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Bullous dermatoses secondary to anti-PD-L1 agents: a case report and review of the literature.
Kosche, C, Owen, JL, Sadowsky, LM, Choi, JN
Dermatology online journal. 2019;(10)
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors are used to treat numerous malignancies but may be associated with severe adverse events. Bullous dermatoses, chiefly bullous pemphigoid (BP), are potentially progressive adverse events that cause blistering skin lesions and may involve a significant body surface area. Herein, we report an 87-year-old man with urothelial cell carcinoma undergoing atezolizumab treatment who presented with an acute-onset blistering eruption. Biopsy revealed a subepidermal bulla, direct immunofluorescence revealed linear IgG and C3 deposits at the dermal-epidermal junction, and serum studies revealed elevated levels of antibodies to BP180 and BP230. Anti-PD-L1-induced BP was diagnosed, immunotherapy was withheld, and he was treated with oral doxycycline with niacinamide and clobetasol ointment. He restarted atezolizumab and has successfully received four cycles (every 3 weeks) while continuing this BP treatment regimen. A literature review revealed eight other cases of anti-PD-L1-induced bullous disorders. The incidence of bullous dermatoses with anti-PD-1/anti-PD-L1 agents combined is 1%, whereas the reported incidence for anti-PD-L1 agents alone ranges from 1.3-5%, raising concerns for a higher overall risk. In addition to our case, only one other case reported successful resumption of immunotherapy. Early control and management of immunotherapy-induced BP may reduce complications and prevent treatment discontinuation.
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Programmed cell death protein 1 inhibitor treatment is associated with acute kidney injury and hypocalcemia: meta-analysis.
Manohar, S, Kompotiatis, P, Thongprayoon, C, Cheungpasitporn, W, Herrmann, J, Herrmann, SM
Nephrology, dialysis, transplantation : official publication of the European Dialysis and Transplant Association - European Renal Association. 2019;(1):108-117
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this meta-analysis was to assess the risks and incidence of nephrotoxicity and electrolyte abnormalities in patients receiving programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitors. METHODS We conducted a meta-analysis of clinical trials that monitored electrolyte levels and kidney functions during treatment with nivolumab or pembrolizumab by searching MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Database from inception through April 2017. Our protocol is registered with International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews; no.CRD42017060579. RESULTS A total of 48 clinical trials with a total of 11 482 patients were included. The overall pooled risk ratios (RR) of all acute kidney injury (AKI) and all electrolyte abnormalities in patients treated with PD-1 inhibitors were 1.86 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.95-3.64] and 1.67 (95% CI 0.89-3.12), respectively. Compared with non-nephrotoxic controls, the pooled RR of AKI in patients treated with PD-1 inhibitors was 4.19 (95% CI 1.57-11.18). Prespecified subgroup analyses demonstrated a significant association between PD-1 inhibitors and hypocalcemia with a pooled RR of 10.87 (95% CI 1.40-84.16). The pooled estimated incidence rates of AKI and hypocalcemia in patients treated with PD-1 inhibitors were 2.2% (95% CI 1.5-3.0%) and 1.0% (95% CI 0.6-1.8%), respectively. Among patients who developed AKI with PD-1 inhibitors, the pooled estimated rate of interstitial nephritis was 16.6% (95% CI 10.2-26.0%). CONCLUSIONS Treatment with PD-1 inhibitors is associated with a higher risk of AKI compared with non-nephrotoxic agents. It will be important to characterize the AKI patients to better understand the etiology behind the event. In addition, treatment with PD-1 inhibitors is associated with an increased risk of hypocalcemia. This study highlights a rare but serious adverse event of anti-PD-1 antibodies and we recommend, in addition to electrolytes panel, routine calcium monitoring.
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Therapeutic drug monitoring with vedolizumab in inflammatory bowel disease.
Pugliese, D, Privitera, G, Pizzolante, F, Gasbarrini, A, Guidi, L, Armuzzi, A
Minerva gastroenterologica e dietologica. 2019;(4):280-290
Abstract
Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is a useful tool for decision-making process in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treated with anti TNF-α drugs, especially when experiencing loss of response. Growing evidences support the existence of exposure-response relationship with vedolizumab, but the utility and the appropriate use of TDM in clinical practice is still under debate. In this review, we summarize all evidences supporting a TDM-guided approach for patients treated with vedolizumab, suggesting three potential scenarios: 1) early prediction of long-term outcomes; 2) verifying the best strategy in case of loss of response; 3) maximizing therapeutic efficacy during maintenance treatment. Vedolizumab through concentrations <20 µg/mL at week 6 and >12 µg/mL seem to be associated with more favorable outcomes. No comparative studies have been conducted so far to demonstrate the advantage of adopting a TDM-guided versus an empirical approach for managing primary or secondary nonresponses. The frequency of antibodies to vedolizumab detection is quite low (up to 4% in pivotal trials), suggesting, unlike of anti TNF-α agents, a low probability of experiencing an immune-mediated pharmacokinetic failure in clinical practice. Future prospective and controlled studies are warranted to establish the guidance on the use of a TDM-guided approach with vedolizumab in clinical practice.
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Lipoprotein(a), PCSK9 Inhibition, and Cardiovascular Risk.
O'Donoghue, ML, Fazio, S, Giugliano, RP, Stroes, ESG, Kanevsky, E, Gouni-Berthold, I, Im, K, Lira Pineda, A, Wasserman, SM, Češka, R, et al
Circulation. 2019;(12):1483-1492
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] may play a causal role in atherosclerosis. PCSK9 (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9) inhibitors have been shown to significantly reduce plasma Lp(a) concentration. However, the relationship between Lp(a) levels, PCSK9 inhibition, and cardiovascular risk reduction remains undefined. METHODS Lp(a) was measured in 25 096 patients in the FOURIER trial (Further Cardiovascular Outcomes Research with PCSK9 Inhibition in Subjects with Elevated Risk), a randomized trial of evolocumab versus placebo in patients with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (median follow-up, 2.2 years). Cox models were used to assess the independent prognostic value of Lp(a) and the efficacy of evolocumab for coronary risk reduction by baseline Lp(a) concentration. RESULTS The median (interquartile range) baseline Lp(a) concentration was 37 (13-165) nmol/L. In the placebo arm, patients with baseline Lp(a) in the highest quartile had a higher risk of coronary heart disease death, myocardial infarction, or urgent revascularization (adjusted hazard ratio quartile 4: quartile 1, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.01-1.48) independent of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. At 48 weeks, evolocumab significantly reduced Lp(a) by a median (interquartile range) of 26.9% (6.2%-46.7%). The percent change in Lp(a) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol at 48 weeks in patients taking evolocumab was moderately positively correlated ( r=0.37; 95% CI, 0.36-0.39; P<0.001). Evolocumab reduced the risk of coronary heart disease death, myocardial infarction, or urgent revascularization by 23% (hazard ratio, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.67-0.88) in patients with a baseline Lp(a) >median, and by 7% (hazard ratio, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.80-1.08; P interaction=0.07) in those ≤median. Coupled with the higher baseline risk, the absolute risk reductions, and number needed to treat over 3 years were 2.49% and 40 versus 0.95% and 105, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Higher levels of Lp(a) are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events in patients with established cardiovascular disease irrespective of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Evolocumab significantly reduced Lp(a) levels, and patients with higher baseline Lp(a) levels experienced greater absolute reductions in Lp(a) and tended to derive greater coronary benefit from PCSK9 inhibition. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT01764633.
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Evolocumab for Early Reduction of LDL Cholesterol Levels in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes (EVOPACS).
Koskinas, KC, Windecker, S, Pedrazzini, G, Mueller, C, Cook, S, Matter, CM, Muller, O, Häner, J, Gencer, B, Crljenica, C, et al
Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2019;(20):2452-2462
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although guidelines recommend in-hospital initiation of high-intensity statin therapy in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) target levels are frequently not attained. Evolocumab, a rapidly acting, potent LDL-C-lowering drug, has not been studied in the acute phase of ACS. OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility, safety, and LDL-C-lowering efficacy of evolocumab initiated during the in-hospital phase of ACS. METHODS The authors conducted an investigator-initiated, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 308 patients hospitalized for ACS with elevated LDL-C levels (≥1.8 mmol/l on high-intensity statin for at least 4 weeks; ≥2.3 mmol/l on low- or moderate-intensity statin; or ≥3.2 mmol/l on no stable dose of statin). Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive subcutaneous evolocumab 420 mg or matching placebo, administered in-hospital and after 4 weeks, on top of atorvastatin 40 mg. The primary endpoint was percentage change in calculated LDL-C from baseline to 8 weeks. RESULTS Most patients (78.2%) had not been on previous statin treatment. Mean LDL-C levels decreased from 3.61 to 0.79 mmol/l at week 8 in the evolocumab group, and from 3.42 to 2.06 mmol/l in the placebo group; the difference in mean percentage change from baseline was -40.7% (95% confidence interval: -45.2 to -36.2; p < 0.001). LDL-C levels <1.8 mmol/l were achieved at week 8 by 95.7% of patients in the evolocumab group versus 37.6% in the placebo group. Adverse events and centrally adjudicated cardiovascular events were similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS In this first randomized trial assessing a PCSK9 antibody in the very high-risk setting of ACS, evolocumab added to high-intensity statin therapy was well tolerated and resulted in substantial reduction in LDL-C levels, rendering >95% of patients within currently recommended target levels. (EVOlocumab for Early Reduction of LDL-cholesterol Levels in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes [EVOPACS]; NCT03287609).
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Vedolizumab Therapy is Ineffective for Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A GETAID Multicentre Cohort Study.
Caron, B, Peyrin-Biroulet, L, Pariente, B, Bouhnik, Y, Seksik, P, Bouguen, G, Caillo, L, Laharie, D, Carbonnel, F, Altwegg, R, et al
Journal of Crohn's & colitis. 2019;(10):1239-1247
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Whether vedolizumab may be effective as a treatment for primary sclerosing cholangitis [PSC] in patients with inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] remains controversial. METHODS We performed a retrospective observational study of consecutive patients with IBD and PSC, treated with vedolizumab for at least 30 weeks in 22 centres of GETAID from January 2015 to June 2016. The outcomes included a decrease in the serum alkaline phosphatase [ALP] concentration of at least 50% from baseline to Week 30 or 54, a change in any serum liver enzymes concentrations, and an assessment of the efficacy and safety of vedolizumab in IBD. RESULTS Among 75 patients with active IBD and PSC treated with vedolizumab, 21 patients discontinued vedolizumab before Week 30 [due to lack of efficacy in 19 and malignancy in two patients]. In the remaining 54 patients, a decrease in the serum ALP concentration of at least 50% from baseline to Weeks 30 and 54 was observed in four [7%] and four [11%] patients, respectively. No significant change was observed in serum liver enzyme concentrations at week 30 or 54. After a median follow-up period of 19.4 [14.0-29.9] months, nine cases of digestive neoplasia [colorectal neoplasia in seven and cholangiocarcinoma in two] were reported. CONCLUSIONS In patients with IBD and PSC, vedolizumab did not improve serum liver enzyme concentrations at week 30 or 54. Nine cases of digestive cancer occurred during the follow-up period, confirming the need for a tight surveillance programme in this population.
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Effect of evolocumab on lipoprotein apheresis requirement and lipid levels: Results of the randomized, controlled, open-label DE LAVAL study.
Baum, SJ, Sampietro, T, Datta, D, Moriarty, PM, Knusel, B, Schneider, J, Somaratne, R, Kurtz, C, Hohenstein, B
Journal of clinical lipidology. 2019;(6):901-909.e3
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lipoprotein apheresis (LA) can effectively lower lipoproteins but is an invasive procedure. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to evaluate whether evolocumab can reduce LA requirement in patients undergoing chronic LA. METHODS Patients on regular weekly or every-2-week LA and moderate- to high-intensity statin (if tolerated) with pre-LA low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels ≥2.6 mmol/L (100 mg/dL) to ≤4.9 mmol/L (190 mg/dL) were randomized to continue the same LA frequency, or discontinue LA and receive evolocumab 140 mg every-2-weeks subcutaneously for 6 weeks. At week 6, all patients received only open-label evolocumab for 18 weeks. The primary endpoint was LA avoidance at the end of 6 weeks based on achieving pre-LA LDL-C <2.6 mmol/L at week 4. RESULTS Thirty-nine patients (mean [SD] age 62 [10] years, 59% male, 82% with familial hypercholesterolemia) were randomized (evolocumab, n = 19; LA, n = 20). At the end of 6 weeks, more patients receiving evolocumab avoided LA than those receiving LA (84% vs 10%; treatment difference, 74% [95% CI: 45, 87]; P < .0001). Thirty patients (77%) did not require LA at 24 weeks. Evolocumab reduced pre-LA LDL-C by 50% from the baseline to week 4 compared with a 3% increase in the LA arm. Pre-LA LDL-C <1.8 mmol/L (70 mg/dL) was achieved by 10 patients (53%) receiving evolocumab and none receiving LA (week 4). Safety was comparable between arms. CONCLUSION Evolocumab treatment significantly reduced LA requirement in patients undergoing chronic LA. In addition, >50% of patients achieved LDL-C <1.8 mmol/L on evolocumab alone, demonstrating that in patients with pre-LA LDL-C ≤4.9 mmol/L, evolocumab may replace LA.
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Individualized low-density lipoprotein cholesterol reduction with alirocumab titration strategy in heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia: Results from an open-label extension of the ODYSSEY LONG TERM trial.
Dufour, R, Hovingh, GK, Guyton, JR, Langslet, G, Baccara-Dinet, MT, Din-Bell, C, Manvelian, G, Farnier, M
Journal of clinical lipidology. 2019;(1):138-147
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) who completed the double-blind ODYSSEY LONG TERM parent trial and subsequently enrolled in the open-label extension (OLE) study, ODYSSEY OLE (NCT01954394), provide a unique opportunity to investigate effects of 2 doses of alirocumab, a proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitor, within the same patient cohort. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to characterize long-term efficacy and safety of 2 alirocumab dosages and utility of a dose titration strategy in patients with HeFH. METHODS After an 8-week washout period, patients with HeFH who completed the LONG TERM study (receiving alirocumab 150 mg every 2 weeks [Q2W]) were eligible to enroll in OLE (n = 214) for up to 40 months' treatment duration. In OLE, patients started on alirocumab 75 mg Q2W. From Week 12, dose adjustment from 75 to 150 mg Q2W or vice versa was possible based on physician's clinical judgment. RESULTS During the LONG TERM trial, alirocumab 150 mg Q2W reduced mean low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) from baseline (162.3 mg/dL) to Week 8 by 63.1%; during OLE, alirocumab 75 mg Q2W reduced mean LDL-C from baseline (166.6 mg/dL) by 47.3% within the same patient cohort. At Week 96, mean LDL-C reduction from OLE baseline was 55.4% vs 46.8% for patients with or without alirocumab dose increase, respectively. Treatment-emergent adverse events leading to permanent treatment discontinuation were observed in 4 patients (1.9%). CONCLUSIONS In patients with HeFH, both alirocumab dosages provided consistent LDL-C reductions over a treatment duration of up to 4 years (including 1.5 years of the LONG TERM trial), allowing an individualized approach to LDL-C lowering, depending on baseline LDL-C levels.
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Generalizability of the FOURIER trial to routine clinical care: Do trial participants represent patients in everyday practice?
Yao, X, Gersh, BJ, Lopez-Jimenez, F, Shah, ND, Noseworthy, PA
American heart journal. 2019;:54-62
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the FOURIER trial, evolocumab, a proprotein convertase subtilisin-kexin type 9 inhibitor, reduced cardiovascular events in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). We aimed to examine how closely patients in routine practice resemble the FOURIER trial participants and to assess the observed cardiovascular risks based on trial eligibility and underrepresentativeness. METHODS Using a large US administrative database with linked laboratory data, we identified adult patients with ASCVD between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2016. We identified the excluded and underrepresented populations and examined the risk of cardiovascular events (a composite endpoint of myocardial infarction [MI], stroke, angina, and coronary revascularization) based on trial eligibility and underrepresentativeness. RESULTS Only 15.2% of 233,977 patients met the FOURIER eligibility. Nearly 60% of the ineligible patients met at least 2 exclusion criteria. Among trial-eligible patients, elderly patients, women, minorities, and those without prior MI were underrepresented in FOURIER. Patients who would have been excluded from FOURIER had a diverse risk profile but, on average, had a lower cardiovascular risk than those who would have qualified (hazard ratio [HR] 0.84 [0.81-0.88], P < .001). Among the underrepresented patients, women and patients without prior MI had a lower cardiovascular risk (HR 0.77 [0.71-0.82], P < .001; HR 0.67 [0.63-0.72], P < .001, respectively). Only 47.2% of patients were on moderate-/high-intensity statins. CONCLUSIONS One in 7 ASCVD patients in practice would have qualified for FOURIER. The excluded and underrepresented populations were at a particularly low or high cardiovascular risk. Statin therapy was underused, and physicians may need to evaluate adherence before adding a proprotein convertase subtilisin-kexin type 9 inhibitor.
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Cardiovascular safety of tocilizumab: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.
Castagné, B, Viprey, M, Martin, J, Schott, AM, Cucherat, M, Soubrier, M
PloS one. 2019;(8):e0220178
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Our objective was to compare the cardiovascular safety of tocilizumab and other biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARD) in rheumatoid arthritis using a network meta-analysis (NMA). METHODS A systematic literature search through May 2018 identified randomized controlled trials (RCT) or observational studies (cohort only) reporting cardiovascular outcomes of tocilizumab (TCZ) and/or abatacept (ABA) and/or rituximab (RTX) and/or tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) in rheumatoid arthritis patients. The composite primary outcome was the rate of major adverse cardiovascular outcomes (MACE, myocardial infarction (MI), peripheral artery disease (PAD) and cardiac heart failure (CHF)). RESULTS 19 studies were included in the NMA, including 11 RCTs and 8 cohort studies. We found less events with RTX (5.41 [1.70;17.26]. We found no difference between TCZ and other treatments. Concerning MI, we found no difference between TCZ and csDMARD (4.23 [0.22;80.64]), no difference between TCZ and TNFi (2.00 [0.18;21.84]). There was no difference between TCZ and csDMARD (1.51[0.02;103.50] and between TCZ and TNFi (1.00 [0.06;15.85]) for stroke event. With cohorts and RCT NMA, we found no difference between TCZ and other treatments for MACE (0.66 [0.42;1.03] with ABA, 1.04 [0.60;1.81] with RTX, 0.78[0.53;1.16] and 0.91 [0.54;1.51] with csDMARD), but the risk of myocardial infarction was lower with TCZ compared to ABA (0.67 [0.47;0.97]). We lacked data to compare TCZ and other bDMARD for stoke and MI. Not enough data was available to perform a NMA for CHF and PAD. CONCLUSIONS Despite an increase in cholesterol levels, TCZ has safe cardiovascular outcomes compared to other bDMARD.