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BACKGROUND: In the KEYNOTE-590 study, first-line pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy provided statistically significant improvement in overall survival, progression-free survival, and objective response rate compared with chemotherapy, with a manageable safety profile in patients with advanced esophageal cancer. Prespecified health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) outcomes are reported. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Change from baseline to week 18 in the EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (QLQ-C30) global health status/QoL (GHS/QoL) and QLQ-Esophageal cancer module (OES18) dysphagia, pain, and reflux scales were evaluated. RESULTS: The HRQoL analysis included 730 patients who received treatment and completed ≥1 HRQoL assessment. Least squares mean (LSM) change from baseline to week 18 was similar between treatment groups for QLQ-C30 GHS/QoL and physical functioning and QLQ-OES18 reflux scales. The QLQ-OES18 dysphagia (LSM difference, -5.54; 95% CI, -10.93 to -0.16) and pain (LSM difference, -2.94; 95% CI, -5.86 to -0.02) scales favored pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy over placebo plus chemotherapy. Median time to confirmed deterioration (TTD) was similar between treatment groups for QLQ-C30 GHS/QoL and physical functioning and QLQ-OES18 dysphagia and reflux scales. Compared with chemotherapy, pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy prolonged median TTD, as seen on the QLQ-OES18 pain scale (HR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.51 to 0.95). CONCLUSION: The use of pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy maintained HRQoL at week 18 relative to baseline and was comparable with placebo plus chemotherapy. These HRQoL results together with published reports of efficacy, support the use of pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy as first-line therapy for advanced/metastatic esophageal cancer. CLINICALTRIALS.GOV ID: NCT03189719.
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Aim: Investigate the relationship between response to pembrolizumab and expression of the 18-gene T cell-inflamed gene expression profile (TcellinfGEP) or PD-L1 combined positive score (CPS) in esophageal cancer. Materials & methods: This analysis included heavily pretreated patients with advanced/metastatic esophageal/gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma who received pembrolizumab in the single-arm, phase II study KEYNOTE-180. PD-L1 CPS was evaluated with PD-L1 IHC 22C3 pharmDx. Results: In patients with squamous cell carcinoma, trends toward enrichment for responders were observed for patients with PD-L1 CPS ≥10 tumors. In patients with adenocarcinoma, a trend was observed for TcellinfGEP but not for PD-L1. Conclusion: TcellinfGEP and PD-L1 CPS may enrich for responders to pembrolizumab in patients with esophageal cancer. Clinical trial registration: NCT02559687 (ClinicalTrials.gov).
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BACKGROUND: Data are lacking on the long-term effect on cardiovascular events of adding sitagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor, to usual care in patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind study, we assigned 14,671 patients to add either sitagliptin or placebo to their existing therapy. Open-label use of antihyperglycemic therapy was encouraged as required, aimed at reaching individually appropriate glycemic targets in all patients. To determine whether sitagliptin was noninferior to placebo, we used a relative risk of 1.3 as the marginal upper boundary. The primary cardiovascular outcome was a composite of cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or hospitalization for unstable angina. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 3.0 years, there was a small difference in glycated hemoglobin levels (least-squares mean difference for sitagliptin vs. placebo, -0.29 percentage points; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.32 to -0.27). Overall, the primary outcome occurred in 839 patients in the sitagliptin group (11.4%; 4.06 per 100 person-years) and 851 patients in the placebo group (11.6%; 4.17 per 100 person-years). Sitagliptin was noninferior to placebo for the primary composite cardiovascular outcome (hazard ratio, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.88 to 1.09; P<0.001). Rates of hospitalization for heart failure did not differ between the two groups (hazard ratio, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.83 to 1.20; P=0.98). There were no significant between-group differences in rates of acute pancreatitis (P=0.07) or pancreatic cancer (P=0.32). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease, adding sitagliptin to usual care did not appear to increase the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, hospitalization for heart failure, or other adverse events. (Funded by Merck Sharp & Dohme; TECOS ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00790205.).
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Enfermedades Cardiovasculares/complicaciones , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/tratamiento farmacológico , Hipoglucemiantes/efectos adversos , Pirazinas/efectos adversos , Triazoles/efectos adversos , Administración Oral , Enfermedades Cardiovasculares/mortalidad , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/sangre , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/complicaciones , Método Doble Ciego , Quimioterapia Combinada , Estudios de Seguimiento , Hemoglobina Glucada/análisis , Cardiopatías/epidemiología , Cardiopatías/etiología , Insuficiencia Cardíaca/etiología , Hospitalización/estadística & datos numéricos , Humanos , Hipoglucemiantes/uso terapéutico , Estimación de Kaplan-Meier , Pirazinas/uso terapéutico , Fosfato de Sitagliptina , Triazoles/uso terapéuticoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Omarigliptin is a once-weekly (q.w.) oral DPP-4 inhibitor that is approved for the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Japan. To support approval of omarigliptin in the United States, the clinical development program included a cardiovascular (CV) safety study. Subsequently, a business decision was made not to submit a marketing application for omarigliptin in the United States, and the CV safety study was terminated. Herein we report an analysis of data from that early-terminated study. METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind study, 4202 patients with T2DM and established CV disease were assigned to either omarigliptin 25 mg q.w. or matching placebo in addition to their existing diabetes therapy. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to summarize the primary endpoint of time to first major adverse CV event (MACE, the composite of CV death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and nonfatal stroke) and the analysis of first event of hospitalization for heart failure (hHF). RESULTS: The median follow-up was approximately 96 weeks (range 1.1-178.6 weeks). The primary MACE outcome occurred in 114/2092 patients in the omarigliptin group (5.45%; 2.96/100 patient-years) and 114/2100 patients in the placebo group (5.43%; 2.97/100 patient-years), with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.00 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.77, 1.29). The hHF outcome occurred in 20/2092 patients in the omarigliptin group (0.96%; 0.51/100 patient-years) and 33/2100 patients in the placebo group (1.57%; 0.85/100 patient-years), with an HR of 0.60 (95% CI 0.35, 1.05). After 142 weeks, the least-squares mean difference (omarigliptin vs. placebo) in glycated hemoglobin levels was -0.3% (95% CI -0.46, -0.14). The numbers of patients with adverse events, serious adverse events or discontinued from study medication due to adverse events were similar in the omarigliptin and placebo groups. CONCLUSIONS: In this CV safety study of patients with T2DM and established CV disease, omarigliptin did not increase the risk of MACE or hHF and was generally well tolerated. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01703208. Registered 05 October 2012.
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Enfermedades Cardiovasculares/tratamiento farmacológico , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/tratamiento farmacológico , Inhibidores de la Dipeptidil-Peptidasa IV/administración & dosificación , Compuestos Heterocíclicos con 2 Anillos/administración & dosificación , Piranos/administración & dosificación , Anciano , Enfermedades Cardiovasculares/diagnóstico , Enfermedades Cardiovasculares/epidemiología , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/diagnóstico , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/epidemiología , Inhibidores de la Dipeptidil-Peptidasa IV/efectos adversos , Método Doble Ciego , Esquema de Medicación , Femenino , Estudios de Seguimiento , Compuestos Heterocíclicos con 2 Anillos/efectos adversos , Humanos , Hipoglucemiantes/administración & dosificación , Hipoglucemiantes/efectos adversos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Piranos/efectos adversos , Factores de RiesgoRESUMEN
AIMS: To characterize the incidence of diabetes-associated complications and assess the safety of sitagliptin in participants with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the Trial Evaluating Cardiovascular Outcomes with Sitagliptin (TECOS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: For participants with baseline eGFR measurements (n = 14 528), baseline characteristics and safety outcomes were compared for the CKD cohort (eGFR < 60 mL/min per 1.73 m2 ) vs those without CKD. Within the CKD cohort, the same analyses were performed, comparing sitagliptin- and placebo-assigned participants. Baseline characteristics were summarized for all participants, and serious adverse events were analysed in those who received at least 1 dose of study medication. Adverse events of interest and diabetes complications were summarized for the intention-to-treat population. RESULTS: CKD was present in 3324 (23%) participants at entry into TECOS. The mean (SD) age for this CKD cohort was 68.8 (7.9) years, mean diabetes duration was 13.7 (9.0) years, and 62% were men. Incidences of serious adverse events, malignancy, bone fracture, severe hypoglycaemia and most categories of diabetes complications were higher in the CKD cohort compared with those without CKD. Over ~2.8 median years of follow-up, CKD participants assigned to sitagliptin had rates of diabetic eye disease, diabetic neuropathy, renal failure, malignancy, bone fracture, pancreatitis and severe hypoglycaemia similar to those of placebo-assigned participants. CONCLUSIONS: Participants in TECOS with CKD had higher incidences of serious adverse events and diabetes complications than those without CKD. Treatment with sitagliptin was generally well tolerated, with no meaningful differences in safety outcomes observed between those with CKD assigned to sitagliptin or placebo.
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Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/tratamiento farmacológico , Nefropatías Diabéticas/tratamiento farmacológico , Insuficiencia Renal Crónica/tratamiento farmacológico , Fosfato de Sitagliptina/efectos adversos , Anciano , Estudios de Cohortes , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/complicaciones , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/epidemiología , Nefropatías Diabéticas/epidemiología , Efectos Colaterales y Reacciones Adversas Relacionados con Medicamentos/epidemiología , Femenino , Tasa de Filtración Glomerular , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Placebos , Insuficiencia Renal Crónica/complicaciones , Insuficiencia Renal Crónica/epidemiología , Fosfato de Sitagliptina/uso terapéutico , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
AIM: To compare the efficacy and safety of the once-weekly oral dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor omarigliptin or once-daily DPP-4 inhibitor sitagliptin in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and inadequate glycaemic control on metformin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with T2DM with a glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) concentration ≥6.5% to ≤9.0% while on a stable dose of metformin (≥1500 mg/d) were randomized in a double-blind manner to receive omarigliptin 25 mg once weekly (n = 322) or sitagliptin 100 mg once daily (n = 320). The primary analysis assessed whether omarigliptin was non-inferior to sitagliptin in reducing HbA1c at week 24, based on the criterion of having an upper bound of the 95% confidence interval (CI) about the difference less than the non-inferiority bound of 0.3%. RESULTS: The mean baseline HbA1c was 7.5% in both groups. After 24 weeks, the least squares (LS) mean change in HbA1c from baseline was -0.47% in the omarigliptin group and -0.43% in the sitagliptin group, with a between-group difference of -0.03% (95% CI -0.15, 0.08). This result met the prespecified criterion for declaring non-inferiority. The LS mean change from baseline in fasting plasma glucose and the percentage of patients with HbA1c <7.0% or <6.5% at week 24 were similar in the two treatment groups. There were no notable differences in adverse events and the incidence of symptomatic hypoglycaemia was low and similar in the groups. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with T2DM and inadequate glycaemic control on metformin, the addition of omarigliptin 25 mg once weekly or sitagliptin 100 mg once daily led to similar improvements in glycaemic control. Both agents were generally well tolerated with a low incidence of hypoglycaemia.
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Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/tratamiento farmacológico , Inhibidores de la Dipeptidil-Peptidasa IV/uso terapéutico , Compuestos Heterocíclicos con 2 Anillos/uso terapéutico , Hipoglucemiantes/uso terapéutico , Metformina/uso terapéutico , Piranos/uso terapéutico , Fosfato de Sitagliptina/uso terapéutico , Anciano , Glucemia/metabolismo , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/metabolismo , Método Doble Ciego , Quimioterapia Combinada , Femenino , Hemoglobina Glucada/metabolismo , Humanos , Análisis de los Mínimos Cuadrados , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a progressive disease that often requires a patient to use multiple antihyperglycemic agents to achieve glycemic control with disease progression. Omarigliptin is a once-weekly dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor. The purpose of this trial was to assess the efficacy and safety of adding omarigliptin to the treatment regimen of patients with T2D inadequately controlled by dual therapy with metformin and glimepiride. METHODS: Patients with T2D and HbA1c ≥7.5% and ≤10.5% while on metformin (≥1500 mg/day) and glimepiride (≥4 mg/day) were randomized to omarigliptin 25 mg once-weekly (N = 154) or placebo (N = 153) for 24 weeks. The primary objective was to assess whether omarigliptin was superior to placebo in reducing HbA1c at Week 24. Secondary objectives were to assess the effects of omarigliptin vs. placebo on FPG and the proportion of subjects attaining HbA1c goals of <7% and <6.5%. RESULTS: From a mean baseline HbA1c of 8.5% (omarigliptin) and 8.6% (placebo), the least squares (LS) mean change from baseline in HbA1c at Week 24 was -0.67% in the omarigliptin group and -0.06% in the placebo group, with a between-group difference (95% CI) of -0.61% (-0.85, -0.38). Treatment with omarigliptin resulted in a significantly greater reduction in FPG relative to placebo (LS mean difference [95% CI] -0.9 mmol/L [-1.4, -0.4]; p < 0.001). The proportion of patients achieving glycemic goals of <7.0% and <6.5% was higher in the omarigliptin group relative to the placebo group. The overall incidences of adverse events (AEs), serious AEs, drug-related AEs and discontinuations were generally similar between treatment groups. The incidence of symptomatic hypoglycemia was 10.5% in the omarigliptin group and 8.5% in the placebo group. Relative to baseline, omarigliptin and placebo treatments were associated with LS mean changes in body weight of -0.1 kg and -0.9 kg, respectively. CONCLUSION: In patients with T2D and inadequate glycemic control on dual therapy with metformin and glimepiride, compared with placebo, once-weekly omarigliptin provided greater improvement in glycemic control and was generally well tolerated. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01704261 , EudraCT Number: 2012-002612-10. Trial Registration Date: October 8, 2012.
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Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/tratamiento farmacológico , Inhibidores de la Dipeptidil-Peptidasa IV/administración & dosificación , Compuestos Heterocíclicos con 2 Anillos/administración & dosificación , Piranos/administración & dosificación , Anciano , Inhibidores de la Dipeptidil-Peptidasa IV/efectos adversos , Quimioterapia Combinada , Femenino , Compuestos Heterocíclicos con 2 Anillos/efectos adversos , Humanos , Hipoglucemiantes/administración & dosificación , Masculino , Metformina/administración & dosificación , Persona de Mediana Edad , Piranos/efectos adversos , Compuestos de Sulfonilurea/administración & dosificaciónRESUMEN
AIMS: To assess the safety and efficacy of omarigliptin in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and chronic renal impairment (RI). METHODS: Patients with T2DM with moderate RI (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] ≥30 to <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 ) (N=114), severe RI (eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m2 ) (N=55) or end-stage renal disease on dialysis (N=44), who were either not on an antihyperglycaemic agent therapy for at least 12 weeks at screening, washed-off of oral antihyperglycaemic agent monotherapy or low-dose dual combination therapy, or on insulin monotherapy, with baseline glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) of 6.5%-10.0% were randomised to omarigliptin or to placebo for 24 weeks (primary end-point) followed by a 30-week period with subjects on placebo switched to blinded glipizide (if not on insulin). RESULTS: After 24 weeks, from a mean baseline HbA1c of 8.4% in the omarigliptin group and 8.3% in the placebo group, the least squares mean (95% CI) change from baseline in HbA1c in the overall population (all renal strata combined) was -0.77% (-1.00 to -0.54) in the omarigliptin group and -0.44% (-0.67 to -0.21) in the placebo group; between-group difference of -0.33% (-0.63 to -0.02); P=0.035. After 24 weeks, the incidences of subjects with symptomatic hypoglycaemia, one or more adverse event (AE), drug-related AE, serious AE and discontinuation due to an AE were similar in the omarigliptin and placebo groups. CONCLUSIONS: In this study in subjects with T2DM and RI, relative to placebo, omarigliptin provided clinically meaningful reductions in HbA1c, had a similar incidence of symptomatic hypoglycaemia and was generally well tolerated.
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Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/complicaciones , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/tratamiento farmacológico , Inhibidores de la Dipeptidil-Peptidasa IV/uso terapéutico , Compuestos Heterocíclicos con 2 Anillos/uso terapéutico , Fallo Renal Crónico/complicaciones , Piranos/uso terapéutico , Anciano , Método Doble Ciego , Esquema de Medicación , Femenino , Tasa de Filtración Glomerular , Hemoglobina Glucada , Humanos , Hipoglucemiantes/uso terapéutico , Fallo Renal Crónico/sangre , Masculino , Persona de Mediana EdadRESUMEN
PURPOSE: In the phase III KEYNOTE-181 study (NCT02564263) of patients with advanced esophageal cancer (EC), pembrolizumab monotherapy prolonged overall survival versus chemotherapy as second-line therapy in patients with programmed death ligand 1 combined positive score (CPS) ≥ 10. We present the results of the prespecified health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) analyses of the squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), CPS ≥ 10, and CPS ≥ 10 SCC populations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: HRQoL was measured using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (QLQ-C30), EORTC QLQ EC questionnaire (OES18), and EuroQol 5-dimension questionnaire (EQ-5D). Data were analyzed in patients who received ≥ 1 dose of study treatment and completed ≥ 1 HRQoL assessment. Key analyses included baseline to week 9 least squares mean change in global health status/quality of life, functional or symptom subscales, and time to deterioration (≥ 10-point deterioration) for specific subscales. RESULTS: The HRQoL population included 387 patients with SCC. Compliance and completion rates for all three questionnaires were similar in both treatment groups at baseline and week 9. No clinically meaningful differences in global health status/quality of life scores were observed between treatment groups from baseline to week 9 (least squares mean difference, 2.80; 95% CI, -1.48 to 7.08); patients in both treatment groups generally exhibited stable functioning and symptom scores of the QLQ-C30 and QLQ-OES18 from baseline to week 9. Time to deterioration for pain (hazard ratio [HR], 1.22; 95% CI, 0.79 to 1.89), reflux (HR, 2.38; 95% CI, 1.33 to 4.25), and dysphagia (HR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.02 to 2.31) subscales were similar between treatment groups. These findings were generally similar in the CPS ≥ 10 (n = 218) and CPS ≥ 10 SCC (n = 166) subgroups. CONCLUSION: In patients with advanced EC, pembrolizumab monotherapy and chemotherapy maintained HRQoL in patients with SCC, CPS ≥ 10, and CPS ≥ 10 SCC.
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Adenocarcinoma/tratamiento farmacológico , Anticuerpos Monoclonales Humanizados/uso terapéutico , Docetaxel/uso terapéutico , Neoplasias Esofágicas/tratamiento farmacológico , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas de Esófago/tratamiento farmacológico , Inhibidores de Puntos de Control Inmunológico/uso terapéutico , Irinotecán/uso terapéutico , Paclitaxel/uso terapéutico , Calidad de Vida , Adenocarcinoma/diagnóstico , Adenocarcinoma/mortalidad , Anticuerpos Monoclonales Humanizados/efectos adversos , Progresión de la Enfermedad , Docetaxel/efectos adversos , Neoplasias Esofágicas/diagnóstico , Neoplasias Esofágicas/mortalidad , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas de Esófago/diagnóstico , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas de Esófago/mortalidad , Estado Funcional , Humanos , Inhibidores de Puntos de Control Inmunológico/efectos adversos , Irinotecán/efectos adversos , Paclitaxel/efectos adversos , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Factores de Tiempo , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is a potent orexigenic neuropeptide, and antagonism of NPY Y1 and NPY Y5 receptors (NPYxR) is considered a potentially important anti-obesity drug target. We tested the hypothesis that blockade of the NPY5R will lead to weight loss in humans using MK-0557, a potent, highly selective, orally active NPY5R antagonist. The initial series of experiments reported herein, including a multiple-dose positron-emission tomography study and a 12 week proof-of concept/dose-ranging study, suggested an optimal MK-0557 dose of 1 mg/day. The hypothesis was then tested in a 52 week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 1661 overweight and obese patients. Although statistically significant at 52 weeks, the magnitude of induced weight loss was not clinically meaningful. These observations provide the first clinical insight into the human NPY-energy homeostatic pathway and suggest that solely targeting the NPY5R in future drug development programs is unlikely to produce therapeutic efficacy.
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Fármacos Antiobesidad/uso terapéutico , Ciclohexanos/uso terapéutico , Obesidad/tratamiento farmacológico , Pirazoles/uso terapéutico , Receptores de Neuropéptido Y/antagonistas & inhibidores , Compuestos de Espiro/uso terapéutico , Administración Oral , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Fármacos Antiobesidad/administración & dosificación , Peso Corporal , Ciclohexanos/administración & dosificación , Relación Dosis-Respuesta a Droga , Método Doble Ciego , Humanos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Estructura Molecular , Placebos , Tomografía de Emisión de Positrones/métodos , Pirazoles/administración & dosificación , Receptores de Neuropéptido Y/metabolismo , Sensibilidad y Especificidad , Compuestos de Espiro/administración & dosificación , Relación Estructura-Actividad , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
PURPOSE: Patients with advanced esophageal cancer have a poor prognosis and limited treatment options after first-line chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this open-label, phase III study, we randomly assigned (1:1) 628 patients with advanced/metastatic squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma of the esophagus, that progressed after one prior therapy, to pembrolizumab 200 mg every 3 weeks for up to 2 years or chemotherapy (investigator's choice of paclitaxel, docetaxel, or irinotecan). Primary end points were overall survival (OS) in patients with programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) combined positive score (CPS) ≥ 10, in patients with squamous cell carcinoma, and in all patients (one-sided α 0.9%, 0.8%, and 0.8%, respectively). RESULTS: At final analysis, conducted 16 months after the last patient was randomly assigned, OS was prolonged with pembrolizumab versus chemotherapy for patients with CPS ≥ 10 (median, 9.3 v 6.7 months; hazard ratio [HR], 0.69 [95% CI, 0.52 to 0.93]; P = .0074). Estimated 12-month OS rate was 43% (95% CI, 33.5% to 52.1%) with pembrolizumab versus 20% (95% CI, 13.5% to 28.3%) with chemotherapy. Median OS was 8.2 months versus 7.1 months (HR, 0.78 [95% CI, 0.63 to 0.96]; P = .0095) in patients with squamous cell carcinoma and 7.1 months versus 7.1 months (HR, 0.89 [95% CI, 0.75 to 1.05]; P = .0560) in all patients. Grade 3-5 treatment-related adverse events occurred in 18.2% of patients with pembrolizumab versus 40.9% in those who underwent chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: Pembrolizumab prolonged OS versus chemotherapy as second-line therapy for advanced esophageal cancer in patients with PD-L1 CPS ≥ 10, with fewer treatment-related adverse events.
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Anticuerpos Monoclonales Humanizados/uso terapéutico , Protocolos de Quimioterapia Combinada Antineoplásica/uso terapéutico , Neoplasias Esofágicas/tratamiento farmacológico , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas de Esófago/tratamiento farmacológico , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Antineoplásicos Inmunológicos/uso terapéutico , Antígeno B7-H1/inmunología , Docetaxel/administración & dosificación , Neoplasias Esofágicas/inmunología , Neoplasias Esofágicas/patología , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas de Esófago/inmunología , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas de Esófago/patología , Femenino , Humanos , Irinotecán/administración & dosificación , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Paclitaxel/administración & dosificación , Supervivencia sin Progresión , Tasa de Supervivencia , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The literature on changes in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in weight loss studies is inconsistent, and few studies use more than one type of measure. The purpose of the current study was to compare one-year changes in HRQOL as a function of weight change using three different measures: a weight-related measure (Impact of Weight on Quality of Life-Lite [IWQOL-Lite)]) and two generic measures (SF-36; EQ-5D). METHODS: Data were obtained from 926 participants (mean Body Mass Index (BMI) (kg/m(2)) = 35.4; 84% female; mean age = 49.5 years) in a placebo-controlled randomized trial for weight loss. At baseline and one-year, participants completed all three HRQOL measures. HRQOL was compared across weight change categories (> or = 5% and 0-4.9% gain, 0-4.9%, 5.0-9.9% and > or = 10% loss), using effect sizes. RESULTS: The weight-related measure of HRQOL exhibited greater improvements with one-year weight loss than either of the generic instruments, with effect sizes ranging from 0.24 to 0.62 for 5-9.9% weight reductions and 0.44 to 0.95 for > or = 10% reductions. IWQOL-Lite Self-Esteem also showed a small improvement with weight gain. Changes in the two generic measures of HRQOL were inconsistent with each other, and in the case of the SF-36, variable across domains. For participants gaining > or = 5% of weight, the greatest reductions in HRQOL occurred with respect to SF-36 Mental Health, MCS, and Vitality, with effect sizes of -0.82, -0.70, and -0.63 respectively. CONCLUSION: This study found differences between weight-related and generic measures of health-related quality of life in a one-year weight loss trial, reflecting the potential value of using more than one measure in a trial. Although weight loss was generally associated with improved IWQOL-Lite, physical SF-36 subscale and EQ-5D scores, a small amount of weight gain was associated with a slight improvement on weight-specific HRQOL and almost no change on the EQ-5D, suggesting the need for further research to more fully study these relationships. We believe our findings have relevance for weight loss patients and obesity clinicians/researchers in informing them of likely HRQOL outcomes associated with varying amounts of weight loss or gain.
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Evaluación de Resultado en la Atención de Salud/métodos , Psicometría/métodos , Calidad de Vida , Pérdida de Peso , Adulto , Índice de Masa Corporal , Femenino , Indicadores de Salud , Humanos , Masculino , Salud Mental , Persona de Mediana Edad , Obesidad/psicología , Obesidad/terapia , Ensayos Clínicos Controlados Aleatorios como Asunto , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
AIMS: To assess the efficacy and safety of once-weekly omarigliptin as monotherapy in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: People with T2DM not on glucose-lowering medications, or who were washed off monotherapy or low-dose dual therapy, were randomized double-blind to omarigliptin 25â¯mg (n=165) or matching omarigliptin placebo (n=164) for 24â¯weeks, followed by a 30-week period to assess continuing efficacy and safety longer-term of omarigliptin during which metformin was added to the placebo group and metformin placebo to the omarigliptin group. RESULTS: From a mean baseline HbA1c of 8.0-8.1%, the least squares mean (95% CI) change from baseline in HbA1c at week 24 (primary endpoint) was -0.49% (-0.73, -0.24) in the omarigliptin group and -0.10% (-0.34, 0.14) in the placebo group, for a between-group difference of -0.39% (-0.59, -0.19) (p<.001). Protocol deviation in use of metformin by 38 of 252 (15%) people whose samples were available for evaluation probably attenuated glycemic efficacy results, as suggested by the LS mean difference -0.53% (-0.75, -0.32) after censoring of such participants. At 24 and 54â¯weeks, the incidences of adverse events (AEs) were similar in the omarigliptin and placebo groups. During 54â¯weeks there were no AEs of symptomatic hypoglycemia in the omarigliptin group and 5 AEs in the placebo group. Over 54â¯weeks, a majority of the omarigliptin treatment had a persistent reduction in HbA1c, remaining rescue-free. CONCLUSIONS: In people with T2DM, omarigliptin monotherapy improved glycemic control over 54â¯weeks and was generally well tolerated with a low risk of hypoglycemia. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01717313. EudraCT Number: 2012-003626-24.
Asunto(s)
Inhibidores de la Dipeptidil-Peptidasa IV/administración & dosificación , Inhibidores de la Dipeptidil-Peptidasa IV/efectos adversos , Compuestos Heterocíclicos con 2 Anillos/administración & dosificación , Compuestos Heterocíclicos con 2 Anillos/efectos adversos , Piranos/administración & dosificación , Piranos/efectos adversos , Anciano , Glucemia/efectos de los fármacos , Glucemia/metabolismo , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/tratamiento farmacológico , Método Doble Ciego , Esquema de Medicación , Femenino , Hemoglobina Glucada/efectos de los fármacos , Humanos , Hipoglucemia/inducido químicamente , Hipoglucemia/epidemiología , Hipoglucemiantes/administración & dosificación , Hipoglucemiantes/efectos adversos , Hipoglucemiantes/uso terapéutico , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To examine the efficacy and safety of the once-weekly (q.w.) dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, omarigliptin, in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and inadequate glycemic control on metformin monotherapy. METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind trial, patients with T2DM on a stable dose of metformin monotherapy (≥1500 mg/day) with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) of 7.0-10.5% were randomized to omarigliptin 25 mg q.w. or matching placebo (n = 201 in both) for 24 weeks (primary timepoint) followed by an additional 80-week treatment period. RESULTS: At week 24, from a mean baseline HbA1c of 8.0-8.1%, the least squares (LS) mean (95% CI) change from baseline in HbA1c (primary end-point) was -0.54% (-0.69%, -0.40%) in the omarigliptin group and 0.00% (-0.14%, 0.15%) in the placebo group, for a between-group difference of -0.55% (-0.75%, -0.34%); p < .001. Between-group differences (LS mean 95% CI) for the secondary end-points of 2-h post-meal glucose and fasting plasma glucose (omarigliptin vs placebo) were -0.8 mmol/L (-1.4, -0.2) (p = .011) and -0.5 mmol/L (-0.9, -0.1) (p = .010), respectively. At week 24, the incidences of symptomatic hypoglycemia and subjects with one or more adverse event (AE), serious AEs, and discontinuations due to an AE were similar in the omarigliptin and placebo groups. Over 104 weeks, omarigliptin treatment provided a clinically meaningful reduction in HbA1c. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with T2DM, adding omarigliptin 25 mg q.w. to metformin monotherapy improved glycemic control over 104 weeks and was generally welltolerated with a low risk of hypoglycemia.
Asunto(s)
Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2 , Inhibidores de la Dipeptidil-Peptidasa IV , Compuestos Heterocíclicos con 2 Anillos , Piranos , Glucemia/análisis , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/tratamiento farmacológico , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/epidemiología , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/fisiopatología , Inhibidores de la Dipeptidil-Peptidasa IV/administración & dosificación , Inhibidores de la Dipeptidil-Peptidasa IV/efectos adversos , Inhibidores de la Dipeptidil-Peptidasa IV/uso terapéutico , Compuestos Heterocíclicos con 2 Anillos/administración & dosificación , Compuestos Heterocíclicos con 2 Anillos/efectos adversos , Compuestos Heterocíclicos con 2 Anillos/uso terapéutico , Humanos , Hipoglucemia , Metformina/uso terapéutico , Piranos/administración & dosificación , Piranos/efectos adversos , Piranos/uso terapéuticoRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of adding the once-weekly DPP-4 inhibitor omarigliptin or the sulfonylurea glimepiride to the treatment regimen of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and inadequate glycemic control on metformin monotherapy. METHODS: Patients with T2DM and HbA1c ≥6.5% to ≤9.0% while on a stable dose of metformin (≥1500 mg/day) were randomized to omarigliptin 25 mg once-weekly (n = 376) or glimepiride up to 6 mg once daily (n = 375) for 54 weeks. The primary hypothesis was that omarigliptin is non-inferior to glimepiride in reducing HbA1c at week 54. RESULTS: The mean baseline HbA1c was 7.5% in the omarigliptin group and 7.4% in the glimepiride group. After 54 weeks, the least squares (LS) mean change from baseline in HbA1c was -0.30% in the omarigliptin group and -0.48% in the glimepiride group, with a between-group difference (95% CI) of 0.18% (0.06, 0.30), which met the pre-specified criterion for declaring non-inferiority. The incidence of symptomatic hypoglycemia was 5.3% in the omarigliptin group and 26.7% in the glimepiride group. With the exception of hypoglycemia, the incidences of adverse events and discontinuations were similar between treatment groups. Relative to baseline, omarigliptin was associated with a mean weight loss (-0.4 kg) and glimepiride a mean weight gain (+1.5 kg). CONCLUSIONS: After 54 weeks, as add-on therapy to metformin, once-weekly omarigliptin was generally well tolerated and non-inferior to glimepiride in improving glycemic control, with a lower incidence of hypoglycemia and with weight loss vs weight gain.
Asunto(s)
Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2 , Compuestos Heterocíclicos con 2 Anillos , Hipoglucemiantes , Piranos , Compuestos de Sulfonilurea , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/tratamiento farmacológico , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/epidemiología , Inhibidores de la Dipeptidil-Peptidasa IV/administración & dosificación , Inhibidores de la Dipeptidil-Peptidasa IV/efectos adversos , Inhibidores de la Dipeptidil-Peptidasa IV/uso terapéutico , Método Doble Ciego , Compuestos Heterocíclicos con 2 Anillos/administración & dosificación , Compuestos Heterocíclicos con 2 Anillos/efectos adversos , Compuestos Heterocíclicos con 2 Anillos/uso terapéutico , Humanos , Hipoglucemiantes/administración & dosificación , Hipoglucemiantes/efectos adversos , Hipoglucemiantes/uso terapéutico , Piranos/administración & dosificación , Piranos/efectos adversos , Piranos/uso terapéutico , Compuestos de Sulfonilurea/administración & dosificación , Compuestos de Sulfonilurea/efectos adversos , Compuestos de Sulfonilurea/uso terapéutico , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
PURPOSE: The objective of this clinical trial was to assess the efficacy and safety of omarigliptin monotherapy in young adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Unexpected efficacy results in this trial led to a series of investigations that identified the use of prohibited medication by a substantial number of trial patients. METHODS: Patients with T2DM who were ≥18 to <45 years of age and either drug-naive or not on an antihyperglycemic agent for ≥12 weeks with inadequate glycemic control were randomized in a double-blind manner to receive omarigliptin 25 mg once weekly (n = 102) or placebo once weekly (n = 101) for 24 weeks. The objectives of the trial were to assess the effect of treatment with omarigliptin on glycemic parameters, including levels of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), 2-hour postmeal glucose, and fasting plasma glucose, and to assess the safety and tolerability of omarigliptin. Additional investigations into trial conduct included the measurement of drug levels for omarigliptin and metformin in blood samples collected for future biomedical research, available for approximately one half of the patients. FINDINGS: The mean age of trial participants was 39.2 years, approximately 60% were male, mean body mass index was 32.5 kg/m2, and mean duration of diabetes was 3.1 years. The mean baseline HbA1c value was 7.9% in the omarigliptin group and 8.1% in the placebo group. After 24 weeks, the least squares mean change (95% CI) in HbA1c value from baseline was -0.33% (-0.60 to -0.06) in the omarigliptin group and -0.45% (-0.72 to -0.18) in the placebo group, with a between-group difference of 0.12% (-0.26 to 0.49; P = 0.535). Similarly, no between-group difference was observed for the other glycemic parameters (2-hour postmeal glucose and fasting plasma glucose levels). No issues were identified in drug allocation, dispensing or supply, patient compliance with trial medication, sample handling or analysis, or site trial conduct that explained the observed results. Measurement of drug levels from future biomedical research samples uncovered the use, with no investigator knowledge, of an antihyperglycemic agent that was prohibited by the protocol (ie, metformin) by 42.4% (39 of 92) of patients. Metformin was used by more patients in the placebo group (57% [25 of 44]) than in the omarigliptin group (29% [14 of 48]). IMPLICATIONS: The use of prohibited metformin in a trial of a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, omarigliptin, introduced a confounding factor that invalidated the results of the trial. This behavior may have been encouraged in the trial by protocol-specified self-monitoring of blood glucose levels. Use of prohibited medication may be an underappreciated confounder in clinical trial research. TRIAL REGISTRATIONS: MK-3102-028 (US); ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT01814748; EudraCT number, 2012-004303-12 (EU).
Asunto(s)
Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/tratamiento farmacológico , Inhibidores de la Dipeptidil-Peptidasa IV/uso terapéutico , Compuestos Heterocíclicos con 2 Anillos/uso terapéutico , Cumplimiento de la Medicación , Metformina/uso terapéutico , Piranos/uso terapéutico , Adolescente , Adulto , Glucemia/análisis , Índice de Masa Corporal , Factores de Confusión Epidemiológicos , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/sangre , Inhibidores de la Dipeptidil-Peptidasa IV/sangre , Método Doble Ciego , Quimioterapia Combinada , Femenino , Hemoglobina Glucada/análisis , Compuestos Heterocíclicos con 2 Anillos/sangre , Humanos , Masculino , Metformina/sangre , Persona de Mediana Edad , Piranos/sangre , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: Limited data exist regarding safety and efficacy of antihyperglycemic drugs in older patients with type 2 diabetes. The Trial Evaluating Cardiovascular Outcomes with Sitagliptin (TECOS) was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial assessing the impact of sitagliptin on a primary composite outcome of cardiovascular death, nonfatal stroke, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or unstable angina hospitalizations in patients with type 2 diabetes (HbA1c ≥6.5% [48 mmol/mol] and ≤8.0% [64 mmol/mol]) and cardiovascular disease. We analyzed baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes for TECOS participants aged ≥75 years. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Clinical and safety event summaries are presented for older versus younger participants and for the treatment groups within the older cohort. RESULTS: Of 14,351 participants with age recorded, 2,004 (14%) were ≥75 years old (mean age 78.3 years [SD 3.1]), with 68% men and type 2 diabetes duration median 12.0 years (IQR 7, 21). During 2.9 years median follow-up, older participants had higher rates of the primary outcome (6.46 vs. 3.67 events per 100 person-years; hazard ratio 1.72 [95% CI 1.52-1.94]), death (2.52 [2.20-2.89]), severe hypoglycemia (1.53 [1.15-2.03]), and fractures (1.84 [1.44-2.35]). In the older cohort, sitagliptin did not significantly impact the primary composite (1.10 [0.89-1.36]), death (1.05 [0.83-1.32]), heart failure hospitalization (0.99 [0.65-1.49]), severe hypoglycemia (1.03 [0.62-1.71]), rates of acute pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer, or serious adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Among older patients with well-controlled type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, sitagliptin had neutral effects on cardiovascular risk and raised no significant safety concerns.
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Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/tratamiento farmacológico , Hipoglucemiantes/administración & dosificación , Fosfato de Sitagliptina/administración & dosificación , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Índice de Masa Corporal , Método Doble Ciego , Femenino , Estudios de Seguimiento , Hemoglobina Glucada , Humanos , Hipoglucemia/epidemiología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Infarto del Miocardio/epidemiología , Factores de Riesgo , Accidente Cerebrovascular/epidemiología , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to determine the optimal dose of omarigliptin, a once-weekly (q.w.) dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-4) inhibitor, for the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes and evaluate the long-term safety of that dose. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: In a multicenter, double-blind, 12-week, dose-range finding study, 685 oral antihyperglycemic agent-naïve or washed-out subjects with type 2 diabetes were randomized to one of five once-weekly doses of omarigliptin (0.25 mg, 1 mg, 3 mg, 10 mg, or 25 mg) or placebo. The primary efficacy end point was change from baseline in HbA1c, and secondary end points were 2-h postmeal glucose (PMG) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG). Analysis included all patients who received at least one dose of the study medication. Subjects who completed the base study were eligible to enter a 66-week extension study. RESULTS: Once-weekly treatment for 12 weeks with omarigliptin provided dose-related reductions in HbA1c, 2-h PMG, and FPG. At week 12, the omarigliptin 25-mg dose provided the greatest glycemic efficacy. The placebo-adjusted least-squares mean reductions from baseline in HbA1c, 2-h PMG, and FPG were -0.72% (-7.8 mmol/mol), -2.5, and -1.3 mmol/L, respectively (all P < 0.001). The incidence of adverse events was similar across dose groups, with a low incidence of symptomatic hypoglycemia and no effect on body weight. Omarigliptin was generally well-tolerated throughout the base and extension studies. CONCLUSIONS: Omarigliptin 25 mg q.w., compared with placebo, provided significant glucose lowering and was generally well tolerated for up to 78 weeks in patients with type 2 diabetes.
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Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/tratamiento farmacológico , Inhibidores de la Dipeptidil-Peptidasa IV/uso terapéutico , Compuestos Heterocíclicos con 2 Anillos/uso terapéutico , Hipoglucemiantes/uso terapéutico , Piranos/uso terapéutico , Anciano , Glucemia/efectos de los fármacos , Relación Dosis-Respuesta a Droga , Método Doble Ciego , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
UNLABELLED: To determine the effects of continuation versus discontinuation of alendronate on BMD and markers of bone turnover, we conducted an extension trial in which 1099 older women who received alendronate in the FIT were re-randomized to alendronate or placebo. Compared with women who stopped alendronate, those continuing alendronate for 3 years maintained a higher BMD and greater reduction of bone turnover, showing benefit of continued treatment. However, among women who discontinued alendronate and took placebo in the extension, BMD remained higher, and reduction in bone turnover was greater than values at FIT baseline, showing persistence of alendronate's effects on bone. INTRODUCTION: Prior trials including the Fracture Intervention Trial (FIT) have found that therapy with alendronate increases BMD and decreases fracture risk for up to 4 years in postmenopausal women with low BMD. However, it is uncertain whether further therapy with alendronate results in preservation or further gains in BMD and if skeletal effects of alendronate continue after treatment is stopped. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a follow-up placebo-controlled extension trial to FIT (FIT long-term extension [FLEX]) in which 1099 women 60-86 years of age who were assigned to alendronate in FIT with an average duration of use of 5 years were re-randomized for an additional 5 years to alendronate or placebo. The results of a preplanned interim analysis at 3 years are reported herein. Participants were re-randomized to alendronate 10 mg/day (30%), alendronate 5 mg/day (30%), or placebo (40%). All participants were encouraged to take a calcium (500 mg/day) and vitamin D (250 IU/day) supplement. The primary outcome was change in total hip BMD. Secondary endpoints included change in lumbar spine BMD and change in markers of bone turnover (bone-specific alkaline phosphatase and urinary type I collagen cross-linked N-telopeptide). RESULTS: Among the women who had prior alendronate therapy in FIT, further therapy with alendronate (5 and 10 mg groups combined) for 3 years compared with placebo maintained BMD at the hip (2.0% difference; 95% CI, 1.6-2.5%) and further increased BMD at the spine (2.5% difference; 95% CI, 1.9-3. 1%). Markers of bone turnover increased among women discontinuing alendronate, whereas they remained stable in women continuing alendronate. Cumulative increases in BMD at the hip and spine and reductions in bone turnover from 8.6 years earlier at FIT baseline were greater for women continuing alendronate compared with those discontinuing alendronate. However, among women discontinuing alendronate and taking placebo in the extension, BMD remained higher and reduction in bone turnover was greater than values at FIT baseline. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with women who stopped alendronate after an average of 5 years, those continuing alendronate maintained a higher BMD and greater reduction of bone turnover, showing benefit of continued alendronate treatment on BMD and bone turnover. On discontinuation of alendronate therapy, rates of change in BMD at the hip and spine resumed at the background rate, but discontinuation did not result in either accelerated bone loss or a marked increase in bone turnover, showing persistence of alendronate's effects on bone. Data on the effect of continuation versus discontinuation on fracture risk are needed before making definitive recommendations regarding the optimal length of alendronate treatment.
Asunto(s)
Alendronato/administración & dosificación , Densidad Ósea/efectos de los fármacos , Huesos/metabolismo , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Alendronato/efectos adversos , Alendronato/uso terapéutico , Fosfatasa Alcalina/sangre , Huesos/efectos de los fármacos , Huesos/enzimología , Huesos de la Extremidad Superior/química , Colágeno/orina , Método Doble Ciego , Femenino , Fémur/química , Humanos , Selección de Paciente , Huesos Pélvicos/química , Columna Vertebral/química , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of alendronate on the occurrence rate of multiple svmptomatic fractures and on the risk of multiple symptomatic fractures (likelihood of having more than one fracture diagnosed because of the symptoms the fractures caused over the study period) among women with osteoporosis. DESIGN: Primary analysis of data from a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. SETTING: Eleven community-based clinical research centers. PARTICIPANTS: Subset of women enrolled in the Fracture Intervention Trial: aged 55 to 81 and having at least one morphometric vertebral fracture at baseline (n=2,027) or having no vertebral fracture but meeting prevailing World Health Organization bone mineral density criteria for osteoporosis (T-score < or =2.5 at the femoral neck)(n = 1,631). INTERVENTION: All participants reporting calcium intake of 1,000 mg/day or less received a supplement of 500 mg calcium and 250 IU cholecalciferol. Participants were randomly assigned to placebo or alendronate sodium (5 mg/day for 2 years and 10 mg/day for the remainder of the study). Average total follow-up was 4.3 years. MEASUREMENTS: Symptomatic fractures were diagnosed by personal physicians and confirmed by review of radiological data by an expert committee blinded to treatment assignments. RESULTS: Eighty-six of 1,817 women receiving placebo experienced multiple symptomatic fractures during the follow-up period, compared with 51 of 1,841 receiving alendronate. Reduction of risk for multiple symptomatic fractures combined was 42% (relative risk (RR) = 0.58, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.41, 0.81) and for multiple symptomatic vertebral fractures was 84% (RR = 0.16,95% Cl = 0.05, 0.42). Cumulative incidence curves showed divergence after as little as 3 months of treatment, with a statistically significant (P = .044) reduction at 6 months for multiple symptomatic vertebral fractures. When all fractures over the follow-up period were included, the occurrence rates of all symptomatic fractures and symptomatic vertebral fractures were 34% and 63% lower, respectively, with alendronate than with placebo. These reductions were sustained during the follow-up period. All reductions in risk were consistent across predefined subgroups: age (<75 vs > or =75), morphometric vertebral fracture(present vs absent), prior clinical fracture since age 45 (yes vs no), and whether the subject had fallen in the 12 months before randomization. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that treatment with alendronate reduces the risk of multiple symptomatic fractures during a treatment period averaging 4.3 years. The reductions were consistent across prespecified sub-groups. This effect is evident early in treatment and is sustained.