Comparison between a single dose of PEG G-CSF and multiple doses of non-PEG G-CSF: a systematic review and meta-analysis from Clinical Practice Guidelines for the use of G-CSF 2022

BACKGROUD

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is widely used for the primary prophylaxis of febrile neutropenia (FN). Two types of G-CSF are available in Japan, namely G-CSF chemically bound to polyethylene glycol (PEG G-CSF), which provides long-lasting effects with a single dose, and non-polyethylene glycol-bound G-CSF (non-PEG G-CSF), which must be sequentially administrated for several days.

METHODS

This current study investigated the utility of these treatments for the primary prophylaxis of FN through a systematic review of the literature. A detailed literature search for related studies was performed using PubMed, Ichushi-Web, and the Cochrane Library. Data were independently extracted and assessed by two reviewers. A qualitative analysis or meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate six outcomes.

RESULTS

Through the first and second screenings, 23 and 18 articles were extracted for qualitative synthesis and meta-analysis, respectively. The incidence of FN was significantly lower in the PEG G-CSF group than in the non-PEG G-CSF group with a strong quality/certainty of evidence. The differences in other outcomes, such as overall survival, infection-related mortality, the duration of neutropenia (less than 500/μL), quality of life, and pain, were not apparent.

CONCLUSIONS

A single dose of PEG G-CSF is strongly recommended over multiple-dose non-PEG G-CSF therapy for the primary prophylaxis of FN.

Sertaconazole 300 mg versus clotrimazole 500 mg vaginal suppository for treating pregnant women with acute vaginal candidiasis: a double-blinded, randomized trial

BACKGROUND

Vaginal candidiasis (VC) commonly affects pregnant women. Traditionally, clotrimazole vaginal tablets (CLO) have been the cornerstone of management. However, sertaconazole ovules (SER) offer a novel topical antimycotic option. This double-blinded, randomized trial evaluated the efficacy of single-dose SER and CLO in treating acute VC during pregnancy.

METHODS

From June 2020 to May 2021, this trial recruited pregnant women aged ≥ 18 years with VC symptoms (abnormal vaginal discharge and/or vulvar/vaginal itching) confirmed by microscopy. Participants with ≥ 4 VC episodes in the prior year, immunocompromised status, or imidazole contraindications and those who were absent at the 2-week follow-up were excluded. Participants were randomized to receive either 300 mg SER or 500 mg CLO. Evaluations 2 weeks after the initial medication administration included clinical cure (self-reported resolution of all symptoms), microscopic cure (pseudohyphal absence), patient satisfaction, side effects, and time to clinical cure. Participants with persistent VC received weekly SER doses until delivery. Assessments of recurrence and pregnancy outcomes were done.

RESULTS

The analysis included 96 participants (48 per group, mean age 27.4 ± 7.4 years, gestational age at diagnosis 22.9 ± 6.4 weeks). Without statistical significance, SER achieved a higher clinical cure rate (62.5% vs 50%, p = 0.217; a mean difference of 12.5%, 95%CI: -17.5% to 42.5%; and a rate ratio of 1.25, 95%CI: 0.71 to 2.23) and a lower microscopic cure (47.9% vs. 62.5%, p = 0.151; a mean difference of -14.6%, 95%CI: -44.3% to 15.1%; and a rate ratio of 0.77, 95%CI: 0.43 to 1.37). The two groups had comparable times to clinical cure (SER: 3.1 ± 1.8 days, CLO: 3.4 ± 2.7 days; p = 0.848) and substantial satisfaction rates (SER: 66.7%, CLO: 60.4%; p = 0.753). No side effects were reported. Of 60 participants who gave birth at Siriraj Hospital, there were no significant differences in pregnancy outcomes. Repeated SER dosing eradicated symptoms and enhanced the microscopic cure rate. Recurrence was observed in four SER and two CLO participants within 1-2 months.

CONCLUSION

In the treatment of acute VC during pregnancy, 300 mg SER and 500 mg CLO exhibited comparable efficacy in terms of clinical and microscopic cure rates, satisfaction, side effects, time to clinical cure, recurrence rates, and pregnancy outcomes.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

TCTR20190308004 (registration date March 8, 2019).

Efficacy and safety of postoperative single-dose anticoagulant treatment in preventing venous thromboembolism after revision hip arthroplasty: a retrospective cohort study

PURPOSE

The purpose of the study is to determine the efficacy and safety of postoperative single-dose anticoagulant treatment in preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) after revision THA, in comparison with a multiple-dose chemoprophylaxis protocol.

METHODS

We retrospectively compared 295 patients undergoing revision THA who received multiple-dose chemoprophylaxis protocol (40 mg low-molecular-weight heparin once and oral rivaroxaban for 10 days) or single-dose chemoprophylaxis protocol (40 mg low-molecular-weight heparin once) for VTE. The patients in both groups performed active lower limb exercises. Each group was further stratified into subgroups based on the aetiology of revision. The incidence of VTE, wound complications within three months, hidden blood loss (HBL), transfusion rate, and surgical drainage duration were recorded.

RESULTS

The incidence rates of VTE (P = 0.870) did not differ between the two prophylaxis protocols. However, significant differences were observed in wound complications within three months (P = 0.002), HBL (P = 0.015), transfusion rate (P = 0.028). Surgical drainage duration was also shorter in the single-dose chemoprophylaxis group (P = 0.0023). In the subgroup analysis, the use of single-dose chemoprophylaxis protocol cannot significantly reduce HBL and transfusion rate after septic revision THA. The use of multiple-dose chemoprophylaxis protocol (OR = 2.89, P = 0.002) and high BMI (OR = 1.09, P = 0.037) were independent risk factors of wound complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Single-dose chemoprophylaxis protocol effectively and safely prevented VTE after revision THA compared with multiple-dose chemoprophylaxis protocol. The effect in reducing HBL and postoperative transfusion rate was limited in septic revision.

Global impact and cost-effectiveness of one-dose versus two-dose human papillomavirus vaccination schedules: a comparative modelling analysis

BACKGROUND

To eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem, the World Health Organization had recommended routine vaccination of adolescent girls with two doses of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine before sexual initiation. However, many countries have yet to implement HPV vaccination because of financial or logistical barriers to delivering two doses outside the infant immunisation programme.

METHODS

Using three independent HPV transmission models, we estimated the long-term health benefits and cost-effectiveness of one-dose versus two-dose HPV vaccination, in 188 countries, under scenarios in which one dose of the vaccine gives either a shorter duration of full protection (20 or 30 years) or lifelong protection but lower vaccine efficacy (e.g. 80%) compared to two doses. We simulated routine vaccination with the 9-valent HPV vaccine in 10-year-old girls at 80% coverage for the years 2021-2120, with a 1-year catch-up campaign up to age 14 at 80% coverage in the first year of the programme.

RESULTS

Over the years 2021-2120, one-dose vaccination at 80% coverage was projected to avert 115.2 million (range of medians: 85.1-130.4) and 146.8 million (114.1-161.6) cervical cancers assuming one dose of the vaccine confers 20 and 30 years of protection, respectively. Should one dose of the vaccine provide lifelong protection at 80% vaccine efficacy, 147.8 million (140.6-169.7) cervical cancer cases could be prevented. If protection wanes after 20 years, 65 to 889 additional girls would need to be vaccinated with the second dose to prevent one cervical cancer, depending on the epidemiological profiles of the country. Across all income groups, the threshold cost for the second dose was low: from 1.59 (0.14-3.82) USD in low-income countries to 44.83 (3.75-85.64) USD in high-income countries, assuming one dose confers 30-year protection.

CONCLUSIONS

Results were consistent across the three independent models and suggest that one-dose vaccination has similar health benefits to a two-dose programme while simplifying vaccine delivery, reducing costs, and alleviating vaccine supply constraints. The second dose may become cost-effective if there is a shorter duration of protection from one dose, cheaper vaccine and vaccination delivery strategies, and high burden of cervical cancer.

Efficacy and safety of single- and double-dose intravenous tranexamic acid in hip and knee arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

With the increasing prevalence of osteoarthritis of the hip and knee, total joint replacement, the end-stage treatment, provides pain relief and restoration of function, but is often associated with massive blood loss. Tranexamic acid (TXA) has been reported to reduce perioperative blood loss in hip or knee arthroplasty. However, the optimal dose of TXA administration remains controversial. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis combining data from 5 trials comparing the efficacy and safety of one fixed dose of 1 g intravenously administered TXA with two doses of 1 g each administered intravenously for hip or knee arthroplasty.

METHODS

PubMed, Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and The Cochrane Library were searched from January 2000 to February 2023. Our meta-analysis included randomized controlled trials and cohort studies comparing the efficacy and safety of different doses of intravenous TXA (IV-TXA) for THA or TKA. The observation endpoints included total blood loss, postoperative hemoglobin drop, blood transfusion rate, length of hospital stay, incidence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT), and incidence of pulmonary embolism (PE). Meta-analysis was performed according to Cochrane's guidelines and PRISMA statement. The Danish RevMan5.3 software was used for data merging.

RESULTS

Five cohort studies involving 5542 patients met the inclusion criteria. Our meta-analysis showed that the two groups were significantly higher in total blood loss (mean difference (MD) = - 65.60, 95% confidence interval (CI) [- 131.46, 0.26], P = 0.05); blood transfusion rate (risk difference (RD) = 0.00, 95% CI [- 0.01, 0.02], P = 0.55); postoperative hemoglobin (MD = 0.02, 95% CI [- 0.09, 0.13], P = 0.31); postoperative hospital stay days (MD = - 0.13), 95% CI [- 0.35, 0.09], P = 0.25); DVT (RD = 0.00, 95% CI [- 0.00, 0.01], P = 0.67); PE (RD = 0.00, 95% CI [- 0.01, 0.00], P = 0.79). There was some inherent heterogeneity due to variance in sample size across each major study.

CONCLUSION

1 dose of 1 g and 2 doses of 1 g IV-TXA each time have similar effects on reducing blood loss, blood transfusion rate, postoperative hemoglobin level, and postoperative hospital stay after TKA or THA, without increasing the risk of postoperative complications risk. For patients at high risk of thromboembolic events, one dose of 1 g TXA throughout surgery may be preferred. However, higher-quality RCT is needed to explore the optimal protocol dose to recommend the widespread use of TXA in total joint arthroplasty. Trial registration We conducted literature selection, eligibility criteria evaluation, data extraction and analysis on the research program registered in Prospero (CRD42023405387) on March 16, 2023.

A single dose of quadrivalent HPV vaccine is highly effective against HPV genotypes 16 and 18 detection in young pregnant women eight years following vaccination: an retrospective cohort study in Fiji

Background

In 2008/9, Fiji vaccinated >30,000 girls aged 9-12 years with the quadrivalent human papillomavirus (4vHPV) vaccine coverage for at least one dose was >60% (one dose only was 14%, two dose only was 13%, three doses was 35%). We calculated vaccine effectiveness (VE) of one, two and three doses of 4vHPV against oncogenic HPV genotypes 16/18, eight years following vaccination.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was undertaken (2015-2019) in pregnant women ≤23 years old, eligible to receive 4vHPV in 2008/9, with confirmed vaccination status. The study was restricted to pregnant women due to the cultural sensitivity of asking about sexual behavior in Fiji. For each participant a clinician collected a questionnaire, vaginal swab and genital warts examination, a median eight (range 6-11) years post vaccination. HPV DNA was detected by molecular methods. Adjusted VE (aVE) against the detection of vaccine HPV genotypes (16/18), the comparison group of non-vaccine genotypes (31/33/35/39/45/51/52/56/58/59/66/68), and genital warts were calculated. Covariates included in the adjusted model were: age, ethnicity and smoking, according to univariate association with any HPV detection.

Findings

Among 822 participants the prevalence of HPV 16/18 in the unvaccinated, one, two and three-dose groups were 13.3% (50/376), 2.5% (4/158), 0% (0/99) and 1.6% (3/189), respectively; and for the non-vaccine high-risk genotypes, the detection rate was similar across dosage groups (33.2%-40.4%, p = 0.321). The aVE against HPV 16/18 for one, two and three doses were 81% (95% CI; 48-93%), 100% (95% CI; 100-100%), and 89% (95% CI; 64-96%), respectively. Prevalence of HPV 16/18 was lower among women with longer time since vaccination.

Interpretations

A single dose 4vHPV vaccine is highly effective against HPV genotypes 16 and 18 eight years following vaccination. Our results provide the longest duration of protection for reduced dose 4vHPV schedule in a low- or middle-income country in the Western Pacific region.

Funding

This study was supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Australian Government and Fiji Health Sector Support Program (FHSSP). FHSSP is implemented by Abt JTA on behalf of the Australian Government.

Do the change in β-hCG values between the 0th and 4th days in tubal ectopic pregnancy treatment with a single-dose methotrexate (MTX) protocol predict the need for a second dose of MTX?

AIM

The single-dose methotrexate (MTX) regimen is effective and minimizes side effects but an additional second dose is needed in case of failure in an ectopic pregnancy (EP). We aimed to predict the additional MTX dose by evaluating the change in β-hCG values between day 0 and day 4 in EPs with administered single-dose MTX regimen.

METHOD

A total of 454 tubal EPs between 2013 and 2019 were evaluated retrospectively. Cases cured with a single dose of MTX without an additional dose were accepted as the control group, and cases under a single-dose regimen were cured by applying a second dose of MTX on the 7th day were accepted as the study group. Obstetric and demographic characteristics and the change in β-hCG values compared in both groups.

RESULTS

Age, body mass index (BMI), gravida, smoking, abdominal surgery, presence of IUDs, initial β-hCG levels (0th day), and EP size were similar in both groups, but the presence of previous EP history was significantly higher in the study group. The change of β-hCG from days 0 and 4 determined that a 20% increase predicts the need for a second dose of MTX with 72.4% sensitivity, and 87.8% negative predictive value (NPV).

CONCLUSION

The single-dose MTX protocol is successful in 83.3% of convenient cases (as the control group), but an increase of 20% in β-hCG between days 0 and 4 predicts the patients who need to be administered second-dose MTX, and thus, a double-dose MTX protocol will be achieved early.

Single-dose trastuzumab monotherapy achieved pathological complete response (pCR) in a patient with HER2-positive breast cancer: a case report

BACKGROUND

With advances in breast cancer treatment, the importance of de-escalation therapy to reduce harm during the treatment of elderly patients has attracted attention in recent years. Certain patient populations are expected to have a superior response to anti-HER2 drugs, particularly those with human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer. In this report, we describe our experience of dramatic anti-HER2 drug response in a patient who achieved pathological complete response (pCR) with a single dose of trastuzumab.

CASE PRESENTATION

An 88-year-old woman presented with a 2-cm palpable mass in the left breast. Vacuum-assisted breast biopsy, ultrasonography, and positron emission tomography-computed tomography revealed estrogen receptor-negative and HER2-positive, T1N0M0, stage I breast cancer. Mastectomy was scheduled within 2 months of the initial visit; however, the patient was anxious about the length of the waiting period and requested medication in the interim. Therefore, prior to surgery, one cycle of trastuzumab monotherapy was administered at the discretion of the attending physician. Postoperative pathology showed no remnant of invasive carcinoma and pCR with only a 0.2-mm ductal carcinoma in situ remnant. The patient refused further medication after surgery because of severe diarrhea after trastuzumab administration. Postoperative treatment was limited to follow-up, and no recurrence was observed at 1 year and 6 months postoperatively.

CONCLUSION

This case suggests that trastuzumab monotherapy may be effective in certain patients with HER2-positive breast cancer. In the future, identifying patients who are more likely to respond to trastuzumab, as in this case, will allow for more options regarding de-escalation therapy without chemotherapy, particularly in elderly patients who are concerned about the side effects of chemotherapy.

Evaluation of immune response to single dose of quadrivalent HPV vaccine at 10-year post-vaccination

BACKGROUND

The recent World Health Organization recommendation supporting single-dose of HPV vaccine will significantly reduce programmatic cost, mitigate the supply shortage, and simplify logistics, thus allowing more low- and middle-income countries to introduce the vaccine. From a programmatic perspective the durability of protection offered by a single-dose will be a key consideration. The primary objectives of the present study were to determine whether recipients of a single-dose of quadrivalent HPV vaccine had sustained immune response against targeted HPV types (HPV 6,11,16,18) at 10 years post-vaccination and whether this response was superior to the natural antibody titres observed in unvaccinated women.

METHODS

Participants received at age 10-18 years either one, two or three doses of the quadrivalent HPV vaccine. Serology samples were obtained at different timepoints up to 10 years after vaccination from a convenience sample of vaccinated participants and from age-matched unvaccinated women at one timepoint. The evolution of the binding and neutralizing antibody response was presented by dose received. 10-year durability of immune responses induced by a single-dose was compared to that after three doses of the vaccine and in unvaccinated married women.

RESULTS

The dynamics of antibody response among the single-dose recipients observed over 120 months show stabilized levels 18 months after vaccination for all four HPV types. Although the HPV type-specific (binding or neutralizing) antibody titres after a single-dose were significantly inferior to those after three doses of the vaccine (lower bounds of GMT ratios < 0.5), they were all significantly higher than those observed in unvaccinated women following natural infections (GMT ratios: 2.05 to 4.04-fold higher). The results correlate well with the high vaccine efficacy of single-dose against persistent HPV 16/18 infections reported by us earlier at 10-years post-vaccination.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrates the high and durable immune response in single-dose recipients of HPV vaccine at 10-years post vaccination.

Differences in thyroid function tests after administration of a single supraphysiological dose of ACTH or a high dose of a synthetic steroid

OBJECTIVE

Although the suppressive action of synthetic steroids on the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis is established, little is known regarding the effect of the administration of synthetic adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH).

DESIGN

In the context of a randomized, open label, comparative study assessing the efficacy and safety of ACTH and betamethasone in the treatment of hospitalized patients with acute gout, we compared the effects of these agents on thyroid function tests.

METHODS

Serum TSH, total T4 and T3 and cortisol were measured before and at 24 and 48 h after a single intramuscular dose of synthetic ACTH (1 mg) or betamethasone (6 mg), in 38 hospitalized patients with acute gout and normal thyroid function.

RESULTS

The final analysis included 32 patients, due to missing data. The ACTH and betamethasone groups did not differ regarding the mean age, gender, severity of gout attack, and baseline thyroid parameters. In the ACTH group TSH and T4 were significantly decreased at 24 and at 48 h compared to baseline, while T3 was decreased at 24 but not at 48 h. In the betamethasone group T3 remained stable; TSH and T4 decreased significantly from baseline levels at 24 h; at 48 h, TSH had returned to and T4 showed a partial rebound towards pre-treatment values.

CONCLUSIONS

A single IM administration of 1 mg of synthetic ACTH has more profound and prolonged effects on the HPT axis, lasting for at least 48 h, compared to a single IM dose of 6 mg betamethasone.

Single dose of atezolizumab plus chemotherapy in active psoriasis with advanced non-small cell lung cancer

INTRODUCTION

Immunotherapy has been recognized as the standard of care in addition to chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Most immunotherapy trials, however, exclude patients with autoimmune disease owing to concerns of disease exacerbation.

CASE REPORT

We report a case of a patient with advanced non-small cell lung cancer and underlying active psoriasis who experienced a remarkable response, without developing psoriasis flares, following treatment with a single dose of atezolizumab and first-line chemotherapy.

MANAGEMENT AND OUTCOME

The patient remained asymptomatic 10 months since treatment discontinuation, without disease progression, despite having received only a single dose of atezolizumab and six cycles of chemotherapy.

DISCUSSION

Little is known about the optimum duration required to achieve a durable response with immunotherapy. Patients with autoimmune disease are commonly excluded from immunotherapy trials owing to a higher risk of autoimmune disease flares or immune-related adverse events. The remarkable outcome observed in this case offers some insights into the possible durable response with limited doses of immunotherapy and a safer approach for administering immunotherapy in patients with autoimmune disease. Initiating chemotherapy to induce remission in active autoimmune disease prior to administering immunotherapy could potentially be an ideal approach that facilitates the use of immunotherapy in this patient population.

In vivo and in vitro efficacy of a single dose of albendazole against hookworm infection in northwest Ethiopia: open-label trial

Background

Control of hookworm and other soil-transmitted helminth infections primarily relies on preventive chemotherapy using a single dose of albendazole/mebendazole drugs on high-risk groups. Herein, the efficacy of a single dose (400 mg) of albendazole (ALB) was investigated both in vivo and in vitro model in northwest Ethiopia.

Methods

An open-label, single-arm clinical trial was conducted to assess anti-hookworm effect of albendazole. Stool samples were collected and examined using McMaster and Harada-Mori filter paper culture. Eligible hookworm-infected patients were treated with a single dose of ALB. After 14–21 days post-treatment, stool samples were also taken again and re-examined using the abovementioned technique. Egg reduction rate (ERR) and larval motility were used as a therapeutic outcome measure. An independent t test was used to compare the mean difference in egg counts, and probit analysis was performed for calculating the lethal concentration dose of albendazole. P value < 0.05 at 95% CI was considered statistically significant.

Results

A total of 70 participants had completed the drug efficacy study. The efficacy of ALB against hookworm in terms of CR and ERR was 87% and 93%, respectively. Participants who had not eaten one or more hours prior to treatment had higher CR than those who had eaten within 1 h before treatment (97.4% vs 74.2%), while individuals with heavy infection intensity had a lower post-treatment ova clearing rate than those who were with light infection intensity (43% vs 94.6%). The in vitro larvicidal effect of ALB was 63–93% after applying 50–250 μg/ml concentration of ALB solution. The LC50 and LC99 were 152 μg/ml and 573 μg/ml, respectively.

Conclusion

A single dose of albendazole was found to be effective for treating hookworm infections according to WHO anthelminthic evaluation standard in the study area. Preventive chemotherapy might therefore be extended to risk groups, with proper continuous monitoring of its efficacy to strengthen and keep the ongoing control and prevention measures one step ahead.

Trial registration

This trial is retrospectively registered with www.pactr.org, number PACTR202010511829332 on October 26, 2020.

A reactive vaccination campaign with single dose oral cholera vaccine (OCV) during a cholera outbreak in Cameroon

BACKGROUND

Cameroon chose Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV) mass vaccination campaign in addition to other interventions to respond to outbreaks since 2015. There is still a persistent controversy on the effectiveness of reactive OCV mass vaccination campaign.

OBJECTIVE

This article aimed to share evidence-based observations on the effect of a reactive single-dose OCV mass vaccination campaign on cholera cases in Cameroon.

METHODS

Health area centered risk analysis was used to identify nine high risk health areas among four health districts in the |North Region as hotspots. About 537,274 people at risk of cholera transmission one year of age and above including pregnant women were eligible to receive OCV. A total of 537,279 doses of OCV was deployed for vaccination from August 1-5, 2019 through door-to-door strategy for urban health districts, and fixed/ temporary fixed posts strategies for rural health districts.

RESULTS

The overall vaccination coverage was 99.9%. Vaccine wastage rate was less than 0.5% (0.0011%). Independent monitoring showed vaccination coverage at 97.2%. The 2019 epidemic curve went down after OCV intervention on the contrary to that in the year 2018 at the same period. After OCV intervention, cholera cases dropped from about 10.5 to 9.3 cases per week at the regional level while at the district level, they dropped from 5.3 to 2.1, 2.2 to 1.7, 0.6 to 0 and 1.7 to 1.5 cases per week respectively for Garoua, Garoua II, Tchollire and Pitoa. Though not statistically significant (p = 1.4, α = 0.05), cases per 1000 population seemed to remain unchanged among OCV zones (0.32/1000) and non-OCV zones (0.31/1000) in 2018 while they increased from 0.37 (OCV zones) to 0.53 (non-0CV zones) cases per 1000 population in 2019.

CONCLUSION

There might have been a general trend in the reduction of the number of new cases after a reactive single-dose OCV campaign.

Efficacy of a single dose versus a multiple dose regimen of Mebendazole against hookworm infections among school children: a randomized open-label trial

BACKGROUND

Despite the existence of a population-based control program using single dose albendazole or mebendazole as a preventive chemotherapy, hookworm transmission remains high. It causes a negative impact on the growth and school performance of children. In connection to this preventive chemotherapy, different studies produced conflicting results. This study aimed at evaluating the efficacy of single (500 mg) versus multiple doses (100 mg twice a day during three consecutive days) of mebendazole against hookworm infections among school-aged children.

METHODS

This randomized open-label clinical trial took place among school-aged children (6-14 years old) in Burie and Debre Elias towns, Northwest Ethiopia. Using simple randomization, eligible hookworm-positive children were allocated (1:1) to either a single or multiple dose treatment arms. Stool samples were collected and processed using McMaster method at baseline and follow-up period (14-21 days after treatment). Only laboratory technicians were blinded. The cure and egg reduction rates were the primary and secondary therapeutic outcome measures against hookworm infections, respectively. An independent t-test was used to compare group means, and logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratio (OR). P-value < 0.05 at 95% CI was considered statistically significant.

RESULT

One hundred eight children, 54 in each treatment arm had completed baseline data and received allocated treatment. One hundred three children had completed follow-up data records and included for the final efficacy analysis. Cure rate against hookworm was significantly higher in the multiple dose (96.1%) than in the single dose (30.8%) with OR = 55.125; 95% CI: 11.92-254.9; P < 0.001. The egg reduction rate in the multiple dose treatment arm (99.5%) was also significantly higher than in the single dose arm (68.9%) with difference t (101) =5.38; 95% CI 230.95-505.36; P < 0.001.

CONCLUSION

The single dose regimen of mebendazole for the treatment of hookworm infections showed poor cure and egg reduction rates, while the multiple doses revealed satisfactory. Although multiple dose regimen administration is a bit more complex than the single dose, we strongly encourage replacing it with multiple dose regimen during deworming programs in hookworm endemic areas.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This trial is retrospectively registered in www.pactr.org, number PACTR201911466695052 on November 26, 2019.

Clinical evaluation of photon optimizer (PO) MLC algorithm for stereotactic, single-dose of VMAT lung SBRT

Recently implemented photon optimizer (PO) MLC optimization algorithm is mandatory for RapidPlan modeling in Eclipse. This report quantifies and compares the dosimetry and treatment delivery parameters of PO vs its predecessor progressive resolution optimizer (PRO) algorithm for a single-dose of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) lung stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). Clinical SBRT treatment plans for 12 early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer patients receiving 30 Gy in 1 fraction using PRO-VMAT were re-optimized using the PO-VMAT MLC algorithm with identical planning parameters and objectives. Average planning target volume derived from the 4D CT scans was 13.6 ± 12.0 cc (range: 4.3 to 41.1 cc) Patients were treated with 6 MV flattening filter free beam using Acuros-based calculations and 2.5 mm calculation grid-size (CGS). Both treatment plans were normalized to receive same target coverage and identical CGS to isolate effects of MLC positioning optimizers. Original PRO and re-optimized PO plans were compared via RTOG-0915 protocol compliance criteria for target conformity, gradient indices, dose to organs at risks and delivery efficiency. Additionally, PO-VMAT plans with a 1.25 mm CGS were evaluated. Both plans met RTOG protocol requirements. Conformity indices showed no statistical difference between PO 2.5 mm CGS and PRO 2.5 mm CGS plans. Gradient index (p = 0.03), maximum dose to 2 cm away from planning target volume in any direction (D_2cm) (p < 0.05), and gradient distance (p < 0.05) presented statistically significant differences for both plans with 2.5 mm CGS. Some organs at risks showed statistically significant differences for both plans calculated with 2.5 mm CGS; however, no clinically significant dose differences were observed between the plans. Beam modulation factor was statistically significant for both PO 1.25 mm CGS (p = 0.001) and PO 2.5 mm CGS (p < 0.001) compared to clinical PRO 2.5 mm CGS plans. PO-VMAT plans provided decreased beam-on time by an average of 0.2 ± 0.1 minutes (up to 1.0 minutes) with PO 2.5 mm and 1.2 ± 0.39 minutes (maximum up to 3.22 minutes) with PO 1.25 mm plans compared to PRO 2.5 mm plans. PO-VMAT single-dose of VMAT lung SBRT plans showed slightly increased intermediate-dose spillage but boasted overall similar plan quality with less beam modulation and hence shorter beam-on time. However, PO 1.25 mm CGS had less intermediate-dose spillage and analogous plan quality compared to clinical PRO-VMAT plans with no additional cost of plan optimization. Further investigation into peripheral targets with PO-MLC algorithm is warranted. This study indicates that PO 1.25 mm CGS plans can be used for RapidPlan modeling for a single dose of lung SBRT patients. PO-MLC 1.25 mm algorithm is recommended for future clinical single-dose lung SBRT plan optimization.

A single dose of quadrivalent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is immunogenic and reduces HPV detection rates in young women in Mongolia, six years after vaccination

Background

Emerging observational evidence suggests a single-dose of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine may be protective against vaccine-targeted HPV infection and associated cervical dysplasia. We aimed to demonstrate whether a single dose of quadrivalent HPV (4vHPV) vaccine was immunogenic and reduced HPV detection rates in young women in Mongolia. We also assessed knowledge and attitudes regarding HPV and the HPV vaccine.

Methods

A retrospective paired cohort study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of a single dose of 4vHPV, given at age 11–17 years in 2012, on HPV detection rates, when compared with unvaccinated women. Real time PCR was performed on self-administered vaginal swabs for HPV detection. An immunological analysis detecting neutralising antibodies (NAb) to high-risk HPV (HRHPV) genotypes 16 and 18 was performed on sera from a subset of 58 participants. Questionnaires evaluated knowledge, attitudes and self-swab acceptability.

Findings

A total of 475 women (mean age 20.4 years ± 1.6) were recruited; 118 vaccinated and 357 unvaccinated women. The prevalence of vaccine-targeted HRHPV16 and 18 was reduced by 92% (95%CI 44–99%) in the vaccinated (1·1%) compared with the unvaccinated (15.4%) group. The percentage of non-vaccine HPV genotypes was similar between vaccinated (26.5%) and unvaccinated (26.7%) groups. Approximately 90% and 58% of vaccinated women remained seropositive after six years for HRHPV16 and 18, respectively, with neutralising antibody levels 5- and 2-fold higher than unvaccinated women (p < 0.001).

Interpretation

One dose of 4vHPV vaccine reduces vaccine-targeted HPV genotypes, six years following vaccination, with high levels of HR genotype seropositivity among young Mongolian women.

Statistical modeling alongside observational data predicts long-term immunogenicity of one dose and two doses of pediatric hepatitis A vaccine in the Mendoza province of Argentina

BACKGROUND

Follow-up for anti-hepatitis A (HA) antibody persistence up to 10 years was conducted after implementation of universal vaccination against HA virus (HAV) in Mendoza, Argentina. Based on these data, statistical modeling was used to predict the antibody persistence to 30 years.

METHODS

A non-interventional study evaluated long-term immunogenicity (geometric mean concentrations [GMCs] and seroprotection rate) following routine vaccination with 1 dose (Group 1: N = 436) or 2 doses (Group 2: N = 108) of HA vaccine. Associated statistical modeling based on a Bayesian approach of mixed effects models on log transformed titers evaluated three models (linear, piecewise linear, and exponential decay, with and without a natural boosting effect).

RESULTS

From the initial cohort, 9 participants (Group 1) and 1 participant (Group 2) showed antibody titers below the seroprotective threshold and received a booster. At Year 10, 190 (Group 1) and 51 (Group 2) participants remained in the study without a booster dose and all were seroprotected. Regarding statistical modeling, the piecewise linear model showed the best fit and demonstrated high and similar seroprotection for each schedule up to 30 years (89% [1-dose schedule], 85% [2-dose schedule]). The 2-dose schedule showed higher GMC (95% CI) than the 1-dose schedule (Year 10: 352 [271-456] versus 78 [69.8-87.6] mIU/mL) and Year 30 (predicted) (37 [13-97] versus 19 [11-34] mIU/mL). Natural boosting had little impact on predicted seroprotection rates at 30 years for the 1-dose schedule (89% [0.8-0.96] and 84% [0.73-0.94] with and without a natural booster, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term persistence of anti-HAV antibodies was observed up to 10 years with 1-dose and 2-dose vaccine schedules, supporting booster flexibility. Statistical modeling predicted good persistence of seroprotection for each schedule up to 30 years. Natural boosting had a limited impact on seroprotection rate predictions, enabling extrapolation of these results to non-endemic settings for traveler vaccination.

Single-dose escalation study of yogliptin in healthy Chinese volunteers

BACKGROUND

Yogliptin is a novel xanthine dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor targeting type 2 diabetes. After promising preclinical pharmacological studies, the first human trial of yogliptin was designed.

METHODS

A randomized, double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled phase I single-dose escalation study was designed to evaluate the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and tolerability after single oral doses of yogliptin in healthy Chinese subjects. Healthy subjects were assigned to nine cohorts, which received a single dose of yogliptin at 2.5, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 200, 400, or 600 mg. Two subjects in each cohort received placebo. Blood samples were collected before dosing and up to 192 h afterwards. Urine samples were collected until 120 h after dosing. Plasma and urine drug concentrations were determined using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry, and DPP-4 activity was measured using a semi-quantitative, fluorescence-based kinetic assay.

RESULTS

A total of 104 subjects were enrolled, 103 of whom completed the study (mean age, 25.3 years; mean weight, 58.8 kg; mean BMI, 21.8 kg/m²). A total of 27 adverse events (AEs) occurred in 25 of 86 yogliptin subjects (29.1%), and 3 AEs occurred in 3 of 18 placebo subjects (16.7%). Yogliptin was absorbed with a median time of maximum observed concentration (T_max) of 3.0 h and was eliminated slowly with a t_1/2 of 25.45-43.84 h. The maximum observed concentration (C_max) and area under the curve (AUC) varied slightly more than dose-proportionally over the dose range from 2.5 to 400 mg. The fraction of drug excreted in urine ranged from 8.39% to 24.77%. Mean DPP-4 inhibition at 24 h after dosing ranged from 97.7% to 99.5%, and DPP-4 inhibition was >80% for 72 h at doses from 25 to 400 mg. DPP-4 inhibition was >80% for 1 week in the group receiving 400 mg.

CONCLUSION

Yogliptin was well tolerated in healthy subjects, with no dose-limiting toxicity observed in the range from 2.5 to 600 mg. Yogliptin inhibited plasma DPP-4 activity for 72 h at single doses of 25-200 mg and for 1 week at 400 mg, suggesting that once-weekly dosing of yogliptin is possible in type 2 diabetes patients.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ChiCTR-IIR-17010311 (Chictr.org).

Early use of the HPV 2-dose vaccination schedule: Leveraging evidence to support policy for accelerated impact

Although human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines were initially licensed based on efficacy after three-dose regimens in women aged 15-26 years, it was recognized early in clinical development that comparable immunogenicity could be obtained after just two doses when administered to younger girls. In both Canada and Mexico, public health authorities made the decision to administer two doses 6 months apart with a planned additional dose at 60 months, while simultaneously doing further study to determine if the third dose would confer meaningful additional benefit. This delayed third dose approach permitted a more cost-effective program with opportunities for improved compliance while minimizing injections and leaving open the opportunity to provide a full three-dose vaccination series. It required close cooperation across many governmental and civil society leadership bodies and real-time access to emerging data on HPV vaccine effectiveness. Although still limited, there is increasing evidence that even one-dose vaccination is sufficient to provide prolonged protection against HPV infection and associated diseases. Ongoing clinical trials and ecological studies are expected to consolidate existing data regarding one dose schedule use. However, to accelerate the preventive effect of HPV vaccination some jurisdictions, in particular those with limited resources may already consider the initiation of a one dose vaccination with the possibility of giving the second dose later in life if judged necessary. Such an approach would facilitate vaccination implementation and might permit larger catch-up vaccination programs in older girls (or as appropriate, girls and boys), thereby accelerating the impact on cervical cancer and other HPV-associated diseases.

Can a single dose of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine prevent cervical cancer? Early findings from an Indian study

BACKGROUND

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is a major strategy for preventing cervical and other ano-genital cancers. Worldwide HPV vaccination introduction and coverage will be facilitated if a single dose of vaccine is as effective as two or three doses or demonstrates significant protective effect compared to 'no vaccination'.

METHODS

In a multi-centre cluster randomized trial of two vs three doses of quadrivalent HPV vaccination (Gardasil™) in India, suspension of the vaccination due to events unrelated to the study led to per protocol and partial vaccination of unmarried 10-18 year old girls leading to four study groups, two by design and two by default. They were followed up for the primary outcomes of immunogenicity in terms of L1 genotype-specific binding antibody titres, neutralising antibody titres, and antibody avidity for the vaccine-targeted HPV types and HPV infections. Analysis was per actual number of vaccine doses received. This study is registered with ISRCTN, number ISRCTN98283094; and with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00923702.

FINDINGS

Of the 17,729 vaccinated girls, 4348 (25%) received three doses on days 1, 60, 180 or later, 4979 (28%) received two doses on days 1 and 180 or later, 3452 (19%) received two doses on days 1 and 60, and 4950 (28%) received one dose. One dose recipients demonstrated a robust and sustained immune response against HPV 16 and 18, albeit inferior to that of 3- or 2-doses and the antibody levels were stable over a 4 year period. The frequencies of cumulative incident and persistent HPV 16 and 18 infections up to 7 years of follow-up were similar and uniformly low in all the vaccinated study groups; the frequency of HPV 16 and 18 infections were significantly higher in unvaccinated age-matched control women than among vaccine recipients. The frequency of vaccine non-targeted HPV types was similar in the vaccinated groups but higher in the unvaccinated control women.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that a single dose of quadrivalent HPV vaccine is immunogenic and provides lasting protection against HPV 16 and 18 infections similar to the three- and two-dose vaccine schedules, although the study suffer from some limitations. Data on long term protection beyond 7 years against HPV infection and cervical precancerous lesions are needed before policy guidelines regarding a single dose can be formulated and implemented. Significant and long-lasting protective effect of a single dose can be a strong argument to introduce one dose of the HPV vaccine in many low income countries where the current standard of care for cervical cancer prevention is 'no intervention'.

Model-estimated effectiveness of single dose 9-valent HPV vaccination for HIV-positive and HIV-negative females in South Africa

BACKGROUND

Women in sub-Saharan Africa have high dual burden of HPV and HIV infections, which can interact to increase cervical cancer (CC) risk. The 9-valent HPV (9vHPV) vaccine has high demonstrated effectiveness against HPV types causing 90% of CC. Additionally, one dose of the 9vHPV vaccine has the potential to achieve greater coverage at lower costs than a two-dose schedule. However, the potential impact of single-dose 9vHPV vaccine accounting for HPV-HIV interactions has not been estimated.

METHODS

We adapted a dynamic HIV transmission model to include HPV acquisition and CC pathogenesis and projected the impact of a single dose 9vHPV preadolescent vaccination in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. We report health impacts of HPV vaccination separately for HIV-positive women stratified by HIV treatment and CD4 count and HIV-negative women.

RESULTS

At 90% coverage of females age 9 years with 80% lifelong vaccine efficacy, single dose HPV vaccination was projected to reduce CC incidence by 74% and mortality by 71% in the general female population at 70 years after the start of the vaccination program. Age-standardized CC incidence and mortality reductions were comparable among HIV-negative women, HIV-positive women, and HIV-positive women on ART. Health benefits were reduced when assuming waning protection at 10, 15 and 20 years after vaccination.

DISCUSSION

Single dose 9vHPV vaccination is projected to avert substantial CC burden in South Africa and similar high HIV prevalence settings. Health benefits were comparable across all female subpopulations stratified by HIV status, CD4 count, and ART status.

Effects of single-dose, low-level laser therapy on pain associated with the initial stage of fixed orthodontic treatment: A randomized clinical trial

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess the analgesic effect of a single application of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on spontaneous pain and pain on chewing after placement of initial archwires.

Methods

Forty-two patients (26 women, 16 men) were randomly recruited for this split-mouth randomized clinical trial. Each patient received super-elastic nickel-titanium (NiTi) initial archwires (0.012, 0.014, 0.016, and 0.018-inch [in]) in the maxilla for leveling and alignment for an interval of 4 weeks between archwires. One side of the mouth was randomly designated as experimental, while the other side served as placebo. After insertion of each archwire, the experimental side was irradiated with a diode laser for 3 seconds each on 5 points facially and palatally per tooth, from the central incisor to first molar. On the placebo side, the laser device was held the same way but without laser application. A numerical rating scale was used to assess the intensity of spontaneous and masticatory pain for the following 7 days. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare pain scores between sides.

Results

Patients in the LLLT group exhibited significantly lower mean scores for spontaneous pain after insertion of the initial two archwires (0.012-in and 0.014-in NiTi; p < 0.05), while there was no significant difference for 0.016-in and 0.018-in wires between the LLLT and placebo groups. LLLT significantly reduced chewing pain scores (p < 0.05) for all archwires.

Conclusions

A single dose of LLLT considerably lessened postoperative pain accompanying the placement of super-elastic NiTi wires for initial alignment and leveling.

Treatment constraints for single dose external beam preoperative partial breast irradiation in early-stage breast cancer

Background

Following breast-conserving surgery and post-operative 3D-conformal accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI), suboptimal cosmetic results have been reported. Preoperative radiation delivery to the intact tumor enables better target visualization and treatment volume reduction. Single dose preoperative APBI has the potential to improve toxicity profiles, reduce treatment burden and enable in vivo exploration of breast cancer radiogenomics.

Purpose

Develop practical guidelines for single dose external beam preoperative APBI.

Methods

Recommended dose constraints were derived from pooled dosimetry estimates from 2 clinical trials. In an American dose escalation trial, a uniform 15, 18 or 21 Gy dose has previously been evaluated for non-lobular cT1N0 or low/intermediate grade DCIS <2 cm in prone position (n = 32). In the Netherlands, the feasibility of ablative APBI (20 Gy to GTV, 15 Gy to CTV) to non-lobular cT1N0 in supine position, is currently being explored (n = 15). The dosimetric adherence to the developed constraints was evaluated in new APBI plans with a 21 Gy uniform dose but an extended CTV margin (n = 32).

Results

Dosimetric data pooling enabled the development of practical guidelines for single dose preoperative APBI.

Conclusion

The developed guidelines will allow further explorations in the promising field of single dose preoperative external beam APBI for breast cancer treatment.

In vivo measurement of PDE10A enzyme occupancy by positron emission tomography (PET) following single oral dose administration of PF-02545920 in healthy male subjects

Phosphodiesterase 10A (PDE10A) is an enzyme highly enriched in the striatal medium spiny neurons. It is involved in the regulation of cytoplasmic levels of cAMP and cGMP and signaling within the basal ganglia. This study with PDE10A radioligand [¹⁸F]MNI-659 was designed to measure the enzyme occupancy of PF-02545920 in 8 healthy male volunteers (48 ± 4 years) after a single oral dose (10 mg or 20 mg) and to evaluate safety and tolerability. Arterial blood sampling was performed to obtain a metabolite-corrected plasma input function for the quantification of [¹⁸F]MNI-659 binding to PDE10A. The occupancy of PF-02545920 was calculated with two different methods: In Method 1, [¹⁸F]MNI-659 enzyme occupancy was calculated from the estimates of binding potential, using the cerebellum as a reference region; in Method 2, occupancy was estimated from the slope of the revised Lassen's plot. Serum concentrations of PF-02545920 were measured to determine the relationship between concentration and occupancy. Based on Method 1, striatal PDE10A occupancy increased with increasing PF-02545920 dose: 14-27% at 10 mg dose (N = 4) and 45-63% at 20 mg dose (N = 3). Comparable occupancies were observed using Lassen's plot Method 2: 10 mg: 14-37%; 20 mg: 46-55%. The relationship between exposure and occupancy was best described using an Emax model. The serum concentration associated with 50% occupancy was estimated to be 93.2 ng/mL. Single oral doses of 10 mg or 20 mg of PF-02545920 were safe and well tolerated in healthy male volunteers [NCT# 01918202].

Estimating systemic exposure to levonorgestrel from an oral contraceptive

OBJECTIVE

The gold standard for measuring oral contraceptive (OC) pharmacokinetics is the 24-h steady-state area under the curve (AUC). We conducted this study to assess whether limited sampling at steady state or measurements following use of one or two OCs could provide an adequate proxy in epidemiological studies for the progestin 24-h steady-state AUC of a particular OC.

STUDY DESIGN

We conducted a 13-sample, 24-h pharmacokinetic study on both day 1 and day 21 of the first cycle of a monophasic OC containing 30-mcg ethinyl estradiol and 150-mcg levonorgestrel (LNG) in 17 normal-weight healthy White women and a single-dose 9-sample study of the same OC after a 1-month washout. We compared the 13-sample steady-state results with several steady-state and single-dose results calculated using parsimonious sampling schemes.

RESULTS

The 13-sample steady-state 24-h LNG AUC was highly correlated with the steady-state 24-h trough value [r=0.95; 95% confidence interval (0.85, 0.98)] and with the steady-state 6-, 8-, 12- and 16-h values (0.92≤r≤0.95). The trough values after one or two doses were moderately correlated with the steady-state 24-h AUC value [r=0.70; 95% CI (0.27, 0.90) and 0.77; 95% CI (0.40, 0.92), respectively].

CONCLUSIONS

Single time-point concentrations at steady state and after administration of one or two OCs gave highly to moderately correlated estimates of steady-state LNG AUC. Using such measures could facilitate prospective pharmaco-epidemiologic studies of the OC and its side effects.

IMPLICATIONS

A single time-point LNG concentration at steady state is an excellent proxy for complete and resource-intensive steady-state AUC measurement. The trough level after two single doses is a fair proxy for steady-state AUC. These results provide practical tools to facilitate large studies to investigate the relationship between systemic LNG exposure and side effects in a real-life setting.

The efficacy of dexamethasone injection on postoperative pain in lower third molar surgery

Background

Surgery on the lower impacted third molar usually involves trauma in the highly vascularized loose connective tissue area, leading to inflammatory sequelae including postoperative pain, swelling, and general oral dysfunction during the immediate post-operative phase. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of preoperative injection of a single dose of 8 mg dexamethasone for postoperative pain control in lower third molar surgery.

Methods

A controlled, randomized, split-mouth, prospective study involving lower third molar surgery was performed in 31 patients. The randomized sampling group was preoperatively injected, after local anesthesia, with a single dose of dexamethasone (8 mg in 2 ml) through the pterygomandibular space; 2 ml of normal saline (with no dexamethasone) was injected as a placebo.

Results

The pain VAS score was significantly different on the day of the operation compared to the first post-operative day (P = 0.00 and 0.01, respectively), but it was not significantly different on the third and seventh postoperative day between the control and study groups. There was a significant reduction in swelling on the second postoperative day, and a difference between the second postoperative day and baseline value in the study group (P < 0.05). Trismus was highly significantly different on the second postoperative day and between baseline and second postoperative day between the groups (P = 0.04 and 0.02, respectively). Descriptive statistics and independent-samples t- test were used to assess the significance of differences.

Conclusions

Injection of 8 mg dexamethasone into the pterygomandibular space effectively reduced the postoperative pain and other postoperative sequalae.

Single-dose tranexamic acid for reducing bleeding and transfusions in total hip arthroplasty: A double-blind, randomized controlled trial of different doses

BACKGROUND

Tranexamic acid can be effective at decreasing blood loss and transfusion requirements associated with total hip arthroplasty (THA), but few studies have compared the efficacy of different intravenous dosing regimes. This double-blind, randomized controlled trial compared the ability of two doses of intravenous TXA (IV-TXA, 10 or 15mg/kg) to reduce bleeding and transfusions associated with THA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 124 patients scheduled for THA were consecutively randomized 1:1:1 into three parallel arms: control (placebo), 10mg/kg IV-TXA and 15mg/kg IV-TXA.

RESULTS

The proportion of patients who experienced bleeding and required transfusions was significantly lower in the 15mg/kg IV-TXA group (1 of 42, 2.4%) than in the 10mg/kg IV-TXA group (8 of 39, 20.5%; P=0.012) and in the control group (10 of 38, 26.3%; P=0.002). In fact, this proportion was similar between the 10mg/kg IV-TXA and control groups (P=0.547). Ultrasound examination on postoperative day 3 revealed only one case of asymptomatic deep vein thrombosis (in the femoral vein) in the 10mg/kg IV-TXA group, which was managed by administering low-molecular-weight heparin. No cases of deep-vein thrombosis were observed in the other two groups. No cases of symptomatic pulmonary embolism were observed.

CONCLUSION

IV-TXA at 10mg/kg significantly reduced blood loss and mitigated the decrease in hemoglobin and hematocrit after THA, but it did not significantly reduce the need for transfusions. In contrast, a dose of 15mg/kg reduced both bleeding and transfusion requirements. Our results argue for a dose of 15mg/kg when using single-dose IV-TXA.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic Level I.

Rituximab treatment for relapsed opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome

INTRODUCTION

Opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome (OMS) is a rare neurological disorder that is associated with paraneoplastic diseases. Because OMS can frequently relapse, patients may be inflicted with neurological problems for a long time. Recently, rituximab (RTX) was introduced as a drug to treat OMS. To assess RTX treatment, we studied a patient who experienced recurrence of OMS.

CASE REPORT

A 2-year-old Japanese boy, who had left adrenal neuroblastoma, suddenly showed OMS symptoms, including ataxia and opsoclonus. Surgical resection of the tumor and subsequent steroid therapy ameliorated his symptoms. When OMS relapsed during the time when prednisolone was reduced, he was treated with full-dose RTX therapy (375 mg/m2/week) for 4 consecutive weeks. However, 1year later, he presented again with OMS symptoms. This time, we only administered an additional single dose of RTX treatment (375 mg/m2), allowing remission of OMS symptoms. During 2 years after the additional RTX treatment, OMS symptoms did not appear, even when prednisolone was reduced. He had no adverse events associated with RTX during the whole treatment period.

CONCLUSIONS

An additional single-dose RTX therapy might be effective for relapsed OMS patients who were previously treated with full-dose RTX therapy.

Osimertinib Western and Asian clinical pharmacokinetics in patients and healthy volunteers: implications for formulation, dose, and dosing frequency in pivotal clinical studies

PURPOSE

Osimertinib (AZD9291) 80 mg once daily is approved by the US FDA for the treatment of patients with metastatic EGFR T790M-positive NSCLC whose disease has previously progressed on EGFR-TKI therapy. Osimertinib PK was evaluated to define the dose and dosing interval, whether a fixed-dosing approach can be used globally, and the impact of formulation and food on exposure.

METHODS

AURA (NCT01802632): single- and multiple-dose PK of osimertinib (20-240 mg daily) was determined in patients with advanced NSCLC. Bioavailability study (NCT01951599): single-dose PK of osimertinib (20 mg) was determined in healthy volunteers with administration of capsule, solution, or tablet formulations fasted, and as a tablet in the fed and fasted state.

RESULTS

Osimertinib was slowly absorbed and displayed dose-proportional increases in exposure from 20 to 240 mg. Distribution was extensive and clearance low to moderate, resulting in a mean half-life of 48.3 h. Steady state was achieved by 15 days of dosing, consistent with single-dose PK, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 1.6. Two active metabolites circulated at ~10 % of osimertinib exposure. Ethnicity did not appear to affect exposure. Osimertinib PK profiles in healthy volunteers were similar to those in patients and were unaffected by formulation. Food caused a clinically insignificant increase in exposure.

CONCLUSIONS

Osimertinib PK supports once-daily dosing; the same dose for Asian and non-Asian populations; a fixed-dosing approach; a minimal effect of food on exposure; and a switch to tablet formulation without alteration to dose or schedule. Osimertinib plasma concentrations are sustained throughout the dosing period, which is considered optimal for efficacy.

Preparation and Characterization of PLGA Encapsulated Protective Antigen Domain 4 Nanoformulation

Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) based particulate systems have been widely explored for the development of subunit based vaccines owing to its biodegradability, biocompatibility, controlled release of entrapped antigen, targeted delivery potential, and nontoxic degradation product. Here, we describe the preparation of PLGA encapsulated recombinant protective antigen domain 4 (PAD4) nanoformulation (PAD4-NP) and its characterization for antigen content, morphology, and size. We also discuss the method of immunization in mice models to evaluate such PLGA based nanoformulation vaccines.

Vaccination of koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) with a recombinant chlamydial major outer membrane protein adjuvanted with poly I:C, a host defense peptide and polyphosphazine, elicits strong and long lasting cellular and humoral immune responses

Chlamydial infections are wide spread in koalas across their range and a solution to this debilitating disease has been sought for over a decade. Antibiotics are the currently accepted therapeutic measure, but are not an effective treatment due to the asymptomatic nature of some infections and a low efficacy rate. Thus, a vaccine would be an ideal way to address this infectious disease threat in the wild. Previous vaccine trials have used a three-dose regimen; however this is very difficult to apply in the field as it would require multiple capture events, which are stressful and invasive processes for the koala. In addition, it requires skilled koala handlers and a significant monetary investment. To overcome these challenges, in this study we utilized a polyphosphazine based poly I:C and a host defense peptide adjuvant combined with recombinant chlamydial major outer membrane protein (rMOMP) antigen to induce long lasting (54 weeks) cellular and humoral immunity in female koalas with a novel single immunizing dose. Immunized koalas produced a strong IgG response in plasma, as well as at mucosal sites. Moreover, they showed high levels of C. pecorum specific neutralizing antibodies in the plasma as well as vaginal and conjunctival secretions. Lastly, Chlamydia-specific lymphocyte proliferation responses were produced against both whole chlamydial elementary bodies and rMOMP protein, over the 12-month period. The results of this study suggest that a single dose rMOMP vaccine incorporating a poly I:C, host defense peptide and polyphosphazine adjuvant is able to stimulate both arms of the immune system in koalas, thereby providing an alternative to antibiotic treatment and/or a three-dose vaccine regime.

Single high-dose vs. fractionated radiotherapy: Effects on plant growth rates

AIM

To evaluate the differential effects of fractionated vs. high-dose radiotherapy on plant growth.

BACKGROUND

Interest in hypofractionated radiotherapy has increased substantially in recent years as tumours (especially of the lung, prostate, and liver) can be irradiated with ever greater accuracy due to technological improvements. The effects of low-dose ionizing radiation on plant growth have been studied extensively, yet few studies have investigated the effect of high-dose, hypofractionated radiotherapy on plant growth development.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 150 plants from the genus Capsicum annuum were randomized to receive fractionated radiotherapy (5 doses of 10 Gy each), single high-dose (SHD) radiotherapy (single 50 Gy dose), or no radiotherapy (control group). Irradiation was delivered via linear accelerator and all samples were followed daily for 26 days to assess and compare daily growth.

RESULTS

On day 26, plants in the control, fractionated, and SHD groups had grown to a mean height of 7.55 cm, 4.32 cm, and 2.94 cm, respectively. These differences in overall growth were highly significant (P = 0.005). The SHD group showed the least amount of growth.

CONCLUSIONS

SHD effectively stunts plant growth and development. Despite the evident differences between plant and animal cells, ionizing radiation is believed to work in a similar manner in all biological cells. These findings highlight the need to continue investigating the use of hypofractionated schemes in humans to improve cancer treatment outcomes.

Hepatoprotective action of Orthosiphon diffusus (Benth.) methanol active fraction through antioxidant mechanisms: an in vivo and in vitro evaluation

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Preparations of Orthosiphon diffusus (Benth.) have been used by folk medicinal practitioners in the Western Ghats of India for treating inflammation, hepatitis and jaundice for many years and their effectiveness is widely acclaimed among the tribal communities.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To evaluate the mechanisms behind the antioxidant and hepatoprotective potential of Orthosiphon diffusus methanol active fraction (MAF) using in vivo (rat) and in vitro (cell culture) models.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Neutralization of CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity by MAF was evaluated in rats. Towards this, serum levels of hepatic injury markers (lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase), antioxidant enzymes in the liver homogenates, and histological examination were performed. In in vitro studies, mechanisms of neutralization of H2O2-induced toxicity by MAF using MTT, Comet assay and up-regulation of antioxidant enzymes at genetic level (RT-PCR) was performed in HepG2 cells.

RESULTS

Rats pre-treated with Orthosiphon diffusus MAF demonstrated significantly reduced levels of serum LDH (1.3-fold, p<0.05) and ALP (1.6-fold, p<0.05). Similarly, multiple dose MAF administration demonstrated significantly enhanced levels (p<0.05) of antioxidant enzymes in the liver homogenates. Histological analysis revealed complete neutralization of CCl4-induced liver injury by the extract. The in vitro studies demonstrated that, pre-treatment of MAF effectively prevented H2O2-induced oxidative stress, genotoxicity and significantly enhanced (~6-fold, p<0.01) expression of genes for antioxidant enzymes.

CONCLUSIONS

Orthosiphon diffusus MAF demonstrated significant hepatoprotection against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity by antioxidant mechanisms comparable to silymarin. H2O2-induced oxidative stress was completely neutralized by MAF through enhanced expression of genes for antioxidant enzymes. Therefore, this study validates the use of Orthosiphon diffusus by folk medicinal practitioners in India. Further, MAF of Orthosiphon diffusus can serve as a strong candidate for the development of herbal hepatoprotective agents.