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The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Aug 2018Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a common life-shortening condition caused by mutation in the gene that codes for that codes for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a common life-shortening condition caused by mutation in the gene that codes for that codes for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein, which functions as a salt transporter. F508del, the most common CFTR mutation that causes CF, is found in up to 80% to 90% of people with CF. In people with this mutation, a full length of protein is transcribed, but recognised as misfolded by the cell and degraded before reaching the cell membrane, where it needs to be positioned to effect transepithelial salt transport. This severe mutation is associated with no meaningful CFTR function. A corrective therapy for this mutation could positively impact on an important proportion of the CF population.
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the effects of CFTR correctors on clinically important outcomes, both benefits and harms, in children and adults with CF and class II CFTR mutations (most commonly F508del).
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Cystic Fibrosis Trials Register. We also searched reference lists of relevant articles and online trials registries. Most recent search: 24 February 2018.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) (parallel design) comparing CFTR correctors to placebo in people with CF with class II mutations. We also included RCTs comparing CFTR correctors combined with CFTR potentiators to placebo.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two authors independently extracted data, assessed risk of bias and quality of the evidence using the GRADE criteria. Study authors were contacted for additional data.
MAIN RESULTS
We included 13 RCTs (2215 participants), lasting between 1 day and 24 weeks. Additional safety data from an extension study of two lumacaftor-ivacaftor studies were available at 96 weeks (1029 participants). We assessed monotherapy in seven RCTs (317 participants) (4PBA (also known as Buphenyl), CPX, lumacaftor or cavosonstat) and combination therapy in six RCTs (1898 participants) (lumacaftor-ivacaftor or tezacaftor-ivacaftor) compared to placebo. Twelve RCTs recruited individuals homozygous for F508del, one RCT recruited participants with one F508del mutation and a second mutation with residual function.Risk of bias varied in its impact on the confidence we have in our results across different comparisons. Some findings were based on single RCTs that were too small to show important effects. For five RCTs, results may not be applicable to all individuals with CF due to age limits of recruited populations (i.e. adults only, children only) or non-standard design of converting from monotherapy to combination therapy.Monotherapy versus placeboNo deaths were reported and there were no clinically relevant improvements in quality of life in any RCT. There was insufficient evidence available from individual studies to determine the effect of any of the correctors examined on lung function outcomes.No placebo-controlled study of monotherapy demonstrated a difference in mild, moderate or severe adverse effects; however, it is difficult to assess the clinical relevance of these events with the variety of events and the small number of participants.Combination therapy versus placeboNo deaths were reported during any RCT (moderate- to high-quality evidence). The quality of life scores (respiratory domain) favoured combination therapy (both lumacaftor-ivacaftor and tezacaftor-ivacaftor) compared to placebo at all time points. At six months lumacaftor (600 mg once daily or 400 mg once daily) plus ivacaftor improved Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire (CFQ) scores by a small amount compared with placebo (mean difference (MD) 2.62 points (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.64 to 4.59); 1061 participants; high-quality evidence). A similar effect size was observed for twice-daily lumacaftor (200 mg) plus ivacaftor (250 mg) although the quality of evidence was low (MD 2.50 points (95% CI 0.10 to 5.10)). The mean increase in CFQ scores with twice-daily tezacaftor (100 mg) and ivacaftor (150 mg) was approximately five points (95% CI 3.20 to 7.00; 504 participants; moderate-quality evidence). Lung function measured by relative change in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV) % predicted improved with both combination therapies compared to placebo at six months, by 5.21% with once daily lumacaftor-ivacaftor (95% CI 3.61% to 6.80%; 504 participants; high-quality evidence) and by 2.40% with twice-daily lumacaftor-ivacaftor (95% CI 0.40% to 4.40%; 204 participants; low-quality evidence). One study reported an increase in FEV with tezacaftor-ivacaftor of 6.80% (95% CI 5.30 to 8.30%; 520 participants; moderate-quality evidence).More participants receiving the lumacaftor-ivacaftor combination reported early transient breathlessness, odds ratio 2.05 (99% CI 1.10 to 3.83; 739 participants; high-quality evidence). In addition, participants allocated to the 400 mg twice-daily dose of lumacaftor-ivacaftor experienced a rise in blood pressure over the 120-week period of the initial studies and the follow-up study of 5.1 mmHg (systolic blood pressure) and 4.1 mmHg (diastolic blood pressure) (80 participants; high-quality evidence). These adverse effects were not reported in the tezacaftor-ivacaftor studies.The rate of pulmonary exacerbations decreased for participants receiving and additional therapies to ivacaftor compared to placebo: lumacaftor 600 mg hazard ratio (HR) 0.70 (95% CI 0.57 to 0.87; 739 participants); lumacaftor 400 mg, HR 0.61 (95% CI 0.49 to 0.76; 740 participants); and tezacaftor, HR 0.64 (95% CI, 0.46 to 0.89; 506 participants) (moderate-quality evidence).
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
There is insufficient evidence that monotherapy with correctors has clinically important effects in people with CF who have two copies of the F508del mutation.Combination therapies (lumacaftor-ivacaftor and tezacaftor-ivacaftor) each result in similarly small improvements in clinical outcomes in people with CF; specifically improvements quality of life (moderate-quality evidence), in respiratory function (high-quality evidence) and lower pulmonary exacerbation rates (moderate-quality evidence). Lumacaftor-ivacaftor is associated with an increase in early transient shortness of breath and longer-term increases in blood pressure (high-quality evidence). These adverse effects were not observed for tezacaftor-ivacaftor. Tezacaftor-ivacaftor has a better safety profile, although data are not available for children younger than 12 years. In this age group, lumacaftor-ivacaftor had an important impact on respiratory function with no apparent immediate safety concerns, but this should be balanced against the increase in blood pressure and shortness of breath seen in longer-term data in adults when considering this combination for use in young people with CF.
Topics: Adult; Aminophenols; Aminopyridines; Benzodioxoles; Child; Cystic Fibrosis; Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator; Drug Combinations; Genetic Therapy; Humans; Indoles; Mutation; Phenylbutyrates; Quinolones; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 30070364
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD010966.pub2 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Mar 2018Acquired brain injury can cause eye movement disorders which may include: strabismus, gaze deficits and nystagmus, causing visual symptoms of double, blurred or... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Acquired brain injury can cause eye movement disorders which may include: strabismus, gaze deficits and nystagmus, causing visual symptoms of double, blurred or 'juddery' vision and reading difficulties. A wide range of interventions exist that have potential to alleviate or ameliorate these symptoms. There is a need to evaluate the effectiveness of these interventions and the timing of their implementation.
OBJECTIVES
We aimed to assess the effectiveness of any intervention and determine the effect of timing of intervention in the treatment of strabismus, gaze deficits and nystagmus due to acquired brain injury. We considered restitutive, substitutive, compensatory or pharmacological interventions separately and compared them to control, placebo, alternative treatment or no treatment for improving ocular alignment or motility (or both).
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (containing the Cochrane Eyes and Vision Trials Register) (2017, Issue 5), MEDLINE Ovid, Embase Ovid, CINAHL EBSCO, AMED Ovid, PsycINFO Ovid, Dissertations & Theses (PQDT) database, PsycBITE (Psychological Database for Brain Impairment Treatment Efficacy), ISRCTN registry, ClinicalTrials.gov, Health Services Research Projects in Progress (HSRProj), National Eye Institute Clinical Studies Database and the World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP). The databases were last searched on 26 June 2017. No date or language restrictions were used in the electronic searches for trials. We manually searched the Australian Orthoptic Journal, British and Irish Orthoptic Journal, and ESA, ISA and IOA conference proceedings. We contacted researchers active in this field for information about further published or unpublished studies.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of any intervention for ocular alignment or motility deficits (or both) due to acquired brain injury.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently selected studies and extracted data. We used standard methods expected by Cochrane. We employed the GRADE approach to interpret findings and assess the quality of the evidence.
MAIN RESULTS
We found five RCTs (116 participants) that were eligible for inclusion. These trials included conditions of acquired nystagmus, sixth cranial nerve palsy and traumatic brain injury-induced ocular motility defects. We did not identify any relevant studies of restitutive interventions.We identified one UK-based trial of a substitutive intervention, in which botulinum toxin was compared with observation in 47 people with acute sixth nerve palsy. At four months after entry into the trial, people given botulinum toxin were more likely to make a full recovery (reduction in angle of deviation within 10 prism dioptres), compared with observation (risk ratio 1.19, 95% CI 0.96 to 1.48; low-certainty evidence). These same participants also achieved binocular single vision. In the injection group only, there were 2 cases of transient ptosis out of 22 participants (9%), and 4 participants out of 22 (18%) with transient vertical deviation; a total complication rate of 24% per injection and 27% per participant. All adverse events recovered. We judged the certainty of evidence as low, downgrading for risk of bias and imprecision. It was not possible to mask investigators or participants to allocation, and the follow-up between groups varied.We identified one USA-based cross-over trial of a compensatory intervention. Oculomotor rehabilitation was compared with sham training in 12 people with mild traumatic brain injury, at least one year after the injury. We judged the evidence from this study to be very low-certainty. The study was small, data for the sham training group were not fully reported, and it was unclear if a cross-over study design was appropriate as this is an intervention with potential to have a permanent effect.We identified three cross-over studies of pharmacological interventions for acquired nystagmus, which took place in Germany and the USA. These studies investigated two classes of pharmacological interventions: GABAergic drugs (gabapentin, baclofen) and aminopyridines (4-aminopyridines (AP), 3,4-diaminopyridine (DAP)). We judged the evidence from all three studies as very low-certainty because of small numbers of participants (which led to imprecision) and risk of bias (they were cross-over studies which did not report data in a way that permitted estimation of effect size).One study compared gabapentin (up to 900 mg/day) with baclofen (up to 30 mg/day) in 21 people with pendular and jerk nystagmus. The follow-up period was two weeks. This study provides very low-certainty evidence that gabapentin may work better than baclofen in improving ocular motility and reducing participant-reported symptoms (oscillopsia). These effects may be different in pendular and jerk nystagmus, but without formal subgroup analysis it is unclear if the difference between the two types of nystagmus was chance finding. Quality of life was not reported. Ten participants with pendular nystagmus chose to continue treatment with gabapentin, and one with baclofen. Two participants with jerk nystagmus chose to continue treatment with gabapentin, and one with baclofen. Drug intolerance was reported in one person receiving gabapentin and in four participants receiving baclofen. Increased ataxia was reported in three participants receiving gabapentin and two participants receiving baclofen.One study compared a single dose of 3,4-DAP (20 mg) with placebo in 17 people with downbeat nystagmus. Assessments were made 30 minutes after taking the drug. This study provides very low-certainty evidence that 3,4-DAP may reduce the mean peak slow-phase velocity, with less oscillopsia, in people with downbeat nystagmus. Three participants reported transient side effects of minor perioral/distal paraesthesia.One study compared a single dose of 4-AP with a single dose of 3,4-DAP (both 10 mg doses) in eight people with downbeat nystagmus. Assessments were made 45 and 90 minutes after drug administration. This study provides very low-certainty evidence that both 3,4-DAP and 4-AP may reduce the mean slow-phase velocity in people with downbeat nystagmus. This effect may be stronger with 4-AP.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
The included studies provide insufficient evidence to inform decisions about treatments specifically for eye movement disorders that occur following acquired brain injury. No information was obtained on the cost of treatment or measures of participant satisfaction relating to treatment options and effectiveness. It was possible to describe the outcome of treatment in each trial and ascertain the occurrence of adverse events.
Topics: 4-Aminopyridine; Abducens Nerve Diseases; Amifampridine; Amines; Baclofen; Botulinum Toxins; Brain Injuries; Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; Gabapentin; Humans; Neuromuscular Agents; Nystagmus, Pathologic; Ocular Motility Disorders; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Vision, Binocular; Watchful Waiting; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
PubMed: 29505103
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD011290.pub2 -
Respirology (Carlton, Vic.) May 2018Phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitors are a novel medication approved for airway inflammatory diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Their role and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitors are a novel medication approved for airway inflammatory diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Their role and application in asthma are controversial and not defined. A comprehensive search was performed in major databases (1946-2016) using the keywords: 'phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor' or 'roflumilast' and 'asthma'. Placebo-controlled trials reporting lung function, airway hyperresponsiveness by direct challenge, asthma control and exacerbations, and adverse events were included. Random or fixed-effects models were used to calculate odds ratios (OR) and mean differences between the two treatment groups. Statistical analyses were conducted using Mann-Whitney U-tests and Cochrane systematic review software, Review Manager. Seventeen studies were included in the systematic review, of which 14 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Except for significant statistical heterogeneity in pre- and post-challenge predicted percentage of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV %; I = 72%, χ = 3.35, P = 0.06), there was no heterogeneity in outcome measures. Roflumilast (500 μg) significantly improved FEV (mean difference: 0.05, 95% CI: 0.01-0.09, Z = 2.50, P = 0.01), peak expiratory flow, asthma control and exacerbations, but showed variable effects on airway responsiveness to methacholine and a 20% fall in FEV .Of note, PDE4 inhibitors were accompanied with significantly higher adverse events such as headache (OR: 3.99, 95% CI: 1.65-9.66, Z = 3.07, P = 0.002) and nausea (OR: 5.53, 95% CI: 1.38-22.17, Z = 2.41, P = 0.02). In patients with mild asthma, oral PDE4 inhibitors can be considered as an alternative treatment to regular bronchodilators and inhaled controllers.
Topics: Aminopyridines; Asthma; Benzamides; Bronchodilator Agents; Cyclopropanes; Forced Expiratory Volume; Headache; Humans; Nausea; Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; Phosphodiesterase 4 Inhibitors
PubMed: 29502338
DOI: 10.1111/resp.13276 -
Neurology Mar 2018To systematically review evidence regarding ataxia treatment.
Comprehensive systematic review summary: Treatment of cerebellar motor dysfunction and ataxia: Report of the Guideline Development, Dissemination, and Implementation Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology.
OBJECTIVE
To systematically review evidence regarding ataxia treatment.
METHODS
A comprehensive systematic review was performed according to American Academy of Neurology methodology.
CONCLUSIONS
For patients with episodic ataxia type 2, 4-aminopyridine 15 mg/d probably reduces ataxia attack frequency over 3 months (1 Class I study). For patients with ataxia of mixed etiology, riluzole probably improves ataxia signs at 8 weeks (1 Class I study). For patients with Friedreich ataxia or spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA), riluzole probably improves ataxia signs at 12 months (1 Class I study). For patients with SCA type 3, valproic acid 1,200 mg/d possibly improves ataxia at 12 weeks. For patients with spinocerebellar degeneration, thyrotropin-releasing hormone possibly improves some ataxia signs over 10 to 14 days (1 Class II study). For patients with SCA type 3 who are ambulatory, lithium probably does not improve signs of ataxia over 48 weeks (1 Class I study). For patients with Friedreich ataxia, deferiprone possibly worsens ataxia signs over 6 months (1 Class II study). Data are insufficient to support or refute the use of numerous agents. For nonpharmacologic options, in patients with degenerative ataxias, 4-week inpatient rehabilitation probably improves ataxia and function (1 Class I study); transcranial magnetic stimulation possibly improves cerebellar motor signs at 21 days (1 Class II study). For patients with multiple sclerosis-associated ataxia, the addition of pressure splints possibly has no additional benefit compared with neuromuscular rehabilitation alone (1 Class II study). Data are insufficient to support or refute use of stochastic whole-body vibration therapy (1 Class III study).
Topics: Ataxia; Cerebellar Diseases; Humans
PubMed: 29440566
DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000005055 -
European Neurology 2017Gait impairment is one of the most disabling symptoms in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Fampridine, has demonstrated a positive effect on gait speed in PwMS... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Gait impairment is one of the most disabling symptoms in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Fampridine, has demonstrated a positive effect on gait speed in PwMS after 14 days of treatment but the long-term effects have not yet been demonstrated. This study reviews the long-term effects of fampridine on gait in PwMS.
SUMMARY
This systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA statement. Studies were considered long term if treatment exceeded 28 days. From the 498 studies identified, 18 (2,200 patients) fulfilled all eligibility criteria. Only 3 studies followed-up patients for >1 year and one of these showed a non-significant improvement in the gait speed. Key Messages: Fampridine seems to be beneficial at improving gait speed in PwMS in the long term. Further long-term studies are needed on related gait and functional parameters.
Topics: 4-Aminopyridine; Adult; Female; Gait; Gait Disorders, Neurologic; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Multiple Sclerosis; Potassium Channel Blockers
PubMed: 28992626
DOI: 10.1159/000480729 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Sep 2017Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with cough, sputum production or dyspnoea and a reduction in lung function, quality of life and life... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with cough, sputum production or dyspnoea and a reduction in lung function, quality of life and life expectancy. Apart from smoking cessation, there are no other treatments that slow lung function decline. Roflumilast and cilomilast are oral phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE) inhibitors proposed to reduce the airway inflammation and bronchoconstriction seen in COPD. This is an update of a Cochrane review first published in 2011 and updated in 2013.
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral PDE inhibitors in the management of stable COPD.
SEARCH METHODS
We identified randomised controlled trials (RCTs) from the Cochrane Airways Trials Register (date of last search October 2016). We found other trials from web-based clinical trials registers.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included RCTs if they compared oral PDE inhibitors with placebo in people with COPD. We allowed co-administration of standard COPD therapy.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
One review author extracted data and a second review author checked the data. We reported pooled data in Review Manager as mean differences (MD), standardised mean differences (SMD) or odds ratios (OR). We converted the odds ratios into absolute treatment effects in a 'Summary of findings' table.
MAIN RESULTS
Thirty-four separate RCTs studying roflumilast (20 trials with 17,627 participants) or cilomilast (14 trials with 6457 participants) met the inclusion criteria, with a duration of between six weeks and one year. These included people across international study centres with moderate to very severe COPD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) grades II-IV), with a mean age of 64 years.We considered that the methodological quality of the 34 published and unpublished trials was acceptable overall. Treatment with a PDE inhibitor was associated with a significant improvement in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV) over the trial period compared with placebo (MD 51.53 mL, 95% confidence interval (CI) 43.17 to 59.90, 27 trials with 20,585 participants, moderate-quality evidence due to moderate levels of heterogeneity and risk of reporting bias). There were small improvements in quality of life (St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), MD -1.06 units, 95% CI -1.68 to -0.43, 11 trials with 7645 participants, moderate-quality evidence due to moderate levels of heterogeneity and risk of reporting bias) and COPD-related symptoms, but no significant change in exercise tolerance. Treatment with a PDE inhibitor was associated with a reduced likelihood of COPD exacerbation (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.73 to 0.83; 23 trials with 19,948 participants, high-quality evidence). For every 100 people treated with PDE inhibitors, five more remained exacerbation-free during the study period compared with placebo (number needed to treat for an additional beneficial outcome (NNTB) 20, 95% CI 16 to 26). More participants in the treatment groups experienced non-serious adverse events compared with controls, particularly a range of gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting or dyspepsia. For every 100 people treated with PDE inhibitors, seven more suffered from diarrhoea during the study period compared with placebo (number needed to treat for an additional harmful outcome (NNTH) 15, 95% CI 13 to 17). Roflumilast in particular was associated with weight loss during the trial period and an increase in insomnia and depressive mood symptoms. There was no significant effect of treatment on non-fatal serious adverse events (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.91 to 1.07) or mortality (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.76 to 1.23), although mortality was a rare event during the trials. Participants treated with PDE inhibitors were more likely to withdraw from the trials because of adverse effects; on average 14% in the treatment groups withdrew compared with 8% in the control groups.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
In people with COPD, PDE inhibitors offered benefit over placebo in improving lung function and reducing the likelihood of exacerbations; however, they had little impact on quality of life or symptoms. Gastrointestinal adverse effects and weight loss were common, and safety data submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have raised concerns over psychiatric adverse events with roflumilast. The findings of this review give cautious support to the use of PDE inhibitors in COPD. They may be best used as add-on therapy in a subgroup of people with persistent symptoms or exacerbations despite optimal COPD management. This is in accordance with the GOLD 2017 guidelines. Longer-term trials are needed to determine whether or not PDE inhibitors modify FEV decline, hospitalisation or mortality in COPD.
Topics: Administration, Oral; Aminopyridines; Benzamides; Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; Cyclopropanes; Disease Progression; Forced Expiratory Volume; Humans; Nitriles; Phosphodiesterase 4 Inhibitors; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Quality of Life; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 28922692
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002309.pub5 -
European Review For Medical and... Aug 2017Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Over 80% of all lung cancer cases are non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and approximately 5% of NSCLC... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Over 80% of all lung cancer cases are non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and approximately 5% of NSCLC patients are positive for anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene rearrangement or fusion with echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4 (EML4). NSCLC patients with positive ALK-EML4 gene fusion are highly sensitive to ALK-inhibitors. While the efficacy of the ALK-inhibitors in the treatment of NSCLC has been consistently reported, a limited number of randomized, large-scale clinical trials have been reported. The current study was, therefore, designed to systematically review and appraise current knowledge and conduct a meta-analysis on phase I, II, and III clinical trials in which ALK-inhibitors were used to treat NSCLC.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The PubMed online database was thoroughly searched. A total of 26 articles were included in a qualitative systematic review, and four of them were used to conduct the quantitative meta-analysis.
RESULTS
We found that ALK inhibitors significantly improved the overall survival (OS) and progress free survival (PFS) of NSCLC patients, especially of ALK or ROS1 gene fusion-positive cases. ALK inhibitors contributed to better therapeutic outcomes regarding increased one-year and two-year OS, PFS, and ORR (Odds ratio: 4.393, 95% CI: 3.302-5.845, p < 0.001). Visual disturbance was the most common side effect observed in the patients treated with crizotinib, whereas mild gastrointestinal reactions, such as diarrhea and nausea, were most frequent in the patients treated with the 2nd generation of ALK inhibitors.
CONCLUSIONS
ALK inhibitors are safe and effective in the treatment of NSCLC patients, especially those with positive ALK-EML4 gene fusion or rearrangement.
Topics: Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Crizotinib; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Pyrazoles; Pyridines; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
PubMed: 28829490
DOI: No ID Found -
Intensive Care Medicine Sep 2016Milrinone is an inotrope widely used for treatment of cardiac failure. Because previous meta-analyses had methodological flaws, we decided to conduct a systematic review... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
INTRODUCTION
Milrinone is an inotrope widely used for treatment of cardiac failure. Because previous meta-analyses had methodological flaws, we decided to conduct a systematic review of the effect of milrinone in critically ill adult patients with cardiac dysfunction.
METHODS
This systematic review was performed according to The Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Searches were conducted until November 2015. Patients with cardiac dysfunction were included. The primary outcome was serious adverse events (SAE) including mortality at maximum follow-up. The risk of bias was evaluated and trial sequential analyses were conducted. The quality of evidence was assessed by the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation criteria.
RESULTS
A total of 31 randomised clinical trials fulfilled the inclusion criteria, of which 16 provided data for our analyses. All trials were at high risk of bias, and none reported the primary composite outcome SAE. Fourteen trials with 1611 randomised patients reported mortality data at maximum follow-up (RR 0.96; 95% confidence interval 0.76-1.21). Milrinone did not significantly affect other patient-centred outcomes. All analyses displayed statistical and/or clinical heterogeneity of patients, interventions, comparators, outcomes, and/or settings and all featured missing data.
DISCUSSION
The current evidence on the use of milrinone in critically ill adult patients with cardiac dysfunction suffers from considerable risks of both bias and random error and demonstrates no benefits. The use of milrinone for the treatment of critically ill patients with cardiac dysfunction can be neither recommended nor refuted. Future randomised clinical trials need to be sufficiently large and designed to have low risk of bias.
Topics: Adult; Critical Illness; Heart Diseases; Humans; Milrinone; Phosphodiesterase 3 Inhibitors; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 27448246
DOI: 10.1007/s00134-016-4449-6 -
International Journal of Chronic... 2016Current evidence suggests that roflumilast is efficacious in treating COPD, especially in preventing the acute exacerbation of COPD. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Current evidence suggests that roflumilast is efficacious in treating COPD, especially in preventing the acute exacerbation of COPD.
OBJECTIVES
This study was designed to evaluate the clinical effects and safety of roflumilast in the treatment of stable COPD using randomized clinical trial (RCT) data.
METHODS
A MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Controlled Trials Register search was carried out. RCTs reporting the treatment effects of roflumilast in COPD were identified. Relevant data were extracted and a meta-analysis was performed.
RESULTS
A total of nine articles and 13 RCT studies were identified. Overall, 29.1% of the subjects in the roflumilast group showed evidence of exacerbation. The corresponding figure was 32.2% in the placebo group. According to pooled analysis, the use of roflumilast reduced COPD exacerbations in comparison to placebo (odds ratio [OR] =0.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] =0.75-0.9). The quality of life and spirometry were improved. For patients receiving baseline pre-bronchodilators, their average forced expiratory volume in the first second showed evidence of change when they took roflumilast (64.88 mL; 95% CI =54.09-75.66). Those who took placebo showed no evidence of change. Similar result was observed in patients receiving baseline (54.49 mL; 95% CI =44.04-64.94). As for the safety of roflumilast treatment, the overall cumulative incidence of adverse drug reaction was 54.2% in the roflumilast group and 48.2% in the placebo group (OR =1.36, 95% CI =1.13-1.65). The adverse effects included diarrhea, headache, nausea, weight loss, and insomnia.
CONCLUSION
The efficacy of roflumilast in the prevention of acute exacerbation of COPD is obvious. Roflumilast is proved to be able to improve spirometry of COPD patients. The adverse drug reaction did not increase significantly in the roflumilast group compared with the control group. COPD patients can benefit from roflumilast therapy. However, our results are limited by the cohort design of the selected studies and the degree of heterogeneity among them; hence, more randomized trials are needed to further support this conclusion.
Topics: Aminopyridines; Benzamides; Chi-Square Distribution; Cyclopropanes; Disease Progression; Forced Expiratory Volume; Humans; Lung; Odds Ratio; Phosphodiesterase 4 Inhibitors; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Recovery of Function; Severity of Illness Index; Spirometry; Treatment Outcome; Vital Capacity
PubMed: 27418821
DOI: 10.2147/COPD.S106370 -
Respiratory Research Feb 2016Effects of roflumilast on lung function, symptoms, acute exacerbation and adverse events in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are controversial.... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Effects of roflumilast on lung function, symptoms, acute exacerbation and adverse events in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are controversial. We aimed to further clarify the efficacy and safety of roflumilast in treatment of moderate-to-severe COPD.
METHODS
From 1946 to November 2015, we searched the Pubmed, Embase, Medline, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, ISI Web of Science and American College of Physician using "roflumilast" and "chronic obstructive pulmonary disease" or "COPD". Randomized controlled trials that reported forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), transition dyspnea index (TDI), St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), and incidence of COPD exacerbations and adverse events were eligible. We conducted the heterogeneities test and sensitivity analysis, and random-effects or fixed-effects model was applied to calculate risk ratio (RR) and mean difference (MD) for dichotomous and continuous data respectively. Cochrane systematic review software, Review Manager (RevMan), was used to test the hypothesis by Mann-Whitney U-test.
RESULTS
Thirteen trials with a total of 14,563 patients were pooled in our final studies. Except for SGRQ (I (2) = 63 %, χ (2) = 1.71, P = 0.07) and adverse events (I (2) = 94 %, χ (2) = 0.03, P < 0.001), we did not find statistical heterogeneity in outcome measures. The pooled MD of pre- and post-bronchodilator FEV1 was 54.60 (95 % confidence interval (CI) 46.02 ~ 63.18) and 57.86 (95 % CI 49.80 ~ 65.91), and both showed significant improvement in patients with roflumilast (z = 12.47, P <0.001; z = 14.07, P < 0.001), so did in FVC (MD 90.37, 95 % CI 73.95 ~ 106.78, z = 10.79, P < 0.001). Significant alleviation of TDI (MD 0.30, 95 % CI 0.14 ~ 0.46, z = 3.67, P < 0.001) and decrease of acute exacerbation (RR 0.86, 95 % CI 0.81 ~ 0.91, z = 5.54, P < 0.001) were also identified in treatment of roflumilast, but without significant difference in SGRQ (MD -1.30, 95 % CI -3.16 ~ 0.56, z = 1.37, P = 0.17). Moreover, roflumilast significantly increased the incidence of adverse events compared with placebo (RR 1.31, 95 % CI 1.16 ~ 1.47, z = 4.32, P < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
Roflumilast can be considered as an alternative therapy in selective patients with moderate-to-severe COPD.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aminopyridines; Benzamides; Cyclopropanes; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Phosphodiesterase 4 Inhibitors; Prevalence; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Respiratory Function Tests; Risk Factors; Severity of Illness Index; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 26887407
DOI: 10.1186/s12931-016-0330-y