Birch pollen-induced signatures in dendritic cells are maintained upon additional cytomegalovirus exposure.

During the birch pollen season an enhanced incidence of virus infections is noticed, raising the question whether pollen can affect anti-viral responses independent of allergic reactions. We previously showed that birch pollen-treatment of monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDC) enhances human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection. Here we addressed how in moDC the relatively weak pollen response can affect the comparably strong response to HCMV. To this end, moDC were stimulated with aqueous birch pollen extract (APE), HCMV, and APE with HCMV, and transcriptomic signatures were determined after 6 and 24 h of incubation. Infection was monitored upon exposure of moDC to GFP expressing HCMV by flow cytometric analysis of GFP expressing cells. Principle component analysis of RNA sequencing data revealed close clustering of mock and APE treated moDC, whereas HCMV as well as APE with HCMV treated moDC clustered separately after 6 and 24 h of incubation, respectively. Communally induced genes were detected in APE, HCMV and APE with HCMV treated moDC. In APE with HCMV treated moDC, the comparably weak APE induced signatures were maintained after HCMV exposure. In particular, NF-κB/RELA and PI3K/AKT/MAPK signaling were altered upon APE with HCMV exposure. Earlier, we discovered that NF-κB inhibition alleviated APE induced enhancement of HCMV infection. Here we additionally found that impairment of PI3K signaling reduced HCMV infection in HCMV and APE with HCMV treated moDC. APE treated moDC that were exposed to HCMV show a unique host gene signature, which to a large extent is regulated by NF-κB activation and PI3K/AKT/MAPK signaling.

Treatment switches of disease-modifying therapies in people with multiple sclerosis: long-term experience from the German MS Registry.

Background: The spectrum of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) has expanded over years, but data on treatment strategies is largely lacking. DMT switches are common clinical practice. Objective: To compare switchers and non-switchers, characterize the first DMT switch and identify reasons and predictors for switching the first DMT. Methods: Data on 2722 PwMS from the German MS Registry were retrospectively analyzed regarding sociodemographic/clinical differences between 1361 switchers (PwMS discontinuing the first DMT) and non-switchers matched according to age, sex, and observation period. Frequencies of first and second DMTs were calculated and switch reasons identified. Predictors for DMT switches were revealed using univariable and multivariable regression models. Results: Switchers and non-switchers differed significantly regarding time to first DMT, education, calendar period of the first DMT start (2014-2017 versus 2018-2021), first DMT class used [mild-to-moderate efficacy (MME) versus high-efficacy (HE) DMT], time on first DMT, and disease activity at first DMT start or cessation/last follow-up. The majority of PwMS started with MME DMTs (77.1%), with the most common being glatiramer acetate, dimethyl/diroximel fumarate, and beta-interferon variants. Switchers changed treatment more often to HE DMTs (39.6%), most commonly sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor modulators, anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies, and natalizumab. Fewer PwMS switched to MME DMTs (35.9%), with the most common being dimethyl/diroximel fumarate, teriflunomide, or beta-interferon. Among 1045 PwMS with sufficient data (76.8% of 1361 switchers), the most frequent reasons for discontinuing the first DMT were disease activity despite DMT (63.1%), adverse events (17.1%), and patient request (8.3%). Predictors for the first DMT switch were MME DMT as initial treatment [odds ratio (OR) = 2.83 (1.76-4.61), p < 0.001; reference: HE DMT], first DMT initiation between 2014 and 2017 [OR = 11.55 (6.93-19.94), p < 0.001; reference: 2018-2021], and shorter time on first DMT [OR = 0.22 (0.18-0.27), p < 0.001]. Conclusion: The initial use of MME DMTs was among the strongest predictors of DMT discontinuation in a large German retrospective MS cohort, arguing for the need for prospective treatment strategy trials, not only but also on the initial broad use of HE DMTs in PwMS.

Disease-modifying therapy initiation patterns in multiple sclerosis in three large MS populations.

Background: Treatment guidelines recommend early disease-modifying therapy (DMT) initiation after diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS). Multinational comparative studies that assess time to DMT initiation in MS may allow detection of barriers inherent to healthcare systems to explain potential adverse systematic delays in commencing DMTs. Objectives: To investigate and compare the time to first DMT and its association with sociodemographic and clinical variables after MS diagnosis in three large MS registries. Design: This observational study was conducted using data from the German MS Registry (GMSR), the North American Research Committee on MS Registry (NARCOMS, US data only), and the United Kingdom MS Registry (UKMSR, both self- and clinician-reported). Methods: Data from relapsing people with MS (PwMS), with a diagnosis of MS between 2014 and 2019, and available DMT and disability status were pooled using a meta-analytic approach. Results: A total of 5395 PwMS were included in the analysis (GMSR: n = 2658; NARCOMS: n = 447; UKMSR: n = 2290). Kaplan-Meier estimates for the time to first DMT [median months (95% CI)] were 2.0 (1.9-2.0), 3.0 (2-4), and 9.0 (7.7-10.6) for GMSR, NARCOMS, and UKMSR, respectively. Pooled multivariable Cox regression demonstrated shorter time to first DMT for PwMS diagnosed after 2017 [1.65 (1.42-1.92), p < 0.01], and longer time to DMT when a higher-efficacy DMT was selected (0.69 (0.54-0.90), p < 0.0001]. Conclusion: Time to DMT initiation differs across the populations studied, indicating that barriers may exist in early access to DMT, particularly in the United Kingdom. However, a consistent decrease in time to DMT initiation was noted since 2017 across all registries. Further studies are warranted comparing the effects of time to DMT and time to higher-efficacy DMT on long-term outcome.

Occurrence and Risk Factors of Relapse Activity after Vaccination against COVID-19 in People with Multiple Sclerosis: 1-Year Follow-Up Results from a Nationwide Longitudinal Observational Study.

Several studies reported post-SARS-CoV-2-vaccination (PV) symptoms. Even people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) have concerns about disease activity following the SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. We aimed to determine the proportion of PwMS with PV relapses, the PV annualized relapse rate (ARR), the time from vaccination to subsequent relapses, and identify sociodemographic/clinical risk factors for PV relapses. PwMS were surveyed several times at baseline and four follow-ups as part of a longitudinal observational study regarding the safety and tolerability of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. The inclusion criteria for this analysis were age ≥18 years, ≥1 SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, and ≥1-year observation period since initial vaccination. Of 2466 PwMS, 13.8% reported PV relapses (mostly after second [N = 147] or booster vaccination [N = 145]) at a median of 8.0 (first/third quantile: 3.55/18.1) weeks PV, with the shortest period following initial vaccination (3.95 weeks). The ARR was 0.153 (95% confidence interval: 0.138-0.168), with a median observation period since initial vaccination of 1.2 years. Risk factors for PV relapses were younger age, female gender, moderate-severe disability levels, concurrent autoimmune diseases, relapsing-remitting MS courses, no DMT, and relapses within the year prior to the first vaccination. Patients' health conditions before/during initial vaccination may play a more important role in PV relapse occurrence than vaccination per se.

Application of Statistical Methods for Central Statistical Monitoring and Implementations on the German Multiple Sclerosis Registry.

Monitoring of clinical trials is a fundamental process required by regulatory agencies. It assures the compliance of a center to the required regulations and the trial protocol. Traditionally, monitoring teams relied on extensive on-site visits and source data verification. However, this is costly, and the outcome is limited. Thus, central statistical monitoring (CSM) is an additional approach recently embraced by the International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) to detect problematic or erroneous data by using visualizations and statistical control measures. Existing implementations have been primarily focused on detecting inlier and outlier data. Other approaches include principal component analysis and distribution of the data. Here we focus on the utilization of comparisons of centers to the Grand mean for different model types and assumptions for common data types, such as binomial, ordinal, and continuous response variables. We implement the usage of multiple comparisons of single centers to the Grand mean of all centers. This approach is also available for various non-normal data types that are abundant in clinical trials. Further, using confidence intervals, an assessment of equivalence to the Grand mean can be applied. In a Monte Carlo simulation study, the applied statistical approaches have been investigated for their ability to control type I error and the assessment of their respective power for balanced and unbalanced designs which are common in registry data and clinical trials. Data from the German Multiple Sclerosis Registry (GMSR) including proportions of missing data, adverse events and disease severity scores were used to verify the results on Real-World-Data (RWD).

Frequency and Predictors of Relapses following SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: Interim Results from a Longitudinal Observational Study.

Despite protection from severe COVID-19 courses through vaccinations, some people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) are vaccination-hesitant due to fear of post-vaccination side effects/increased disease activity. The aim was to reveal the frequency and predictors of post-SARS-CoV-2-vaccination relapses in PwMS. This prospective, observational study was conducted as a longitudinal Germany-wide online survey (baseline survey and two follow-ups). Inclusion criteria were age ≥18 years, MS diagnosis, and ≥1 SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Patient-reported data included socio-demographics, MS-related data, and post-vaccination phenomena. Annualized relapse rates (ARRs) of the study cohort and reference cohorts from the German MS Registry were compared pre- and post-vaccination. Post-vaccination relapses were reported by 9.3% PwMS (247/2661). The study cohort's post-vaccination ARR was 0.189 (95% CI: 0.167-0.213). The ARR of a matched unvaccinated reference group from 2020 was 0.147 (0.129-0.167). Another reference cohort of vaccinated PwMS showed no indication of increased post-vaccination relapse activity (0.116; 0.088-0.151) compared to pre-vaccination (0.109; 0.084-0.138). Predictors of post-vaccination relapses (study cohort) were missing immunotherapy (OR = 2.09; 1.55-2.79; p < 0.001) and shorter time from the last pre-vaccination relapse to the first vaccination (OR = 0.87; 0.83-0.91; p < 0.001). Data on disease activity of the study cohort in the temporal context are expected for the third follow-up.

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in patients with multiple sclerosis in Germany and the United Kingdom: Gender-specific results from a longitudinal observational study.

Background: Vaccines offer people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) an effective protection against severe COVID-19 disease courses. However, representative real-world data on the tolerability of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in PwMS are limited. We aimed at analysing vaccination reactions (VRs) and MS deterioration following SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations in German and United Kingdom (UK) PwMS, especially regarding gender-specific differences. Methods: The German Multiple Sclerosis Society and the UK MS Registry acquired health data via an online system following the first (X1) and second SARS-CoV-2 vaccination (X2), respectively: sociodemographic and clinical data, vaccines used, VRs, MS deterioration (worsened or new MS symptoms, Germany only) and relapses (Germany only). The frequencies of VRs and MS deterioration were analysed stratified by gender. Findings: Following X1 (X2), 2346 (1835) German PwMS and 3796 (683) UK PwMS participated in the study. The most frequent vaccination scheme was two-dose tozinameran for Germany (77·1%, 1424/1847) and two-dose AZD1222 for the UK (61·3%, 419/683). The most common VRs were fatigue, headache and pain (at the injection site) and occurred more often in women compared with men. German PwMS reported VRs more frequently after X2 vs. X1 (65·4% [1201/1835] vs. 61·2% [1435/2346]), while for UK patients it was the opposite (X1 vs. X2: 48·7% [1849/3796] vs. 30·0% [205/683]). MS deterioration occurred in 19·0% (445/2346) of the German PwMS without resulting in gender-specific differences. Fatigue and gait impairment were the most frequent deteriorated MS symptoms. Interpretation: Female PwMS reported experiencing VRs more often than men. Longitudinal data are needed to enable valid statements regarding long-term MS deterioration and long-lasting VRs. Funding: German Multiple Sclerosis Society (DMSG Bundesverband e.V.), Biogen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Merck Serono, Mylan, Novartis, Roche and Sanofi.

Therapy Switches in Fingolimod-Treated Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: Long-Term Experience from the German MS Registry.

INTRODUCTIONS: Therapy switches in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) receiving treatment with fingolimod occur frequently in clinical practice but are not well represented in real-world data. The aim of this study was to identify and characterize treatment switches and reveal sociodemographic/clinical changes over time in fingolimod-treated people with MS (PwMS). METHODS: Data on 2536 fingolimod-treated PwMS extracted from the German MS Registry during different time periods were analyzed (2010-2019). RESULTS: Overall, 28.3% of PwMS were treatment-naïve before fingolimod initiation. Interferon beta (30.7%) was the most common pre-fingolimod treatment. Ocrelizumab (19.8%) was the most frequent subsequent treatment in the 944 patients on fingolimod who switched. Between 2010 and 2019, median disease duration at fingolimod initiation decreased from 8.5 to 7.1 years (p < 0.001), and patients taking fingolimod for ≥ 1 year after treatment initiation decreased from 89.6 to 80.5% (p < 0.001). Females (p < 0.001) and young patients (p = 0.003) showed a shorter time on fingolimod. The most frequent reason for switching was disease activity (relapse/MRI) despite treatment. The annualized relapse rate increased from 0.37 in patients on fingolimod to 0.47 after treatment cessation, decreasing to 0.19 after treatment with a subsequent disease-modifying drug (DMD) was initiated. CONCLUSION: Treatment switches from fingolimod to subsequent DMDs currently occur after shorter treatment durations than 10 years ago, possibly due to the growing treatment spectrum. Planning adequate washout periods is essential and should be done on an individualized basis.

Patient Benefit of Clinical Research in Diversely Advanced African Developing Countries.

BACKGROUND: The globalization of clinical research should also benefit the population in developing markets. In this context, the approval of tested medicines and the associated expansion of medical care beyond clinical studies would be desirable as a possible long-term benefit. OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to compare the development of the number of clinical trials with the number of marketing authorizations of medicines on the African continent. To contrast these 2 parameters, the data were analyzed using the model of an ecological study. METHODS: To reflect the broad spectrum of African developing countries with diverse levels of development, the data collection was based on 2 geographically selected sample countries each from Central, North, East, West, and Southern Africa. Based on the ClinicalTrials.gov registry, the first step was to collect trends data on the development of the clinical trials in the 10 selected countries of the country list of the African Region published by the World Health Organization for the period 2015 to 2018. Subsequently, data on the current number of marketing authorizations of medicines in the selected sample countries were identified using the online registries of the national authorities. The data were utilized in comparative analyses. RESULTS: Eight out of 10 model countries showed an increase in the number of clinical trials, with the exceptions of Cameroon and Libya, which showed an overall decline in research activity over the entire time. In direct comparison with drug registrations, the numbers indicate a similar development. The only exception here is Nigeria, a country with a solid performance in clinical research and yet a decrease in medicine registrations since 2015. CONCLUSIONS: The expected increase in the development of clinical research as result of the globalization trend can basically be observed in most of the model countries. However, this increase does not guarantee an improvement in the number of medicine registrations. Although this is evident in some of the selected model countries, it cannot be projected to the entire African region. This may be linked to the diverse development of the individual countries due to the different political situations and the varying degrees of clinical research infrastructure. (Curr Ther Res Clin Exp. 2022; 82:XXX-XXX).

Piper crocatum Ruiz & Pav. ameliorates wound healing through p53, E-cadherin and SOD1 pathways on wounded hyperglycemia fibroblasts.

INTRODUCTION: Piper crocatum Ruiz & Pav (P. crocatum) has been reported to accelerate the diabetic wound healing process empirically. Some studies showed the benefits of P. crocatum in treating various diseases but its mechanisms in diabetic wound healing have never been reported. In the present study we investigated the diabetic wound healing activity of the active fraction of P. crocatum on wounded hyperglycemia fibroblasts (wHFs). METHODS: Bioassay-guided fractionation was performed to get the most active fraction. The selected active fraction was applied to wHFs within 72 h incubation. Mimicking a diabetic condition was done using basal glucose media containing an additional 17 mMol/L D-glucose. A wound was simulated via the scratch assay. The collagen deposition was measured using Picro-Sirius Red and wound closure was measured using scratch wound assay. Underlying mechanisms through p53, αSMA, SOD1 and E-cadherin were measured using western blotting. RESULTS: We reported that FIV is the most active fraction of P. crocatum. We confirmed that FIV \(7.81 µg/ml, 15.62 µg/ml, 31.25 µg/ml, 62.5 µg/ml, and 125 µg/ml) induced the collagen deposition and wound closure of wHFs. Furthermore, FIV treatment (7.81 µg/ml, 15.62 µg/ml, 31.25 µg/ml) down-regulated the protein expression level of p53 and up-regulated the protein expression levels of αSMA, E-cadherin, and SOD1. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that ameliorating collagen deposition and wound closure through protein regulation of p53, αSMA, E-cadherin, and SOD1 are some of the mechanisms by which FIV of P. crocatum is involved in diabetic wound healing therapy.

Improving Risk Assessment in Clinical Trials: Toward a Systematic Risk-Based Monitoring Approach.

Regulatory authorities have encouraged the usage of a monitoring (RBM) system in clinical trials before trial initiation for detection of potential risks and inclusion of a mitigation plan in the monitoring strategy. Several RBM tools were developed after the International Council for Harmonization gave sponsors the flexibility to initiate an approach to enhance quality management in a clinical trial. However, various studies have demonstrated the need for improvement of the available RBM tools as each does not provide a comprehensive overview of the characteristics, focus, and application. This research lays out a rationale for a risk methodology assessment (RMA) within the RBM system. The core purpose of RMA is to deliver a scientifically based evaluation and decision of any potential risk in a clinical trial. Thereby, a monitoring plan can be developed to elude prior identified risk outcome. To demonstrate RMA's theoretical approach in practice, a Shiny web application (R Foundation for Statistical Computing) was designed to describe the assessment process of risk analysis and visualization tools that eventually aid in focusing monitoring activities. RMA focuses on the identification of an individual risk and visualizes its weight on the trial. The scoring algorithm of the presented approach computes the assessment of the individual risk in a radar plot and computes the overall score of the trial. Moreover, RMA's novelty lies in its ability to decrease biased decision making during risk assessment by categorizing risk influence and detectability; a characteristic pivotal to serve RBM in assessing risks, and in contributing to a better understanding in the monitoring technique necessary for developing a functional monitoring plan. Future research should focus on validating the power of RMAs to demonstrate its efficiency. This would facilitate the process of characterizing the strengths and weaknesses of RMA in practice.

Characteristics of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis: Disease activity and provision of care in Germany - A registry-based/multicentric cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The tailored immunomodulatory treatment strategy for secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) depends on disease activity. OBJECTIVE: To assess the real-world situation in monitoring disease activity in SPMS patients and to identify associations of resulting subgroups with demographics, symptomatology, and therapy METHODS: This study included 4,263 SPMS patients from the German MS register (GMSR). For the classification into 'active' and 'inactive' according to relapse activity and MRI findings during the year prior to the latest clinical visit, we used the following definitions: active - gadolinium enhancing (Gd+)/new T2 lesions or ≥1 relapse, inactive - neither Gd+/new T2 lesions nor relapses. The active, inactive, and unclassifiable patients were compared in terms of clinical data, socio-demographics, symptomatology, healthcare, and DMT. RESULTS: Classification was possible for 1,513 (35.5%) SPMS patients, with 467 classified as active and 1,046 as inactive. For the classification, MRI data was available for 33.2% of the 4,263 patients. Higher MRI frequencies were observed for younger patients (OR 1.22 [1.12,1.33] per 10 years) with short disease duration (OR 1.19 [1.09, 1.30] per 10 years) (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: MRI coverage was low, especially in elderly SPMS patients. Roughly one third of the SPMS patients presented markers of disease activity in the last year. Overall, the clinical differences (concerning symptomatology and care) between patients with active and inactive SPMS were small.

Management of MS Patients Treated With Daclizumab - a Case Series of 267 Patients.

Daclizumab was approved by the FDA and the EMA in 2016 for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). Cases of severe inflammatory brain disease with fatal outcome led to the withdrawal of approval in Europe and the US on March 2, 2018. Approximately 8,000 patients worldwide received daclizumab, but little is known about the further therapy management of these patients after the withdrawal of daclizumab. The aim of this study is to further analyze therapy management in MS patients after safety warnings and market withdrawal. Data from two registries in Germany, the German MS Registry (GMSR) and REGIMS, were used for this analysis. In total, 267 patients were included in this study. For almost 25% of patients (in the GMSR) daclizumab was the initial treatment. Most common pre-treatments were fingolimod, dimethyl fumarate, and natalizumab; various injectables summed up to 25.9%. The most common follow-up therapies were ocrelizumab and fingolimod. In most patients, follow-up therapies were administered shortly after discontinuation of daclizumab. The wash-out time for subsequent therapies varied between 1.2 and 4.0 months. Warnings and decisions by authorities led to a rapid decline and termination of therapies in both cohorts, indicating that such warnings have an immediate impact on the treatment landscape. Therapies that were started within a short time after the discontinuation of daclizumab were subsequently replaced by other therapies and may be considered as bridging therapies.