Characteristics and Visual Outcome of Refractory Retinal Vasculitis Associated With Antineutrophil Cytoplasm Antibody-Associated Vasculitides.

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical characteristics, therapies, visual outcomes, and prognoses of patients with retinal vasculitis associated with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitides (AAV). DESIGN: Retrospective case series. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with retinal vasculitis associated with AAV and at least 6 months of follow-up were included. Demographic data, systemic and ocular features, best-corrected visual acuity at the initial visit and latest visit, fluorescein angiography (FA) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) findings, therapy regimen, and outcome were collected from the Massachusetts Eye Research and Surgery Institution (MERSI) database from 2006 to 2017. RESULTS: Fourteen patients (22 eyes) were identified. Twelve had granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and 1 each had microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA). FA showed that AAV affected small-to-medium-size retinal vessels. Seven cases (50%) had both vein/venule and artery/arteriole involvement. Four cases co-presented with choroidal vasculitis. All of them failed various immunomodulatory therapies prior to referral to MERSI. Six patients received rituximab plus prednisone as their final therapy and 5 of them achieved remission. Four patients who failed cyclophosphamide previously were induced into remission by rituximab. Patients were followed for 33.4 ± 25.5 (range 6-84) months. Nine of 14 patients (64.3%) achieved remission at their latest visit. Seventeen of 22 eyes (77.3%) met the criteria for a good (≥20/40) visual outcome. CONCLUSION: The majority of patients enjoyed a good visual outcome and achieved remission after aggressive treatment. Rituximab should be considered as an initial treatment for patients with refractory retinal vasculitis associated with AAV.

Phase 1 safety, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic study of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor dinaciclib administered every three weeks in patients with advanced malignancies.

BACKGROUND: Dinaciclib is a potent inhibitor of cell cycle and transcriptional cyclin-dependent kinases. This Phase 1 study evaluated the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of various dosing schedules of dinaciclib in advanced solid tumour patients and assessed pharmacodynamic and preliminary anti-tumour activity. METHODS: In part 1, patients were enrolled in escalating cohorts of 2-h infusions administered once every 3 weeks, utilising an accelerated titration design until a recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) was defined. In part 2, 8- and 24-h infusions were evaluated. Pharmacokinetic parameters were determined for all schedules. Pharmacodynamic effects were assessed with an ex vivo stimulated lymphocyte proliferation assay performed in whole blood.Effects of dinaciclib on retinoblastoma (Rb) phosphorylation and other CDK targets were evaluated in skin and tumour biopsies. In addition to tumour size, metabolic response was evaluated by 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography. RESULTS: Sixty-one patients were enrolled to parts 1 and 2. The RP2Ds were 50, 7.4 and 10.4 mg m-2 as 2- 8- and 24-hour infusions, respectively. Dose-limiting toxicities included pancytopenia, neutropenic fever, elevated transaminases, hyperuricemia and hypotension. Pharmacokinetics demonstrated rapid distribution and a short plasma half-life. Dinaciclib suppressed proliferation of stimulated lymphocytes. In skin and tumour biopsies, dinaciclib reduced Rb phosphorylation at CDK2 phospho-sites and modulated expression of cyclin D1 and p53, suggestive of CDK9 inhibition. Although there were no RECIST responses, eight patients had prolonged stable disease and received between 6 and 30 cycles. Early metabolic responses occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Dinaciclib is tolerable at doses demonstrating target engagement in surrogate and tumour tissue.

Clinical study of the novel cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor dinaciclib in combination with rituximab in relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients.

PURPOSE: Dinaciclib is a novel selective inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)1, CDK2, CDK5, and CDK9. We conducted a phase I study to investigate the effects of dinaciclib when administered with rituximab. METHODS: In this phase I nonrandomized dose-escalation 3 + 3 trial, patients with relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) were treated with dinaciclib and rituximab. Dinaciclib was administered intravenously (IV) over 2 h on days 1, 8 and 15 in cycles 2-13 (28-day cycles). Rituximab 375 mg/m(2) was administered IV on days 1, 8, 15 and 22 in cycle 1 (28-day cycle) and on day 1 during cycle 3-13. Rituximab was not administered in cycle 2. Rituximab and dinaciclib were given alone in cycles 1 and 2, respectively, and in combination in cycles 3-13. Primary objectives included determination of the recommended phase II dose of dinaciclib and evaluation of pharmacokinetics (PK) when administered with rituximab. RESULTS: Five patients completed the study due to early termination. All presented with drug-related adverse events (AEs), but no dose-limiting toxicities were observed. The most commonly observed toxicities included hematological, digestive and metabolic AEs. However, no tumor lysis syndrome has been reported in the study. Four patients achieved stable disease, and one patient achieved complete response according to 2008 iwCLL criteria at cycle 3. PK samples were collected from 5 patients, and no obvious interaction between dinaciclib and rituximab was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Limited data from this study shows dinaciclib in combination with rituximab was well tolerated and revealed encouraging clinical activity in relapsed/refractory CLL patients.

Randomized phase II trial of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor dinaciclib (MK-7965) versus capecitabine in patients with advanced breast cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Effective therapies after failure of treatment with anthracyclines and taxanes are needed for patients with metastatic breast cancer. Dinaciclib (MK-7965, formerly SCH727965), a small-molecule cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, has demonstrated antitumor activity in phase I studies with solid-tumor patients. This phase II trial was designed to assess the efficacy and safety of dinaciclib compared with that of capecitabine in women with previously treated advanced breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were randomized to receive either dinaciclib at 50 mg/m(2), administered as a 2-hour infusion every 21 days, or 1250 mg/m(2) capecitabine, administered orally twice daily in 21-day cycles. RESULTS: An unplanned interim analysis showed that the time to disease progression was inferior with dinaciclib treatment compared with capecitabine treatment; therefore, the trial was stopped after 30 patients were randomized. Dinaciclib treatment demonstrated antitumor activity in 2 of 7 patients with estrogen receptor-positive and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative metastatic breast cancer (1 confirmed and 1 unconfirmed partial response), as well as acceptable safety and tolerability. Grade 3 or 4 treatment-related adverse events were common and included neutropenia, leukopenia, increase in aspartate aminotransferase, and febrile neutropenia. Population pharmacokinetic model-predicted mean dinaciclib exposure (area under the concentration-time curve extrapolated to infinity [AUC[I]]) at 50 mg/m(2) was similar to that observed in a previous phase I trial, and no drug accumulation was observed after multiple-dose administration. CONCLUSION: Although dinaciclib monotherapy demonstrated some antitumor activity and was generally tolerated, efficacy was not superior to capecitabine. Future studies may be considered to evaluate dinaciclib in select patient populations with metastatic breast cancer and in combination with other agents.

Randomized phase 2 study of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor dinaciclib (MK-7965) versus erlotinib in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Dinaciclib (MK-7965, formerly SCH 727965), a novel, small-molecule inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases, has been shown to induce apoptosis in preclinical studies of human tumor cell lines, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. Erlotinib, an epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor, is approved for the treatment of advanced NSCLC as second- or third-line therapy. This phase 2, randomized, multicenter, open-label study compared dinaciclib with erlotinib in patients with previously treated NSCLC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was comprised of 2 parts: in part 1, patients were randomized to either intravenous (IV) dinaciclib (50 mg/m2) or oral erlotinib (150 mg) using an adaptive Bayesian design that adjusted the randomization ratio in favor of the more active arm, and in part 2, patients who had progressed on erlotinib were permitted to cross over to receive dinaciclib at the same dosage as in part 1. Patients were followed until disease progression or death, initiation of nonstudy cancer treatment, discontinuation, or withdrawal of consent. The primary efficacy end point was time-to-progression (TTP) in part 1 and objective response rate (ORR) in part 2. RESULTS: Based on Kaplan-Meier estimates, the median TTP was 1.49 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.31, 2.63) following initial treatment with dinaciclib, compared with 1.58 months (95% CI: 1.38, 2.83) with erlotinib. No objective responses were observed following initial treatment with dinaciclib. Common severe (grade 3 or 4) drug-related adverse effects included neutropenia, leukopenia, vomiting, and diarrhea. CONCLUSIONS: Dinaciclib, administered IV, was well tolerated at the 50 mg/m2 dose, but does not have activity as monotherapy in previously treated NSCLC. Evaluation of dinaciclib in combination with other agents for other indications including breast cancer and multiple myeloma is in progress.

A first-in-human, phase 1, dose-escalation study of dinaciclib, a novel cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, administered weekly in subjects with advanced malignancies.

BACKGROUND: Dinaciclib, a small-molecule, cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, inhibits cell cycle progression and proliferation in various tumor cell lines in vitro. We conducted an open-label, dose-escalation study to determine the safety, tolerability, and bioactivity of dinaciclib in adults with advanced malignancies. METHODS: Dinaciclib was administered starting at a dose of 0.33 mg/m2, as a 2-hour intravenous infusion once weekly for 3 weeks (on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 28-day cycle), to determine the maximum administered dose (MAD), dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs), recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D), and safety and tolerability. Pharmacodynamics of dinaciclib were assessed using an ex vivo phytohemagglutinin lymphocyte stimulation assay and immunohistochemistry staining for retinoblastoma protein phosphorylation in skin biopsies. Evidence of antitumor activity was assessed by sequential computed tomography imaging after every 2 treatment cycles. RESULTS: Forty-eight subjects with solid tumors were treated. The MAD was found to be 14 mg/m2 and the RP2D was determined to be 12 mg/m2; DLTs at the MAD included orthostatic hypotension and elevated uric acid. Forty-seven (98%) subjects reported adverse events (AEs) across all dose levels; the most common AEs were nausea, anemia, decreased appetite, and fatigue. Dinaciclib administered at the RP2D significantly inhibited lymphocyte proliferation, demonstrating a pharmacodynamic effect. Ten subjects treated at a variety of doses achieved prolonged stable disease for at least 4 treatment cycles. CONCLUSIONS: Dinaciclib administered every week for 3 weeks (on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 28-day cycle) was generally safe and well tolerated. Initial bioactivity and observed disease stabilization support further evaluation of dinaciclib as a treatment option for patients with advanced solid malignancies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov # NCT00871663.

Clinical and laboratory studies of the novel cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor dinaciclib (SCH 727965) in acute leukemias.

PURPOSE: Dinaciclib inhibits cyclin-dependent kinases 1, 2, 5, and 9 with a better therapeutic index than flavopiridol in preclinical studies. This study assessed the activity of dinaciclib in acute leukemia both in the clinic and in vitro. METHODS: Adults with relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (n = 14) and acute lymphoid leukemia (n = 6) were treated with dinaciclib 50 mg/m(2) given as a 2-h infusion every 21 days. RESULTS: Most patients had dramatic but transient reduction in circulating blasts; however, no remissions were achieved on this schedule. The most common toxicities were gastrointestinal, fatigue, transaminitis, and clinical and laboratory manifestations of tumor lysis syndrome, including one patient who died of acute renal failure. Dinaciclib pharmacokinetics showed rapid (2 h) achievement of maximum concentration and a short elimination/distribution phase. Pharmacodynamic studies demonstrated in vivo inhibition of Mcl-1 expression and induction of PARP cleavage in patients' peripheral blood mononuclear cells 4 h after dinaciclib infusion, but the effects were lost by 24 h and did not correlate with clinical outcome. Correlative in vitro studies showed that prolonged exposures to dinaciclib, at clinically attainable concentrations, result in improved leukemia cell kill. CONCLUSIONS: While dinaciclib given as a 2-h bolus did not exhibit durable clinical activity, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data support the exploration of prolonged infusion schedules in future trials in patients with acute leukemias.

Effect of aprepitant on the pharmacokinetics of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor dinaciclib in patients with advanced malignancies.

PURPOSE: Dinaciclib, a selective inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 1, CDK2, CDK5, and CDK9, is metabolized via CYP3A4. Aprepitant, a neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, is an inhibitor and inducer of CYP3A4. We conducted a randomized, crossover study to investigate the effects of single oral doses of aprepitant when coadministered with dinaciclib. METHODS: As part of a phase 1 dose-escalation trial, subjects with advanced malignancies were randomized into a 2-period, multi-cycle, crossover study to investigate the effect of single doses of oral aprepitant on the pharmacokinetics of 29.6 mg/m(2) dinaciclib administered by 2-h intravenous infusion. During cycle 1 and cycle 2, subjects received dinaciclib with aprepitant in one cycle and dinaciclib without aprepitant in the other cycle; aprepitant was administered at a dose of 125 mg orally on day 1 and 80 mg orally on days 2 and 3, along with standard dosing regimens of ondansetron and dexamethasone. RESULTS: Twelve patients completed the study; T (max) occurred approximately 2 h after the initiation of the infusion. The percent geometric mean ratio (dinaciclib + aprepitant vs. dinaciclib alone) was 106 % (90 % confidence interval [CI] 89-126 %) and 111 % (90 % CI 93-132 %) for dinaciclib C(max) and AUC([I]), respectively. The half-life and clearance of dinaciclib were similar, with or without aprepitant. CONCLUSIONS: Coadministration of dinaciclib with aprepitant resulted in no clinically significant effect on the pharmacokinetics and did not alter the safety profile of dinaciclib in patients with advanced malignancies.

The effectiveness of a specialized trauma course in the knowledge base and level of job satisfaction in emergency nurses.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the level of job satisfaction of the emergency department nurses that care for trauma patients. The hospital is a Level I trauma center and tertiary care center that provides multiple services to more than 1.2 million people in 29 counties. The Trauma Service and the Emergency Department (ED) must define and maintain the same expectations. The level of job satisfaction of the emergency department nurses will define the success of safe and effective patient care in a Level I Trauma Center.