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Successful treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection with crushed glecaprevir/pibrentasvir administered via a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube: case report and review of the literature.
Tanaka, Y, Tateishi, R, Koike, K
Clinical journal of gastroenterology. 2019;(6):588-591
Abstract
Glecaprevir (GLE)/pibrentasvir (PIB) is a direct-acting antiviral regimen approved for patients infected with hepatitis C virus. No data are available on the safety and efficacy of this regimen when crushed and administered through a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube. Here, we report a patient who successfully achieved a sustained viral response after treatment with GLE/PIB administered via a PEG tube. A 41-year-old female with chronic hepatitis C viral infection was referred to our department for treatment. She had a history of spina bifida and hydrocephalus, and she received a PEG tube for nutrition and medication due to an aftereffect of hydrocephalus. She received crushed GLE/PIB treatment through a PEG tube for 8 weeks and achieved a sustained viral response 12, without any treatment-related severe adverse events. This is the first documented case treated with GLE/PIB administered through a PEG tube. Based on this case report and a review of the literature, we discuss the safety and efficacy of direct-acting antiviral treatment via a PEG tube.
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Lomitapide and Mipomersen-Inhibiting Microsomal Triglyceride Transfer Protein (MTP) and apoB100 Synthesis.
Blom, DJ, Raal, FJ, Santos, RD, Marais, AD
Current atherosclerosis reports. 2019;(12):48
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The goal of this review is to evaluate the role of inhibiting the synthesis of lipoproteins when there is no or little residual LDL-receptor function as in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia. Lomitapide is administered orally once a day while mipomersen is given by subcutaneous injection once a week. Lomitapide inhibits microsomal triglyceride transfer protein while mipomersen is an antisense oligonucleotide directed against apoB100. RECENT FINDINGS The pivotal registration trials for lomitapide and mipomersen were published in 2013 and 2010, respectively. More recently published data from extension trials and cohort studies provides additional information on long-term safety and efficacy. The mean LDL cholesterol reduction was 50% with lomitapide in its single-arm open-label registration trial. Mipomersen reduced LDL cholesterol by approximately 25% in its double-blind, placebo-controlled registration study. Both lomitapide and mipomersen therapy are associated with variable increases in hepatic fat content. The long-term safety of increased hepatic fat content in patients receiving these therapies is uncertain and requires further study. Both drugs may cause elevated transaminase in some patients, but no cases of severe liver injury have been reported. Lomitapide may also cause gastrointestinal discomfort and diarrhoea, especially if patients consume high-fat meals and patients are advised to follow a low-fat diet supplemented with essential fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins. Mipomersen may cause injection-site and influenza-like reactions. The effect of lomitapide and mipomersen on cardiovascular outcomes has not been studied, but circumstantial evidence suggests that the LDL cholesterol lowering achieved with these two agents may reduce cardiovascular event rates.
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Abemaciclib: The Newest CDK4/6 Inhibitor for the Treatment of Breast Cancer.
Palumbo, A, Lau, G, Saraceni, M
The Annals of pharmacotherapy. 2019;(2):178-185
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To review the pharmacology, efficacy, and safety of the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor, abemaciclib, in the treatment of advanced or metastatic breast cancer (MBC). DATA SOURCES Relevant information was identified through a MEDLINE/PubMed (January 2000 to June 2018) literature search. The new drug application, prescribing information, and abstracts and posters from scientific meetings were also reviewed. STUDY SELECTION/DATA EXTRACTION The literature search was limited to human studies published in the English language. Phase 1, 2, and 3 studies evaluating the pharmacology, efficacy, or safety of abemaciclib for breast cancer were included. DATA SYNTHESIS Abemaciclib is an oral, potent, small molecule inhibitor of CDK4 and CDK6 activity, which blocks retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein phosphorylation and thereby prevents progression through the cell cycle. Three major clinical trials, MONARCH 1, 2, and 3, established the efficacy and safety of abemaciclib for the treatment of hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative advanced or MBC. In these trials, response rates were promising, ranging from 19.7% to 59%, and median progression-free survival was significantly prolonged over the control arm in 2 of the trials. Common adverse effects included diarrhea, neutropenia, nausea, abdominal pain, infections, and fatigue. Relevance to Patient Care and Clinical Practice: Although no head-to-head studies have been completed between the CDK4/6 inhibitors, abemaciclib may be an attractive option because of its continuous dosing and ability to be used as monotherapy. CONCLUSIONS Abemaciclib is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for HR-positive, HER2-negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer.
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Hydrolysis mechanism of carbendazim hydrolase from the strain Microbacterium sp. djl-6F.
Lei, J, Wei, S, Ren, L, Hu, S, Chen, P
Journal of environmental sciences (China). 2017;:171-177
Abstract
The carbendazim (MBC) hydrolyzing enzyme gene was cloned and heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) from a newly isolated MBC-degrading bacterium strain Microbacterium sp. strain djl-6F. High performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) analysis revealed that purified MheI-6F protein catalyzes direct hydrolysis of MBC into 2-aminobenzimidazole (2-AB) with a high turnover rate and moderate affinity (Km of 6.69μmol/L and kcat of 160.88/min) without the need for any cofactors. The optimal catalytic condition of MheI-6F was identified as 45°C, pH7.0. The enzymatic activity of MheI-6F was found to be diminished by metal ions, and strongly inhibited by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). Through generating amino acid mutations in MheI-6F, Cys16 and Cys222 were identified as the catalytic groups that are essential for the hydrolysis of MBC. This is the first report on the biodegradation of MBC at the enzymatice level.
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[Contribution of novel anticoagulants fondaparinux and dabigatran to venous thromboembolism prevention].
Antonijević, N, Kanjuh, V, Živković, I, Jovanović, L, Vukčević, M, Apostolović, M
Srpski arhiv za celokupno lekarstvo. 2015;(3-4):230-6
Abstract
The data that episodes and sequels of venous thromboembolism (VTE) are recorded in a significant percentage of patients receiving standard anticoagulants as VTE prophylaxis (unfractionated, low-molecular-weight heparin and vitamin K inhibitors) as well as the fact that these drugs have significant limitations and that they may cause serious side-effects in some patients indicate the need for the introduction of new anticoagulant drugs. Fondaparinux, a selective inhibitor of Factor Xa, administered following major orthopedic surgeries having a high risk for the development of VTE, is more efficient than enoxaparin sodium used in European and North-American approved doses. The increased incidence of major bleeding (excluding fatal) due to fondaparinux could be perhaps lowered by dosage reduction in patients with a mildly decreased creatinine clearance. Dabigatran, a peroral direct thrombin inhibitor, administered for VIE prophylaxis in elective hip and knee surgery, showed in to date studies the efficacv comparable (if dabiqatran is given in both dosage regimes of 150 mg and 220 mg daily) or superior (if dabigatran is given at a dose of 220 mg daily) to enoxaparin administered in European-approved doses, while North American-approved doses of enoxaparin were superior than dabigatran in VTE reduction. No significant differences in bleeding rates were determined in any of the study groups. We consider that the introduction of new anticoagulants, including fondaparinux and dabigatran, will contribute to the establishment of a better safety profile and efficacy, and will also enable adequate therapy individualization for each patient depending on his/hers clinical characteristics. The introduction of novel peroral anticoagulants will, inter alia, significantly contribute to improvement in the quality of life, release the patient from numerous limitations in nutrition, interreaction, frequent laboratory monitoring, and also significantly improve therapeutic predictability.
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Safety and efficacy of dabigatran versus warfarin in patients undergoing catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Providência, R, Albenque, JP, Combes, S, Bouzeman, A, Casteigt, B, Combes, N, Narayanan, K, Marijon, E, Boveda, S
Heart (British Cardiac Society). 2014;(4):324-35
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Dabigatran etexilate, a new thrombin inhibitor, has been shown to be comparable to warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, there is a limited body of evidence on the efficacy and safety of using dabigatran among patients undergoing AF catheter ablation. OBJECTIVE A random effects meta-analysis was performed of controlled trials comparing dabigatran and warfarin in paroxysmal/persistent AF patients undergoing catheter ablation. METHODS Data sources included Medline, Embase, and Cochrane (from inception to April 2013). Three independent reviewers selected studies comparing warfarin to dabigatran. Descriptive and quantitative information was extracted from each selected study, regarding periprocedural all cause mortality, thromboembolic events and major bleeding, as well as modalities of periprocedural anticoagulation bridging. RESULTS After a detailed screening of 228 search results, 14 studies were identified enrolling a total of 4782 patients (1823 treated with dabigatran and 2959 with warfarin). No deaths were reported. No significant differences were found between patients treated with dabigatran and warfarin as regards thromboembolic events (0.55% dabigatran vs 0.17% warfarin; risk ratios (RR)=1.78, 95% CI 0.66 to 4.80; p=0.26) and major bleeding (1.48% dabigatran vs 1.35% warfarin; RR=1.07, 95% CI 0.51 to 2.26; p=0.86). No difference was found between the 110 mg twice daily and 150 mg twice daily dabigatran dosages concerning major bleeding (0% vs 1.62%, respectively; RR=0.19, 95% CI 0.01 to 3.18; p=0.25) and thromboembolism (0% vs 0.40%, respectively; RR=0.72, 95% CI 0.04 to 12.98; p=0.82). CONCLUSIONS In the specific setting of AF catheter ablation, this first pooled analysis suggests that patients treated with dabigatran have a similar incidence of thromboembolic events and major bleeding compared to warfarin, with low event rates overall.
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Advantages and limitations of the new anticoagulants.
Schulman, S
Journal of internal medicine. 2014;(1):1-11
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Abstract
During recent years, three new anticoagulants (dabigatran, rivaroxaban and apixaban) have been introduced to the market, probably with one more anticoagulant (edoxaban) in the next 2 years. This review is not intended to compare the efficacy and risks of these new agents, but rather to detail the advantages and limitations. The pharmacokinetic characteristics of these drugs have few drug and food interactions, predictable dose responses, and rapid onset and offset, thus resulting in simplified management of the patient requiring anticoagulant therapy. No routine laboratory monitoring is required. A somewhat unexpected, but exciting observation involving the new anticoagulants, is the uniform reduction in intracranial bleeding by one-half compared with warfarin. The potential limitations of the new anticoagulants include uncertainty regarding assessment of drug levels, safe drug levels for major surgery, management of major bleeding, renal dependence, multiple dose regimens, adherence in the absence of frequent monitoring and unknown, rare side effects that were not captured in the trials. This review should clarify some of these concerns.
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Clinical experience of lomitapide therapy in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia.
Cuchel, M, Blom, DJ, Averna, MR
Atherosclerosis. Supplements. 2014;(2):33-45
Abstract
The microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) inhibitor lomitapide is a licenced adjunct to a low-fat diet and other lipid-lowering medication, with or without low-density lipoprotein apheresis, for the treatment of adults with homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HoFH). In a recently published phase 3 study, patients with HoFH received lomitapide in addition to maximally tolerated lipid-lowering therapy. Treatment with lomitapide resulted in a mean approximate 50% reduction in LDL-C levels after 26 weeks compared with baseline levels (p < 0.0001). This decrease in LDL-C was maintained at Weeks 56 and 78 (44% [p < 0.0001] and 38% [p = 0.0001], respectively). This paper offers clinical perspectives based on selected case histories of patients participating in the phase 3 lomitapide study. These cases provide illustrative examples of the efficacy of lomitapide, with or without apheresis, and show that the effective management of adverse effects can enable patients to remain on effective treatment.
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The acute management of haemorrhage, surgery and overdose in patients receiving dabigatran.
Alikhan, R, Rayment, R, Keeling, D, Baglin, T, Benson, G, Green, L, Marshall, S, Patel, R, Pavord, S, Rose, P, et al
Emergency medicine journal : EMJ. 2014;(2):163-8
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Abstract
Dabigatran is an oral direct thrombin inhibitor (DTI) licensed for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation and likely to be soon approved in Europe for treatment of venous thrombosis. Predictable pharmacokinetics and a reduced risk of intracranial haemorrhage do not negate the potential risk of haemorrhage. Unlike warfarin, there is no reversal agent and measurement of the anticoagulant effect is not 'routine'. The prothrombin time/international normalised ratio response to dabigatran is inconsistent and should not be measured when assessing a patient who is bleeding or needs emergency surgery. The activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) provides a qualitative measurement of the anticoagulant effect of dabigatran. Knowledge of the time of last dose is important for interpretation of the APTT. Commercially available DTI assays provide a quantitative measurement of active dabigatran concentration in the plasma. If a patient receiving dabigatran presents with bleeding: omit/delay next dose of dabigatran; measure APTT and thrombin time (consider DTI assay if available); administer activated charcoal, with sorbitol, if within 2 h of dabigatran ingestion; give tranexamic acid (1 g intravenously if significant bleeding); maintain renal perfusion and urine output to aid dabigatran excretion. Dabigatran exhibits low protein binding and may be removed by dialysis. Supportive care should form the mainstay of treatment. If bleeding is life/limb threatening, consider an additional haemostatic agent. There is currently no evidence to support the choice of one haemostatic agent (FEIBA, recombinant factor VIIa, prothrombin complex concentrates) over another. Choice will depend on access to and experience with available haemostatic agent(s).
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[The use of dabigatran for prevention of ischemic stroke in patiets with atrial fibrillation: special features of treatment in different clinical situations].
Shchendrygina, AA
Kardiologiia. 2014;(9):72-8
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is extremely highly prevalent both in Russia and in the world. Ischemic stroke is a severe complication of AF often resulting in disability or death. Therefore important role is given to conduct of primary and secondary prevention of development of thromboembolic complications which is realized by means of administration of antithrombotic therapy. For a long time warfarin has been used for this purpose. However compliance of physicians to its prescription remains unsatisfactory. Recently novel oral anticoagulants (NOAC) have been elaborated. Among them dabigatran has longest period of use and has been recommended as the drug of choice for patients with non-valvular AF. At present time wide use of dabigatran is limited because of lack of clear understanding of some practical questions of the use of this drug. Aim of this review--to analyze available data on efficacy and safety of dabigatran, to study special features of its administration in various clinical situations.