First-in-Human Single-Ascending-Dose, Multiple-Dose, and Food Interaction Studies of NRD.E1, an Innovative Nonopioid Therapy for Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy is characterized by burning, stabbing, or electric shock-type pain, which severely impacts day-to-day functioning and quality of life. Here, we report the results of 3 phase I studies with NRD135S.E1 (referred to as NRD.E1), a new, orally available chemical entity, presently developed for the treatment of painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The first study was a first-in-human, randomized, placebo-controlled, single-ascending-dose study, where NRD.E1 was administered to healthy male subjects in single dosages ranging from 300 to 1200 mg. The second study was a randomized, placebo-controlled multiple-dose study, where healthy male subjects received 300 mg of NRD.E1 once daily for 5 consecutive days. The third study was an open-label food interaction study in healthy men and women following a crossover design, where NRD.E1 was administered under fed and fasted conditions at 40 mg. The studies revealed dose-dependent absorption, increased exposure to NRD.E1 when administered with food, and no relevant accumulation after once-daily administration. All 3 phase I studies consistently showed rapid absorption of orally administered NRD.E1 followed by fast elimination, mainly via metabolization (glucuronidation), and small secondary increases in plasma concentrations. NRD.E1 was well tolerated, with no subject discontinuation due to treatment-emergent adverse events in any study.

NRD.E1, an innovative non‐opioid therapy for painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy ‐ a randomised proof of concept study

Background

Painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (PDPN) affects up to 26% of patients with diabetes mellitus, with major impacts on their general health and well‐being. Most available drugs fail to deliver acceptable pain reduction in the majority of patients and are often poorly tolerated. NRD.E1 is a novel product that has shown anti‐nociceptive preclinical effects and good tolerability in healthy volunteer studies.

Methods

This phase 2a, randomized, dose‐finding, Proof of Concept study enrolled patients with PDPN of ≥3 months duration. After at least one treatment‐free week (WO week), 88 patients entered a 1‐week single‐blind (SB)‐placebo run‐in period, followed by 3 weeks' double‐blind (DB) treatment, during which they received NRD.E1 at 10, 40 or 150 mg/day or placebo.

Results

The primary endpoint (change from SB‐placebo run‐in week to week 3 in weekly mean of daily average numerical rating scale [NRS] pain intensity) showed clinically relevant placebo‐corrected treatment effect pain reductions at 40 mg and 150 mg/day of 0.82 (95% CI: 0.07, 1.58, p = 0.034) and 0.66 (95% CI: −0.03, 1.35; p = 0.061) NRS points, respectively, though did not meet the pre‐specified value of p = 0.016 required due to multiplicity. An additional post hoc endpoint looking at the change from WO baseline to week 3 in weekly mean of daily average NRS showed the placebo‐corrected treatment effect was 1.46 (95% CI: 0.26, 2.66), and 1.20 (95% CI: 0.10, 2.29) NRS points, respectively. Secondary and post hoc analyses of NRS pain data (including 30 & 50% responder rate and NNT), sleep interference, Short‐form McGill pain questionnaire (especially pain intensity assessed on Visual Analogue Scale), Patient's and Clinician's Global Impression of Change showed effects consistent with the primary findings. NRD.E1 was well tolerated, with only headache reported in more than two patients and more frequently on NRD.E1 than placebo.

Conclusions

The data suggest that NRD.E1 potentially represents a novel non‐opioid therapeutic option for patients with PDPN, with at least similar efficacy and better tolerability than available therapies, justifying its further evaluation in larger‐scale confirmatory studies.

Significance

NRD.E1 is a novel non‐opioid therapeutic which is being developed for the treatment of PDPN. In this randomized, controlled, dose‐finding, Proof of Concept study, NRD.E1 induced a clinically relevant pain reduction and it was well tolerated. Available data suggest that NRD.E1 has at least similar efficacy and better tolerability than the currently available therapies, potentially offering a promising new therapeutic option to patients with PDPN and possibly other neuropathic pain indications.

A cross-sectional and prospective cohort study of the role of schools in the SARS-CoV-2 second wave in Italy

BACKGROUND

During COVID-19 pandemic, school closure has been mandated in analogy to its effect against influenza, but it is unclear whether schools are early COVID-19 amplifiers.

METHODS

We performed a cross-sectional and prospective cohort study in Italy during the second COVID-19 wave (from September 30, 2020 until at least February 28, 2021). We used databases from the Italian Ministry of Education, the Veneto region systems of SARS-CoV-2 cases notification and of schools' secondary cases tracing to compare SARS-CoV-2 incidence in students/school staff and general population and incidence across age groups. Number of tests, secondary infections by type of index case and ratio cases/ tests per school were estimated using an adjusted multivariable generalized linear regression model. Regional reproduction numbers Rt were estimated from Italian Civil Protection daily incidence data with a method of posterior distribution using a Markov Chain Monte Carlo algorithm.

FINDINGS

SARS-CoV-2 incidence among students was lower than in the general population. Secondary infections at school were <1%, and clusters of ≥2 secondary cases occurred in 5-7% of the analysed schools. Incidence among teachers was comparable to the population of similar age (P = 0.23). Secondary infections among teachers were rare, occurring more frequently when the index case was a teacher than a student (37% vs. 10%, P = 0.007). Before and around the date of school opening in Veneto, SARS-CoV-2 incidence grew maximally in 20-29- and 45-49-years old individuals, not among students. The lag between school opening dates in Italian regions and the increase in the regional COVID-19 Rt was not uniform. Finally, school closures in two regions where they were implemented before other measures did not affect Rt decrease.

INTERPRETATION

This analysis does not support a role for school opening as a driver of the second COVID-19 wave in Italy, a large European country with high SARS-CoV-2 incidence.

FUNDING

Fondazione MITE.

Clinical trial design and new therapies for pulmonary arterial hypertension

Until 20 years ago the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) was based on case reports and small series, and was largely ineffectual. As a deeper understanding of the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of PAH evolved over the subsequent two decades, coupled with epidemiological studies defining the clinical and demographic characteristics of the condition, a renewed interest in treatment development emerged through collaborations between international experts, industry and regulatory agencies. These efforts led to the performance of robust, high-quality clinical trials of novel therapies that targeted putative pathogenic pathways, leading to the approval of more than 10 novel therapies that have beneficially impacted both the quality and duration of life. However, our understanding of PAH remains incomplete and there is no cure. Accordingly, efforts are now focused on identifying novel pathogenic pathways that may be targeted, and applying more rigorous clinical trial designs to better define the efficacy of these new potential treatments and their role in the management scheme. This article, prepared by a Task Force comprised of expert clinicians, trialists and regulators, summarises the current state of the art, and provides insight into the opportunities and challenges for identifying and assessing the efficacy and safety of new treatments for this challenging condition.

State of the art and research perspectives in clinical trial design and new therapies for pulmonary arterial hypertensionhttp://ow.ly/VHQ030mfRxc

A Multivariate Approach to Analyze Ordinal Data Collected in Clinical Trials of Analgesic Agents

After pointing out the drawbacks of the approach commonly used to analyze the data collected in controlled clinical trials carried out to evaluate the analgesic effect of potential agents, the authors suggest a procedure suitable for analyzing data coded according to an ordinal scale. In the first stage a multivariate analysis is carried out on the codec! data and the projection of each result in the space of the most relevant factors is obtained. In the second stage the whole set of these values is processed by distribution-free tests. The procedure has been applied to data previously published by VENTAITBIDDA et al. [18].

Systolic blood pressure reduction during the first 24 h in acute heart failure admission: friend or foe?

AIMS

Changes in systolic blood pressure (SBP) during an admission for acute heart failure (AHF), especially those leading to hypotension, have been suggested to increase the risk for adverse outcomes.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We analysed associations of SBP decrease during the first 24 h from randomization with serum creatinine changes at the last time-point available (72 h), using linear regression, and with 30- and 180-day outcomes, using Cox regression, in 1257 patients in the VERITAS study. After multivariable adjustment for baseline SBP, greater SBP decrease at 24 h from randomization was associated with greater creatinine increase at 72 h and greater risk for 30-day all-cause death, worsening heart failure (HF) or HF readmission. The hazard ratio (HR) for each 1 mmHg decrease in SBP at 24 h for 30-day death, worsening HF or HF rehospitalization was 1.01 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.00-1.02; P = 0.021]. Similarly, the HR for each 1 mmHg decrease in SBP at 24 h for 180-day all-cause mortality was 1.01 (95% CI 1.00-1.03; P = 0.038). The associations between SBP decrease and outcomes did not differ by tezosentan treatment group, although tezosentan treatment was associated with a greater SBP decrease at 24 h.

CONCLUSIONS

In the current post hoc analysis, SBP decrease during the first 24 h was associated with increased renal impairment and adverse outcomes at 30 and 180 days. Caution, with special attention to blood pressure monitoring, should be exercised when vasodilating agents are given to AHF patients.

Development and clinical testing of individual immunoassays for the quantification of serum glycoproteins to diagnose prostate cancer

Prostate Cancer (PCa) diagnosis is currently hampered by the high false-positive rate of PSA evaluations, which consequently may lead to overtreatment. Non-invasive methods with increased specificity and sensitivity are needed to improve diagnosis of significant PCa. We developed and technically validated four individual immunoassays for cathepsin D (CTSD), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM1), olfactomedin 4 (OLFM4), and thrombospondin 1 (THBS1). These glycoproteins, previously identified by mass spectrometry using a Pten mouse model, were measured in clinical serum samples for testing the capability of discriminating PCa positive and negative samples. The development yielded 4 individual immunoassays with inter and intra-variability (CV) <15% and linearity on dilution of the analytes. In serum, ex vivo protein stability (<15% loss of analyte) was achieved for a duration of at least 24 hours at room temperature and 2 days at 4°C. The measurement of 359 serum samples from PCa positive (n = 167) and negative (n = 192) patients with elevated PSA (2–10 ng/ml) revealed a significantly improved accuracy (P <0.001) when two of the glycoproteins (CTSD and THBS1) were combined with %fPSA and age (AUC = 0.8109; P <0.0001; 95% CI = 0.7673–0.8545). Conclusively, the use of CTSD and THBS1 together with commonly used parameters for PCa diagnosis such as %fPSA and age has the potential to improve the diagnosis of PCa.

Acute heart failure in the elderly: differences in clinical characteristics, outcomes, and prognostic factors in the VERITAS Study

BACKGROUND

Acute heart failure (HF) is common in the elderly, but the association of age with clinical outcomes and prognostic factors has not been examined thoroughly.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We analyzed the clinical and laboratory characteristics and the outcomes of 1,347 patients with acute HF enrolled in the VERITAS trial. Subjects were subdivided based on their median age of 72 years. Older patients had a higher prevalence of comorbidities and a higher prevalence of hypertension and atrial fibrillation. During a mean follow-up of 149 ± 61 days, 432 patients (32.1%) reached the composite end point of death, in-hospital worsening HF, or HF rehospitalization by 30 days, and 135 patients (10.4%) died by 90 days, with a worse outcome in elderly patients in both cases. At multivariable analysis, different variables were related with each of these outcomes in elderly compared with younger patients. Regarding deaths at 90 days, plasma urea nitrogen and hemoglobin levels were predictive only in the younger patients, whereas respiratory rate and albumin levels were associated with mortality only in the older patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Elderly patients with acute HF have different clinical characteristics and poorer outcomes. Prognostic variables differ in elderly compared with younger patients.

[New trial designs and potential therapies for pulmonary artery hypertension]

A greater understanding of the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and pathophysiology of pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) has led to significant advances, but the disease remains fatal. Treatment options are neither universally available nor always effective, underscoring the need for development of novel therapies and therapeutic strategies. Clinical trials to date have provided evidence of efficacy, but were limited in evaluating the scope and duration of treatment effects. Numerous potential targets in varied stages of drug development exist, in addition to novel uses of familiar therapies. The pursuit of gene and cell-based therapy continues, and device use to help acute deterioration and chronic management is emerging. This rapid surge of drug development has led to multicenter pivotal clinical trials and has resulted in novel ethical and global clinical trial I concerns. This paper will provide an overview of the opportunities and challenges that await the development of novel treatments for PAH. (J Am Coil Cardiol 2013;62:D82-91) ©2013 by the American College of Cardiology Foundation.

New trial designs and potential therapies for pulmonary artery hypertension

A greater understanding of the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and pathophysiology of pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) has led to significant advances, but the disease remains fatal. Treatment options are neither universally available nor always effective, underscoring the need for development of novel therapies and therapeutic strategies. Clinical trials to date have provided evidence of efficacy, but were limited in evaluating the scope and duration of treatment effects. Numerous potential targets in varied stages of drug development exist, in addition to novel uses of familiar therapies. The pursuit of gene and cell-based therapy continues, and device use to help acute deterioration and chronic management is emerging. This rapid surge of drug development has led to multicenter pivotal clinical trials and has resulted in novel ethical and global clinical trial concerns. This paper will provide an overview of the opportunities and challenges that await the development of novel treatments for PAH.

Effects of tezosentan on symptoms and clinical outcomes in patients with acute heart failure: the VERITAS randomized controlled trials

CONTEXT

Plasma concentrations of the vasoconstrictor peptide endothelin-1 are increased in patients with heart failure, and higher concentrations are associated with worse outcomes. Tezosentan is an intravenous short-acting endothelin receptor antagonist that has favorable hemodynamic actions in heart failure.

OBJECTIVE

To determine if tezosentan improves outcomes in patients with acute heart failure.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

The Value of Endothelin Receptor Inhibition With Tezosentan in Acute Heart Failure Studies, 2 independent, identical, and concurrent randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trials conducted from April 2003 through January 2005 at sites in Australia, Europe, Israel, and North America. Patients admitted within the previous 24 hours with persisting dyspnea and a respiratory rate of 24/min or greater were eligible provided they fulfilled 2 of 4 criteria: (1) elevated plasma concentrations of B-type or N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, (2) clinical pulmonary edema, (3) radiologic pulmonary congestion or edema, or (4) left ventricular systolic dysfunction.

INTERVENTION

Infusion of tezosentan (5 mg/h for 30 minutes, followed by 1 mg/h for 24 to 72 hours [n = 730]) or placebo (n = 718).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The coprimary end points were change in dyspnea (measured at 3, 6, and 24 hours using a visual analog scale from 0-100) over 24 hours (as area under the curve) in the individual trials and incidence of death or worsening heart failure at 7 days in both trials combined.

RESULTS

Of the 1435 patients who received treatment as assigned, 855 (60%) were men; mean age was 70 years. Mean left ventricular ejection fraction (measured in 779 patients [54%]) was 29% (SD, 11%). Baseline dyspnea scores were similar in the 2 treatment groups. Tezosentan did not improve dyspnea more than placebo in either trial, with a mean treatment difference of -12 (95% confidence interval [CI], -105 to 81) mm . h (P = .80) in the first trial and -25 (95% CI, -119 to 69) mm x h (P = .60) in the second. The incidence of death or worsening heart failure at 7 days in the combined trials was 26% in each treatment group (odds ratio, 0.99; 95% confidence interval, 0.82-1.21; P = .95).

CONCLUSION

The endothelin receptor antagonist tezosentan did not improve symptoms or clinical outcomes in patients with acute heart failure.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

clinicaltrials.gov Identifiers: NCT00525707 (VERITAS-1) and NCT00524433 (VERITAS-2).

Clinical and Hemodynamic Effects of Bosentan Dose Optimization in Symptomatic Heart Failure Patients with Severe Systolic Dysfunction, Associated with Secondary Pulmonary Hypertension – A Multi-Center Randomized Study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of bosentan on echo-derived hemodynamic measurements, and clinical variables in symptomatic heart failure (HF) patients.

METHOD

Multi- center, double-blind, randomized (2:1), placebo-controlled study comparing bosentan (8-125 mg b.i.d.) to placebo in patients with New York Heart Association class IIIb-IV HF, left ventricular ejection fraction <35% and systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) >40 mm Hg. Primary and secondary endpoints were change from baseline to 20 weeks in SPAP and cardiac index, respectively. Safety endpoints were treatment emergent adverse events (AEs), change in body weight, hemoglobin, hematocrit, systolic blood pressure and diuretic use.

RESULTS

Ninety-four patients enrolled: 60 to bosentan, 34 to placebo. There was no significant difference between the 2 arms in SPAP change (0.1 +/- 11.5 mm Hg , 95% confidence limit (CL) -5.4 to 5.2, p = 0.97), cardiac index shift (0.12 +/- 0.45, 95% CL -0.09 to 0.33 , p = 0.24 ) or any of the other 22 echocardiographic measurements obtained. Therapy-duration was longer in the placebo arm, while more patients in the bosentan arm experienced adverse and serious AEs.

CONCLUSION

In HF patients with left ventricular dysfunction and secondary pulmonary hypertension, bosentan did not provide any measurable hemodynamic benefit, and was associated with more frequent AEs, requiring drug discontinuation.

Echocardiographic ejection fraction in patients with acute heart failure: correlations with hemodynamic, clinical, and neurohormonal measures and short-term outcome

BACKGROUND

Although echocardiographic ejection fraction (EF) is frequently used for the estimation of left ventricular contractility in patients with acute heart failure, its exact role and correlations with clinical, hemodynamic, and neurohormonal variables of cardiac contractility is not known.

METHODS

Patients (343) with acute heart failure, enrolled into two prospective placebo-controlled hemodynamic studies of tezosentan, and in whom EF was available at baseline, were included. Outcome was evaluated in a subset of 94 patients who were enrolled in the placebo arms of the studies.

RESULTS

Higher echocardiographic EF was correlated with older age, increased incidence of hypertension and atrial fibrillation, and female gender. We observed weak correlation between EF and cardiac output or cardiac power and no correlation with wedge pressure, and the change in hemodynamic variables over time. Higher EF was correlated with more baseline leukocytosis and higher plasma levels of endothelin-1 and blood urea nitrogen, while lower EF was related to higher baseline B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP). We observed no overall correlations between EF and outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with acute heart failure, echocardiographic EF is weakly correlated with hemodynamic measures of left ventricular contractility and outcome; hence, it should be interpreted cautiously when evaluating patients admitted due to acute heart failure.

Survival in patients with class III idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension treated with first line oral bosentan compared with an historical cohort of patients started on intravenous epoprostenol

BACKGROUND

The oral dual endothelin receptor antagonist bosentan improves exercise capacity and delays clinical worsening in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, but its use could delay starting intravenous epoprostenol, a life saving treatment.

METHODS

Survival in patients with functional class III idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) treated with bosentan in clinical trials was compared with historical data from similar patients treated with epoprostenol in the clinic. Statistical methods were used to adjust for possible underlying differences between the two groups.

RESULTS

Baseline factors for the 139 patients treated with bosentan and the 346 treated with epoprostenol suggested that the epoprostenol cohort had more severe disease-that is, a lower cardiac index (2.01 v 2.39 l/min/m2) and higher pressures and resistance. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates after 1 and 2 years were 97% and 91%, respectively, in the bosentan cohort and 91% and 84% in the epoprostenol cohort. Cox regression analyses adjusting for differences in baseline factors showed a greater probability of death in the epoprostenol cohort (hazard ratio 2.2 (95% confidence interval 1.2 to 4.0) in the model adjusted for haemodynamics). Alternative regression analyses and analyses to adjust for different data collection dates gave consistently similar results. When matched cohorts of 83 patients each were selected, survival estimates were similar. In the bosentan cohort 87% and 75% of patients followed for 1 and 2 years, respectively, remained on monotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

No evidence was found to suggest that initial treatment with oral bosentan, followed by or with the addition of other treatment if needed, adversely affected the long term outcome compared with initial intravenous epoprostenol in patients with class III idiopathic PAH.

Tezosentan in patients with acute heart failure: design of the Value of Endothelin Receptor Inhibition with Tezosentan in Acute heart failure Study (VERITAS)

BACKGROUND

Endothelin 1 is a potent endogenous vasoconstrictor neurohormone, and endothelin 1 plasma concentrations predict adverse outcomes in patients with acute heart failure (AHF). Tezosentan, an intravenous endothelin receptor antagonist, improved hemodynamics in patients with AHF; however, its effects on morbidity and mortality have not been evaluated.

METHODS

The VERITAS program consists of 2 identical, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, concurrently conducted trials (VERITAS-1 and VERITAS-2), performed in 150 centers in Europe, Israel, Australia, and North America. The program is designed to enroll at least 1760 patients hospitalized with dyspnea at rest because of AHF requiring intravenous therapy. In addition to conventional therapy, patients are randomized to receive tezosentan (5 mg/h for 30 minutes, then 1 mg/h for 24-72 hours) or matching placebo. The 2 prespecified primary end points are the incidence of death or worsening heart failure at 7 days in the combined studies and the change from baseline in dyspnea over the first 24 hours of treatment, measured using a visual analog scale in VERITAS-1 and VERITAS-2, individually.

RESULTS

Enrollment started in April 2003, and the program was discontinued in November 2005 because of the low probability of achieving a significant treatment effect.

CONCLUSIONS

No currently available agents have been shown in a prospective, randomized, clinical trial to improve outcomes in patients with AHF. Thus, the VERITAS program will provide valuable insights into the effect of tezosentan on clinical outcomes in patients with AHF, as well as hemodynamics and clinical symptoms.

The hemodynamic and neurohormonal effects of low doses of tezosentan (an endothelin A/B receptor antagonist) in patients with acute heart failure

BACKGROUND

In previous studies (the RITZ project), tezosentan, an intravenous (i.v.)-balanced dual endothelin (ET-A/B) antagonist, in doses of 50 and 100 mg/h, improved the hemodynamics but not the clinical outcome of patients with acute heart failure (AHF).

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of lower doses of tezosentan in patients with AHF.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Included were 130 patients hospitalized due to AHF with dyspnea at rest, despite initial treatment, and were in need of hemodynamic monitoring with cardiac index (CI)<2.5 l/min/m(2) and wedge pressure > or = 20 mm Hg. Patients were randomized in a double-blind fashion to receive placebo or tezosentan: 0.2, 1, 5, or 25 mg/h for 24 h.

RESULTS

The primary endpoint of the study, CI increase at 6 h of treatment, was significant in the 5 and 25 mg/h groups. Tezosentan induced a dose-dependent increase in CI and a decrease in wedge pressure, peaking after 3 h in the 5 and 25 mg/h groups. In the 1 mg/h group, this effect was smaller during the first 6 h and increased gradually, becoming significant at 24 h and beyond treatment discontinuation. There was no hemodynamic effect in the 0.2 mg/h arm. Type-B natriuretic peptide (BNP) decreased in the 1, 5, and 25 mg/h groups but not on placebo. Endothelin levels were significantly increased by the 5 and 25 mg/h groups but not in the lower (< or = 1 mg/h) tezosentan doses. Urine output decreased on the 25 mg/h dose. There was a trend towards improvement in patients' subjective dyspnea score and worsening heart failure events, mainly in the 1 mg/h group.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients admitted with AHF, tezosentan doses of 1-25 mg/h are efficacious in improving the hemodynamics and reducing BNP. Tezosentan doses beyond 1 mg/h increased plasma endothelin levels and reduced urine output, probably limiting their clinical efficacy, as compared to tezosentan 1 mg/h.

Survival with first-line bosentan in patients with primary pulmonary hypertension

Primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) is a progressive disease with high mortality. Administration of i.v. epoprostenol has demonstrated improved exercise tolerance, haemodynamics, and survival. The orally active, dual endothelin receptor antagonist bosentan improves exercise endurance, haemodynamics, and functional class over the short term. To determine the effect of first-line bosentan therapy on survival, this study followed 169 patients with PPH treated with bosentan in two placebo-controlled trials and their extensions. Data on survival and alternative treatments were collected from September 1999 (start of the first placebo-controlled study) to December 31, 2002. Observed survival up to 36 months was reported as Kaplan-Meier estimates and compared with predicted survival as determined for each patient by the National Institutes of Health Registry formula. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates were 96% at 12 months and 89% at 24 months. In contrast, predicted survival was 69% and 57%, respectively. In addition, at the end of 12 and 24 months, 85% and 70% of patients, respectively, remained alive and on bosentan monotherapy. Factors that predicted a worse outcome included World Health Organization Functional Class IV and 6-min walk distance below the median (358 m) at baseline. First-line bosentan therapy was found to improve survival in patients with advanced primary pulmonary hypertension.

Digital ulcers in systemic sclerosis: Prevention by treatment with bosentan, an oral endothelin receptor antagonist

OBJECTIVE

Recurrent digital ulcers are a manifestation of vascular disease in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc; scleroderma) and lead to pain, impaired function, and tissue loss. We investigated whether treatment with the endothelin receptor antagonist, bosentan, decreased the development of new digital ulcers in patients with SSc.

METHODS

This was a randomized, prospective, placebo-controlled, double-blind study of 122 patients at 17 centers in Europe and North America, evaluating the effect of treatment on prevention of digital ulcers. The primary outcome variable was the number of new digital ulcers developing during the 16-week study period. Secondary assessments included healing of existing digital ulcers and evaluation of hand function using the Scleroderma Health Assessment Questionnaire.

RESULTS

Patients receiving bosentan had a 48% reduction in the mean number of new ulcers during the treatment period (1.4 versus 2.7 new ulcers; P = 0.0083). Patients who had digital ulcers at the time of entry in the study were at higher risk for the development of new ulcers; in this subgroup the mean number of new ulcers was reduced from 3.6 to 1.8 (P = 0.0075). In patients receiving bosentan, a statistically significant improvement in hand function was observed. There was no difference between treatment groups in the healing of existing ulcers. Serum transaminase levels were elevated to >3-fold the upper limit of normal in bosentan-treated patients; this elevation is comparable with that observed in previous studies of this agent. Other side effects were similar in the 2 treatment groups.

CONCLUSION

Endothelins may play an important role in the pathogenesis of vascular disease in patients with SSc. Treatment with the endothelin receptor antagonist bosentan may be effective in preventing new digital ulcers and improving hand function in patients with SSc.

Hemodynamic and clinical effects of tezosentan, an intravenous dual endothelin receptor antagonist, in patients hospitalized for acute decompensated heart failure

OBJECTIVES

We sought to investigate the efficacy and safety of tezosentan, a dual endothelin receptor antagonist, in patients hospitalized for acute heart failure (HF).

BACKGROUND

Tezosentan has been previously shown to improve hemodynamics in patients with stable chronic HF.

METHODS

In a double-blind fashion, 292 patients (cardiac index < or =2.5 l/min per m(2) and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) > or =15 mm Hg) who were admitted to the hospital and in need of intravenous treatment for acute HF and central hemodynamic monitoring were randomized to 24-h intravenous treatment with tezosentan (50 or 100 mg/h) or placebo. Central hemodynamic variables, the dyspnea score, and safety variables were measured.

RESULTS

After 6 h of treatment, significantly greater increases in the cardiac index and decreases in PCWP were observed with both tezosentan dosages than with placebo (mean treatment effects at 0.38 and 0.37 l/min per m(2) with 50 and 100 mg/h and -3.9 mm Hg for each dose, respectively; p < 0.0001). This effect was maintained during the remaining infusion and for > or =6 h after treatment cessation. A tendency for an improved dyspnea score and a decreased risk of clinical worsening was observed after 24 h of treatment with each tezosentan dose. Adverse events, more frequent with tezosentan than with placebo (headache, asymptomatic hypotension, early worsening of renal function, nausea, vomiting), were dose-related.

CONCLUSIONS

Intravenous tezosentan rapidly and effectively improved hemodynamics in these patients. The similar beneficial effects of the two dosages and the increased dose-related adverse events with the higher dosage suggest that the optimal dosing regimen is <50 mg/h.

Tezosentan in patients with acute heart failure and acute coronary syndromes: results of the Randomized Intravenous TeZosentan Study (RITZ-4)

OBJECTIVES

We sought to determine the effect of tezosentan in patients with acute decompensated heart failure (HF) associated with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

BACKGROUND

Tezosentan is a dual endothelin receptor antagonist that has been shown to improve cardiac output, decrease pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, and reduce pulmonary and systemic vascular resistance in initial clinical studies in acute decompensated HF.

METHODS

The Randomized Intravenous TeZosentan (RITZ)-4 study was a multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study of tezosentan in patients with acute decompensated HF associated with ACS. A total of 193 patients were randomized to receive tezosentan (25 mg/h for 1 h, then 50 mg/h for 23 to 47 h) or placebo. Patients with evidence of acute decompensated HF and ACS were eligible to participate. The primary end point was the composite of death, worsening HF, recurrent ischemia, and recurrent or new myocardial infarction within 72 h.

RESULTS

No significant differences were observed between placebo and 50 mg/h tezosentan in the composite primary end point: 24.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] 16.0% to 34.1%) and 28.9% (95% CI 20.1% to 39.0%), respectively (p = 0.5152). Symptomatic hypotension was more frequent in the treatment group.

CONCLUSIONS

At the doses studied, tezosentan did not result in a significant improvement in the composite primary clinical end point in the RITZ-4 trial. Tezosentan did not demonstrate pro-ischemic effects in this population. Symptomatic hypotension may have resulted in an increased number of adverse events in the treatment group. Further studies with lower tezosentan doses are warranted.

Effects of the oral endothelin-receptor antagonist bosentan on echocardiographic and doppler measures in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of bosentan (125 or 250 mg twice daily) on echocardiographic and Doppler variables in 85 patients with World Health Organization class III or IV pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

BACKGROUND

Bosentan, an orally active dual endothelin-receptor antagonist, improves symptoms, exercise capacity, and hemodynamics in patients with PAH.

METHODS

Patients had primary pulmonary hypertension (84%) or PAH associated with connective tissue disease. Of these, 29 patients received placebo and 56 received bosentan (1:2 randomization). Six-minute walk tests and echocardiograms were performed at baseline and after 16 weeks of treatment.

RESULTS

Baseline characteristics were similar in the placebo and bosentan groups, and echocardiographic and Doppler findings were consistent with marked abnormalities of right ventricular (RV) and left ventricular (LV) structure and function that were due to PAH. The treatment effect on 6-min walking distance was 37 m in favor of bosentan (p = 0.036). Treatment effects of bosentan compared with placebo on other parameters were as follows: Doppler-derived cardiac index = +0.4 l/min/m(2) (p = 0.007), LV early diastolic filling velocity = +10.5 cm/s (p = 0.003), LV end-diastolic area = +4.2 cm(2) (p = 0.003), LV systolic eccentricity index = -0.12 (p = 0.047), RV end-systolic area = -2.3 cm(2) (p = 0.057), RV:LV diastolic areas ratio = -0.64 (p = 0.007), Doppler RV index = -0.06 (p = 0.03), and percentage of patients with an improvement in pericardial effusion score = 17% (p = 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Bosentan improves RV systolic function and LV early diastolic filling and leads to a decrease in RV dilation and an increase in LV size in patients with PAH.

Long-term intravenous epoprostenol infusion in primary pulmonary hypertension: prognostic factors and survival

OBJECTIVES

We sought to determine the factors associated with long-term survival in patients with primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) treated with continuous epoprostenol infusion.

BACKGROUND

Epoprostenol improves survival in patients with PPH in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class III or IV. However, some patients do not benefit from epoprostenol and must be considered for lung transplantation. The best timing for listing these patients on a lung transplantation program is currently unknown.

METHODS

Between December 1992 and January 2001, 178 patients with PPH in NYHA functional class III or IV were treated with epoprostenol. The 6-min walk test (WT) and right-sided heart catheterization were performed at baseline, after three months on epoprostenol and thereafter once a year.

RESULTS

Overall survival rates at one, two, three, and five years were 85%, 70%, 63%, and 55%, respectively. On univariate analysis, the baseline variables associated with a poor outcome were a history of right-sided heart failure, NYHA functional class IV, 6-min WT <or=250 m (median value), right atrial pressure >or=12 mm Hg, and mean pulmonary artery pressure <65 mm Hg. On multivariate analysis, including both baseline variables and those measured after three months on epoprostenol, a history of right-sided heart failure, persistence of NYHA functional class III or IV at three months, and the absence of a fall in total pulmonary resistance of >30%, relative to baseline, were associated with poor survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Survival of patients with PPH treated with epoprostenol depends on the severity at baseline, as well as the three-month response to therapy. These findings suggest that lung transplantation should be considered in a subset of patients who remain in NYHA functional class III or IV or in those who cannot achieve a significant hemodynamic improvement after three months of epoprostenol therapy, or both.

Presence of cystic fibrosis-related diabetes mellitus is tightly linked to poor lung function in patients with cystic fibrosis: data from the European Epidemiologic Registry of Cystic Fibrosis

Data derived from a cross-sectional analysis of 7,566 patients stratified into six age groups were used to compare lung function, body mass index (BMI), and weight for age in patients with and without cystic fibrosis-related diabetes mellitus (CFDM). The presence of CFDM was tightly linked to poor lung function, regardless of age. The mean value of FEV(1) % predicted in the age groups < 10, 10-< 15, 15-< 20, 20-< 25, 25-< 30, and 30 years or older were 87%, 77%, 69%, 58%, 55%, and 53% in the nondiabetic cystic fibrosis (CF) patients as compared to 79%, 66%, 55%, 49%, 46%, and 44% in the diabetic CF patients. BMI and weight for age were also lower in diabetic than nondiabetic CF patients in all age groups, except for BMI in the youngest patients. The difference in lung function and in nutritional parameters between diabetic and nondiabetic CF patients was not linked to presence or absence of any specific pathogen in the lower respiratory tract. These results confirm and extend those of earlier studies in smaller numbers of patients, and they clearly identify CFDM as a powerful determinant of severe lung disease and reduced survival in patients with CF and diabetes mellitus.

Effects of the dual endothelin-receptor antagonist bosentan in patients with pulmonary hypertension: a randomised placebo-controlled study

BACKGROUND

Endothelin 1, a powerful endogenous vasoconstrictor and mitogen, might be a cause of pulmonary hypertension. We describe the efficacy and safety of bosentan, a dual endothelin-receptor antagonist that can be taken orally, in patients with severe pulmonary hypertension.

METHODS

In this double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 32 patients with pulmonary hypertension (primary or associated with scleroderma) were randomly assigned to bosentan (62.5mg taken twice daily for 4 weeks then 125 mg twice daily) or placebo for a minimum of 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was change in exercise capacity. Secondary endpoints included changes in cardiopulmonary haemodynamics, Borg dyspnoea index, WHO functional class, and withdrawal due to clinical worsening. Analysis was by intention to treat.

FINDINGS

In patients given bosentan, the distance walked in 6 min improved by 70 m at 12 weeks compared with baseline, whereas it worsened by 6 m in those on placebo (difference 76 m [95% CI 12-139], p=0.021). The improvement was maintained for at least 20 weeks. The cardiac index was 1.0 L min(-1) m(-2) (95% CI 0.6-1.4, p<0.0001) greater in patients given bosentan than in those given placebo. Pulmonary vascular resistance decreased by 223 dyn s cm(-)(5) with bosentan, but increased by 191 dyn s cm(-5) with placebo (difference -415 [-608 to -221], p=0.0002). Patients given bosentan had a reduced Borg dyspnoea index and an improved WHO functional class. All three withdrawals from clinical worsening were in the placebo group (p=0.033). The number and nature of adverse events did not differ between the two groups.

INTERPRETATION

Bosentan increases exercise capacity and improves haemodynamics in patients with pulmonary hypertension, suggesting that endothelin has an important role in pulmonary hypertension.

Factors associated with poor pulmonary function: cross-sectional analysis of data from the ERCF. European Epidemiologic Registry of Cystic Fibrosis

The European Epidemiologic Registry of Cystic Fibrosis began collecting longitudinal data on European cystic fibrosis patients in 1994. A cross-sectional analysis was performed to identify the factors associated with low values of % predicted forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) upon patient enrollment. Data from 7,010 patients aged > or =6 yrs were included. Clinical conditions, microbiological isolates and medications reported at enrollment or within the following 180 days were analysed for age-specific associations. Factors associated with FEV1 that were lower by >10% of pred values were: lower weight for age percentiles, haemoptysis, pneumothorax, pulmonary symptoms at presentation, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Burkholderia cepacia, oral corticosteroids, nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs, dornase alfa, oxygen and assisted ventilation and, in patients >12 yrs old only, use of airway clearance techniques, inhaled bronchodilators, oral nutritional supplements, pancreatic enzymes and insulin or oral hypoglycaemics. Slightly impaired lung function (5-10%) was associated with: diabetes (> or = 18-yrs-old), gastro-oesophageal reflux, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, asthma-like symptoms, portal hypertension, Aspergillus spp. and Candida spp. Sex, Haemophilus influenzae and Staphylococcus aureus were not associated with impaired pulmonary status. Regular exercise (especially in older patients) and nasal polyposis were associated with slightly better FEV1. The results confirm those of previous studies and suggest selective prescribing in sicker patients.

A case-controlled study with dornase alfa to evaluate impact on disease progression over a 4-year period

BACKGROUND

Chronic endobronchial sepsis and profuse airway secretions dominate pulmonary disease in cystic fibrosis. Recombinant human DNase I (dornase alfa) reduces the viscoelasticity of airway secretions and hence may improve clearance of airway secretions.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the long-term influence of dornase alfa on disease progression by performing a case-controlled study with dornase alfa over a period of 4 years.

METHODS

A cohort of patients with cystic fibrosis who have been treated with dornase alfa were matched with a control group of patients with cystic fibrosis who had not received treatment with dornase alfa. The patients were matched by pulmonary function, age, and then sex. All available measurements of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), height, weight and sputum bacteriology were collected for periods when the patients were free from respiratory exacerbations.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight patients were matched. Slopes of median changes in FEV1 were -2.19 (-3.32, -1.06) in the control group and -0.75 (-1.87, 0.36) in the dornase alfa-treated group (p = 0.076). There were more infective exacerbations per patient year in the control group [3.13 (1.25-4.25)] in comparison to the dornase alfa group [1.25 (0.63-3.0), p = 0.035] over the 4-year treatment period. Antibiotic requirements were also greater with a median 43.75 (17.5-60.0) days of intravenous antibiotic use per patient year in the control group and 16.25 (8.5-44.0) days in the dornase alfa group (p = 0.034).

CONCLUSIONS

The trends suggest that dornase alfa may have some influence on disease progression but in view of the limitations of the current study the need for further long-term studies in larger cohorts of patients is emphasised.

European Epidemiologic Registry of Cystic Fibrosis (ERCF): comparison of major disease manifestations between patients with different classes of mutations

SUMMARY. By August 1997, 11,749 patients with cystic fibrosis had been enrolled in the European Epidemiologic Registry of Cystic Fibrosis (ERCF). Genotype analysis had been performed on 8,963 (76%) of these patients, and the majority had one or two identifiable mutations. Patients with known mutations were classified according to the type of mutation (Classes I-V), and were grouped according to the class of mutation on both chromosomes. This resulted in six subgroups, including all patients homozygous for Class I (I/I, n = 72), for Class II (II/II, n = 5,020), and for Class III mutations, (III/III, n = 23). Since there were only 23 patients homozygous for Class III mutations, a fourth group was made up of patients who were compound heterozygous for a Class II and III mutation (II/III, n = 265). There were only five patients homozygous for Class IV mutations, and consequently a fifth group was made up of all patients carrying at least one Class IV mutation, regardless of the nature of the mutation on the other chromosome (IV/any, n = 187). None were homozygous for Class V mutations; consequently, a sixth group consisted of patients carrying at least one Class V mutation (V/any, n = 22). Mean age was highest in groups III/III, IV/any, and V/any (15.6, 16, and 17 years, respectively) as opposed to 12.4 years in group II/II and 13.4 in group II/III, but both group III/III and V/any were small, and the confidence interval of the mean was large. The percentage of patients receiving pancreatic enzymes was lower in groups IV/any and V/any than in any of the other groups, i.e., approximately 50% of patients 18 years or older in both groups as opposed to between 90-100% of all other patients regardless of age. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus increased with age from 2.6% in patients < 18 years to 22.1% in patients 18 years or older in the large group II/II, but was only 1.5% in patients 18 years or older in group IV/any. Disregarding the small group III/III, abnormally elevated liver enzymes and/or bilirubin (1.5 x upper normal limit) was much less frequent in group IV/any than in any of the other groups, both overall and in patients aged 18 years or more. The course of lung disease appeared to be less dependent on genotype than pancreatic function, with only minor differences between groups; however, the mean values of both FVC % and FEV(1) % were slightly higher in group IV/any than all other groups in both younger and older patients. The same was found for the prevalence of some major clinical signs of severe lung disease, such as clubbing, hyperinflation, and crepitations. Overall mean weight expressed as an age percentile was markedly higher in group IV/any than in any other group, which may be related to the finding of a much lower prevalence of chronic P. aeruginosa infection in patients 18 years or older belonging to group IV/any (and V/any) than in any other group. In conclusion, the presence of a class IV mutation appears to offer some degree of protection against pancreatic insufficiency, diabetes mellitus, and liver disease. We confirmed that lung disease follows a milder clinical course in patients with a class IV mutation and that the presence of a class IV mutation (and possibly class V) is associated with a delay in the onset of P. aeruginosa infection.

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis in cystic fibrosis. A European epidemiological study. Epidemiologic Registry of Cystic Fibrosis

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a disease resulting from a hypersensitivity response to Aspergillus fumigatus, although the pathogenesis of the disease is unknown and its prevalence in cystic fibrosis (CF) is still poorly defined. Data from the Epidemiologic Registry of Cystic Fibrosis (ERCF) on 12,447 CF patients gathered from 224 CF centres in nine European countries were analysed. The ERCF definition of ABPA diagnosis is a positive skin test and serum precipitins to A. fumigatus, together with serum immunoglobulin (Ig)E levels >1,000 U x mL(-1) and additional clinical or laboratory parameters. The overall prevalence of ABPA in the ERCF population was 7.8% (range: 2.1% in Sweden to 13.6% in Belgium). Prevalence was low <6 yrs of age but was almost constant approximately 10% thereafter. No sex differences were observed. ABPA affected 8.0% of patients with a deltaF508/deltaF508 genotype and 5-6% with deltaF508/G551D, deltaF508/G542X and deltaF508/N1303K genotypes. ABPA patients presented a lower forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) than those without ABPA at any age and the prevalence ranged from 6.6% in patients with FEV1 > or =20-12.9% in those with FEV1 <40%. ABPA was associated with higher rates of microbial colonization, pneumothorax and massive haemoptysis, and with higher IgG serum levels and poorer nutritional status. A mixed model regression analysis of lung function showed that FEVI decline during the follow-up period was not substantially different in ABPA patients compared with non-ABPA patients for any subgroups based on age or disease severity at enrollment. To conclude, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis is a frequent complication in cystic fibrosis patients, particularly after the age of 6 yrs, and it is generally associated with a poorer clinical condition. However, any clear independent influence of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis on the rate of lung function decline in the short term was not shown.

The detection of antibodies to recombinant interferon alfa-2a in human serum

Three different procedures have been used for detecting antibodies to Roferon-A (recombinant human interferon alfa-2a, rHuIFN alpha-2a) in the serum of patients who received this interferon as part of ongoing clinical trials: an antiviral neutralization bioassay (ANB), the standard method recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), and the more recently developed radioimmunoassay (RIA) and enzymeimmunoassay (EIA). Although the three tests are based on different principles, the correlation among them was excellent. The assays show differences in sensitivities with the ANB being the least sensitive of the three. The EIA equals the RIA in sensitivity, reproducibility, accuracy and labor and provides the advantage of safety and convenience in the use of non-radioactive materials. Therefore, the EIA has been selected as the most suitable assay for initial screening of the sera of patients receiving Roferon-A for the presence of antibodies to this interferon. EIA positive sera are then tested in the ANB to determine whether or not neutralizing activities are present.

Structural analysis of a set of socioeconomic indexes as an aid in defining the socioeconomic level of a family: results from an italian multicentric survey

The study of possible associations between social and health factors was one of the purposes of the multicentric Italian survey of perinatal preventive medicine. To get a concise and coherent social indicator, which could be useful to this study, we explored the socioeconomic information systematically collected on the parents of 12,058 babies born in 1973-1975 in four centres (Trieste, Milan, Parma and Bari), which reflect some of the heterogeneous aspects of Italy. The Correspondence analysis indicated that the seven considered indexes, concerning both parents' education levels and occupations, dwelling quality and the length of father's residence in the area in which the baby was born, were highly and similarly correlated in each centre. The Dynamic cluster analysis enabled us to bring together the socioeconomic profiles of the families into six classes, on the basis of their similarities, which depend only upon the multivariate distribution of the seven categorical variables under study. Therefore, the attained classification not only is independent of whatever score is assigned to the socioeconomic categories but also allows for the strong interactions between the variables and exploits all the available information. Our six classes were found to be rather similar to the six socioeconomic groups (S.E.G.) of the U.K. Registrar General and to show some resemblance to certain social groups defined by other classifications adopted in obstetric and pediatric field. The socioeconomic indicator constructed here should enable us to find out how much, in different areas of Italy, the social classes may account for inequalities in health conditions and care of the mother and her baby.