P2X3 Receptor Antagonist Eliapixant in Phase I Clinical Trials: Safety and Inter-ethnic Comparison of Pharmacokinetics in Healthy Chinese and Japanese Participants.

BACKGROUND: Afferent neuronal hypersensitization via P2X3 receptor signaling has been implicated as a driver of several disorders, including refractory chronic cough, endometriosis, diabetic neuropathic pain, and overactive bladder. Eliapixant, a selective P2X3 receptor antagonist, has been in clinical development for all four disorders. OBJECTIVE: This paper describes pharmacokinetic (PK) and safety data from two phase I studies of eliapixant in healthy Japanese and Chinese participants and compares those data within the two populations and with previous multiple dose data from Caucasian participants. METHODS: Two separate phase I, single-center, randomized, placebo-controlled studies were conducted with healthy male participants. The Japanese study was single-blind and the Chinese study was double-blind. Eliapixant was administered as an oral amorphous solid dispersion immediate-release tablet in strengths of 25 mg, 75 mg, and 150 mg. PK characteristics after a single dose (SD) and at steady state (multiple dose [MD], twice daily), adverse events (AEs), and tolerability were evaluated. A post hoc comparison of PK characteristics after SD of eliapixant in Japanese and Chinese participants, and after MD of eliapixant in Japanese, Chinese, and Caucasian participants, was performed. RESULTS: Overall, 36/39 participants enrolled in the Japanese/Chinese studies, respectively (mean [standard deviation] age 25.4 [6.5] and 26.7 [5.0] years, respectively). After SD administration, maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) was higher among Japanese than Chinese participants in the 25 mg and 75 mg dose groups, but comparable in the 150 mg dose group. The area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) was comparable between Japanese and Chinese participants in the 25 mg and 75 mg dose groups, but lower among Japanese participants in the 150 mg group. Half-lives after SD and MD administration were also comparable in Japanese and Chinese participants. The post hoc analysis included 26 Japanese, 30 Chinese, and 50 Caucasian participants. Comparable exposure (Cmax,md and AUC[0-12]md) was observed after MD administration of eliapixant in Chinese and/or Japanese compared with Caucasian participants (geometric mean inter-ethnic ratios close to 1). The trough plasma concentration after eliapixant 150 mg MD, which was assumed to be relevant to eliapixant efficacy, was comparable across all ethnicity groups. Most AEs reported in the Japanese (eliapixant 75 mg SD, n = 2; eliapixant 150 mg MD, n = 2) and Chinese participants (eliapixant 25 mg SD, n = 7; eliapixant 75 mg SD, n = 6; eliapixant 150 mg SD, n = 7; eliapixant 150 mg MD, n = 9; placebo SD, n = 5; placebo MD, n = 1) were of mild intensity. Higher incidences of AEs in the Chinese population were likely due to differing standards of AE reporting between investigators. CONCLUSION: Eliapixant was well tolerated by Japanese and Chinese participants. The inter-ethnic evaluation demonstrated similar PK characteristics across Japanese, Chinese, and Caucasian participants. REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier numbers: NCT04265781 and NCT04802343.

A phase 3 randomized trial of the safety and immunogenicity of 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in adults ≥ 60 years of age in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: Pneumococcal infections are associated with high disease burden in older individuals in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. The 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV20) was developed to extend protection beyond earlier pneumococcal vaccines. METHODS: This phase 3 randomized, double-blind study investigated the safety and immunogenicity of PCV20 in participants ≥ 60 years of age from Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. Participants were randomized to receive PCV20 or 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13). One month after vaccination, PCV20 recipients received a saline injection and PCV13 recipients received 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23). Primary immunogenicity objectives were to demonstrate noninferiority of PCV20 to PCV13 (13 matched serotypes) or PPSV23 (7 additional serotypes) for serotype-specific opsonophagocytic activity (OPA) geometric mean titers (GMTs) 1 month after vaccination with PCV20, PCV13, or PPSV23. Noninferiority for each serotype was declared if the lower bound of the 2-sided 95% CI for OPA geometric mean ratio (GMR) was > 0.5. Safety endpoints included local reactions, systemic events, adverse events (AEs), and serious AEs. RESULTS: Overall, 1421‬ participants were vaccinated (median age [range]: 65 [60-85] years). PCV20 was noninferior to PCV13 for all 13 matched serotypes and to PPSV23 for 6 of 7 additional serotypes. Although statistical noninferiority was missed for serotype 8 (lower bound of the 2-sided 95% CI for OPA GMR = 0.5, thus not meeting the statistical noninferiority criterion of > 0.5), secondary immunogenicity endpoints for serotype 8 were supportive of a robust immune response. The incidence of AEs and the frequency and severity of local reactions and systemic events were generally similar after PCV20 and PCV13. No safety concerns were identified. CONCLUSION: PCV20 generated robust immune responses to all vaccine serotypes in older adults in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. The safety and tolerability profile was similar to PCV13. PCV20 is expected to help protect against all 20 vaccine serotypes. NCT04875533.

Safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of a 21-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, V116, in Japanese healthy adults: A Phase I study.

V116 is an investigational 21-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) to address the burden of residual adult pneumococcal disease after the introduction of pediatric PCVs into national immunization programs (NIPs) and includes serotypes highly prevalent in adult invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). This Phase I study assessed the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of V116 in Japanese adults. Participants ≥20 years of age were randomized to receive a single dose of V116 or 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) at day 1. Outcomes were solicited injection-site and systemic adverse events (AEs) from day 1 to day 5, vaccine-related serious AEs from day 1 through day 30, and serotype-specific opsonophagocytic antibody (OPA) titers and immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations at day 30. Overall, 102 participants were randomized 1:1 to each group. Comparable proportions vaccinated with V116 and PPSV23 experienced ≥1 solicited injection-site AE and ≥1 solicited systemic AE. The most common injection-site AEs were injection-site pain (V116: 54.9%; PPSV23: 66.7%) and swelling (V116 and PPSV23: 13.7%), and the most common systemic AEs were myalgia (V116: 17.6%; PPSV23: 19.6%) and fatigue (V116: 13.7%; PPSV23: 9.8%). Solicited AEs were mostly mild and of ≤3 days duration. No vaccine-related serious AEs or deaths were reported. The OPA and IgG findings showed that the immunogenicity of V116 and PPSV23 were comparable for the 12 common serotypes and V116 was more immunogenic for the nine unique serotypes compared with PPSV23. V116 was well tolerated, with a safety profile similar to PPSV23, and induced functional antibodies against all 21 serotypes.

Pharmacokinetics and safety of CT-P17 (40 mg/0.4 ml) versus reference adalimumab: randomized study in healthy Japanese adults.

Aim: Comparing pharmacokinetics and safety of CT-P17 and EU-approved reference adalimumab (EU-adalimumab) in Japan. Materials & methods: Double-blind, parallel-group phase I trial at three hospitals. Healthy Japanese adults were randomized (1:1) to CT-P17 or EU-adalimumab (single 40-mg subcutaneous dose). The primary end point was pharmacokinetic equivalence for area under the concentration-time curve from time zero to infinity and maximum serum concentration. Results: Of the 205 randomized subjects (102 CT-P17, 103 EU-adalimumab), 204 received study drug. CT-P17 and EU-adalimumab were pharmacokinetically equivalent: 90% CIs for geometric least-squares mean ratios were within predefined 80-125% equivalence margins. Secondary pharmacokinetic end points, safety and immunogenicity were similar between the groups. Conclusion: CT-P17 had pharmacokinetics, safety and immunogenicity comparable to EU-adalimumab in healthy Japanese adults.

CT-P17 is a biosimilar that has been determined by the EMA to be highly similar to adalimumab. CT-P17 is approved to treat the same inflammatory conditions as reference adalimumab. CT-P17 is formulated at a high concentration (40 mg/0.4 ml) and may be associated with less injection-site pain than the original lower-concentration formulation of the reference product. In this study, healthy Japanese adults were given a single dose of either CT-P17 or EU-approved reference adalimumab. Pharmacokinetics (drug absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion), safety and immunogenicity (occurrence of immune response to the drug) were comparable between the two groups. Previous studies with CT-P17 did not take place in Japan. These results support applying the conclusions regarding CT-P17 biosimilarity from other studies to the Japanese population.

Safety and immunogenicity of a respiratory syncytial virus prefusion F protein (RSVPreF3) candidate vaccine in older Japanese adults: A phase I, randomized, observer-blind clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes lower respiratory tract infection, with a high burden of disease among adults ≥60 years. This study assessed the safety, reactogenicity, and immunogenicity of an investigational adjuvanted RSV vaccine (RSVPreF3/AS01B) in Japanese adults aged 60-80 years. METHODS: Forty participants were randomized to receive two doses of RSVPreF3/AS01B or the placebo, in a 1:1 ratio, two months apart, in this placebo-controlled study. Solicited administration-site and systemic adverse events (AEs) were collected within 7 days and unsolicited AEs within 30 days post-vaccination. Serious AEs (SAEs) and potential immune-mediated diseases (pIMDs) were collected throughout the study (12 months post-dose 2). RSVPreF3-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody concentrations and neutralizing antibody (nAb) titers against RSV-A were evaluated on day (D)1, D31, D61, D91 and those against RSV-B on D1, D31, D91. RESULTS: Solicited AEs were reported more frequently in RSVPreF3/AS01B recipients (80.0%-90.0%) than in placebo recipients (10.0%-20.0%). Two RSVPreF3/AS01B recipients experienced grade 3 solicited AEs. Rate of unsolicited AEs were similar (30.0%-35.0%) in both groups. No RSVPreF3/AS01B recipient reported SAEs/pIMDs, while one placebo recipient reported two SAEs that were unrelated to vaccination. Baseline RSVPreF3-specific IgG and RSV-A/-B nAb levels were above the assay cut-off values. In the RSVPreF3/AS01B group, RSVPreF3-specific IgG concentrations increased 12.8-fold on D31 and 9.2-fold on D91 versus baseline while nAb titers increased 7.3-fold (RSV-A) and 8.4-fold (RSV-B) on D31 and 6.3-fold (RSV-A) and 9.9-fold (RSV-B) on D91. CONCLUSIONS: The RSVPreF3/AS01B vaccine was well tolerated and immunogenic in older Japanese adults. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04090658.

Phase 1 Study to Investigate the Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of EPI-589 in Healthy Participants.

EPI-589 attenuates oxidative stress due to the radical scavenging activity of the reduced form and affects mitochondrial energy metabolism as a substrate of quinone-oxidoreductases. Given the effects of EPI-589 on oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, EPI-589 shows promise as a potential therapy for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. This phase 1 study evaluated the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetic profiles of EPI-589. Sixty-eight healthy participants were randomly assigned to EPI-589 or placebo. All adverse events were mild or moderate in severity, and no severe adverse events were reported. After single-dose administration under fasting conditions, time to maximum plasma concentration (tmax ) occurred 0.25 to 1.00 hour after administration. Both peak plasma concentration (Cmax ) and area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) were approximately linear with increases in single doses over a dose range of 250-1000 mg. Under fed conditions, the Cmax decreased to 62.6% of the Cmax under fasting conditions, the AUC was slightly increased, and the tmax was delayed by 1 hour. When EPI-589 was administered daily on days 1 and 7 with twice-daily dosing on days 2 through 6, the plasma trough concentration appeared to reach steady state by day 3. At both doses studied (500 mg twice daily and 750 mg twice daily), Cmax, tmax , and AUC were generally comparable between day 1 and day 7 and between the Japanese and White participants. EPI-589 was well tolerated as a single daily dose up to 1000 mg and as twice-daily doses up to 750 mg, with a linear pharmacokinetic profile.

Comparison of two biosimilarity studies of FKB327 with the adalimumab reference product: randomized phase 1 studies of single-blind, single-dose subcutaneous injection in healthy Japanese male participants.

BACKGROUND: FKB327 has been developed as a biosimilar of the adalimumab reference product (RP). We compared the pharmacokinetics (PK), safety, and immunogenicity of FKB327 with those of the adalimumab RP after a single dose by subcutaneous (SC) injection in Japanese male participants. METHODS: Two randomized, single-blind, single-dose studies were conducted in healthy Japanese male participants to compare PK characteristics between FKB327 and the RP. Study 1 included 130 participants who were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive a subcutaneous injection of 40 mg of either FKB327 or the RP into the abdomen. In Study 2, another 130 subjects were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either drug as in Study 1, but the drug administration site was changed to the thigh. The primary PK endpoints of both studies were area under the concentration-time curve from time zero to the last measurable concentration (AUC0-t) and maximum serum concentration; area under the concentration-time curve from time zero to 360 h was also evaluated as one of the primary endpoints in Study 1. Biosimilarity in terms of pharmacokinetics was determined if the 90% confidence interval of the mean difference in geometric mean ratio of all primary PK parameters was within the prespecified equivalence criteria (0.80-1.25). Immunogenicity and safety were also evaluated as secondary endpoints. RESULTS: The serum concentration-time profiles were comparable between the FKB327 and the RP treatment groups in both studies. Primary PK parameters were within the prespecified bioequivalence range in Study 2, although AUC0-t was slightly outside the upper side of the range in Study 1. No differences in safety profile were observed in these studies. The incidence of anti-drug antibodies (ADAs) and impact of ADAs on PK profile were similar among the treatment groups in both studies. CONCLUSION: Biosimilarity between FKB327 and the RP after a single 40-mg SC injection was confirmed in healthy Japanese male participants by modifying the study design. TRIAL REGISTRATION: jRCT2071200058 (https://jrct.niph.go.jp/en-latest-detail/jRCT2071200058, https://rctportal.niph.go.jp/en/detail?trial_id=jRCT2071200058) and jRCT2071200057 (https://jrct.niph.go.jp/en-latest-detail/jRCT2071200057, https://rctportal.niph.go.jp/en/detail?trial_id=jRCT2071200057). Retrospectively registered 25/11/2020.

A phase 3 trial of safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of V114, 15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, compared with 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in adults 50 years of age and older (PNEU-AGE).

BACKGROUND: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) have greatly reduced the incidence of pneumococcal disease, yet unmet medical need remains due to increased disease caused by non-vaccine serotypes (STs). V114 (VAXNEUVANCETM, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA) is a 15-valent PCV containing 13 serotypes in licensed PCV13 and 2 additional serotypes (22F, 33F) which significantly contribute to pneumococcal disease burden. This phase 3 trial compared safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of V114 to PCV13 in adults ≥50 years of age. METHODS: Adults were randomized 1:1 to receive a single dose of V114 or PCV13; randomization was stratified by age (50-64 years, 65-74 years, and ≥75 years). Adverse events (AEs) were collected following vaccination. Serotype-specific opsonophagocytic activity (OPA) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies were measured prior to and 30 days after vaccination (Day 30). Primary objectives included assessing noninferiority of V114 to PCV13 for the 13 shared serotypes and superiority of V114 to PCV13 for the two unique serotypes. Superiority of V114 to PCV13 for shared serotype 3 was assessed as a secondary objective. RESULTS: Overall, 1,202 participants were vaccinated (V114 N = 602, PCV13 N = 600). The most commonly reported AEs across both groups were injection-site pain, fatigue, and myalgia. V114 met noninferiority criteria compared to PCV13 for the 13 shared serotypes (using a 2-fold non-inferiority margin for the ratio of OPA geometric mean titers [GMTs] [V114/PCV13] at Day 30) and met superiority for the 2 unique serotypes (using a 2-fold super-superiority margin for the ratio of OPA GMTs [V114/PCV13] at Day 30 and a 0.10 super-superiority margin for the difference in proportions of participants with ≥4-fold rise from prevaccination to Day 30). V114 met superiority criteria compared to PCV13 for serotype 3 (based on a super-superiority margin of 1.2 for the ratio of the OPA GMTs [V114/PCV13] and a superiority margin of 0 for the difference in proportions of participants with ≥4-fold rise). [NCT03950622, EudraCT#2018-004316-22, Japic-CTI#194845].

A randomized study to evaluate safety and immunogenicity of the BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine in healthy Japanese adults.

We report interim safety and immunogenicity findings from an ongoing phase 1/2 study of BNT162b2 in healthy Japanese adults. Participants were randomized 3:1 to receive 2 intramuscular injections of 30 µg BNT162b2 or placebo 21 days apart. Overall, 160 individuals were randomized: 119 received BNT162b2, and 41 received placebo. Participants were stratified by age: 20-64 years (n = 130) and 65-85 years (n = 30). More than 97% of BNT162b2 recipients received 2 doses. Local reactions and systemic events were generally transient and mild to moderate. Severe adverse events were uncommon; there were no serious adverse events. One month after dose 2, SARS-CoV-2 50% serum neutralizing geometric mean titers were 571 and 366, and geometric mean fold rises were 55.8 and 36.6, in the younger and older age groups, respectively. In summary, BNT162b2 has an acceptable safety profile and produces a robust immune response, regardless of age, in Japanese adults. (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04588480).

A phase I study of high dose camostat mesylate in healthy adults provides a rationale to repurpose the TMPRSS2 inhibitor for the treatment of COVID-19.

Camostat mesylate, an oral serine protease inhibitor, is used to treat chronic pancreatitis and reflux esophagitis. Recently, camostat mesylate and its active metabolite 4-(4-guanidinobenzoyloxy)phenylacetic acid (GBPA) were reported to inhibit the infection of cells by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 by inhibiting type II transmembrane serine protease. We conducted a phase I study to investigate high-dose camostat mesylate as a treatment for coronavirus disease 2019. Camostat mesylate was orally administered to healthy adults at 600 mg 4 times daily under either of the following conditions: fasted state, after a meal, 30 min before a meal, or 1 h before a meal, and the pharmacokinetics and safety profiles were evaluated. In addition, the time of plasma GBPA concentration exceeding the effective concentration was estimated as the time above half-maximal effective concentration (EC50 ) by using pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modeling and simulation. Camostat mesylate was safe and tolerated at all dosages. Compared with the fasted state, the exposure of GBPA after a meal and 30 min before a meal was significantly lower; however, no significant difference was observed at 1 h before a meal. The time above EC50 was 11.5 h when camostat mesylate 600 mg was administered 4 times daily in the fasted state or 1 h before a meal. Based on the results of this phase I study, we are currently conducting a phase III study.

Levocetirizine Oral Disintegrating Tablet: A Randomized Open-Label Crossover Bioequivalence Study in Healthy Japanese Volunteers.

Levocetirizine is classified as a second-generation antihistamine. Levocetirizine is available for the treatment of allergic disorders such as allergic rhinitis and chronic idiopathic urticaria. This was a single-center, single-dose, open-label, randomized, 2-way crossover study in healthy Japanese male subjects consisting of 2 parts. Part 1 compared the bioavailability of levocetirizine oral disintegrating tablet (ODT) and levocetirizine immediate-release tablet (IRT) taken with water in the fasted state in 24 subjects; all subjects completed this part of the trial. In part 2, the bioavailability of levocetirizine ODT without water was compared with that of levocetirizine IRT with water in the fasted state in 48 subjects; 47 subjects completed this part of the trial. Bioequivalence was demonstrated between levocetirizine IRT 5 mg and ODT 5 mg. The safety profiles were generally similar between levocetirizine ODT and levocetirizine IRT, with no serious adverse events, deaths, or adverse events leading to withdrawal reported during the study.

Bioequivalence of a Newly Developed Dabigatran Etexilate Tablet Versus the Commercial Capsule and Impact of Rabeprazole-Induced Elevated Gastric pH on Exposure in Healthy Subjects.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Dabigatran etexilate (DE) is an anticoagulant with proven efficacy and tolerability for stroke prevention in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. For the commercial capsule, a complex formulation is used to maintain the acidic microenvironment required for maximal absorption. Consequently, its efficacy and safety are similar with or without concomitant intake of proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs). A simplified DE tablet formulation was developed and tested in two studies. One investigated bioequivalence (BE) of the novel DE tablet versus the commercial DE capsule. The other investigated DE bioavailability (BA) under pretreatment with the PPI rabeprazole and assessed the effect of elevated pH on exposure to dabigatran. METHODS: BE of the novel DE tablet versus the DE capsule was assessed in a randomized two-treatment, four-period, two-sequence crossover study (NCT03070171). The effect of rabeprazole on the BA of the DE tablet was assessed in an open-label, single-arm study (NCT03143166). Both studies were conducted at sites in Japan. Participants were healthy male volunteers, aged ≥ 20-40 years. In the BE study, participants received the DE tablet or capsule (single oral dose, 110 mg); primary endpoints were area under the concentration-time curve from baseline to the last quantifiable data point (AUC0-tz) and maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) of unconjugated dabigatran. In the relative BA study, participants received the DE tablet (single oral dose, 110 mg) with or without rabeprazole pretreatment (once daily for 5 days, 20 mg); primary endpoints were AUC0-tz and Cmax of total dabigatran. RESULTS: In total, 160 participants were randomized in the BE study; 36 participants were enrolled in the BA study. The 90% confidence intervals of geometric mean (gMean) ratios for AUC0-tz (101.4-116.0%) and Cmax (101.8-116.6%) of unconjugated dabigatran were within pre-defined acceptance criteria for BE. In the relative BA study, the gMeans of AUC0-tz (667 to 192 ng h/mL) and Cmax (83.1 to 21.8 ng/mL) were decreased by approximately 70% when the tablet was administered under rabeprazole pretreatment. The reduction in BA was observed at a mean gastric pH of 5.3. Treatment was well tolerated; no deaths, serious adverse events (AEs) or significant AEs were reported in either study. CONCLUSION: The DE tablet demonstrated BE to the capsule; however, at high gastric pH, BA of the tablet was reduced by approximately 70%, which may lead to reduced efficacy. Data indicate the importance of examining not only BE under standard conditions, but relative BA at elevated gastric pH. Such investigations may avoid the reduced BA at elevated pH that is quite common in the target population (the elderly and/or patients treated with gastric-acid modifying co-medications), and therefore reduce treatment failure with DE. Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier numbers: NCT03070171, and NCT03143166.

Large-vessel involvement in granulomatosis with polyangiitis successfully treated with rituximab: A case report and literature review.

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is primary necrotizing vasculitis, which predominantly affects small to medium vessels. Herein, we describe a case of a 60-year-old female with GPA who developed inflammatory wall thickening localized in the aortic arch, upper abdominal aorta, and pulmonary artery. The wall thickening in the large vessels and other GPA lesions such as lung nodules and orbital mass had failed to respond to high-dose glucocorticoids combined with cyclophosphamide; however, all were successfully treated with rituximab. Our literature review identified 24 cases of large-vessel involvement associated with GPA. Luminal stenosis, occlusion, or wall thickening were observed in 8, periaortitis in 11, and aneurysms in 5 cases. The most commonly affected vessel was the abdominal aorta (12 cases), followed by the thoracic aorta (6 cases), subclavian artery (4 cases), and internal carotid artery (4 cases). Glucocorticoids were used in 23 cases, 20 of which received combination therapy with cyclophosphamide. Surgical or endovascular therapies were performed in 10 cases with aneurysmal dilatation. This is the first case showing the potential efficacy of rituximab for refractory large-vessel involvement associated with GPA.

Steroid-sparing effects of etanercept in a patient with steroid-dependent adult-onset Still's disease.

We herein report the case of an 84-year-old man with steroid-dependent adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) whose daily steroid dose was successfully tapered after etanercept treatment. The corticosteroids worked well initially, and the patient went into remission promptly; however, he suffered a relapse due to steroid tapering. Because treatment with cyclosporine and methotrexate was ineffective, reducing the steroid dose was difficult, and the corticosteroids induced myopathy and diabetes. However, steroid tapering was accomplished in combination with etanercept therapy, and the patient's steroid-induced side effects disappeared. Etanercept should therefore be considered as a steroid-sparing treatment option in patients with steroid-responsive, steroid-dependent AOSD.

Adult-onset Still's disease with macrophage activation syndrome successfully treated with a combination of methotrexate and etanercept.

We report a 16-year-old female case of intractable adult-onset Still's disease accompanied by macrophage activation syndrome, who went into full remission after switching from infliximab to etanercept. Although the disease promptly relapsed when etanercept was discontinued, she again responded fully upon the reintroduction of etanercept. Furthermore, the effect of etanercept was apparently enhanced by combining it with a sufficient dose of methotrexate. This combination therapy should be considered as one of treatment options for the disease.

Intraperitoneal administration attenuates thiazolidinedione-induced hepatic steatosis in KKAy mice with increased hepatic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ mRNA expression.

BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of thiazolidinediones (TZDs)-induced hepatic steatosis in genetically obese diabetic mice has not been fully clarified. We herein examined the effects of pioglitazone treatment on liver histology. METHODS: To investigate TZDs-induced hepatic steatosis, KKAy mice were treated with pioglitazone orally or by intraperitoneal injection. RESULTS: Orally administered pioglitazone at 15 and/or 50 mg/kg/day worsened the hepatic steatosis in KKAy mice, however, the treatment at 50 mg/kg/day was not worse than that at 15 mg/kg/day. The basal expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (Ppar)γ mRNA in the liver was upregulated to approximately 10% of that in white adipose tissue in these mice. Although no induction of hepatic Pparg mRNA by pioglitazone treatment was observed, the mRNA expression of the downstream lipogenic enzymes significantly increased. On the other hand, intraperitoneal administration of 15 mg/kg/day did not lead to deterioration of the hepatic steatosis of KKAy mice. Moreover, intraperitoneal administration led to an accompanying shift of fat distribution from intra-abdominal to subcutaneous adipose depots, and further increases in the serum adiponectin levels. In addition, a 5 day treatment without any change in body weight led to an obvious improvement in hepatic steatosis. CONCLUSIONS: Intraperitoneal administration of pioglitazone can act more strongly on intra-abdominal adipose tissues, and attenuates TZDs-induced hepatic steatosis in KKAy mice. The present study suggests that hepatic steatosis due to chronic treatment with TZDs is affected by the balance between endogenous lipogenesis in the liver and the lipid storage in adipose tissues, both occurring through PPARγ.

A case of lupus cystitis with a history of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

A 36-year-old Japanese woman who had been diagnosed as having systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) at the age of 34 began to complain of severe bowel symptoms and developed severe hydroureteronephrosis. She had a history of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Biopsy specimens from her bladder showed interstitial cystitis. She was diagnosed as having lupus cystitis, and treated with intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy followed by oral prednisolone and ureter catheterization. Her urinary and bowel symptoms were alleviated and the level of hydroureteronephrosis improved. We note that cystitis could be a primary manifestation of SLE. Patients not only with SLE but also with some autoimmune diseases require careful urological evaluation when they complain of severe bowel symptoms.