Patiromer to Reduce Albuminuria Through Increased Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone System Inhibition in Patients With CKD-A Feasibility Trial.

Introduction: We tested the feasibility of adding a potassium binder to enable increased renin angiotensin aldosterone system inhibition (RAASi) and reduce albuminuria in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). In a controlled trial design, a potassium binder was introduced exclusively in patients developing hyperkalemia after intensified RAASi, thereby mirroring clinical decision-making. Methods: We planned to include 140 patients aged 18 to 80 years with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 25 to 60 ml/min per 1.73 m2, albuminuria, and a history of hyperkalemia to an open-label, randomized trial comparing treatment with or without patiromer alongside maximally tolerated RAASi. Patients were randomized only if developing a documented P-potassium >5.5 mmol/l during run-in with intensified RAASi (losartan/spironolactone). The primary end point was change in urine albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR). Results: Screening among 800,000 individuals with available laboratory results yielded just 317 candidates meeting major selection criteria during 18⅔ months, with 75 ultimately included. Among them, only 23 developed P-potassium >5.5 mmol/l, qualifying for randomization. Consequently, only 20 participants completed the study, falling short of the planned 98, precluding a significant effect on the primary outcome. Inclusion and randomization challenges stemmed from a limited pool of eligible patients for intensified RAASi at risk of hyperkalemia, along with a lower than expected incidence of hyperkalemia during run-in. Conclusion: Despite extensive screening efforts, few eligible patients were identified, and fewer developed hyperkalemia during run-in. Hence, a trial design limited to CKD patients at high hyperkalemia risk and including a run-in phase appears unlikely to provide evidence for a potential renal benefit from additional use of potassium binders.

Strategic management of CO2: A scalable model for CCS in decarbonised societies.

In future decarbonised energy systems, residual carbon emissions require strategic planning and management. In environmental management, an evaluation of carbon removal considering local geographic frameworks is needed. This paper introduces a scalable and adaptable model for evaluating the economics and geography of future carbon capture and storage (CCS) configurations across geographical scales, covering capture, transport, and storage of carbon. The model is applied to the North Denmark Region, showing that future energy production carbon sources will be concentrated in Thisted and Jammerbugt, while industrial sources remain in Aalborg and Rebild municipalities. Carbon transport configurations, including truck, pipeline, and shipping are assessed, for the carbon to be stored in onshore and offshore geological storages. The regional scale findings suggest that pipelines and onshore storage provide the most economical configuration. However, a sensitivity study using a smaller geographical scope indicates potential for optimising carbon transport by evaluating both carbon volume and distance. The paper discusses how the model's flexibility and scalability enable the integration of alternate cost components, thereby supporting the calculation of the carbon repurposing potentials, including carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) configurations.

Self-Performed Dietary Sodium Reduction and Blood Pressure in Patients With Essential Hypertension: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is the leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease worldwide. Patients with blood pressure (BP) response to dietary sodium reduction are referred to as "salt sensitive." Salt sensitivity (SS) might be due to differences in sodium storage capacity and the erythrocyte SS examines this capacity of the red blood cells. This study aimed to test the effect of a self-performed sodium reduced diet on BP in patients with essential hypertension and examine whether erythrocyte SS predicts SS. METHODS AND RESULTS: Seventy-two patients with hypertension were included and randomized 2:1 to either sodium reduction or a control group for 4 weeks. Blood samples, 24-hour BP measurement, and 24-hour urine collection were performed before and after. The intervention group received advice on how to lower sodium intake. Urinary sodium excretion decreased 66 mmol (95% CI, -96 to -37 mmol) in the intervention group compared with the control group. Systolic 24-hour BP decreased 9 mm Hg after low-sodium diet compared with the control group (95% CI, -13 to -4 mm Hg). Similarly, the difference in reduction in diastolic BP between the groups was 5 mm Hg (95% CI, -8 to -1 mm Hg). We found no correlation between erythrocyte SS at baseline and decrease in 24-hour BP, neither systolic nor diastolic (P=0.66 and P = 0.84). CONCLUSIONS: Self-performed sodium reduction was feasible and led to decrease in 24-hour BP of 9/5 mm Hg compared with a control group. The erythrocyte SS did not correlate to the change in BP after lowering sodium intake. REGISTRATION: URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov; Unique Identifier: NCT05165823.

Effects of Empagliflozin in Type 2 Diabetes With and Without Chronic Kidney Disease and Nondiabetic Chronic Kidney Disease: Protocol for 3 Crossover Randomized Controlled Trials (SiRENA Project).

BACKGROUND: Sodium-glucose-cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) have revolutionized the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) and chronic kidney disease (CKD), reducing the risk of cardiovascular and renal end points by up to 40%. The underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. OBJECTIVE: The study aims to examine the effects of empagliflozin versus placebo on renal hemodynamics, sodium balance, vascular function, and markers of the innate immune system in patients with DM2, DM2 and CKD, and nondiabetic CKD. METHODS: We conducted 3 double-blind, crossover, randomized controlled trials, each with identical study protocols but different study populations. We included patients with DM2 and preserved kidney function (estimated glomerular filtration rate >60 mL/min/1.73 m2), DM2 and CKD, and nondiabetic CKD (both with estimated glomerular filtration rate 20-60 mL/min/1.73 m2). Each participant was randomly assigned to 4 weeks of treatment with either 10 mg of empagliflozin once daily or a matching placebo. After a wash-out period of at least 2 weeks, participants were crossed over to the opposite treatment. End points were measured at the end of each treatment period. The primary end point was renal blood flow measured with 82Rubidium positron emission tomography-computed tomography (82Rb-PET/CT). Secondary end points include glomerular filtration rate measured with 99mTechnetium-diethylene-triamine-pentaacetate (99mTc-DTPA) clearance, vascular function assessed by forearm venous occlusion strain gauge plethysmography, measurements of the nitric oxide (NO) system, water and sodium excretion, body composition measurements, and markers of the complement immune system. RESULTS: Recruitment began in April 2021 and was completed in September 2022. Examinations were completed by December 2022. In total, 49 participants completed the project: 16 participants in the DM2 and preserved kidney function study, 17 participants in the DM2 and CKD study, and 16 participants in the nondiabetic CKD study. Data analysis is ongoing. Results are yet to be published. CONCLUSIONS: This paper describes the rationale, design, and methods used in a project consisting of 3 double-blind, crossover, randomized controlled trials examining the effects of empagliflozin versus placebo in patients with DM2 with and without CKD and patients with nondiabetic CKD, respectively. TRIAL REGISTRATION: EU Clinical Trials Register 2019-004303-12; https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/ctr-search/search?query=2019-004303-12, EU Clinical Trials Register 2019-004447-80; https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/ctr-search/search?query=2019-004447-80, EU Clinical Trials Register 2019-004467-50; https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/ctr-search/search?query=and+2019-004467-50. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/56067.

Using immunotherapy to enhance the response of a C3H mammary carcinoma to proton radiation.

BACKGROUND: The benefit of combining immunotherapy with photon irradiation has been shown pre-clinically and clinically. This current pre-clinical study was designed to investigate the anti-tumour action of combining immunotherapy with protons. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male CDF1 mice, with a C3H mammary carcinoma inoculated on the right rear foot, were locally irradiated with single radiation doses when tumours reached 200mm3. Radiation was delivered with an 83-107MeV pencil scanning proton beam in the centre of a 3 cm spread out Bragg peak. Following irradiation (day 0), mice were injected intraperitoneal with anti-CTLA-4, anti-PD-1, or anti-PD-L1 (10 mg/kg) twice weekly for two weeks. Endpoints were tumour growth time (TGT3; time to reach 3 times treatment volume) or local tumour control (percent of mice showing tumour control at 90 days). A Student's T-test (tumour growth) or Chi-squared test (tumour control) were used for statistical analysis; significance levels of p < 0.05. RESULTS: Untreated tumours had a mean (± 1 S.E.) TGT3 of 4.6 days (± 0.4). None of the checkpoint inhibitors changed this TGT3. A linear increase in TGT3 was seen with increasing radiation doses (5-20 Gy), reaching 17.2 days (± 0.7) with 20 Gy. Anti-CTLA-4 had no effect on radiation doses up to 15 Gy, but significantly enhanced 20 Gy; the TGT3 being 23.0 days (± 1.3). Higher radiation doses (35-60 Gy) were investigated using a tumour control assay. Logit analysis of the dose response curve, resulted in a TCD50 value (radiation dose causing 50% tumour control; with 95% confidence intervals) of 48 Gy (44-53) for radiation only. This significantly decreased to 43 Gy (38-49) when mice were treated with anti-CTLA-4. Neither anti-PD-1 nor anti-PD-L1 significantly affected tumour control. CONCLUSION: Checkpoint inhibitors enhanced the response of this C3H mammary carcinoma to proton irradiation. However, this enhancement depended on the checkpoint inhibitor and radiation dose.

Mapping the evaluation capacity building landscape: A bibliometric analysis of scholarly communities and themes.

Evaluation capacity building (ECB) continues to attract attention. Over the past two decades, a broad literature has emerged-covering the dimensions, contexts, and practices of ECB. This article presents findings from a bibliometric analysis of ECB articles published in six evaluation journals from 2000 to 2019. The findings shed light on the communities of scholars that contribute to the ECB knowledge base, the connections between these communities, and the themes they cover. Informed by the findings, future directions for ECB scholarship and how bibliometric analysis can supplement more established approaches to literature reviews are discussed.

Refinement of an Established Procedure and Its Application for Identification of Hypoxia in Prostate Cancer Xenografts.

BACKGROUND: This pre-clinical study was designed to refine a dissection method for validating the use of a 15-gene hypoxia classifier, which was previously established for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients, to identify hypoxia in prostate cancer. METHODS: PC3 and DU-145 adenocarcinoma cells, in vitro, were gassed with various oxygen concentrations (0-21%) for 24 h, followed by real-time PCR. Xenografts were established in vivo, and the mice were injected with the hypoxic markers [18F]-FAZA and pimonidazole. Subsequently, tumors were excised, frozen, cryo-sectioned, and analyzed using autoradiography ([18F]-FAZA) and immunohistochemistry (pimonidazole); the autoradiograms used as templates for laser capture microdissection of hypoxic and non-hypoxic areas, which were lysed, and real-time PCR was performed. RESULTS: In vitro, all 15 genes were increasingly up-regulated as oxygen concentrations decreased. With the xenografts, all 15 genes were up-regulated in the hypoxic compared to non-hypoxic areas for both cell lines, although this effect was greater in the DU-145. CONCLUSIONS: We have developed a combined autoradiographic/laser-guided microdissection method with broad applicability. Using this approach on fresh frozen tumor material, thereby minimizing the degree of RNA degradation, we showed that the 15-gene hypoxia gene classifier developed in HNSCC may be applicable for adenocarcinomas such as prostate cancer.

Proton scanning and X-ray beam irradiation induce distinct regulation of inflammatory cytokines in a preclinical mouse model.

PURPOSE: Conventional X-ray radiotherapy induces a pro-inflammatory response mediated by altered expression of inflammation-regulating cytokines. Proton scanning and X-ray irradiation produce distinct changes to cytokine gene expression in vitro suggesting that proton beam therapy may induce an inflammatory response dissimilar to that of X-ray radiation. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether proton scanning beam radiation and conventional X-ray photon radiation would induce differential regulation of circulating cytokines in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Female CDF1 mice were irradiated locally at the right hind leg using proton pencil beam scanning or X-ray photons. Blood samples were obtained from two separate mice groups. Samples from one group were drawn by retro-orbital puncture 16 months post irradiation, while samples from the other group were drawn 5 and 30 days post irradiation. Concentration of the cytokines IL-6, IL-1ß, IL-10, IL-17A, IFN-γ, and TNFα was measured in plasma using bead-based immunoassays. RESULTS: The cytokines IL-6, IL-1ß, IL-10, IFN-γ, and TNFα were expressed at lower levels in plasma samples from proton-irradiated mice compared with X-ray-irradiated mice 16 months post irradiation. The same cytokines were downregulated in proton-irradiated mice 5 days post irradiation when compared to controls, while at day 30 expression had increased to the same level or higher. X-ray radiation did not markedly change expression levels at days 5 and 30. CONCLUSIONS: The inflammatory response to proton and X-ray irradiation seem to be distinct as the principal pro-inflammatory cytokines are differentially regulated short- and long-term following irradiation. Both the development of normal tissue damage and efficacy of immunotherapy could be influenced by an altered inflammatory response to irradiation.

Comparison of Coding Transcriptomes in Fibroblasts Irradiated With Low and High LET Proton Beams and Cobalt-60 Photons.

PURPOSE: To identify differential cellular responses after proton and photon irradiation by comparing transcriptomes of primary fibroblasts irradiated with either radiation type. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A panel of primary dermal fibroblast cultures was irradiated with low and higher linear energy transfer (LET) proton beams. Cobalt-60 photon irradiation was used as reference. Dose was delivered in 3 fractions of 3.5 Gy (relative biological effectiveness) using a relative biological effectiveness of 1.1 for proton doses. Cells were harvested 2 hours after the final fraction was delivered, and RNA was purified. RNA sequencing was performed using Illumina NextSeq 500 with high-output kit. The edgeR package in R was used for differential gene expression analysis. RESULTS: Pairwise comparisons of the transcriptomes in the 3 treatment groups showed that there were 84 and 56 differentially expressed genes in the low LET group compared with the Cobalt-60 group and the higher LET group, respectively. The higher LET proton group and the Cobalt-60 group had the most distinct transcriptome profiles, with 725 differentially regulated genes. Differentially regulated canonical pathways and various regulatory factors involved in regulation of biological mechanisms such as inflammation, carcinogenesis, and cell cycle control were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Inflammatory regulators associated with the development of normal tissue complications and malignant transformation factors seem to be differentially regulated by higher LET proton and Cobalt-60 photon irradiation. The reported transcriptome differences could therefore influence the progression of adverse effects and the risk of developing secondary cancers.

Optimal reference genes for normalization of qPCR gene expression data from proton and photon irradiated dermal fibroblasts.

The transcriptional response of cells exposed to proton radiation is not equivalent to the response induced by traditional photon beams. Changes in cellular signalling is most commonly studied using the method Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Stable reference genes must be used to accurately quantify target transcript expression. The study aim was to identify suitable reference genes for normalisation of gene expression levels in normal dermal fibroblasts irradiated with either proton or photon beams. The online tool RefFinder was used to analyse and identify the most stably expressed genes from a panel of 22 gene candidates. To assess the reliability of the identified reference genes, a selection of the most and least stable reference genes was used to normalise target transcripts of interest. Fold change levels varied considerably depending on the used reference gene. The top ranked genes IPO8, PUM1, MRPL19 and PSMC4 produced highly similar target gene expression, while expression using the worst ranked genes, TFRC and HPRT1, was clearly modified due to reference gene instability.

Differential gene expression in primary fibroblasts induced by proton and cobalt-60 beam irradiation.

INTRODUCTION: Proton beam therapy delivers a more conformal dose distribution than conventional radiotherapy, thus improving normal tissue sparring. Increasing linear energy transfer (LET) along the proton track increases the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) near the distal edge of the Spread-out Bragg peak (SOBP). The severity of normal tissue side effects following photon beam radiotherapy vary considerably between patients. AIM: The dual study aim was to identify gene expression patterns specific to radiation type and proton beam position, and to assess whether individual radiation sensitivity influences gene expression levels in fibroblast cultures irradiated in vitro. METHODS: The study includes 30 primary fibroblast cell cultures from patients previously classified as either radiosensitive or radioresistant. Cells were irradiated at three different positions in the proton beam profile: entrance, mid-SOBP and at the SOBP distal edge. Dose was delivered in three fractions × 3.5 Gy(RBE) (RBE 1.1). Cobalt-60 (Co-60) irradiation was used as reference. Real-time qPCR was performed to determine gene expression levels for 17 genes associated with inflammation response, fibrosis and angiogenesis. RESULTS: Differences in median gene expression levels were observed for multiple genes such as IL6, IL8 and CXCL12. Median IL6 expression was 30%, 24% and 47% lower in entrance, mid-SOBP and SOBP distal edge groups than in Co-60 irradiated cells. No genes were found to be oppositely regulated by different radiation qualities. Radiosensitive patient samples had the strongest regulation of gene expression; irrespective of radiation type. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that the increased LET at the SOBP distal edge position did not generally lead to increased transcriptive response in primary fibroblast cultures. Inflammatory factors were generally less extensively upregulated by proton irradiation compared with Co-60 photon irradiation. These effects may possibly influence the development of normal tissue damage in patients treated with proton beam therapy.

Validation of genetic predictors of late radiation-induced morbidity in prostate cancer patients.

INTRODUCTION: Normal tissue morbidity sets the dose limit for radiotherapy (RT) in cancer treatment and has importance for quality of life for cancer survivors. A previous study of prostate cancer patients treated with RT generated clinical data for radiation-induced morbidity measured by anorectal physiological methods and validated questionnaires. Other studies have identified genetic predictors associated with late radiation-induced morbidity outcome. We have expanded biobank material aiming to validate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and a gene expression classifier with endpoints on patient-reported outcomes and biomechanical properties of the anorectum from our cohort matching originally published endpoints. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present cohort of prostate cancer patients was treated with RT curative intent in 1999-2007. Nine SNPs associated with late radiation-induced morbidity were tested in 96 patients (rs2788612, rs1800629, rs264663, rs2682585, rs2268363, rs1801516, rs13035033, rs7120482 and rs17779457). A validated gene expression profile predictive of resistance to radiation-induced skin fibrosis was tested in 42 patients. An RT-induced anorectal dysfunction score (RT-ARD) served as a fibrosis-surrogate and a measure of overall radiation-induced morbidity. RESULTS: The lowest p-value found in the genotype analyses was for SNP rs2682585 minor allele (A) in the FSHR gene and the RT-ARD score with odds ratios (OR) = 1.76; 95% CI (0.98-3.17) p = .06, which was out of concordance with original data showing a protective effect of the minor allele. The gene expression profile in patients classified as fibrosis-resistant was associated with high RT-ARD scores OR 4.18; 95% CI (1.1-16.6), p = .04 conflicting with the hypothesis that fibrosis-resistant patients would experience lower RT-ARD scores. CONCLUSIONS: We aimed to validate nine SNPs and a gene expression classifier in a cohort of prostate cancer patients with unique scoring of radiation-induced morbidity. One significant association was found, pointing to the opposite direction of originally published data. We conclude that the material was not able to validate previously published genetic predictors of radiation-induced morbidity.

Relative biological effectiveness (RBE) and distal edge effects of proton radiation on early damage in vivo.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the present study was to examine the RBE for early damage in an in vivo mouse model, and the effect of the increased linear energy transfer (LET) towards the distal edge of the spread-out Bragg peak (SOBP). METHOD: The lower part of the right hind limb of CDF1 mice was irradiated with single fractions of either 6 MV photons, 240 kV photons or scanning beam protons and graded doses were applied. For the proton irradiation, the leg was either placed in the middle of a 30-mm SOBP, or to assess the effect in different positions, irradiated in 4 mm intervals from the middle of the SOBP to behind the distal dose fall-off. Irradiations were performed with the same dose plan at all positions, corresponding to a dose of 31.25 Gy in the middle of the SOBP. Endpoint of the study was early skin damage of the foot, assessed by a mouse foot skin scoring system. RESULTS: The MDD50 values with 95% confidence intervals were 36.1 (34.2-38.1) Gy for protons in the middle of the SOBP for score 3.5. For 6 MV photons, it was 35.9 (34.5-37.5) Gy and 32.6 (30.7-34.7) Gy for 240 kV photons for score 3.5. The corresponding RBE was 1.00 (0.94-1.05), relative to 6 MV photons and 0.9 (0.85-0.97) relative to 240 kV photons. In the mice group positioned at the SOBP distal dose fall-off, 25% of the mice developed early skin damage compared with 0-8% in other groups. LETd,z = 1 was 8.4 keV/µm at the distal dose fall-off and the physical dose delivered was 7% lower than in the central SOBP position, where LETd,z =1 was 3.3 keV/µm. CONCLUSIONS: Although there is a need to expand the current study to be able to calculate an exact enhancement ratio, an enhanced biological effect in vivo for early skin damage in the distal edge was demonstrated.

The usability of a 15-gene hypoxia classifier as a universal hypoxia profile in various cancer cell types.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: A 15-gene hypoxia profile has previously demonstrated to have both prognostic and predictive impact for hypoxic modification in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. This gene expression profile may also have a prognostic value in other histological cancer types, and could potentially have a function as a universal hypoxia profile. The hypoxia induced upregulation of the included genes, and the validity of the previously used reference genes was established in this study, in a range of different cell lines representing carcinomas of the prostate, colon, and esophagus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven adenocarcinoma and one squamous cell lines: Six colon carcinomas (HTC8, HT29, LS174T, SW116, SW948 and T48), 3 prostate carcinomas (LNCaP, DU-145 and PC-3) and 3 esophagus carcinoma cell lines (OE19, OE21 and OE33) were cultured under normoxic or hypoxic conditions (0% O2) for 24hours. Total RNA was extracted and gene expression levels measured by qPCR. For each tissue type, individual reference genes were selected and applied in the normalization of the relative expression levels. RESULTS: In all three tissue types, individual, optimal, reference genes were selected. In the analysis of the hypoxia induced genes, both the original reference genes and the new selected reference genes were used. There was no significant difference in the obtained data. The gene expression analysis demonstrated cell line specific differences in the hypoxia response of the 15 genes, with BNIP3 not being upregulated at hypoxic conditions in 3 out of 6 colon cancer cell lines, and ALDOA in OE21 and FAM162A and SLC2A1 in SW116 only showing limited hypoxia induction. Furthermore, in the esophagus cell lines, the normoxic and hypoxic expression levels of LOX and BNIP3 were below the detection limit in OE19 and OE33, respectively. However, a combined analysis of the 15 genes in both adenocarcinoma cell lines and squamous carcinoma cell lines demonstrated a very consistent expression pattern in hypoxic induced gene expression across all cell lines. CONCLUSION: This study addressed the tissue type dependency of hypoxia induced genes included in a 15-gene hypoxic profile in carcinoma cell lines from prostate, colon, and esophagus cancer, and demonstrated that in vitro, with minor fluctuations, the genes in the hypoxic profile are hypoxia inducible, and the hypoxia profile may be applicable in other sites than HNSCC.

Does infliximab prevent colectomy in acute and chronic active ulcerative colitis?

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate clinical response, use of colectomy, and adverse events related to infliximab (IFX) treatment in acute and chronic active ulcerative colitis (UC) in children. METHODS: Children from 3 centers, who had received IFX for UC, were identified, and patient charts were reviewed retrospectively. Data concerning symptoms, biochemistry, concomitant medical treatment, colectomy, and adverse events were registered. RESULTS: A total of 45 patients with UC (median age at diagnosis 12 years, interquartile range 10-14) were included, and studied for a median of 15 months (interquartile range 4.5-29) after first IFX infusion. The cumulative 1- and 2-year risks of colectomy were 21% and 26%, respectively. The cumulative 1- and 2-year risks of receiving a new course of systemic corticosteroids were 32% and 48%, respectively. Twenty-one patients (46%) experienced adverse events. Most common were mild infusion reactions, but 3 (7%) had serious adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: IFX was efficient in preventing colectomy in children with UC. The risk of receiving systemic corticosteroids was lower than that reported in other studies. Most adverse events were mild to moderate and self-limiting.

Cost-effectiveness of switching to biphasic insulin aspart in poorly-controlled type 2 diabetes patients in China.

INTRODUCTION: Type 2 diabetes is an increasing problem in China, yet there is a paucity of data regarding the cost-effectiveness of pharmacological interventions in the Chinese setting. METHODS: Previous data were obtained from PRESENT (Physicians' Routine Evaluation of Safety and Efficacy of NovoMix 30 Therapy), a multi-country, single-arm, observational study where type 2 diabetes patients poorly controlled with biphasic human insulin (BHI) were converted to biphasic insulin aspart 30 (BIAsp30); the Chinese subgroup experienced an improvement in HbA(1c) and a reduction in hypoglycaemic events. A published and validated computer simulation model of diabetes (the CORE Diabetes Model) was used to estimate the long-term clinical and cost consequences of switching to BIAsp30 from BHI in the Chinese setting. Treatment effects and patient characteristics were derived from PRESENT and country-specific published sources. Primary research was performed to ascertain patient management practices and diabetes-related complication costs. Risks of modelled complications were derived from landmark clinical trials and epidemiological studies. Costs and clinical projections were made over patient lifetimes from a third-party payer perspective and discounted at 3% annually. Extensive sensitivity analyses were performed. RESULTS: Conversion to BIAsp30 from BHI was projected to improve discounted life expectancy by 0.38 years per patient (9.91 vs 9.53 years) and quality-adjusted life expectancy by 0.91 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) per patient (6.32 vs 5.41 QALYs). Conversion to BIAsp30 was associated with increased direct medical costs of Chinese Yuan (CNY) 1751 per patient, due to higher pharmacy and management costs (CNY +19,007), offset by reduced diabetes-related complication costs (CNY -17,254) over patient lifetimes. BIAsp30 was associated with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of CNY 1926 per QALY gained. CONCLUSION: BIAsp30 was projected to substantially improve clinical outcomes but was associated with increased lifetime medical costs. BIAsp30 would be considered cost-effective in China given a willingness-to-pay threshold of CNY 100,000 per QALY gained in type 2 diabetes patients poorly controlled on BHI.

Evaluating the cost-effectiveness of therapy conversion to insulin detemir in patients with type 2 diabetes in Germany: a modelling study of long-term clinical and cost outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the long-term cost-effectiveness of transferring type 2 diabetes patients to an insulin detemir regimen after failure to achieve adequate control with oral antidiabetic agents (OADs) alone, or in combination with neutral protamine hagedorn (NPH) insulin, or with insulin glargine in Germany. METHODS: A computer simulation model of diabetes was used to make long-term projections of future clinical outcomes and direct medical costs based on findings from a German subanalysis of the PREDICTIVE trial. The study analysed the impact of converting patients failing their current treatments to an insulin detemir regimen. Therapy conversion to insulin detemir +/- OADs was associated with a significant reduction in glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA(1)c) compared with OADs alone, NPH insulin +/- OADs, and insulin glargine +/- OADs. Across all three groups, hypoglycaemia rates decreased by 80% and patients lost an average of 0.9 kg of body weight during treatment with insulin detemir +/- OADs. RESULTS: Therapy conversion to insulin detemir +/- OADs was projected to improve life expectancy by 0.28 years compared with OADs alone, and by 0.13 years compared with the NPH and glargine regimens. Transfer to insulin detemir was associated with improvements in quality-adjusted life expectancy of 0.21 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) over OADs alone, 0.28 QALYs over NPH +/- OADs, and 0.29 QALYs over glargine +/- OADs. Insulin detemir was associated with savings over patient lifetimes due to reduced diabetes-related complications in all three comparisons. CONCLUSIONS: Therapy conversion to insulin detemir +/- OADs in type 2 diabetes patients failing OADs alone, NPH or insulin glargine regimens was associated with improvements in life expectancy, quality-adjusted life expectancy and cost savings in all three scenarios evaluated.

Cost-effectiveness of insulin aspart versus human soluble insulin in type 2 diabetes in four European countries: subgroup analyses from the PREDICTIVE study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the long-term health economic outcomes associated with insulin aspart (IAsp) compared to human soluble insulin (HI) in type 2 diabetes patients on basal-bolus therapy in Sweden, Spain, Italy and Poland. METHODS: A published computer simulation model of diabetes was used to predict life expectancy, quality-adjusted life expectancy and incidence of diabetes-related complications. Baseline cohort characteristics (age 61.6 years, duration of diabetes 13.2 years, 45.1% male, HbA(1c) 8.2%, BMI 29.8 kg/m(2)) and treatment effects were derived from the PREDICTIVE observational study. Country-specific complication costs were derived from published sources. The analyses were run over 35-year time horizons from third-party payer perspectives in Spain, Italy and Poland and from a societal perspective in Sweden. Future costs and clinical benefits were discounted at country-specific discount rates. Sensitivity analyses were performed. RESULTS: IAsp was associated with improvements in discounted life expectancy and quality-adjusted life expectancy, and a reduced incidence of most diabetes-related complications versus HI in all four settings. IAsp was associated with societal cost-savings in Sweden (SEK 2470), direct medical cost-savings in Sweden and Spain (SEK 8248 and euro 1382, respectively), but increased direct costs in Italy (euro 2235) and Poland (euro 743). IAsp was associated with improved quality-adjusted life expectancy in Sweden (0.077 QALYs), Spain (0.080 QALYs), Italy (0.120 QALYs) and Poland (0.003 QALYs). CONCLUSIONS: IAsp was dominant versus HI in both Sweden and Spain, would be considered cost-effective in Italy with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of euro 18,597 per QALY gained, but would not be considered cost-effective in Poland.