Is interleukin-2 an optimal marker for diagnosing tuberculosis infection? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background

Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is a huge reservoir for the deadlier TB disease. Accurate identification of LTBI is a key strategy to eliminate TB. Therefore, a systematic review and meta-analysis approach was used to assess diagnostic potential of IL-2 for LTBI.     

Pharmacokinetics,Pharmacodynamics, and Exposure‐Response of Lanadelumab for Hereditary Angioedema

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) with C1 inhibitor deficiency is a rare disorder characterized by unpredictable, potentially life‐threatening recurrent angioedema attacks. Lanadelumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody with selective binding to active plasma kallikrein, and prevents the formation of cleaved high molecular weight kininogen (cHMWK) and bradykinin, thereby preventing HAE attacks. The clinical pharmacology of lanadelumab was characterized following subcutaneous administration in 257 subjects (24 healthy subjects and 233 patients with HAE). The pharmacokinetics of lanadelumab were described using a one‐compartment model with first‐order rate of absorption and linear clearance, showing slow absorption and a long half‐life (14.8 days). A covariate analysis retained body weight and health status on apparent clearance (CL/F) and body weight on volume of distribution (V/F). Population estimates of CL/F and V/F were 0.0249 L/hour (0.586 L/day) and 12.8 L, respectively. An indirect‐response Imax model showed 53.7% maximum suppression in cHMWK formation with a low potential for interactions with concomitant medications (analgesic, anti‐inflammatory, and antirheumatic medications). A 300 mg dose administered Q2W was associated with a mean steady‐state minimum concentration (C_min,ss; 25.4 μg/mL) that was ~ 4.5‐fold higher than the half‐maximal inhibitory concentration for cHMWK reduction (5.71 μg/mL). Exposure‐response analyses suggest that 300 mg Q2W dosing was associated with a significantly reduced HAE attack rate, prolonged time to first attack after treatment initiation, and lower need for concomitant medications. The response was comparable across patient body weight groups. Findings from this analysis support the dosing rationale for lanadelumab to prevent attacks in patients with HAE.

Study Highlights

• WHAT IS THE CURRENT KNOWLEDGE ON THE TOPIC?

☑ Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a long‐term, debilitating, and potentially life‐threatening disease caused by C1‐inhibitor deficiency. Lanadelumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody inhibitor of plasma kallikrein that is effective in preventing attacks in patients with HAE.

• WHAT QUESTION DID THIS STUDY ADDRESS?

☑ What are the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics of lanadelumab, and how are they related to the observed efficacy of lanadelumab in preventing HAE attacks?

• WHAT DOES THIS STUDY ADD TO OUR KNOWLEDGE?

☑ Lanadelumab clearance and volume of distribution are dependent on body weight; however, significant attack rate reduction is still observed in patients with high body weight, and dose adjustment is not necessary. The findings of this study provide a greater understanding of the factors driving the efficacy and safety of lanadelumab to ensure optimal use.

• HOW MIGHT THIS CHANGE CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY OR TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE?

☑ Selective binding of lanadelumab to plasma kallikrein provides a novel approach for long‐term prophylaxis against HAE attacks.

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare, debilitating, and potentially life‐threatening disease with an estimated prevalence of 1 in 50,000. ¹ It manifests clinically as unpredictable, intermittent attacks of subcutaneous or submucosal edema of the face, larynx, gastrointestinal tract, limbs, and/or genitalia. Swelling may last several days, and most patients have multiple attacks per year. ² Symptoms usually begin during childhood, sometimes as young as age 2 years, and persist throughout life. ² HAE is caused by mutations in SERPING1, the gene encoding C1 inhibitor (C1‐INH), resulting in deficiency of C1‐INH protein or function. ³ C1‐INH is involved in regulating the contact, complement, and coagulation systems. ³ In the contact system, C1‐INH is the natural inhibitor of plasma kallikrein. Dysregulated contact system activation and subsequent uncontrolled plasma kallikrein activity lead to production of cleaved high molecular weight kininogen (cHMWK) and the edema‐inducing peptide bradykinin, which initiates signaling pathways leading to HAE attacks. Management of patients with HAE involves on‐demand medications to treat attacks when they occur, and long‐term or short‐term prophylaxis to prevent attacks. ¹ , ² Lanadelumab is a fully human immunoglobulin G1 monoclonal antibody that binds specifically to active plasma kallikrein. ⁴ It is approved in several countries for the prevention of HAE attacks in patients ≥ 12 years of age. In clinical trials, treatment with lanadelumab significantly reduced attack rates in patients with HAE, and this was associated with a reduction in cHMWK levels. ⁵ , ⁶ The pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD), exposure‐response relationships, and potential interactions of lanadelumab with rescue medications (for treatment of attacks that occur during long‐term prophylaxis), and with medications commonly used concomitantly in patients with HAE, were characterized using data from clinical studies to support the dosing rationale for long‐term prophylaxis with lanadelumab in patients with HAE.     

Effects of Ginkgo biloba extract EGb761 on neural differentiation of stem cells offer new hope for neurological disease treatment

Stem cell transplantation has brought new hope for the treatment of neurological diseases.The key to stem cell therapy lies in inducing the specific differentiation of stem cells into nerve cells.Because the differentiation of stem cells in vitro and in vivo is affected by multiple factors,the final differentiation outcome is strongly associated with the microenvironment in which the stem cells are located.Accordingly,the optimal microenvironment for inducing stem cell differentiation is a hot topic.EGb761 is extracted from the leaves of the Ginkgo biloba tree.It is used worldwide and is becoming one of the focuses of stem cell research.Studies have shown that EGb761 can antagonize oxygen free radicals,stabilize cell membranes,promote neurogenesis and synaptogenesis,increase the level of brain-derived neurotrophic factors,and replicate the environment required during the differentiation of stem cells into nerve cells.This offers the possibility of using EGb761 to induce the differentiation of stem cells,facilitating stem cell transplantation.To provide a comprehensive reference for the future application of EGb761 in stem cell therapy,we reviewed studies investigating the influence of EGb761 on stem cells.These started with the composition and neuropharmacology of EGb761,and eventually led to the finding that EGb761 and some of its important components play important roles in the differentiation of stem cells and the protection of a beneficial microenvironment for stem cell transplantation.     

高危原发前列腺胃肠道外间质瘤诊疗体会及文献复习

目的探讨前列腺原发胃肠道外间质瘤诊治要点。 方法回顾性分析我院2017年9月诊治的1例高危原发性前列腺胃肠道外间质瘤临床病理特征资料、随访情况，总结现有文献讨论总结本病诊治心得。 结果65岁男性，因"前列腺电切术后2年，反复血尿3个月余"入院。术前MRI考虑为来源不清的盆腔巨大实性占位（115 mm×105 mm×85 mm），经直肠穿刺诊断为梭形细胞来源的肿瘤。行盆腔肿瘤切除+膀胱前列腺腺切除+盆腔淋巴结清扫术+Bricker术。术后病理提示为前列腺原发胃肠道外间质瘤[CD117（+）；Dog1（+）；CD34（+）；PSA（+）；AR（+）；P504s（+）；Ki-67（2%）]。术后肿瘤组织全外显子测序提示为C-Kit基因（Exon 11 p.Q556-V560del）存在明显临床意义突变，筛选靶向药物甲磺酸伊马替尼+比卡鲁胺（PSA平稳后停用）口服，术后随访18个月无肿瘤复发及不良并发症。 结论前列腺原发胃肠道外间质瘤罕见，需与前列腺其他良恶性肿瘤相鉴别诊断。全外显子测序了解其发病高危基因，同时筛选药物辅助治疗可使患者生存获益。     

Lenalidomide plus dexamethasone for proliferative glomerulonephritis with monoclonal immunoglobulin deposits

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of lenalidomide plus dexamethasone (LD) in patients with proliferative glomerulonephritis with monoclonal immunoglobulin deposits (PGNMID). Methods The clinicopathological data of PGNMID patients who were treated with LD protocol from January 2010 to October 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Results All of 6 patients received LD treatment for≥3 months after renal biopsy in Jinling Hospital. During the follow-up period of 6 to 19 months, 3 patients achieved renal remission, and the renal remission rate was 50%(3/6). Light microscopy showed membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and immunofluorescence showed single kappa type IgG3 was deposited in the mesangial region and the vascular loop. Before taking LD scheme, the median urinary protein were 7.76(1.27, 14.57) g/24 h, the median serum creatinine was 118.5(70.7, 289.1) μmol/L, and the median albumin was 34.5(22.4, 37.5) g/L. The concentration of serum free kappa and lambda light chain was increased in 5 patients, but the serum free light chain ratio was normal. Hypocomplementemia was detected in two cases. Six patients underwent bone marrow flow cytometry, and 2 patients had elevated monoclonal plasma cells, accounting for 0.7% and 0.5%, respectively. Immunofixation electrophoresis suggested that 1 patient had positive serum M protein for kappa type IgG3. At the last follow-up, median urine protein was 3.33(0.33, 11.23) g/24 h, median serum creatinine was 108.7(80.4, 160.9) μmol/L, and median albumin was 35.9(24.5, 45.6) g/L. The concentration of serum free light chain in 4 patients from 5 patients with elevated serum free light chain was lower than that before taking the drug. Decreased level of serum complement in two cases returned to normal after treatment. The M spike did not turn negative during the follow-up in one patient. Adverse events included anemia, neutropenia, limb numbness and upper respiratory tract infection. Conclusion This study reports for the first time that LD protocol may be effective in treating PGNMID, but more attention should be paid to the hematological adverse events of lenalidomide.     

补肾柔肝养心法治疗更年期综合征临床观察

目的对比观察熟地菟丝子汤与更年安片治疗更年期综合征的疗效及安全性.方法选取有明显临床症状的患者68例,随机分为治疗组和对照组.治疗组38例,应用自拟熟地菟丝子汤,水煎取汁300ml,每日分2次口服;对照组30例,口服更年安片,6片/次,每日2次.两组均以4周为1个疗程,2个疗程为观察期.结果治疗组治愈11例,显效17例,有效9例,无效1例,总有效率为97.30%;对照组治愈5例,显效8例,有效12例,无效5例,总有效率为83.30%.两组比较有非常显著性差异(P＜0.01).结论运用补肾柔肝养心法治疗更年期综合征疗效确切、安全.     

张琪治疗疑难血证的经验

导师名老中医张琪教授从事内科疑难杂病研究多年,尤其对于血证的治疗具有真知灼见,以疗效显著闻名于杏林.笔者有幸从师侍诊,于其博大精深中觅得一鳞半爪.介绍如下. 1 再生障碍性贫血