Intranasal vitamin B12 administration in elderly patients: A randomized controlled comparison of two dosage regimens.

AIM: Vitamin B12 deficiency is common in the elderly population. Standard treatment via intramuscular injections, however, has several disadvantages. Safer and more convenient dosage forms such as intranasal are therefore being explored. This study compares the effects of two intranasal vitamin B12 dosage regimens in elderly vitamin B12-deficient patients. METHODS: Sixty patients ≥65 years were randomly assigned to either a loading dose (daily administration for 14 days followed by weekly administration) or a no loading dose (administration every 3 days) regimen for 90 days. Each dose contained 1000 µg cobalamin. Total vitamin B12, holotranscoblamin (holoTC), methylmalonic acid (MMA) and total homocysteine (tHcy) levels in serum were measured on days 0, 7, 14, 30, 60 and 90. RESULTS: Both dosage regimens resulted in a rapid increase of vitamin B12 and holoTC concentrations and normalization of initial high, MMA and tHcy concentrations. The loading dose regimen resulted in the fastest and greatest increase to a median vitamin B12 of 1090 pmol/L (reference 350-650 pmol/L) concentration after 14 days. Following weekly administration, B12 rapidly decreased to a median concentration of 530 pmol/L after 90 days. The no loading dose regimen resulted in a steady increase to a median vitamin B12 of 717 pmol/L after 90 days. CONCLUSIONS: Intranasal vitamin B12 administration is an effective and suitable way to replenish and sustain vitamin B12 levels in elderly patients.

Comparison of consistency and complementarity of reporting biosimilar quality attributes between regulatory and scientific communities: An adalimumab case study.

Biosimilar approval relies on the comparability of quality attributes (QAs), for which information can be derived from regulatory or scientific communities. Limited information is known about whether these sources are consistent with or complementary to each other. The consistency and complementarity of QA reporting in biosimilarity assessments for adalimumab biosimilars approved by the European Medicines Agency in European public assessment reports (EPARs) and scientific publications was assessed. A classification of 77 different QAs (53 structural and 24 functional attributes) was used to assess the types of and information on QAs reported. Six adalimumab biosimilars were analyzed, for which the number of QAs reported in EPARs and publications varied (range = 47 [61%]-60 [78%]). The proportion of QAs consistently reported in both sources varied (range = 28%-75%) among biosimilars; functional QAs (mean = 21 QAs [88%]; range = 19-23) were more consistently reported than structural QAs (mean = 33 QAs [62%]; range = 27-34). The EPARs frequently reported biosimilarity interpretation without providing test results (9-57 QAs in EPARs versus 0-8 QAs in publications), whereas publications frequently reported both test results and interpretations (13-40 QAs in publications versus 0-3 QAs in EPARs). Both sources provided information on the biosimilarity of QAs in a complementary manner and the same biosimilarity interpretation of test results for reported QAs (mean = 90%; range = 78%-100%), with a small discrepancy in biosimilarity interpretations of a few clinically relevant QAs related to post-translation modifications and biological activity. Comprehensive reporting of QAs can contribute to an improved understanding of the role of structural and functional attributes in establishing biosimilarity and the mechanism of action of biological substances in general.

Drug-drug interactions with metronidazole and itraconazole in patients using acenocoumarol.

PURPOSE: Various population-based cohort studies have shown that antimicrobial agents increase the risk of overanticoagulation in patients using coumarins. In this study, we assessed this association in hospitalized patients. METHODS: We included all patients hospitalized in the Spaarne Gasthuis (Haarlem/Hoofddorp, the Netherlands), who started using an antimicrobial agent during acenocoumarol treatment or vice versa between 1 January 2015 and 1 July 2019. Patients were followed from start of concomitant therapy until 48 h after termination of the concomitant therapy or discharge, whichever came first. We analyzed the association between the antimicrobial agents and the risk of overanticoagulation, defined as an interpolated INR above 6, using Cox regression analysis. We corrected for multiple testing with the Bonferroni correction. Patients who started using acenocoumarol and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid were used as reference group. RESULTS: In the study population, sixteen antimicrobial agents were started frequently concomitantly with acenocoumarol treatment. We included 2157 interaction episodes in 1172 patients. Patients who started using the combination of co-trimoxazole (HR 3.76; 95% CI 1.47-9.62; p = 0.006), metronidazole (HR 2.55; 95% CI 1.37-4.76; p = 0.003), or itraconazole (HR 4.11; 95% CI 1.79-9.45; p = 0.001) concomitantly with acenocoumarol treatment had an increased risk of overanticoagulation compared with patients using acenocoumarol and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid concomitantly. The associations for metronidazole (p = 0.045) and itraconazole (p = 0.015) remained statistically significant after correction for multiple testing. CONCLUSION: Co-trimoxazole, metronidazole, and itraconazole increase the risk of overanticoagulation in patients using acenocoumarol. These combinations should be avoided if possible or otherwise acenocoumarol doses should be reduced and INR measured more frequently.

Post-marketing dosing changes in the label of biologicals.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate post-marketing label changes in dosing information of biologicals. METHODS: Biologicals authorized between 2007 and 2014 by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) were included and followed up from marketing authorization until 31 December 2016 or date of withdrawal of the marketing authorization. The primary outcome of the study was defined as label change in dosing information for the initially approved indication. Incidence of changes, type of change and mean time to change were assessed. As a secondary outcome, label changes in dosing information for extended indications were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 71 biologicals were included. Dosing information in the label changed for the initial indication during follow-up for eight products (11%). In one of the eight products the change concerned an increase in dose. Also, a change in dosing frequency was identified in three products, for one product a recommendation was added that therapy could be initiated with or without a loading dose, and for one product the minimum dose was removed and a maximum dose was added. For the remaining product the dose was decreased due to safety issues. For 30 products (42%) the indication was extended at least once. No changes in dosing information were observed for the extended indications (n = 59) during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that in 11% of the biologicals, the dosing for the initial indication in the label was changed. In contrast to small molecules, the dose was rarely reduced for safety reasons.

Biosimilars: what clinicians should know.

Biosimilar medicinal products (biosimilars) have become a reality in the European Union and will soon be available in the United States. Despite an established legal pathway for biosimilars in the European Union since 2005 and increasing and detailed regulatory guidance on data requirements for their development and licensing, many clinicians, particularly oncologists, are reluctant to consider biosimilars as a treatment option for their patients. Major concerns voiced about biosimilars relate to their pharmaceutical quality, safety (especially immunogenicity), efficacy (particularly in extrapolated indications), and interchangeability with the originator product. In this article, the members and experts of the Working Party on Similar Biologic Medicinal Products of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) address these issues. A clear understanding of the scientific principles of the biosimilar concept and access to unbiased information on licensed biosimilars are important for physicians to make informed and appropriate treatment choices for their patients. This will become even more important with the advent of biosimilar monoclonal antibodies. The issues also highlight the need for improved communication between physicians, learned societies, and regulators.

Post-approval quality-related regulatory actions for biopharmaceuticals approved in the European Union and the United States between 1995 and 2019.

The quality of biopharmaceuticals is carefully monitored by manufacturers and regulators to ensure safety and efficacy throughout the entire product life cycle. Quality defects can lead to post-approval regulatory actions (RAs) to inform healthcare professionals (HCPs). The present study identified quality-related RAs for biopharmaceuticals approved in the European Union and United States between 1995 and 2019. Quality-related RAs were issued due to various quality defects and required different actions by HCPs. The quality defects were not identified due to a negative impact on efficacy and/or safety, which is reassuring. The findings reflect the capability of the stringent regulatory system and quality control to capture and counter various quality defects before the affected product and batches can harm patients.

Discontinuation of infliximab treatment in patients with inflammatory bowel disease who retransitioned to originator and those who remained on biosimilar.

Background: Many patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have transitioned from an infliximab originator to a biosimilar. However, some patients retransition to the originator (i.e. stop biosimilar and reinitiate the originator). Whether this sign of potential unsatisfactory treatment response is specifically related to the infliximab biosimilar or the patient and/or the disease including patients' beliefs on the biosimilar is unclear. Objectives: We aimed to compare the risk of and reasons for infliximab discontinuation between retransitioned patients and those remaining on biosimilar. Design: Non-interventional, multicentre cohort study. Methods: IBD patients who transitioned from infliximab originator to biosimilar between January 2015 and September 2019 in two Dutch hospitals were eligible for this study. Retransitioned patients (retransitioning cohort) were matched with patients remaining on biosimilar (biosimilar remainder cohort). Reasons for discontinuation were categorised as the unwanted response (i.e. loss of effect or adverse events) or remission. Risk of unwanted discontinuation was compared using Cox proportional hazards models. Results: Patients in the retransitioning cohort (n = 44) were younger (median age 39.9 versus 44.0 years), more often female (65.9% versus 48.9%) and had shorter dosing intervals (median 48.5 versus 56.0 days) than in the biosimilar remainder cohort (n = 127). Infliximab discontinuation due to unwanted response was 22.7% in the retransitioning and 13.4% in the biosimilar remainder cohort, and due to remission was 2.3% and 9.4%, respectively. Retransitioned patients are at increased risk of discontinuing due to unwanted response compared with biosimilar remainder patients (adjusted HR 3.7, 95% CI: 1.0-13.9). Patients who retransitioned due to an increase in objective disease markers had higher discontinuation rates than patients who retransitioned due to symptoms only (66.7% versus 23.7%). Conclusion: Retransitioned patients are at increased risk of infliximab discontinuation due to unwanted response. Retransitioning appeared related to the patient and/or disease and not the product. Clinicians might switch patients opting for retransitioning to other treatment regimens.

Recommendations on TNFα inhibitor biosimilar use in clinical practice: a comparison of European gastroenterology IBD guidance.

BACKGROUND: Professional associations publish guidance advising gastroenterologists on prescribing biosimilars; however, guidelines differ between countries and change over time. This study aimed to map the presence and content of guidance from European gastroenterology associations on TNFα inhibitor biosimilar use and its development over time. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Guidelines on biosimilar prescribing from national gastroenterology associations in the European Economic Area (EEA) partnered with the European Crohn's and Colitis Organization (ECCO) were collected. Treatment guidelines and biosimilar position papers from 2010 to 2022 were included. Data were extracted using a template. RESULTS: 26 of 30 EEA countries have an ECCO-partnered gastroenterology association, of which 14 (53.8%) had national guidelines addressing biosimilars, four (15.4%) followed ECCO's position, and three (11.6%) had treatment guidelines without mentioning biosimilars. From five countries (19.2%) no guidelines were retrieved. Among 18 countries with guidance, 14 (77.8%) associations endorsed initiating biological treatment with biosimilars, and 13 (72.2%) endorsed transitioning from originator to biosimilar. Nine associations published multiple guidelines over time addressing biosimilars; overall, their positions became more encouraging. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of gastroenterology associations endorsed biosimilar use. The lack of (up-to-date) guidelines for some associations indicates an area of improvement to support biosimilar use in clinical practice.

Rituximab-induced thrombocytopenia: a cohort study.

The combined information of drug exposure and laboratory test results on an individual patient level obtained in daily clinical practice can add important information about the safety of a drug. Thrombocytopenia is a known adverse drug reaction of rituximab, which has already been identified during the preregistration trials, but knowledge on incidence and risk factors in clinical practice is limited. We, therefore, aimed to estimate the incidence and explore the risk factors for the development of rituximab-induced thrombocytopenia (a platelet count, <100 × 10(9) platelets/L) in clinical practice. Ninety patients were eligible for inclusion of which 27 developed thrombocytopenia (cumulative incidence, 30%) within 30 days after administration of rituximab and 18 patients developed grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia (cumulative incidence, 20%). Patients with and without thrombocytopenia were compared to explore risk factors. Patients with a relatively low platelet count (217 vs. 324 × 10(9) /L, P = 0.011) before administration of rituximab had a higher risk for the development of thrombocytopenia, and although not statistically significant, patients treated with rituximab within the oncology setting (OR, 4.7; 95% CI, 1.0-23.3), independent of concomitant use of cytostatics, as compared to the autoimmune diseases and patients with a high platelet distribution width (PDW) (16.1 vs. 15.8, P = 0.051). In conclusion, the incidence of rituximab-induced thrombocytopenia was higher than that identified during the clinical trials. Healthcare professionals should consider thrombocytopenia as a relevant reaction during treatment with rituximab. More frequent monitoring of the platelet count is especially advised in patients treated in the oncology indication and/or with a low platelet count and high PDW.

Nature and timing of post-approval manufacturing changes of tumour necrosis factor α inhibitor products: A 20-year follow-up study of originators and biosimilars.

The manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals is complex, and minor changes in the process may affect quality attributes (QAs) that may, in turn, impact clinical outcomes. Regulatory documents from the European Medicines Agency were used to characterize two aspects, nature and timing, of post-approval MCs for originators and biosimilars TNF-α inhibitors that were on the European market up to May 2021. The nature of MCs was evaluated in two ways: (1) the type of MCs related to the drug substance (DS) or drug product (DP), classified as manufacturing, quality control, composition, packaging, or stability with various subtypes; and (2) the risk level according to the potential impact of the MCs on QAs, classified as low, medium, or high. Timing was defined as the date of the regulatory decision on the MC in relation to the approval date. We identified 801 post-approval MCs implemented to originators (mean: 137, range: 112-175) and biosimilars (mean: 30, range: 0-133). Most of implemented MCs for originators and biosimilars were classified as low and medium risk (88.1%), and a small fraction were considered high-risk (11.9%). The average incidence rates were comparable for both originators and biosimilars (7.0/year for MCs, 0.8/year for high-risk MCs). In 20% of MCs introduced to biosimilars, the DP manufacturing site was involved (9% for originators). In contrast, 16% of MCs introduced to originators were related to the DS manufacturing processes (only 7% for biosimilars). In conclusion, while the overall MC incidence rate and the risk level of MCs was not substantially different between TNF-α inhibitor products, we observed some differences in a few types of MCs related to DS manufacturing process and DP manufacturing site between originators and biosimilars. As far as our data shows there is no reasons to assume that post-approval MCs will lead to differences between TNF-α-i originators and biosimilars in clinical practice.

Patients Retransitioning from Biosimilar TNFα Inhibitor to the Corresponding Originator After Initial Transitioning to the Biosimilar: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Transitioning patients from an originator to a corresponding biosimilar has been extensively studied in both randomized controlled trials and observational studies. Although transitioning is considered well-tolerated, with no negative impacts on efficacy and/or safety, 2.6-25.8% of patients restart treatment with the originator (retransitioning). Retransitioning to the originator can be considered an indication of biosimilar treatment failure or dissatisfaction with biosimilar treatment. Increasing our knowledge of patients who retransition might help to reduce the number of patients retransitioning. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to estimate the cumulative incidence of patients who retransitioned from a tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α inhibitor biosimilar to originator and to explore potential patient, disease, and treatment and implementation strategy factors associated with retransitioning. METHOD: We conducted a systematic literature search in the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of controlled trials databases until March 2021. Studies on TNFα inhibitors, biosimilar transitioning, and retransitioning were included. Transitioning was defined as switching from an originator to a biosimilar, and retransitioning was defined as switching from an originator to a biosimilar and back to the originator. Characteristics of the studies were descriptively analyzed. Studies were weighted by the number of patients transitioning, and the primary outcome was the median cumulative incidence of retransitioning. For each of the factors related to patient, disease, and treatment and implementation strategy, studies were stratified according to the categories of that factor. The weighted medians and interquartile ranges (IQRs) of the cumulative incidence of retransitioning in these studies were calculated and compared to explore whether a potential association existed between these factors and the cumulative incidence of retransitioning. RESULTS: Of 994 screened publications, 37 were included. The weighted median cumulative incidence of retransitioning was 7.6% (IQR 6.8-17.2). Studies that included only patients with inflammatory bowel disease (6.6 vs. 15.1-17.7% for other indications), included only patients with stable disease (7.0 vs. 13.7% for including all patients), and did not offer retransitioning at the introduction of the biosimilar (7.0 vs. 11.1% for studies that offered retransitioning) reported less retransitioning. In addition, the incidence of retransitioning was lower when extra laboratory monitoring was part of the implementation strategy (1.6 vs. 6.1%) and when gainsharing (patients' healthcare directly benefits from financial savings from transitioning) (1.4 vs. 7.2% for studies without gainsharing) was applied. CONCLUSIONS: In studies on transitioning patients from TNFα originator to biosimilar, 8% of patients retransitioned. Retransitioning appeared to be lower in studies that included only patients with stable disease and in studies that did not offer patients the option of retransitioning at the introduction of the biosimilar. In addition, retransitioning appeared to be lower in studies that implemented extra laboratory monitoring as part of the biosimilar implementation strategy. Clinicians should consider implementing these suggestions as they might reduce retransitioning rates and improve the introduction of biosimilars in clinical practice. PROSPERO registration ID: CRD42021226381.

Type and Extent of Information on (Potentially Critical) Quality Attributes Described in European Public Assessment Reports for Adalimumab Biosimilars.

Regulatory approval of biosimilars predominantly relies on biosimilarity assessments of quality attributes (QAs), particularly the potentially critical QAs (pCQAs) that may affect the clinical profile. However, a limited understanding exists concerning how EU regulators reflect the biosimilarity assessments of (pC)QAs in European public assessment reports (EPARs) by different stakeholders. The type and extent of information on QAs and pCQAs in EPARs were evaluated for seven adalimumab biosimilars. Seventy-seven QAs, including 31 pCQAs, were classified and assessed for type (structural and functional attributes) and extent (biosimilarity interpretation and/or test results) of information in EPARs. Reporting on the QAs (35-75%) varied between EPARs, where the most emphasis was placed on pCQAs (65-87%). Functional attributes (54% QAs and 92% pCQAs) were reported more frequently than structural attributes (8% QAs and 22% pCQAs). About 50% (4 structural and 12 functional attributes) of pCQAs were consistently reported in all EPARs. Regulators often provided biosimilarity interpretation (QAs: 83% structural and 80% functional; pCQAs: 81% structural and 78% functional) but rarely include test results (QAs: 1% structural and 9% functional and pCQAs: 3% structural and 9% functional). Minor differences in structural attributes, commonly in glycoforms and charge variants, were often observed in adalimumab biosimilars but did not affect the functions and clinical profile. Despite the variability in reporting QAs in EPARs, the minor observed differences were largely quantitative and not essentially meaningful for the overall conclusion of biosimilarity of the seven adalimumab biosimilars.

Incidence of and Reasons and Determinants Associated with Retransitioning from Biosimilar Etanercept to Originator Etanercept.

BACKGROUND: Patients in clinical practice are transitioned from originator etanercept (OR-ETA) to biosimilar etanercept (BS-ETA), but some subsequently retransition. Insights into the incidence of and reasons for retransitioning and the characteristics of these patients could help clinicians successfully introduce biosimilars. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to assess the incidence of and reasons for retransitioning from BS-ETA to OR-ETA in patients with a rheumatic disease (RD) and to explore the determinants thereof. METHODS: This cohort study included all patients with RD who had transitioned from OR-ETA to BS-ETA in a large hospital in the Netherlands in 2016. The incidence of retransitioning to OR-ETA and the 1-year persistence with BS-ETA were assessed using the Kaplan-Meier estimator. Reasons for retransitioning were classified as related to (1) efficacy, (2) adverse events, (3) the administration device, and (4) other. Determinants for retransitioning, including baseline and treatment characteristics, were assessed in a nested case-control study using conditional logistic regression. RESULTS: We included 342 patients (median age 57.8 years; 53.5% females). At 1 year after transitioning, 9.4% of patients had retransitioned to OR-ETA and 69.7% were persistent with BS-ETA. At the end of follow-up (median 4.4 years), 47 patients (13.7%) had retransitioned to OR-ETA. The median time until retransitioning was 0.55 years (interquartile range 0.2-1.3). Most patients (n = 34 [72.3%]) retransitioned because of a (perceived) loss of effect, followed by adverse events (23.4%). In total 3.8% of patients switched to another biological treatment or a Janus kinase inhibitor; 17.1% of patients discontinued BS-ETA without retransitioning or switching within the first year. Univariate determinants for retransitioning included initiating corticosteroids or intensifying immunomodulator treatment (odds ratio [OR] 2.37; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-5.45) and the number of visits to the rheumatology department (OR 2.06; 95% CI 1.55-2.74). In the multivariate analysis, only the number of visits to the rheumatology department remained significantly associated with retransitioning (OR 2.19; 95% CI 1.60-3.01). CONCLUSION: When introducing a biosimilar in clinical care, clinicians should anticipate that one in seven patients will retransition to the originator. A (perceived) loss of effect was the most frequently reported reason for retransitioning. Patients who visited the rheumatology department more frequently had an increased risk of retransitioning, which is likely to be related to patients reporting a loss of effect and to adverse events resulting in more visits to the rheumatology department.

Identifiability of Biologicals: An Analysis Using EudraVigilance, the European Union's Database of Reports of Suspected Adverse Drug Reactions.

The relevance of biological therapies for an increasing number of conditions is on the rise. Following the expiry of the initial period of market exclusivity, many of these successful therapies have seen the arrival of biosimilars on the market. The clear identification of the precise medicine responsible for an adverse drug reaction (ADR) report is an important element for pharmacovigilance, allowing timely detection of potential product-specific safety signals. We looked at the identifiability of biologicals up to the level of commercial product name in ADR reports received from European clinical practice between 2011 and December 2019. A good level of identification (91.5%) was observed overall, but at the same time a downward trend was observed in the last 5 years. This reduction in the level of identifiability of biological products (originators and biosimilars) at the commercial name level in general was driven by five widely used substances, whereas the identification of all other biologics stayed consistent over time (at over 90%). We observed that those five substances were used mostly within oncology. The introduction of the first biosimilar in the market did not appear to affect their identifiability. These results show that although the general level of identification at the commercial product name level in ADRs in Europe is robust and generally stable over time, decreasing trends can be down to a few commonly used substances, which need to be monitored to reverse the trend.

The effect of medication related clinical decision support at the time of physician order entry.

Background In advanced clinical decision support systems, patient characteristics and laboratory values are included in the algorithms that generate alerts. These alerts have a higher specificity than basic medication surveillance alerts. The alerts of advanced clinical decision support systems can be shown directly to the prescriber during order entry, without the risk of generating an overload of irrelevant alerts. We implemented five advanced algorithms that are shown directly to the prescriber. These algorithms are for gastrointestinal prophylaxis, folic or folinic acid prescribed with orally or subcutaneously administered methotrexate, vitamin D prescribed with bisphosphonates, hyponatremia and measuring plasma levels for vancomycin and gentamicin. Objective We evaluated the effect of the implementation of the algorithms. Setting We performed prospective intervention studies with a historical group for comparison in both inpatients and outpatients at a teaching hospital in the Netherlands. Methods We compared the time period after implementation of the algorithm with the time period before implementation, using data from the hospital information system Epic. Difference in guideline adherence were analyzed using Chi square tests. Main outcome measure The outcome measures were the number of alerts, the acceptance rate of the advice in the alert, and for the algorithm measuring plasma levels for vancomycin and gentamicin the time to the correct dose. Results For all algorithms, the implementation resulted in a significant increase in guideline adherence, varying from 11 to 36%. The acceptance rate varied from 14% for hyponatremia to 90% for methotrexate. For gastrointestinal prophylaxis the acceptance rate was 4.4% for basic drug-drug interaction alerts when no gastrointestinal prophylaxis was prescribed and increased to 44.7% after implementation of the advanced algorithm. This algorithm substantially decreased the number of alerts from 812 before implementation to 217 after implementation. After implementation of the algorithm for measuring plasma levels for vancomycin and gentamicin, the proportion of patients receiving the correct dose after 48 h increased from 73 to 84% (p = 0.03). Conclusion Implementation of advanced algorithms that take patient characteristics into account and are shown directly to the physician during order entry, result in an increased guideline adherence.

Regulatory Safety Learning Driven by the Mechanism of Action: The Case of TNF-α Inhibitors.

The summary of product characteristics (SmPCs) is an important information source that includes the adverse drug reactions (ADRs) associated with the drug. Drugs with the same mechanism of action are expected to have a similar ADR profile and thus a substantial overlap of the described ADRs in the SmPC. The objective of this study is to assess this overlap. We extracted all ADRs (excluding hypersensitivity and administration site reactions) that were described in the first and all subsequent versions of the SmPCs of all approved TNF-α inhibitors in the European Union. The Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities was used to characterize the ADRs. At the end of follow-up, 293 unique ADRs (at high level term level) were described in the SmPCs of the 5 TNF-α inhibitors. There was substantial variation in the number of ADRs described in the SmPC among the TNF-α inhibitors. Of the 293 ADRs, 133 (45%) were described in the SmPC of one TNF-α inhibitor and 39 (13%) in the SmPCs of all 5 TNF-α inhibitors. Serious ADRs and ADRs classified as important risks were described approximately four times more often in a second SmPC than ADRs not classified as such. In conclusion, the ADRs described in the SmPCs of the TNF-α inhibitors differ considerably in number and type. In order to adequately inform prescribers and patients, acquired knowledge of the safety profile of drugs with the same mechanism of action should increasingly be taken into account in the assessment of all drugs within the class.

QTc Prolongation in COVID-19 Patients Using Chloroquine.

Chloroquine is used in the treatment of patients with COVID-19 infection, although there is no substantial evidence for a beneficial effect. Chloroquine is known to prolong the QRS and QTc interval on the ECG. To assess the effect of chloroquine on QRS and QTc intervals in COVID-19 patients, we included all inpatients treated with chloroquine for COVID-19 in the Spaarne Gasthuis (Haarlem/Hoofddorp, the Netherlands) and had an ECG performed both in the 72 h before and during or at least 48 h after treatment. We analyzed the (change in) QRS and QTc interval using the one-sample t-test. Of the 106 patients treated with chloroquine, 70 met the inclusion criteria. The average change in QRS interval was 6.0 ms (95% CI 3.3-8.7) and the average change in QTc interval was 32.6 ms (95% CI 24.9-40.2) corrected with the Bazett's formula and 38.1 ms (95% CI 30.4-45.9) corrected with the Fridericia's formula. In 19 of the 70 patients (27%), the QTc interval was above 500 ms after start of chloroquine treatment or the change in QTc interval was more than 60 ms. A heart rate above 90 bpm, renal dysfunction, and a QTc interval below 450 ms were risk factors for QTc interval prolongation. Chloroquine prolongs the QTc interval in a substantial number of patients, potentially causing rhythm disturbances. Since there is no substantial evidence for a beneficial effect of chloroquine, these results discourage its use in COVID-19 patients.

Switching TNFα inhibitors: Patterns and determinants.

The aim of this study was to assess switching patterns and determinants for switching in patients initiating TNFα inhibitor (TNFα-i) treatment. Patients were included who started TNFα-i treatment between July 1, 2012 and December 31, 2017, from three Dutch hospitals, and were diagnosed with rheumatic diseases (RD), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or psoriasis. Outcomes were switching, defined as initiating another biological; switching patterns including multiple switches until the end of follow-up; determinants for first switch, assessed using multivariate logistic regression. A total of 2228 patients were included (median age 43.3 years, 57% female), of which 52% (n = 1155) received TNFα-i for RD, 43% (n = 967) for IBD, and 5% (n = 106) for psoriasis. About 16.6% of RD patients, 14.5% of IBD patients, and 16.0% of psoriasis patients switched at least once, mainly to another TNFα-i. TNFα-i dose escalation (OR 13.78, 95% CI 1.40-135.0) and high-dose corticosteroids initiation (OR 3.62, 95% CI 1.10-12.15) were determinants for switching in RD patients. TNFα-i dose escalation (OR 8.22, 95% CI 3.76-17.93), immunomodulator initiation/dose escalation (OR 2.13, 95% CI 1.04-4.34), high-dose corticosteroids initiation (OR 6.91, 95% CI 2.81-17.01) and serum concentration measurement (OR 5.44, 95% CI 2.74-10.79) were determinants for switching in IBD patients. Switching biological treatment occurred in about one in six patients. RD patients with TNFα-i dose escalation and/or high-dose corticosteroids initiation were more likely to switch. IBD patients with TNFα-i or immunomodulator initiation/dose escalation, high-dose corticosteroids initiation or serum concentration measurement were more likely to switch. These findings might help clinicians anticipating switching in TNFα-i treatment.

Reporting of quality attributes in scientific publications presenting biosimilarity assessments of (intended) biosimilars: a systematic literature review.

Last years, more than 46 unique biosimilars were approved by EMA and/or US-FDA following patent expiration of reference products. Biosimilars are not identical like generics, but highly similar versions where demonstrating biosimilarity of quality attributes (QAs) to a reference product is the basis of development and regulatory approval. Information on QAs assessed to establish biosimilarity may not always be publicly available, although this information is imperative to understand better the science behind biosimilars approval. This study aims to identify QA types reported in publications presenting biosimilarity assessments of (intended) biosimilars over time. English full-text publications presenting biosimilarity assessments of QAs for (intended) biosimilars between 2000 and 2019 identified from PubMed and EMBASE. Publication characteristics and QAs classified into: structural (physicochemical properties, primary structure, higher-order structures (HOSs), post-translational modifications (PTMs), and purity and impurities) and functional (biological and immunochemical activities) were extracted from publications. Seventy-nine publications were identified (79% open-access, 75% industry-sponsored, 62% including unapproved biosimilars, and 66% involving antibodies). Reporting frequencies varied for QA types: biological activity (94%), physicochemical properties (81%), PTMs (79%), primary structure (77%) purity and impurities (73%), HOSs (58%), and immunochemical activity (41%). The number of publications increased from 6 (7%) during 2009-2011 to 62 (79%) during 2015-2019. Eighteen (28%) publications reported all QA types relevant to an active-biological-substance. Reporting of most QA types increased over time that most evidenced by immunochemical activity (from 0% to 47%) which occured after EMA monoclonal antibody (mAbs) guidline in 2012 and more publications on mAbs later on when compared to earlier period. Biosimilarity assessments of QAs have been published in peer-reviewed publications for about 60% of approved biosimilars. Publishing biosimilarity assessments and reporting QAs over time appears to be affected by regulatory actions that occurred in 2012-2015, including regulatory approval and development of regulatory guidelines for biosimilars. Availability of a complete, publicly accessible and unbiased biosimilarity assessment of QAs, as part of a trusted and transparent regulatory process, will contribute to increased confidence and acceptance of biosimilars in clinical practice.

Identifiability of Biologicals in Adverse Drug Reaction Reports Received From European Clinical Practice.

Biologicals are established treatment options that require pharmacovigilance adapted to their specific nature, including the need for products to be identifiable up to the specific manufacturer in reports of adverse drug reactions (ADRs). This study explored the identifiability of 10 classes of similar and related biologicals up to the level of the manufacturer in ADR reports received from European clinical practice between 2011 and June 2016. Adequate identifiers were reported for 96.7% of the suspected biologicals, ranging from 89.5% for filgrastim to 99.8% for interferon beta-1a. The product identifiability remained consistently high over time for classes of biologicals for which biosimilars were introduced during follow-up. The overall batch traceability was, however, only ensured for 20.5% of the suspected biologicals and needs further improvement. This study shows that the European system for identification of ADRs to the level of the manufacturer is robust, allowing for the timely detection of potential product-specific safety signals for biologicals.