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Clinical characteristics of 512 eculizumab-naive paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria patients in China: a single-center observational study.
Du, Y, Yang, Y, Yang, C, Chen, M, Han, B
Hematology (Amsterdam, Netherlands). 2022;(1):113-121
Abstract
OBJECTIVES With large patient population and complement inhibitors naïve background, the characteristics patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) in China have not been well studied, especially for different subtypes. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed patients with complete data who visited Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) from 2009 to 2019 and had been followed up for more than 2 years. RESULTS Five hundred and twelve patients were enrolled including 56.3% males and 43.7% females. The median age at disease onset was 33 (9∼80) years. Most were aged 21∼40 years (50.6%). 52.1%, 46.3% and 1.6% of the patients had classic PNH, bone marrow failure (BMF)/PNH and subclinical PNH, respectively. Symptoms of classic PNH were associated with hemolysis, whereas bleeding was more common in BMF/PNH patients. Classic PNH had higher survival rate, larger PNH clone size, higher lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level and lower ferritin level than BMF/PNH. Although the rate of thrombosis was similar in the classic PNH and BMF/PNH (P = 0.66), those with BMF/PNH had higher chance of renal impairment (P < 0.05). Immunosuppressive agents was more common use in BMF/PNH (P < 0.05), but glucocorticoids, iron supplements and anticoagulants were more common used in classic PNH (P < 0.05) patients. Less evolution to myeloid malignancies was observed in classic PNH than in BMF/PNH (P = 0.02). The major causes of deaths were thrombosis (29.6%), hemorrhage (18.5%) and infections (18.5%). CONCLUSION Patients with classic PNH and BMF/PNH have different clinical profiles, and we described a more hemolytic features of PNH in China which might be improved with complement inhibitors.
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Off-label tocilizumab and adjuvant iron chelator effectiveness in a group of severe COVID-19 pneumonia patients: A single center experience.
Birlutiu, V, Birlutiu, RM, Chicea, L
Medicine. 2021;(18):e25832
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Tocilizumab (TCZ), a monoclonal recombinant antibody against IL-6 receptor, is currently used in managing the cytokine release syndrome (CRS) that occurred in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) selected cases. The primary objective of our study was to establish the effectiveness of TCZ in patients with severe or critical severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pneumonia.We retrospectively analyzed 25 consecutive patients, admitted in the Academic Emergency Hospital Sibiu, Romania from April 1, 2020 until May 25, 2020, all with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe pneumonia. All patients were treated off-label with TCZ, beside their standard care. Adjuvant iron chelator was associated in 11 patients.Six female and 19 male patients admitted in our hospital all with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe pneumonia as defined by Chinese Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were enrolled in this study. Seventeen of the 25 enrolled patients (68%) were seriously ill requiring noninvasive ventilation or oxygen mask, and 8 cases (32%) were critically ill requiring invasive mechanical ventilation. All patients received TCZ, and also received hydroxychloroquine, and lopinavir/ritonavir 200/50 mg for 10 days. Adjuvant iron chelator (deferasirox - marketed as Exjade) was associated in 11 patients who had ferritin serum levels above 1000 ng/mL. No side effects were encountered during infusions or after TCZ. We observed a rapid increase in arterial oxygen saturation for 20 of the 25 cases (80%) with a favorable evolution toward healing. Survivors were younger than 60 years old (80%), had less comorbidities (10% no comorbidities, 70% with 1 or 2 comorbidities), lower serum ferritin levels (30% under 1000 ng/mL), and 50% had no serum glucose elevation. Our patients with CRS had no response to corticosteroid therapy. Five out of the 25 patients had an unfavorable evolution to death. The off-label use of TCZ in patients with severe or critically ill form of SARS-CoV-2 infection had good results in our study.Off-label use of TCZ in severe and critical cases of COVID-19 pneumonia is effective in managing the "cytokine storm." Better outcomes were noted in younger patients. Associated adjuvant iron chelators may contribute to a good outcome and needs to be confirmed in larger studies.
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Pregnancy outcomes in inflammatory bowel disease patients treated with vedolizumab, anti-TNF or conventional therapy: results of the European CONCEIVE study.
Moens, A, van der Woude, CJ, Julsgaard, M, Humblet, E, Sheridan, J, Baumgart, DC, Gilletta De Saint-Joseph, C, Nancey, S, Rahier, JF, Bossuyt, P, et al
Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics. 2020;(1):129-138
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BACKGROUND Women with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) often receive biologicals during pregnancy to maintain disease remission. Data on outcome of vedolizumab-exposed pregnancies (VDZE) are sparse. AIMS To assess pregnancy and child outcomes of VDZE pregnancies and to compare these results to anti-TNF exposed (TNFE) or both immunomodulatory and biologic unexposed (CON IBD) pregnancies. METHODS A retrospective multicentre case-control observational study was performed. RESULTS VDZE group included 79 pregnancies in 73 IBD women. The TNFE and CON IBD group included 186 pregnancies (162 live births) in 164 IBD women and 184 pregnancies (163 live births) in 155 IBD women, respectively. At conception, cases more often had active disease ([VDZE: 36% vs TNFE 17%, P = .002] and [VDZE: 36% vs CON IBD 24%, P = .063]). No significant difference in miscarriage rates were found between groups (VDZE and TNFE 16% vs 13%, P = .567; VDZE and CON IBD 16% vs 10%, P = .216). In live-born infants, median gestational age and birthweight were similar between groups. Median Apgar score at birth was numerically equal. Prematurity was similar in the VDZE group compared to the control groups, even when correcting for disease activity during pregnancy. The frequency of congenital anomalies was comparable between groups as were the percentages of breastfed babies. During the first year of life, no malignancies were reported and infants' infection risk did not significantly differ between groups. CONCLUSION No new safety signal was detected in VDZE pregnancies although larger, prospective studies are required for confirmation.
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Effect of evolocumab therapy on coronary fibrous cap thickness assessed by optical coherence tomography in patients with acute coronary syndrome.
Yano, H, Horinaka, S, Ishimitsu, T
Journal of cardiology. 2020;(3):289-295
Abstract
BACKGROUND The addition of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitor, evolocumab, to statin therapy produced incremental regression of atherosclerotic plaques and a collaborative prevention of cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease. The effect on fibrous-cup thickness, or extension of the atherosclerotic plaque with PCSK9-inhibitor, for several weeks after onset of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) has never been reported. METHODS This study aimed to examine the effect of evolocumab on fibrous-cap thickness, as well as the extent of the atherosclerotic plaque, by serial optical coherence tomography (OCT) analysis in patients with ACS. All patients received rosuvastatin 5 mg/day from at least 24 h after onset of ACS. Patients received evolocumab (140 mg every 2 weeks) 1 week after the onset of ACS in the statin plus evolocumab group. Patients took only rosuvastatin in the statin monotherapy group. OCT was performed to assess intermediate, non-culprit lesions just 4 and 12 weeks after emergent percutaneous coronary intervention. RESULTS OCT analysis revealed that the increase in fibrous-cap thickness and decrease in macrophage grade were greater with a narrower lipid arc and shorter lipid length, which were associated with lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in the statin plus evolocumab group than in the statin alone treatments, even for a short term after ACS onset. CONCLUSIONS Addition of the PCSK9-inhibitor evolocumab to statin therapy might produce incremental growth in fibrous-cap thickness and regression of the lipid-rich plaque, which were associated with greater reduction of LDL-C even for a short term in the early phase of ACS.
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Clinical profile of patients treated with evolocumab in lipid/internal medicine units of Spain. Observational study (RETOSS-IMU).
Masana, L, López Miranda, J, Civeira, F, Reinares, L, Guijarro, C, Plana, N, Cuenca, R, Sánchez, D, Hernández, JL, Andrés, R, et al
Clinica e investigacion en arteriosclerosis : publicacion oficial de la Sociedad Espanola de Arteriosclerosis. 2020;(5):183-192
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe the clinical characteristics, the reasons for initiating therapy, and the effects of treatment in the initial phase of evolocumab availability in lipid/internal medicine units in Spain. METHODS Retrospective, observational study, based on the medical records of consecutive patients initiating treatment with evolocumab (from February 2016 to July 2017) in 20 internal medicine units in Spain. A review was made of the demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients, the lipid lowering treatment, and the evolution of the lipid profiles between 12weeks pre-initiation and 12±4weeks post-initiation of evolocumab. RESULTS A total of 136 patients were analysed, of whom 64.0% were men, and the mean age (standard deviation, SD) was 56.6 (11.5) years. The large majority (75%) had familial hypercholesterolaemia (4 homozygous), and 51.0% of them had suffered at least one cardiovascular event. Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) was present in 61% of all patients. At initiation of evolocumab, 61.0% of the patients were taking high-intensity statins, and 60.3% were receiving ezetimibe. The mean (and SD) of LDL-C levels at initiation of evolocumab was 169.1 (56.6) mg/dL. The LDL-C was greater than 160mg/dL in 46.4% of patients, and ≥190mg/dL in 26.5%. During the observation period, evolocumab produced significant reductions in LDL-C of 55.7% (P<.0001), achieving mean values of 74.3mg/dL. At week12, more than half (53.8%) of patients achieved LDL-C levels <70mg/dL, and 26.9% <50mg/dL. CONCLUSIONS In the lipid/internal medicine units, evolocumab was mainly prescribed in patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia, with or without ASCVD. The initial use of evolocumab was in accordance with the guidelines of the Spanish Society of Arteriosclerosis (SEA) of 2016, with LDL-C levels being well above the recommended thresholds for treatment initiation. Evolocumab treatment in clinical practice reduced LDL-C levels by about 55%, a similar reduction to that reported in clinical trials. Most patients achieved LDL-C goals.
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Maintenance of Remission Among Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease After Vedolizumab Discontinuation: A Multicentre Cohort Study.
Martin, A, Nachury, M, Peyrin-Biroulet, L, Bouhnik, Y, Nancey, S, Bourrier, A, Serrero, M, Fumery, M, Buisson, A, Laharie, D, et al
Journal of Crohn's & colitis. 2020;(7):896-903
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BACKGROUND AND AIM It is unclear whether vedolizumab therapy can be discontinued in patients with inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] after achieving steroid-free clinical remission. The aim was to assess the risk of relapse after vedolizumab therapy was discontinued. METHODS This was a retrospective observational study, collecting data from 21 tertiary centres affiliated with the GETAID from January 2017 to April 2019. Consecutive patients with IBD, who were in steroid-free clinical remission for at least 3 months and were treated with vedolizumab for at least 6 months, were included at the time of vedolizumab discontinuation. RESULTS A total of 95 patients [58 with Crohn's disease] discontinued vedolizumab after a median duration of therapy of 17.5 [10.6-25.4] months. After a median follow-up period of 11.2 [5.8-17.7] months, 61 [64%] patients experienced disease relapse. The probabilities of relapse-free survival were 83%, 59%, and 36% at 6, 12, and 18 months, respectively. According to the multivariate analysis, a C-reactive protein level less than 5 mg/L at vedolizumab discontinuation (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.56, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.33-0.95], p = 0.03) and discontinuation due to patients' elective choice (HR = 0.41, 95% CI [0.21-0.80], p = 0.009) were significantly associated with a lower risk of relapse. Re-treatment with vedolizumab was noted in 24 patients and provided steroid-free clinical remission in 71% and 62.5% at Week 14 and after a median follow-up of 11.0 [5.4-13.3] months, respectively, without any infusion reactions. CONCLUSIONS In this retrospective study, two-thirds of patients with IBD treated with vedolizumab experienced relapse within the first year after vedolizumab discontinuation. Re-treatment with vedolizumab was effective in two-thirds of patients.
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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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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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Idarucizumab administration in emergency situations: the Munich Registry of Reversal of Pradaxa® in clinical routine (MR REPAIR).
Küpper, C, Feil, K, Klein, M, Feuerecker, R, Lücking, M, Thanbichler, F, Dietrich, D, Zerkaulen, I, Jandl, M, Marziniak, M, et al
Journal of neurology. 2019;(11):2807-2811
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate daily life management and functional outcome of Idarucizumab administration in case of emergency situations in patients with Dabigatran treatment. DESIGN Multicenter observational registry study. SETTING All hospitals with full neurological departments (n = 6) in Munich, Germany INCLUDED PATIENTS All patients treated with Idarucizumab from 01/2016 to 03/2019. ANALYZED DATA Indication and application of Idarucizumab, demographics and clinical parameters, and further interventions and treatments; clinical outcome was assessed with the modified Rankin scale (mRS) at 3 months after Idarucizumab administration RESULTS Idarucizumab was administered to 32 patients for severe bleeding complications and ischemic strokes, more precisely for the following specific indications: intracranial bleeding (17 patients, 53%), ischemic stroke (8 patients, 25%), gastrointestinal bleeding (3 patients, 9%), femoral fracture, aortic dissection, and abdominal trauma and ileus (1 patient each, 3%). Additional coagulation management was performed in 7 patients (22%). Nine patients (28%) underwent emergency surgery. Seven patients (22%) received Idarucizumab before intravenous thrombolysis due to ischemic stroke and 4 of these 7 patients (13%) received mechanical thrombectomy in addition. Indication was mainly based on the history of Dabigatran intake and was irrespective of laboratory testing. At follow-up, 25% of the investigated patients had a mRS 0-2, while 25% had an unfavorable outcome (mRS 4-5). Mortality was 31%. CONCLUSION In our study, we have shown that the administration of Idarucizumab is a rare intervention and restricted to patients with severe bleeding complications or ischemic stroke. The clinical outcome of patients who received Idarucizumab in emergency situations was poor.
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Use of Idarucizumab to reverse the anticoagulant effect of dabigatran in cardiac transplant surgery. A multicentric experience in Spain.
Crespo-Leiro, MG, López-Vilella, R, López Granados, A, Mirabet-Pérez, S, Díez-López, C, Barge-Caballero, E, Segovia-Cubero, J, González-Vilchez, F, Rangel-Sousa, D, Blasco-Peiró, T, et al
Clinical transplantation. 2019;(12):e13748
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anticoagulation in heart transplant (HT) recipients increases the risk of hemorrhagic complications, so correct reversal of anticoagulation is needed. Dabigatran, a direct thrombin inhibitor, is increasingly used for anticoagulation in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) whose effect can be reversed by idarucizumab. AIM: To present a nationwide experience using idarucizumab for the urgent reversal of dabigatran before HT. METHODS Multicenter observational study in 12 Spanish centers to analyze the clinical outcomes after using idarucizumab before HT surgery. RESULTS Fifty-three patients were included (81.1% male). 7.5% required re-operation in the immediate postoperative period to control bleeding and 66% transfusion of blood products. Median length of stay in the intensive care unit was 6 days and total hospital stay 24 days. 30-day survival was 92.4%. There were four deaths in the first month, all in the first 5 days post-HT. Only in one patient (transplanted due to a congenital heart disease, after sternotomy) who had surgical problems and right ventricular failure post-HT death was associated with bleeding. CONCLUSIONS These results may support the use of dabigatran as an alternative to vitamin K antagonists in patients listed for HT requiring anticoagulation due to NVAF. More studies are needed to reaffirm these observations.
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Long-Term Administration of Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 Inhibitors Reduces Arterial FDG Uptake.
Vlachopoulos, C, Koutagiar, I, Skoumas, I, Terentes-Printzios, D, Zacharis, E, Kolovou, G, Stamatelopoulos, K, Rallidis, L, Katsiki, N, Bilianou, H, et al
JACC. Cardiovascular imaging. 2019;(12):2573-2574