Population Pharmacokinetic and Exposure-Response Analyses of Baloxavir Marboxil in Adults and Adolescents Including Patients With Influenza

Baloxavir marboxil, a prodrug that is metabolized to baloxavir acid, suppresses viral replication by inhibiting cap-dependent endonuclease. Our aim is to characterize its pharmacokinetics and exposure-response relationships. Population pharmacokinetic analysis of the baloxavir acid was performed using 8310 plasma concentration data points from 1109 subjects. Exposure-response analyses were performed regarding the time to alleviation of symptoms and the reduction in the influenza virus titer. A 2-compartment model with first-order absorption and lag time well described the plasma concentration data for baloxavir acid, and body weight and race were found to be the most important factors influencing the clearance and distribution volume. A dose regimen based on the body weight (40 mg for patients weighing <80 kg and 80 mg for patients weighing ≥80 kg) could provide sufficient exposures for expecting efficacy irrespective of body weight or race; however, the exposures were dependent on the body weight and race. Exposure-response analyses suggested that the reduction in the influenza virus titer was greater in any exposure-based groups in baloxavir marboxil treatment than in the oseltamivir phosphate treatment and placebo groups. In conclusion, the population pharmacokinetic model and exposure-response relationships would be useful for understanding the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics of baloxavir acid.     

Attenuated Novel SARS Coronavirus 2 Infection in an Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Patient on Ruxolitinib

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2) has a high death rate in patients with comorbidities or in an immunocompromised state. We report a mild and attenuated SARS CoV-2 infection in a patient who is 17 months post stem cell transplantation and maintained on the JAK/STAT inhibitor ruxolitinib, a proposed novel therapy for SARS CoV-2 pneumonia.     

Inhibitors of the Hepatitis C Virus Polymerase; Mode of Action and Resistance

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a pandemic human pathogen posing a substantial health and economic burden in both developing and developed countries. Controlling the spread of HCV through behavioural prevention strategies has met with limited success and vaccine development remains slow. The development of antiviral therapeutic agents has also been challenging, primarily due to the lack of efficient cell culture and animal models for all HCV genotypes, as well as the large genetic diversity between HCV strains. On the other hand, the use of interferon-α-based treatments in combination with the guanosine analogue, ribavirin, achieved limited success, and widespread use of these therapies has been hampered by prevalent side effects. For more than a decade, the HCV RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) has been targeted for antiviral development. Direct acting antivirals (DAA) have been identified which bind to one of at least six RdRp inhibitor-binding sites, and are now becoming a mainstay of highly effective and well tolerated antiviral treatment for HCV infection. Here we review the different classes of RdRp inhibitors and their mode of action against HCV. Furthermore, the mechanism of antiviral resistance to each class is described, including naturally occurring resistance-associated variants (RAVs) in different viral strains and genotypes. Finally, we review the impact of these RAVs on treatment outcomes with the newly developed regimens.     

Uterine PEComa with aggressive behavior: A review with an additional case of spontaneous vaginal expulsion

Perivascular epithelioid cell tumor (PEComa) is a rare mesenchymal tumor originating from perivascular epitheloid cells showing melanocytic and smooth muscle differentiation. The uterus represents the second most common site of origin. A 49 years woman presented to our Hospital for a vaginal spontaneous expulsion of a mass suggestive for malignant mesenchymal tumor. The patient underwent total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and the histopathological report was compliant with a PEComa with aggressive behavior. Medical Literature databases about PEComa were searched. The current literature identified near 90 cases of uterine PEComas and they are categorized as uncertain malignant potential or with aggressive behavior. Primary surgical excision represents the gold-standard treatment. Recently targeted therapy with mTOR inhibitors has been introduced with an important beneficial. In this paper we review the Literature about the uPEComa with aggressive behavior reporting the first case of spontaneous vaginal expulsion.     

沙库巴曲缬沙坦在心力衰竭治疗中的应用

心力衰竭是一种慢性疾病，是心脏无法泵出足够的血液为其他身体器官提供氧气，从而引发呼吸短促、疲劳和水肿等症状。目前其治疗包括病因治疗、一般治疗、药物治疗及非药物治疗等，其中血管紧张素受体脑啡肽酶抑制剂（ARNI）是当前新研发出的一类抗心衰药物，沙库巴曲缬沙坦是其代表药物，具有阻断肾素-血管紧张-醛固酮系统（RAAS）及抑制脑啡肽酶（NEP）的双重作用，新的欧美指南均推荐用于射血分数降低心力衰竭（HFrEF）的治疗。本文现就沙库巴曲缬沙坦在心力衰竭治疗中的作用机理、临床试验、药物安全性作一综述，旨在为该病的临床治疗提供参考。     

Improving medication adherence with adjuvant aromatase inhibitor in women with breast cancer: A randomised controlled trial to evaluate the effect of short message service (SMS) reminder

BackgroundMedication adherence is crucial for improving clinical outcomes in the treatment of patients. We evaluate the effect of short message service (SMS) reminder on medication adherence and serum hormones in patients with breast cancer on aromatase inhibitors.MethodsAn open-label, multi-centre, prospective randomised controlled trial of SMS versus Standard Care was conducted. Medication adherence was assessed via self-report using the Simplified Medication Adherence Questionnaire at baseline, 6 month, and 1 year. Androstenedione, estradiol, and estrone were measured at baseline and 1 year. The χ² test and mixed effects logistic regression was performed to compare medication adherence between groups. Difference in androstenedione and estrone levels were assessed using analysis of covariance, whereas χ² test and logistic regression was used for estradiol. Analysis was based on intention-to-treat.ResultsA total of 244 patients were randomised to receive weekly SMS reminder (n = 123) or Standard Care (n = 121) between May 2015 and December 2018. The odds of adherence was higher at 6-month in SMS (OR = 1.78, 95% CI 1.04–3.05, p = 0.034), and not significantly different at 1-year (OR = 1.15, 95% CI: 0.67–1.96 p = 0.617). Mixed effects logistic regression analysis showed higher odds of adherence in SMS over the 1-year period (OR = 2.35, 95% CI: 1.01–5.49, p = 0.048). There was no difference in serum hormone levels between groups.ConclusionSMS reminder improved medication adherence in the short-term but had no effect on serum hormones levels in the longer term. Future studies could investigate the use of tailored SMS intervention according to patient preference to improve its sustainability.     

Perioperative,short-, and long-term outcomes of gastric cancer surgery: Propensity score-matched analysis of patients with or without prior solid organ transplantation

BackgroundDetails of perioperative outcomes and survival after gastric cancer surgery in prior transplant recipients have received minimal research attention.MethodsWe performed an observational cohort study using the database of 20,147 gastric cancer patients who underwent gastrectomy at a single gastric cancer center in Korea. Forty-one solid organ recipients [kidney (n = 35), liver (n = 5), or heart (n = 1)] were matched with 205 controls using propensity score matching.ResultsOperation time, blood loss, and postoperative pain were similar between groups. Short-term complication rates were similar between transplantation and control groups (22.0% vs. 20.1%, P = 0.777). Transplantation group patients with stage 1 gastric cancer experienced no recurrence, while those with stage 2/3 cancer had significantly higher recurrence risk compared to the controls (P = 0.049). For patients with stage 1 cancer, the transplantation group had a significantly higher rate of non-gastric cancer-related deaths compared to the controls (19.2% vs. 1.4%, P = 0.001). For those with stage 2/3 cancer, significantly lower proportion of the transplantation group received adjuvant chemotherapy compared to the control group (26.7% vs. 80.3%, P < 0.001). The transplantation group had a higher (albeit not statistically significant) rate of gastric cancer-related deaths compared to the controls (40.0% vs. 18.0%, P = 0.087).ConclusionTransplant recipients and non-transplant recipients exhibited similar perioperative and short-term outcomes after gastric cancer surgery. From long-term outcome analyses, we suggest active surveillance for non-gastric cancer-related deaths in patients with early gastric cancer, as well as strict oncologic care in patients with advanced cancer, as effective strategies for transplant recipients.     

Optimizing Prescribing and Deprescribing of Proton Pump Inhibitors

Prescribing of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) has markedly increased since their inception more than 30 years ago. The increase is related to inappropriate and long-term prescribing of PPIs, associated with a lack of education and unclear prescribing and deprescribing guidelines. The implementation of prescribing stewardship programs influences the reduction and inappropriate use of this medication. The purpose of this review is to address the gaps that exist regarding the use of PPIs along with determining methods for deprescribing. Guidelines and stewardship programs, along with education, are needed to reduce the adverse health effects of long-term PPI therapy.     

Ets-1、MMP-1及TIMP-1在膀胱移行细胞癌中的表达

目的研究Ets-1、基质金属蛋白酶1(MMP-1)及基质金属蛋白酶1抑制物(TIMP-1)在膀胱移行细胞癌(BTCC)中的表达及意义。方法用免疫组化方法检测40例BTCC组织和12例正常膀胱黏膜组织中Ets-1、MMP-1及TIMP-1的表达;分析Ets-1与BTCC临床病理特征间的关系;研究BTCC中MMP-1、TIMP-1表达与Ets-1表达的相关性。结果①Ets-1在BTCC中高度表达,阳性率为82.5%(P<0.01),且随BTCC临床分期和病理分级的升高而增加,肿瘤复发组高于无复发组,肿瘤转移组高于无转移组(P<0.05)。②MMP-1阳性表达率膀胱癌组(85.0%)明显高于对照组(58.3%)(p<0.05);TIMP-1阳性表达率对照组(83.3%)明显高于膀胱癌组(47.5%)(P<0.05)。③MMP-1与Ets-1表达呈正相关(Rs为0.824,P<0.01),而TIMP-1与Ets-1表达呈负相关(Rs为-0.821,P<0.01)。结论①Ets-1在BTCC中高度表达,并随BTCC分期分级升高而增加;Ets-1与BTCC转移及复发密切相关。②BTCC中Ets-1上调MMP-1表达,而下调TIMP-1表达,从而参与BTCC侵袭与转移。