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CNS Drugs Jun 2014Here we review the safety and tolerability profile of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (LDX), the first long-acting prodrug stimulant for the treatment of... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Here we review the safety and tolerability profile of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (LDX), the first long-acting prodrug stimulant for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
METHODS
A PubMed search was conducted for English-language articles published up to 16 September 2013 using the following search terms: (lisdexamfetamine OR lisdexamphetamine OR SPD489 OR Vyvanse OR Venvanse OR NRP104 NOT review [publication type]).
RESULTS
In short-term, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, phase III trials, treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) in children, adolescents, and adults receiving LDX were typical for those reported for stimulants in general. Decreased appetite was reported by 25-39 % of patients and insomnia by 11-19 %. The most frequently reported TEAEs in long-term studies were similar to those reported in the short-term trials. Most TEAEs were mild or moderate in severity. Literature relating to four specific safety concerns associated with stimulant medications was evaluated in detail in patients receiving LDX. Gains in weight, height, and body mass index were smaller in children and adolescents receiving LDX than in placebo controls or untreated norms. Insomnia was a frequently reported TEAE in patients with ADHD of all ages receiving LDX, although the available data indicated no overall worsening of sleep quality in adults. Post-marketing survey data suggest that the rate of non-medical use of LDX was lower than that for short-acting stimulants and lower than or equivalent to long-acting stimulant formulations. Small mean increases were seen in blood pressure and pulse rate in patients receiving LDX.
CONCLUSIONS
The safety and tolerability profile of LDX in individuals with ADHD is similar to that of other stimulants.
Topics: Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Central Nervous System Stimulants; Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; Dextroamphetamine; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Humans; Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate; Prodrugs; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Time Factors
PubMed: 24788672
DOI: 10.1007/s40263-014-0166-2 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Aug 2017Gastric cancer is the fifth most common cancer worldwide. In "Western" countries, most people are either diagnosed at an advanced stage, or develop a relapse after... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Gastric cancer is the fifth most common cancer worldwide. In "Western" countries, most people are either diagnosed at an advanced stage, or develop a relapse after surgery with curative intent. In people with advanced disease, significant benefits from targeted therapies are currently limited to HER-2 positive disease treated with trastuzumab, in combination with chemotherapy, in first-line. In second-line, ramucirumab, alone or in combination with paclitaxel, demonstrated significant survival benefits. Thus, systemic chemotherapy remains the mainstay of treatment for advanced gastric cancer. Uncertainty remains regarding the choice of the regimen.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the efficacy of chemotherapy versus best supportive care (BSC), combination versus single-agent chemotherapy and different chemotherapy combinations in advanced gastric cancer.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE and Embase up to June 2016, reference lists of studies, and contacted pharmaceutical companies and experts to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs).
SELECTION CRITERIA
We considered only RCTs on systemic, intravenous or oral chemotherapy versus BSC, combination versus single-agent chemotherapy and different chemotherapy regimens in advanced gastric cancer.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently identified studies and extracted data. A third investigator was consulted in case of disagreements. We contacted study authors to obtain missing information.
MAIN RESULTS
We included 64 RCTs, of which 60 RCTs (11,698 participants) provided data for the meta-analysis of overall survival. We found chemotherapy extends overall survival (OS) by approximately 6.7 months more than BSC (hazard ratio (HR) 0.3, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.24 to 0.55, 184 participants, three studies, moderate-quality evidence). Combination chemotherapy extends OS slightly (by an additional month) versus single-agent chemotherapy (HR 0.84, 95% CI 0.79 to 0.89, 4447 participants, 23 studies, moderate-quality evidence), which is partly counterbalanced by increased toxicity. The benefit of epirubicin in three-drug combinations, in which cisplatin is replaced by oxaliplatin and 5-FU is replaced by capecitabine is unknown.Irinotecan extends OS slightly (by an additional 1.6 months) versus non-irinotecan-containing regimens (HR 0.87, 95% CI 0.80 to 0.95, 2135 participants, 10 studies, high-quality evidence).Docetaxel extends OS slightly (just over one month) compared to non-docetaxel-containing regimens (HR 0.86, 95% CI 0.78 to 0.95, 2001 participants, eight studies, high-quality evidence). However, due to subgroup analyses, we are uncertain whether docetaxel-containing combinations (docetaxel added to a single-agent or two-drug combination) extends OS due to moderate-quality evidence (HR 0.80, 95% CI 0.71 to 0.91, 1466 participants, four studies, moderate-quality evidence). When another chemotherapy was replaced by docetaxel, there is probably little or no difference in OS (HR 1.05; 0.87 to 1.27, 479 participants, three studies, moderate-quality evidence). We found there is probably little or no difference in OS when comparing capecitabine versus 5-FU-containing regimens (HR 0.94, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.11, 732 participants, five studies, moderate-quality evidence) .Oxaliplatin may extend (by less than one month) OS versus cisplatin-containing regimens (HR 0.81, 95% CI 0.67 to 0.98, 1105 participants, five studies, low-quality evidence). We are uncertain whether taxane-platinum combinations with (versus without) fluoropyrimidines extend OS due to very low-quality evidence (HR 0.86, 95% CI 0.71 to 1.06, 482 participants, three studies, very low-quality evidence). S-1 regimens improve OS slightly (by less than an additional month) versus 5-FU-containing regimens (HR 0.91, 95% CI 0.83 to 1.00, 1793 participants, four studies, high-quality evidence), however since S-1 is used in different doses and schedules between Asian and non-Asian population, the applicability of this finding to individual populations is uncertain.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Chemotherapy improves survival (by an additional 6.7 months) in comparison to BSC, and combination chemotherapy improves survival (by an additional month) compared to single-agent 5-FU. Testing all patients for HER-2 status may help to identify patients with HER-2-positive tumours, for whom, in the absence of contraindications, trastuzumab in combination with capecitabine or 5-FU in combination with cisplatin has been shown to be beneficial. For HER-2 negative people, all different two-and three-drug combinations including irinotecan, docetaxel, oxaliplatin or oral 5-FU prodrugs are valid treatment options for advanced gastric cancer, and consideration of the side effects of each regimen is essential in the treatment decision. Irinotecan-containing combinations and docetaxel-containing combinations (in which docetaxel was added to a single-agent or two-drug (platinum/5-FUcombination) show significant survival benefits in the comparisons studied above. Furthermore, docetaxel-containing three-drug regimens have increased response rates, but the advantages of the docetaxel-containing three-drug combinations (DCF, FLO-T) are counterbalanced by increased toxicity. Additionally, oxaliplatin-containing regimens demonstrated a benefit in OS as compared to the same regimen containing cisplatin, and there is a modest survival improvement of S-1 compared to 5-FU-containing regimens.Whether the survival benefit for three-drug combinations including cisplatin, 5-FU, and epirubicin as compared to the same regimen without epirubicin is still valid when second-line therapy is routinely administered and when cisplatin is replaced by oxaliplatin and 5-FU by capecitabine is questionable. Furthermore, the magnitude of the observed survival benefits for the three-drug regimens is not large enough to be clinically meaningful as defined recently by the American Society for Clinical Oncology (Ellis 2014). In contrast to the comparisons in which a survival benefit was observed by adding a third drug to a two-drug regimen at the cost of increased toxicity, the comparison of regimens in which another chemotherapy was replaced by irinotecan was associated with a survival benefit (of borderline statistical significance), but without increased toxicity. For this reason irinotecan/5-FU-containing combinations are an attractive option for first-line treatment. Although they need to be interpreted with caution, subgroup analyses of one study suggest that elderly people have a greater benefit form oxaliplatin, as compared to cisplatin-based regimens, and that people with locally advanced disease or younger than 65 years might benefit more from a three-drug regimen including 5-FU, docetaxel, and oxaliplatin as compared to a two-drug combination of 5-FU and oxaliplatin, a hypothesis that needs further confirmation. For people with good performance status, the benefit of second-line chemotherapy has been established in several RCTs.
Topics: Anthracyclines; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Camptothecin; Cisplatin; Docetaxel; Fluorouracil; Humans; Irinotecan; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Stomach Neoplasms; Taxoids
PubMed: 28850174
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004064.pub4 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2023Cytokines are pivotal mediators of cell communication in the tumor microenvironment. Multiple cytokines are involved in the host antitumor response, but the production... (Review)
Review
Cytokines are pivotal mediators of cell communication in the tumor microenvironment. Multiple cytokines are involved in the host antitumor response, but the production and function of these cytokines are usually dysregulated during malignant tumor progression. Considering their clinical potential and the early successful use of cytokines in cancer immunotherapy, such as interferon alpha-2b (IFNα-2b; IntronA) and IL-2 (Proleukin), cytokine-based therapeutics have been extensively evaluated in many follow-up clinical trials. Following these initial breakthroughs, however, clinical translation of these natural messenger molecules has been greatly limited owing to their high-degree pleiotropic features and complex biological properties in many cell types. These characteristics, coupled with poor pharmacokinetics (a short half-life), have hampered the delivery of cytokines via systemic administration, particularly because of severe dose-limiting toxicities. New engineering approaches have been developed to widen the therapeutic window, prolong pharmacokinetic effects, enhance tumor targeting and reduce adverse effects, thereby improving therapeutic efficacy. In this review, we focus on the recent progress and competitive landscape in cytokine engineering strategies and preclinical/clinical therapeutics for cancer. In addition, aiming to promote engineered cytokine-based cancer immunotherapy, we present a profound discussion about the feasibility of recently developed methods in clinical medicine translation.
Topics: Humans; Cytokines; Neoplasms; Immunotherapy; Tumor Microenvironment
PubMed: 37483629
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1218082 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) May 2022Bile acids (BAs) are important steroidal molecules with a rapidly growing span of applications across a variety of fields such as supramolecular chemistry, pharmacy, and... (Review)
Review
Bile acids (BAs) are important steroidal molecules with a rapidly growing span of applications across a variety of fields such as supramolecular chemistry, pharmacy, and biomedicine. This work provides a systematic review on their transport processes within the enterohepatic circulation and related processes. The focus is laid on the description of specific or less-specific BA transport proteins and their localization. Initially, the reader is provided with essential information about BAs' properties, their systemic flow, metabolism, and functions. Later, the transport processes are described in detail and schematically illustrated, moving step by step from the liver via bile ducts to the gallbladder, small intestine, and colon; this description is accompanied by descriptions of major proteins known to be involved in BA transport. Spillage of BAs into systemic circulation and urine excretion are also discussed. Finally, the review also points out some of the less-studied areas of the enterohepatic circulation, which can be crucial for the development of BA-related drugs, prodrugs, and drug carrier systems.
Topics: Bile Acids and Salts; Bile Ducts; Carrier Proteins; Enterohepatic Circulation; Liver
PubMed: 35566302
DOI: 10.3390/molecules27092961 -
Gynecological Endocrinology : the... Dec 2023In recent years, new combined oral contraceptives (COCs) have become available, representing an advance in terms of individualization and compliance by users. To... (Review)
Review
In recent years, new combined oral contraceptives (COCs) have become available, representing an advance in terms of individualization and compliance by users. To provide recommendations regarding COCs: formulations, use, efficacy, benefits and safety. For these recommendations, we have used the modified Delphi methodology and carried out a systematic review of studies found in the literature and reviews performed in humans, published in English and Spanish in Pubmed, Medline and advanced medicine and computer networks until the year 2021, using the combination of terms: 'oral contraceptives', 'estroprogestins' and 'combined oral contraceptives'. Regarding the estrogen component, initially switching from mestranol (the pro-drug of ethinylestradiol) to ethinylestradiol (EE) and then reducing the EE dose helped reduce side effects and associated adverse events. Natural estradiol and estradiol valerate are already available and represent a valid alternative to EE. The use of more potent 19-nortestosterone-derived progestins, in order to lower the dose and then the appearance of non-androgenic progestins with different endocrine and metabolic characteristics, has made it possible to individualize the prescription of COC according to the profile of each woman. Advances in the provision of new COCs have improved the risk/benefit ratio by increasing benefits and reducing risks. Currently, the challenge is to tailor contraceptives to individual needs in terms of safety, efficacy, and protection of female reproductive health.
Topics: Female; Humans; Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; Progestins; Latin America; Ethinyl Estradiol; Estrogens; Women's Health
PubMed: 37857350
DOI: 10.1080/09513590.2023.2271072 -
Pain Physician Nov 2017Abuse-deterrent formulations (ADFs) represent one novel strategy for curbing the potential of opioid abuse. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Abuse-deterrent formulations (ADFs) represent one novel strategy for curbing the potential of opioid abuse.
OBJECTIVE
We aim to compare and contrast the characteristics and applications of current abuse-deterrent opioid products in clinical practice.
METHODS
Literature searches were conducted in databases (Pubmed Medline, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, Google Scholar) and official reports. Relevant data were screened and organized into: 1) epidemiology of opioid abuse, 2) mitigation strategies for reducing opioid abuse, 3) development of ADFs, and 4) clinical experience with these formulations.
RESULTS
Increasing trends of opioid abuse and misuse have been reported globally. There are 5 types of abuse-deterrent opioid products: physical chemical barrier, combined agonist/antagonist, sequestered aversive agent, prodrug, and novel delivery system. The advantages and disadvantages of the 5 options are discussed in this review. A total of 9 products with abuse-deterrent labels have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The rates of abuse, diversion, and overdose deaths of these new products are also discussed. A framework for collecting in-time data on the efficacy, benefit and risk ratio, and cost-effectiveness of these new products is suggested to facilitate their optimal use.
LIMITATIONS
The present review did not utilize systematic review standards or meta-analytic techniques, given the large heterogeneity of data and outcomes reviewed.
CONCLUSIONS
ADFs provide an option for inhibiting the abuse or misuse of oral opioid products by hindering extraction of the active ingredient, preventing alternative routes of administration, or causing aversion. Their relatively high costs, uncertain insurance policies, and limited data on pharmacoeconomics warrant collaborative monitoring and assessment by government agencies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and data analysis services to define their therapeutic role in the future.
KEY WORDS
Opioid abuse, abuse-deterrent formulations, ADF, post-marketing, FDA guidance, cost impact, abuse liking, physician attitude, generic abuse-deterrent formulation, clinical application.
Topics: Analgesics, Opioid; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; Drug Compounding; Humans; Opioid-Related Disorders; Prescription Drug Misuse
PubMed: 29149148
DOI: No ID Found -
Heliyon Oct 2021Cyclophosphamide (CPA) is a cytotoxic prodrug that needs to be metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes, like CYP2B6. Unfortunately, CYP2B6 is a very polymorphic enzyme... (Review)
Review
The correlation between the level of 3-hydroxypropyl mercapturic acid, CYP2B6 polymorphisms, and hematuria occurrences after cyclophosphamide administration and its bioanalytical methods: A systematic review.
BACKGROUND
Cyclophosphamide (CPA) is a cytotoxic prodrug that needs to be metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes, like CYP2B6. Unfortunately, CYP2B6 is a very polymorphic enzyme and can cause a change in 3-hydroxypropyl mercapturic acid (3-HPMA), the most found CYP metabolite in urine levels. Change in 3-HPMA levels can also indicate the level change in its precursor, acrolein, which is responsible for the hematuria incidence after CPA administration.This review's purpose is to obtain a conclusion about the optimal 3-HPMA analysis method in urine after the administration of cyclophosphamide using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) through literature review from previous studies. Also, this review was written to examine the relationship between levels of 3-HPMA in urine, polymorphisms of CYP2B6 enzymes, and the incidence of hematuria after cyclophosphamide administration in cancer patients.
METHODS
Major databases, such as Universitas Indonesia's library database ScienceDirect, PubMed/Medline, Frontiers Media, and Google Scholar database, were used to find both published and unpublished studies without a time limit until 2020. Studies on pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, drug therapy monitoring of cyclophosphamide, bioanalysis, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) published in Indonesian and English were included. Meanwhile, non-related studies or studies written in other languages besides Indonesian and English were excluded. Two independent reviewers screened the titles, abstracts, and full-text manuscripts. Data obtained from eligible sources were used to answer the purpose of this review in a narrative form.
RESULTS
The authors found 436 related studies from various databases and websites. Then, the authors narrowed it down into 62 pieces of literature by removing the duplicates and reviewing the abstracts and full-text manuscripts. Out of 62 sources, the authors found 30 studies that explained 3-HPMA analysis using LC/MS-MS, CYP2B6 polymorphisms, and hematuria occurrences. The authors used those 30 studies to build a conclusion regarding the purpose of this study. We strengthened the results with some additional information from the other 32 eligible sources.
CONCLUSIONS
The authors conclude that according to literature searches from previous studies, the optimal 3-HPMA analysis method in urine after cyclophosphamide administration using LC-MS/MS is using triple quadrupole LC-MS/MS; source of positive ion electrospray ionization (ESI); mobile phase combination of 0.1% formic acid in water (A) - 0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile (90:10 v/v) (B); the Acquity® BEH C18 column (2.1 × 100 mm; 1.7 μm); injection volume of 10 μl; flow rate of 0.2 ml/minute; gradient elution method. Detection was carried out using mass spectrometry with m/z ratio of 222.10 > 90 for 3-HPMA and m/z 164.10 > 122 for n-acetylcysteine (NAC). The optimum sample preparation method is acidification and dilution ratio of 1:5 v/v. Also, there is a relationship between 3-HPMA levels, CYP2B6 polymorphisms, and the occurrences of hematuria after the administration of cyclophosphamide, which is a type of CYP2B6 polymorph, namely CYP2B6∗6, can increase cyclophosphamide hydroxylation so that it can increase the levels of acrolein and 3-HPMA, as its metabolites, and risk of hematuria.
ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION
This research does not use human participants, human data, or human tissue for being directly studied for the review. Therefore, ethics approval and consent to participate are not applicable.
REGISTRATION
This research has not been registered yet.
PubMed: 34746455
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e08126 -
The Canadian Journal of Hospital... 2022Status epilepticus (SE) is a neurologic emergency with potential for substantial mortality and morbidity. Parenteral benzodiazepine is the established first-line... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Status epilepticus (SE) is a neurologic emergency with potential for substantial mortality and morbidity. Parenteral benzodiazepine is the established first-line treatment but fails to control SE in about one-third of patients. Levetiracetam may be used for SE that is refractory to benzodiazepine therapy.
OBJECTIVE
To examine, by means of a systematic review, the role of IV levetiracetam for the treatment of SE in adults.
DATA SOURCES
MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, and CINAHL databases were searched, from inception to August 18, 2020.
STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION
Included in this review were prospective randomized controlled trials comparing levetiracetam with another antiepileptic drug, given with or after a benzodiazepine, in adult patients with SE. The primary outcome was cessation of SE. Quality of evidence was assessed with the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. Characteristics of the included studies were reported using descriptive statistics.
DATA SYNTHESIS
Five studies compared IV levetiracetam with valproic acid, phenytoin (or its prodrug fosphenytoin), or both. All 5 studies found no statistically significant differences in efficacy or safety end points. There were numerically more cases of hypotension and respiratory failure with phenytoin, and more cases of psychiatric adverse effects (e.g., post-ictal psychosis) with levetiracetam.
CONCLUSIONS
Available evidence suggests that levetiracetam is as effective as valproic acid or phenytoin for the cessation of SE in adults. Other factors should therefore dictate the choice of antiepileptic drug for patients with SE, such as adverse effect profile, logistics of administration, drug cost, inclusion on hospital formularies, and drug availability.
PubMed: 34987263
DOI: 10.4212/cjhp.v75i1.3254 -
European Journal of Translational... Oct 2022We aimed to maximize the clinical response and effectiveness of colistin antibiotics in patients with multi-drug (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Gram-negative... (Review)
Review
We aimed to maximize the clinical response and effectiveness of colistin antibiotics in patients with multi-drug (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Gram-negative bacteria, there is an increasing interest in colistin combination therapy with other antibiotics and extended interval dosing regimens. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim is to evaluate if the combination therapy is superior to monotherapy with colistin regarding increased survival and also which dose interval is the most effective to utilize. English language, peer-reviewed journal publications from the first date available to 25 January 2022 were identified by searching the PubMed and Web of Science databases. Forest plots for overall and subgroups and funnel plots were graphed. 42 studies were included in the study. Among them, 38 studies were on combination therapy, and four on dose interval. The overall pooled odds ratio is 0.77 (CI: 0.62; 0.95) (p value < 0.017). The I^2 value was 43% (p value < 0.01). The Begg correlation test of funnel plot asymmetry showed no significant publication bias (0.064). The overall pooled odds ratio for Carbapenem is 0.74 (CI: 0.48; 1.13). A prospective randomized controlled trials (RCT) on 40 adults intensive care unit (ICU) patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), comparing the mortality and ICU length of stay of 8- or 24- hour intervals regimens, showed that the ICU length of stay and ICU mortality were; 31.31, 35.3 days, and 32.06, 22.2% in groups 24-h interval and 8- hour interval (p value: 0.39, 0.87), respectively. It seems that combination therapy is associated with drug synergism and increased survival. The extended interval colistin administration may result in higher peak concentration and bacterial eradication. In both cases, we face a dearth of literature.
PubMed: 36533669
DOI: 10.4081/ejtm.2022.10833 -
Cureus Jun 2022Actinic keratoses (AKs) are the most common neoplastic lesions and are recognized as a precursor to squamous cell skin cancer. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a... (Review)
Review
Actinic keratoses (AKs) are the most common neoplastic lesions and are recognized as a precursor to squamous cell skin cancer. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a therapeutic option for multiple AKs in line with field cancerization. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of PDT on patients with AKs using a meta-analysis, in order to evaluate the possible superiority of one treatment over the others. For this purpose, the PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, OVID, Science Direct, British Journal of Dermatology, Research Gate, and Embase databases were searched in March 2022. The search terms used were 'photodynamic therapy' and 'actinic keratosis'. We utilized the random-effects meta-analysis model to compare methyl aminolevulinate PDT (MAL-PDT) and the combination of a nanoscale-lipid vesicle formulation with the prodrug 5-aminolevulinic acid (BF-200 ALA) on a complete response (CR) of the lesions. Our meta-analysis indicated that the comparison of BF-200 ALA versus MAL-PDT showed marginally higher CRs than MAL-PDT.
PubMed: 35911353
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.26390