Improvements in Patient-Reported Outcomes in Relapsed or Refractory Large B-Cell Lymphoma Patients Treated With Epcoritamab

BACKGROUND

Patient-reported outcomes were evaluated in EPCORE NHL-1 in patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) treated with epcoritamab monotherapy (NCT03625037).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Adults with R/R CD20+ LBCL and ≥2 prior systemic antilymphoma therapies, including anti-CD20, completed the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Lymphoma (FACT-Lym) and EQ-5D-3L. A subgroup of patients provided additional feedback in one-on-one qualitative interviews. FACT-Lym and EQ-5D-3L score changes from baseline (CFB) to cycle 9 or end of treatment were interpreted using published minimally important differences (MID).

RESULTS

In total, 157 patients (88.5% with diffuse LBCL) were treated (median age, 64 years). In total, 70.7% had ≥3 prior treatments, 61.1% had primary refractory disease, and 82.8% were refractory to last systemic therapy. FACT-Lym scores exceeded MID thresholds: mean (SD) CFB were 4.4 (15.2), MID 3.0 to 7.0 (FACT-General); 5.9 (7.6), MID 2.9 to 5.4 (FACT-Lymphoma subscale); 8.4 (15.2), MID 5.5 to 11.0 (FACT-Trial Outcome Index); 10.3 (20.2), MID 6.5 to 11.2 (FACT-Lym total score). EQ-5D-3L index scores, 0.09 (0.20), MID 0.08, and EQ-VAS scores, 16.6 (22.8), MID 7.0, improved. In 20 qualitative interviews, 88.2% reported symptom improvements; 80.0% were "very satisfied" or "satisfied" with epcoritamab.

CONCLUSIONS

R/R LBCL patients reported consistent, clinically meaningful improvements in symptoms and HRQoL and satisfaction with epcoritamab.

Understanding Patients' Experiences with Borderline Personality Disorder: Qualitative Interviews

Background

Patient perspectives of living with borderline personality disorder (BPD) are not traditionally captured in the literature. To overcome this gap, we explored participants' experiences with BPD to gain a better understanding of symptoms and impacts related to the condition.

Methods

Two experienced researchers conducted semistructured interviews with a subset of participants from a randomized controlled trial evaluating a BPD treatment. The interview study was independent from the trial. Interviews focused on participants' experiences with BPD prior to the trial, including the symptoms and impacts of BPD. Interview transcripts were analyzed to identify dominant trends and generate patterns in the way participants described their experiences with BPD.

Results

A total of 50 adults with BPD participated in the interview study. The mean age of the participants was 28.5 years (range, 18-53 years) and 72.0% were female. All participants described having difficulties with extreme emotional responses and interpersonal relationships, and most participants reported experiencing issues with self-image, impulsivity, suspiciousness/distrust, feelings of emptiness, and anger. The symptoms that were most bothersome to participants were extreme moods or emotional responses and a pattern of unstable personal relationships. All participants remarked that their BPD-related symptoms negatively impacted their interpersonal relationships, and nearly two-thirds of the sample reported that the impact of BPD on their relationships was the most bothersome. Additionally, more than half of the participants discussed impacts on work or school, memory or thinking, self-care, and financial and legal issues.

Conclusion

Participants reported that the most bothersome symptoms of BPD were those related to extreme moods or emotional responses and interpersonal relationships. Participants similarly described the impact of BPD on their interpersonal relationships as the most bothersome. Overall, participant perspectives from this study indicate that the burden of BPD is significant and new treatments tailored to patients' real-world needs are warranted.

Development of the Cold Agglutinin Disease Symptoms and Impact Questionnaire (CAD-SIQ)

OBJECTIVES

Cold agglutinin disease (CAD) is a rare autoimmune hemolytic anemia. This study aimed to identify disease-related symptoms and impacts important to patients with CAD, and to develop a novel CAD-specific patient-reported outcome measure.

METHODS

Adults with CAD were randomly selected from a United States patient panel to participate in concept elicitation (CE) interviews to identify important symptoms and impacts or cognitive debriefing (CD) interviews to assess the comprehension and relevance of the draft item set.

RESULTS

Overall, 37 adults were included (mean [range] age 67.2 [35-87] years). In CE interviews (n = 16), the most frequently reported CAD-related symptoms were reactions to cold environments and fatigue (both 93.8%). CAD had negative impacts on enjoyable activities (81.3%) and daily activities (75.0%). Following CE, standard survey methodological principles were used to develop a draft item pool of 14 concepts. Items were refined through three iterative rounds of CD interviews (n = 21), yielding 11 final items: fatigue; cold sensitivity; dyspnea; wearing extra clothing; limited physical, social, and enjoyable activities; difficulty with usual activities; mood; frustration; and anxiety/stress.

CONCLUSIONS

The novel 11-item CAD-Symptoms and Impact Questionnaire provides a measure of the symptoms and impacts of CAD that are important to patients.

Content Validation of Patient-Reported Sleep Measures and Development of a Conceptual Model of Sleep Disturbance in Patients with Moderate-to-Severe, Uncontrolled Asthma

Purpose

Sleep disturbance is common in patients with asthma and can lead to subsequent impacts on health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Fit-for-purpose patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) assessing asthma-related sleep disturbance and next-day HRQOL impact (next-day impact) are needed to evaluate disease burden and treatment effects.

Patients and Methods

Adults (18-65 years) from three US clinics were recruited for semistructured interviews. Concept elicitation (CE) identified how asthma affects participants' sleep and how asthma-related sleep disturbances impact their daily lives, which informed conceptual model development. Cognitive debriefing (CD) of the Asthma Sleep Disturbance Questionnaire (ASDQ), Sleep Diary, and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Sleep-Related Impairment Short Form 8a (PROMIS SRI SF8a) was completed to assess each measure's content validity.

Results

Twelve individuals participated in two interview rounds (6 individuals per round). Participants most frequently reported asthma-related nighttime awakening and decreased sleep quality and duration. Negative impacts of a poor night's sleep due to asthma symptoms included feeling tired/fatigue/lack of energy and subsequent negative impacts on physical functioning, emotions and mood, mental functioning, work or volunteerism, and social functioning. Across both rounds of CD interviews, participants generally found the Sleep Diary and PROMIS SRI SF8a items relevant and easy to complete with no modifications. The ASDQ was modified for clarity and consistency.

Conclusion

As described in the conceptual model, asthma affects multiple aspects of sleep that can cause next-day fatigue and other subsequent negative HRQOL impacts. This study demonstrates that the ASDQ, Sleep Diary, and PROMIS SRI SF8a items are comprehensive, relevant, and appropriate for patients with moderate-to-severe, uncontrolled asthma. Evaluation of psychometric properties for the ASDQ, Sleep Diary, and PROMIS SRI SF8a based on clinical trial data in patients with moderate-to-severe, uncontrolled asthma will further support their use.

2243. Patient Perceptions of Treatment Success in Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infection

Background

Regulatory guidance for developing uncomplicated urinary tract infection (uUTI) treatments requires endpoints assessing uUTI symptom resolution present at trial entry. The meaningfulness of this endpoint and definition of treatment success is rarely explored with patient-experience data (PED), and there is a paucity of PED in the literature.

Methods

This cross-sectional interview study included English- and Spanish-speaking women aged ≥ 12 years with confirmed uUTI diagnosis within 14 days of screening. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analyzed using qualitative methods. Participants were asked questions to elicit spontaneous and probed reports of uUTI symptoms and how these impacted health-related quality of life. Participants provided descriptions of symptom resolution, treatment success and evaluated a 4-point scale assessing dysuria, urinary frequency, urinary urgency and suprapubic pain. They were asked if the scale contents captured their uUTI experience, including assessing meaningful treatment effect.

Results

Overall, 30 participants were included, mean age 40 (range: 12–61) years. Urgency was the most common symptom reported (n=29, Table 1), and nearly all (n=29) participants reported their recent uUTI affected mood/emotions (Table 2). Participants reported the relevance of symptoms and the meaning of the points on the scale (Table 3). At interview, 24 participants scored each symptom as “none” and reported this was meaningful/important. Most participants (n=27) said they would not consider treatment successful if they still experienced ≥ 1 symptom by the end of the treatment period; however, almost half (n=14) agreed that with severe symptoms, the smallest meaningful improvement would be moving from severe to moderate. A limitation of this study is that participants were not asked about underlying symptoms between episodes of uUTI. Table 1.Patient-reported uUTI symptoms (N=30)*The symptom was not probed during the interview but was spontaneously reported by the participant(s). Abbreviation: uUTI, uncomplicated urinary tract infection.Table 2.Patient-reported impacts of uUTI (N=30)*The impact was not systematically probed during the interview but was spontaneously reported by the participant; †daily activities included cleaning, shopping, caring for children, exercising, or playing sports; ‡physical activities included walking, hiking, playing sports, exercising, and going to the gym; §adolescents (n=5) were not asked about intimate relationships.Abbreviation: uUTI, uncomplicated urinary tract infection.Table 3.Sample of quotations from patient interviewsAbbreviations: UTI, urinary tract infection; uUTI, uncomplicated urinary tract infection.

Conclusion

Participants reported numerous impacts of uUTI. Definitions of symptom resolution and treatment success should be established with PED, with complete symptom resolution considered the most valued. The regulatory definition relevance of symptom resolution for uUTI and the content validity of a scale to assess symptom resolution was confirmed by participants.

Disclosures

Claire L. Trennery, MSc, GlaxoSmithKline plc.: Employee and shareholder|GlaxoSmithKline plc.: GlaxoSmithKline plc.-sponsored study 217370 Susan Martin, MSPH, GlaxoSmithKline plc.: GlaxoSmithKline plc.-sponsored study 217370|RTI Health Solutions: Employee of RTI Health Solutions which received funding from GlaxoSmithKline plc. to conduct this study Katherine Kosa, MSc, GlaxoSmithKline plc.: GlaxoSmithKline plc.-sponsored study 217370|RTI Health Solutions: Employee of RTI Health Solutions which received funding from GlaxoSmithKline plc. to conduct this study Lydia Demetriou, MSc, GlaxoSmithKline plc.: Employee and shareholder|GlaxoSmithKline plc.: GlaxoSmithKline plc.-sponsored study 217370 Ashish V. Joshi, PhD, GlaxoSmithKline plc.: Employee and shareholder|GlaxoSmithKline plc.: GlaxoSmithKline plc.-sponsored study.

The prevalence of RAASi uptitration limiting hyperkalemia and the suitability of potassium binders among patients suffering from heart failure with reduced ejection fraction

Background

The use of the renin-angiotensin-aldosteron-system inhibitor (RAASi) regime is crucial to reduce the mortality and morbidity of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). However, it is well known that among real life circumstances it is challenging to reach the guideline-recommended target doses (TDs) of RAASi-s, due to the occurrence of side effects (e.g. hyperkalemia). Based on the ESC expert consensus document, it is recommended to reduce the RAASi dosages or discontinue the therapy when significant hyperkalemia (HK) occurs (serum potassium >5.0 mmol/l or >6.0 mmol/l, respectively). Within the last years, trials of patiromer and zirconium cyclosilicate demonstrated dose-dependent effect of these drugs enhancing potassium level lowering. The ongoing DIAMOND study examining the effect of patiromer among patients with previous HK (se potassium >5mmol/l) in the effect of RAASi-s in HFrEF hopefully will answer the question whether the use of a potassium binder and in its effect the use of TD-s of RAASi translates to significant mortality benefit in HFrEF.

Aim

To assess the prevalence of RAASi uptitration limiting HK and to assess the potential suitability of potassium binders among HFrEF patients followed-up regularly at a heart failure outpatient clinic (HFOC).

Methods

Data of 557 consecutive HFrEF patients (NYHA: 3.1±0.8; LVEF: 27.4±6.6%; age: 61.2±13.0 years; male: 76.3%; ischemic: 47.2%; atrial fibrillation: 27.3%; diabetes: 35.7%; hypertension: 72.7%, systolic blood pressure: 124.3±24.3mmHg, eGFR: 65.6±23.6 ml/min/1.73m2) was analyzed. At baseline ACEi/ARBs in 33.6%, BBs in 40.9%, MRAs in 37.9% of the total cohort (TC) were used.

Results

After therapy optimization (TO) ACEis/ARBs were applied in 97.5% and TD (equivalent to at least 10 mg of enalapril b.i.d.) was reached in 59.4% of the TC. BBs in 90.7%, TDs of BBs in 48.3%, MRAs in 64.3%, TDs of MRAs in 24.6% of the TC were applied. In 100 patients (17.9%) the TDs of ACEi/ARBs and MRAs were reached simultaneously. Among those 457 patients not reaching the TD of ACEi/ARBs and/or the TD of MRAs the occurrence of HK (se potassium >5 mmol/l) was quite frequent (45.3%, 207 patients), the prevalence of HK with the need of permanent dose reduction of RAASi regime (se potassium>5.5 mmol/l) was 10.5% (48 patients) and the prevalence of HK resulting permanent discontinuation of RAASi (se potassium >6.0 mmol/l) was 2.8% (13 patient) during the TO.

Conclusions

The current ESC guidelines recommend the use of TDs or maximal tolerated doses of RAASi-s in HFrEF. In a real-world patient cohort when every effort was made to reach the TDs, the TD of ACEi/ARBs and the TD of MRAs was reachable only in 17.9% of patients due the side effects observed during the TO. The occurrence of HK preventing to reach the TD, resulting down-titration or temporary/permanent discontinuation of RAASi-s and representing potential suitability for potassium binders is significant among optimally treated HFrEF patients.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Preferences of Adult Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease for Attributes of Clinical Trials: Evidence From a Choice-Based Conjoint Analysis

Background

Clinical trial recruitment is the rate-limiting step in developing new treatments. To understand inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patient recruitment, we investigated two questions: Do changes in clinical trial attributes, like monetary compensation, influence recruitment rates, and does this influence differ across subgroups?

Methods

We answered these questions through a conjoint survey of 949 adult IBD patients.

Results

Recruitment rates are influenced by trial attributes: small but significant increases are predicted with lower placebo rates, reduced number of endoscopies, less time commitment, open label extension, and increased involvement of participant's primary GI physician. A much stronger effect was found with increased monetary compensation. Latent class analysis indicated three patient subgroups: some patients quite willing to participate in IBD trials, some quite reluctant, and others who can be persuaded. The persuadable group is quite sensitive to monetary compensation, and payments up to US$2,000 for a 1-year study could significantly increase recruitment rates for IBD clinical trials.

Conclusions

This innovative study provides researchers with a framework for predicting recruitment rates for different IBD clinical trials.

P1663The impact of highest doses of ACEi/ARB therapy on mortality of patients suffering from heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: a long-term follow-up, propensity-matched cohort study

Aim

To assess the effect of TD1 of ACEi/ARB on mortality of HFrEF patients followed at a heart failure outpatient clinic (HFOC).

Methods

Data of 579 consecutive HFrEF patients, who hadn't been treated with an ACEi/ARB or were receiving ≤50% of doses equivalent with 20mg enalapril daily (TD2) at the time of initiation of care (NYHA: 3.1±0.8; LVEF: 27.5±6.6%; age: 61.1±13.0 years; male: 76.1%; ischemic: 46.8%; atrial fibrillation: 27.6%; diabetes: 34.9%; hypertension: 72.5%), followed at our HFOC was analysed. After therapy optimization (TO) ACEis/ARBs were applied in 96.5% and at least TD2 was reached in 55.9% of the total cohort, while TD1 of an ACEi/ARB was applied in 111 patients (19.2% of total cohort). BBs in 88.4%, target doses of BBs in 46.8%, MRAs in 57.0% of total cohort were used. To adjust for possible confounders, patients were matched based on the ACEi/ARB doses reached during TO applying propensity score matching (PSM) using the nearest neighbor matching (caliper: 0.2). All-cause mortality (ACM) was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared with the Cox proportional hazard model.

Results

After 7.1±4.7 years follow-up ACM of patients treated with TD1 of ACEis/ARBs was significantly lower than those treated with lower doses in the total cohort (HR=0.67; 95% CI=0.50–0.89; p=0.005). Applying multivariate Cox regression analysis the use of TD1 of an ACEi/ARB didn't remain independent predictor of survival; creatinine, NYHA f.c., age, sex, ischemic etiology were proved to be significant predictor of mortality. After PSM the survival of patients receiving TD1 of an ACEi/ARB didn't differ from those treated with lower doses (HR=0.84; 95% CI=0.61–1.14; p=0.27).

Conclusions

The current ESC guidelines recommend the use of target doses or maximal tolerated doses of ACEis or ARBs in HFrEF. In a real-world patient cohort whom all the effort was made to reach the target doses, ACM of patients treated with TD1 of an ACEi/ARB was significantly lower than those treated with lower doses, however this result wasn't independent from the patient characteristics. Beside that, after PSM the survival of patients treated with TD1 or with lower doses of an ACEi/ARB did not differ significantly.

How four U.S. states are regulating recreational marijuana edibles

BACKGROUND

Sales of edible marijuana products have been strong in Colorado and Washington State since the legalization of recreational marijuana. Initially, these states did not have comprehensive labelling or packaging requirements in place. In response to increases in marijuana-related emergency room visits and poison control centre calls, additional regulations were implemented. Currently, Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington each have passed into law various labelling and packaging requirements for edibles.

METHODS

This article presents the primary legal research findings of relevant statutes and regulations for edibles in Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington. These laws were identified by using Boolean terms and connectors searches in these states' legal databases in LexisNexis.

RESULTS

Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington vary greatly in how they regulate labelling and packaging. Colorado, Oregon and Washington require a Universal Symbol to be affixed to edibles, but only Oregon and Washington require that the use of pesticides be disclosed on the label. Only Colorado and Oregon require that the packaging for edibles bear a Nutrition Facts Panel on the label. Δ⁹-Tetrahydracannabinol (THC) in a single serving or single edible product as Alaska and Oregon. All four states prohibit the manufacture or packaging of edibles that appeal to youth.

CONCLUSION

State laws governing recreational marijuana edibles have evolved since the first recreational edible products were available for sale. Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington now require edible product labels to disclose a variety of product information, including risk factors associated with consumption. However, there still remain concerns about the regulatory gaps that exist in each of these states, inherent difficulties in enforcing laws around the labelling, packaging, and manufacturing of edibles, and the outstanding question of whether these edible laws are actually informing consumers and keeping the public safe.

[Three cases of tuberculosis complicating acute respiratory distress syndrome]

In this report, we describe three patients with pulmonary tuberculosis with acute respiratory failure with an extensive tuberculous consolidation in bilateral lung fields. Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) was present in one patient and miliary tuberculosis in two patients. They all developed acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), nessecitating management by mechanical ventilation with a combination therapy of antituberculous agents and methylprednisolone (m-PSL) pulse therapy. Only one patient survived in whom the PaO2/FiO2 ratio recovered rapidly after the initiation of therapy. Two patients whose systemic condition upon admission was critically ill eventually died of hepatic failure and bacterial pneumonia, even though ARDS and pulmonary tuberculosis were successfully treated. Prognosis of pulmonary tuberculosis complicating ARDS and DIC is poor, and these patients need systemic intensive treatment, in which m-PSL therapy may be beneficial.

Differential regulation by anti-tumor-promoting 12-deoxyphorbol-13-phenylacetate reveals distinct roles of the classical and novel protein kinase C isozymes in biological responses of primary mouse keratinocytes

12-Deoxyphorbol-13-phenylacetate (dPP) is the prototype for a new class of phorbol derivatives that function as protein kinase C (PKC) activators with potent anti-tumor-promoting activity. To explore the mechanism of action of dPP, we have conducted detailed analyses of the translocation and down-regulation patterns of individual PKC isozymes in mouse primary keratinocytes upon dPP treatment. PKC-alpha, -delta, and -epsilon were very quickly (within 2-5 min) translocated from the soluble fraction to the Triton X-100-soluble particulate fraction. PKC-delta and -epsilon were translocated with 2 orders of magnitude higher potency than was PKC-alpha. After translocation, PKC-alpha, -delta, -eta, and -epsilon were down-regulated; the down-regulation of PKC-epsilon contrasts with its retention after phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate or bryostatin treatment. As was the case with translocation, dPP down-regulated the novel PKC isozymes (delta, epsilon, and eta) with 2 orders of magnitude higher potency (ED50, about 1-2 nM), compared with PKC-alpha (ED50, about 100 nM). dPP induced transglutaminase activity, ornithine decarboxylase activity, and cornification with potencies similar to that for PKC-alpha translocation. On the other hand, dPP caused inhibition of EGF binding with a potency similar to that for the translocation of the novel PKC isozymes. Although the generality of its selectivity in different cell types remains to be determined, at least in keratinocytes dPP is a powerful tool for dissecting the involvement of the classical and novel PKC isozymes in biological responses. The unique regulatory pattern of PKC-epsilon could contribute to the anti-tumor-promoting activity of dPP.

Transformation of NIH3T3 cells with ras oncogenes abrogates the retinoic acid induction of tissue transglutaminase

Retinoic acid greatly increases enzyme activity and mRNA expression of the tissue-type transglutaminase enzyme in NIH3T3 cells. This response is blocked in cells transformed with activated H-ras, K-ras or N-ras oncogenes, but not in pSVneo vector transfected cells. Lack of induction by RA of the tissue-type TGase in these ras-transformed fibroblasts suggests intersecting pathways between retinoid action and the ras oncogene.