicated by an independent panel of clinical experts blinded to treatment assignment. Rates per 100 patient-years and relative risk (RR) of thrombotic CV events, rofecoxib vs. placebo, were determined.

Results: Approximately 36% of patients had ≥2 CV risk factors or LDA indicated. Median treatment duration was 4.14 (range: 0.03–15.90) months. Twenty-nine patients (14 rofecoxib, rate 1.27; 15 placebo, rate 1.36) experi­enced confirmed thrombotic CV events; RR 0.94 (95% CI: 0.45, 1.94) vs. placebo. Four patients (one rofecoxib; three placebo) died due to a confirmed thrombotic event. Significantly (?p = 0.002) more patients receiving rofecoxib (n = 20; 0.8%) experienced hypertension-related adverse events versus placebo (n = 2; 0.1%). There were no cases of congestive heart failure.

Conclusions: Rofecoxib 25?mg and placebo demon­strated similar risk of thrombotic CV events in this limited dataset.     

International integrated database for the evaluation of severe sepsis (INDEPTH): clinical evaluation committee report on the safety of drotrecogin alfa (activated) therapy

ABSTRACT

Objective: INDEPTH is an integrated database of five trials enrolling patients with severe sepsis. It was created to better understand safety of drotrecogin alfa (activated) (DrotAA) in severe sepsis, examine factors impacting management of sepsis patients, and improve design of future clinical trials. The results of safety analyses are reported.

Research design and methods: INDEPTH patients received DrotAA (24?µg/kg/h, n = 3228) or placebo (n= 1231) for 96?h. Following predefined criteria for blinded review, a clinical evaluation committee reviewed all serious adverse events (SAEs) during the 28-day study periods. As this was a retrospective analysis of five different trials with slightly different inclusion criteria and SAE reporting, propensity scores were computed and included as covariates to adjust for potential baseline imbalances and permit integration of patient data.

Results: During the 28-day study period, 13.2% of DrotAA-treated patients experienced at least one SAE versus 13.8% of placebo patients. Serious bleeding events (SBEs) occurred in 5.6% of DrotAA-treated versus 2.0% of placebo patients (?p< 0.001) and non-bleeding-related SAEs in 8.6% and 12.5%, respectively (?p< 0.001). Fewer thrombotic events (?p= 0.006; primarily myocardial infarction (MI), p= 0.014, stroke, p= 0.099; and arrhythmias, p< 0.001) were observed in DrotAA-treated patients versus placebo, although reduction in MI was no longer significant with propensity adjustment. Mortality remained numerically lower in DrotAA-treated patients versus placebo, regardless of whether the SAE was bleeding (70/182, 38.5% vs. 13/25, 52.0%) or non-bleeding-related (82/279, 29.4% vs. 64/154, 41.6%).

Conclusions: Although SBEs occurred more often, non-bleeding SAEs (e.g., arterial thrombotic events, arrhyth­mias) occurred less frequently with DrotAA. Overall, incidence of SAEs was not increased with DrotAA.     

A randomized clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of the once-weekly dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor omarigliptin in patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled on metformin monotherapy

Objective: To examine the efficacy and safety of the once-weekly (q.w.) dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, omarigliptin, in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and inadequate glycemic control on metformin monotherapy.

Methods: In a randomized, double-blind trial, patients with T2DM on a stable dose of metformin monotherapy (≥1500?mg/day) with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) of 7.0–10.5% were randomized to omarigliptin 25?mg q.w. or matching placebo (n?=?201 in both) for 24 weeks (primary timepoint) followed by an additional 80-week treatment period.

Results: At week 24, from a mean baseline HbA1c of 8.0–8.1%, the least squares (LS) mean (95% CI) change from baseline in HbA1c (primary end-point) was –0.54% (–0.69%, –0.40%) in the omarigliptin group and 0.00% (–0.14%, 0.15%) in the placebo group, for a between-group difference of –0.55% (–0.75%, –0.34%); p?p?=?.011) and –0.5 mmol/L (–0.9, –0.1) (p?=?.010), respectively. At week 24, the incidences of symptomatic hypoglycemia and subjects with one or more adverse event (AE), serious AEs, and discontinuations due to an AE were similar in the omarigliptin and placebo groups. Over 104 weeks, omarigliptin treatment provided a clinically meaningful reduction in HbA1c.

Conclusions: In patients with T2DM, adding omarigliptin 25?mg q.w. to metformin monotherapy improved glycemic control over 104 weeks and was generally welltolerated with a low risk of hypoglycemia.