Cytomegalovirus antiviral resistance among participants in the phase 3 trial of letermovir vs valganciclovir prophylaxis in kidney transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: In a phase 3 trial, letermovir was non-inferior to valganciclovir for CMV disease prophylaxis in CMV-seronegative (R-) kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) who received a kidney from a CMV-seropositive donor (D+). Genotypic antiviral resistance and CMV glycoprotein B (gB) genotype are reported. METHODS: Plasma samples with detectable CMV DNA were sequenced for presence of known letermovir and valganciclovir resistance-associated amino acid substitutions (RASs) encoded by CMV gene regions (UL51, UL56, UL89, UL54, UL97) and prevalence of gB (UL55) genotypes (gB1-gB5). RESULTS: 84 of 292 participants in the letermovir and 93 of 297 in the valganciclovir group had evaluable data for ≥1 gene target. Letermovir RASs were not detected in participants who received letermovir prophylaxis; however, 3 had valganciclovir RASs (pUL97). Twelve participants in the valganciclovir group had valganciclovir RASs (pUL54, pUL97); and 1 who did not receive letermovir during the trial also had letermovir RASs (pUL56). All but 1 participant responded to valganciclovir treatment irrespective of breakthrough CMV DNAemia or frequency of RASs. gB1 was the most frequent genotype across all participants and subgroups. CONCLUSION: Letermovir RASs were not detected in the letermovir group, supporting a low risk for development of resistance with letermovir prophylaxis in CMV D+R- KTRs. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03443869, EudraCT: 2017-001055-30.

Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Efficacy of Letermovir for Cytomegalovirus Prophylaxis in Adolescent Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Recipients.

INTRODUCTION: Letermovir is a cytomegalovirus (CMV) terminase complex inhibitor approved for prophylaxis of CMV infection and disease in adult CMV-seropositive allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) recipients (R+). We report pharmacokinetics (PK), safety, and efficacy of letermovir in adolescent (12-18 years) allogeneic HCT recipients from an ongoing clinical study. METHODS: In this phase 2b, multicenter, open-label study (NCT03940586), 28 adolescents received 480 mg letermovir [240 mg with cyclosporin A (CsA)] once daily orally or intravenously. Blood was collected for intensive (n = 14) plasma concentrations of letermovir. Intensive PK data were used for dose confirmation. Target exposure range 34,400-100,000 h × ng/mL for pediatric median exposures was based on model-predicted phase 3 population PK simulations in adult HCT recipients. RESULTS: All participants were CMV-seropositive (body weight 28.7-95.0 kg). Of 12 PK-evaluable participants, 8 receiving 480 mg letermovir without CsA and 4 receiving 240 mg letermovir with CsA achieved exposures comparable to the adult exposure range. Exposure above the target but below the adult clinical program maximum was observed in 1 patient. Safety was consistent with previously described safety in adults. The proportion of participants with clinically significant CMV infection through week 24 post-HCT was comparable (24%) to that in the pivotal phase 3 study in adults (37.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Administration of adult letermovir doses in this adolescent cohort resulted in exposures within adult clinical program margins and was associated with safety and efficacy similar to adults. Results support a letermovir dose of 480 mg (240 mg with CsA) in adolescent allo-HCT recipients.

Efficacy and safety of extended duration letermovir prophylaxis in recipients of haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation at risk of cytomegalovirus infection: a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial.

BACKGROUND: In a pivotal phase 3 trial of cytomegalovirus prophylaxis with letermovir for up to 100 days after allogeneic haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT), 12% of participants developed clinically significant cytomegalovirus infection after letermovir was discontinued. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of extending the duration of letermovir prophylaxis for clinically significant cytomegalovirus infection from 100 days to 200 days following HSCT. METHODS: We conducted a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial at 32 sites in six countries (France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the USA). Cytomegalovirus­seropositive HSCT recipients (aged ≥18 years) who had received letermovir prophylaxis for up to 100 days following HSCT and who remained at high risk of late clinically significant cytomegalovirus infection (with no previous history of clinically significant cytomegalovirus infection, defined as initiation of pre-emptive therapy for documented cytomegalovirus viraemia, onset of cytomegalovirus end-organ disease, or both) were eligible. Participants were randomly assigned (2:1) to receive either an additional 100 days (ie, a total of 200 days; letermovir group) of oral or intravenous letermovir 480 mg once daily, adjusted to 240 mg once daily for participants on cyclosporin A, or 100 days of a placebo comparator for letermovir (ie, a total of 100 days of letermovir; placebo group), following HSCT. Randomisation was done using a central interactive response technology system, stratified by study centre and haploidentical donor (yes or no). Participants, investigators, and sponsor personnel were masked to the treatment allocation. The primary efficacy endpoint was the proportion of participants from randomisation to week 28 (200 days after HSCT) with clinically significant cytomegalovirus infection, analysed using the full analysis set population (ie, those who received at least one dose of study intervention). Safety was analysed in all participants as treated (ie, those who received at least one dose according to the study intervention they were assigned to). This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03930615, and is complete. FINDINGS: Between June 21, 2019, and March 16, 2022, 255 patients were screened for eligibility and 220 (86%) were randomly assigned (145 [66%] in the letermovir group and 75 [34%] in the placebo group). Between randomisation and week 28, four (3%) of 144 participants in the letermovir group and 14 (19%) of 74 in the placebo group developed clinically significant cytomegalovirus infection (treatment difference -16·1% [95% CI -25·8 to -6·5]; p=0·0005). The most common adverse events among participants in the letermovir group versus the placebo group were graft-versus-host disease (43 [30%] vs 23 [31%]), diarrhoea (17 [12%] vs nine [12%]), nausea (16 [11%] vs 13 [18%]), pyrexia (13 [9%] vs nine [12%]), and decreased appetite (six [4%] vs nine [12%]). The most frequently reported serious adverse events were recurrent acute myeloid leukaemia (six [4%] vs none) and pneumonia (three [2%] vs two [3%]). No deaths were considered to be drug-related by the investigator. INTERPRETATION: Extending the duration of letermovir prophylaxis to 200 days following HSCT is efficacious and safe in reducing the incidence of late clinically significant cytomegalovirus infection in patients at risk. FUNDING: Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC.

Safety and efficacy of doravirine as first-line therapy in adults with HIV-1: week 192 results from the open-label extensions of the DRIVE-FORWARD and DRIVE-AHEAD phase 3 trials.

BACKGROUND: In two phase 3 trials for first-line therapy in adults with HIV-1, doravirine showed non-inferior efficacy, a favourable safety profile, and a superior lipid profile to darunavir and efavirenz through to 48 and 96 weeks. Here we report 192-week results from both studies. METHODS: DRIVE-FORWARD and DRIVE-AHEAD are multicentre, double-blind, randomised, active comparator-controlled, phase 3 trials of first-line antiretroviral treatment in adults with HIV-1. Eligible participants (aged ≥18 years) were naive to antiretroviral therapy, had plasma HIV-1 RNA 1000 copies per mL or more at screening, had no known resistance to any of the trial drugs, and had creatinine clearance 50 mL per min or more. DRIVE-FORWARD was conducted at 125 sites in 15 countries and compared doravirine (100 mg) with ritonavir-boosted darunavir (ritonavir [100 mg] and darunavir [800 mg]), each administered orally once daily with two nucleoside or nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate [300 mg] and emtricitabine [200 mg] or abacavir sulfate [600 mg] and lamivudine [300 mg]). DRIVE-AHEAD was conducted at 126 sites in 23 countries and compared doravirine (100 mg), lamivudine (300 mg), and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (300 mg) with that of efavirenz (600 mg), emtricitabine (200 mg), and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (300 mg), all administered orally once daily. DRIVE-FORWARD enrolment was between Dec 1, 2014, and June 1, 2020, and DRIVE-AHEAD enrolment was between June 10, 2015, and Aug 10, 2020. After the 96-week double-blind phase, eligible participants could enter an open-label extension and either continue doravirine or switch from comparator to doravirine for an additional 96 weeks. Efficacy (HIV-1 RNA <50 copies per mL) and safety assessments (adverse events and changes in laboratory parameters) were pooled. The DRIVE-FORWARD and DRIVE-AHEAD trials were registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02275780 and NCT02403674. FINDINGS: Of 1494 participants treated in the double-blind phase (1261 [84%] male and 233 [16%] female), 550 continued doravirine and 502 switched to doravirine in the extension. Using the FDA snapshot approach, HIV-1 RNA less than 50 copies per mL was maintained in 457 (83%) of 550 participants who continued doravirine and 404 (80%) of 502 participants who switched to doravirine. Protocol-defined virological failure and development of resistance were low, occurring mainly before week 96. Two (<1%) of 550 participants who continued doravirine reported serious drug-related adverse events, and three (1%) who continued doravirine and one (<1%) of 502 who switched to doravirine discontinued due to drug-related adverse events. Participants continuing or switching to doravirine showed generally favourable lipid profiles, little weight gain, and small decreases in estimated glomerular filtration rates, with no discontinuations due to increased creatinine or renal adverse events. INTERPRETATION: Favourable efficacy and safety profiles for doravirine at week 96 were maintained through to week 192 in participants who continued or switched to doravirine, supporting use of doravirine for long-term first-line HIV-1 treatment and for virologically suppressed adults switching therapy. FUNDING: Merck Sharp & Dohme, a subsidiary of Merck & Co, Rahway, NJ, USA.

Letermovir vs Valganciclovir for Prophylaxis of Cytomegalovirus in High-Risk Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Valganciclovir for 200 days is standard care for cytomegalovirus (CMV) prophylaxis in high-risk CMV-seronegative kidney transplant recipients who receive an organ from a CMV-seropositive donor, but its use is limited by myelosuppression. Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of letermovir with valganciclovir for prevention of CMV disease in CMV-seronegative kidney transplant recipients who receive an organ from a CMV-seropositive donor. Design, Setting, and Participants: Randomized, double-masked, double-dummy, noninferiority, phase 3 trial in adult CMV-seronegative kidney transplant recipients who received an organ from a CMV-seropositive donor at 94 participating sites between May 2018 and April 2021 (final follow-up in April 2022). Interventions: Participants were randomized in a 1:1 ratio (stratified by receipt of lymphocyte-depleting induction immunosuppression) to receive letermovir, 480 mg, orally daily (with acyclovir) or valganciclovir, 900 mg, orally daily (adjusted for kidney function) for up to 200 days after transplant, with matching placebos. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was CMV disease, confirmed by an independent masked adjudication committee, through posttransplant week 52 (prespecified noninferiority margin, 10%). CMV disease through week 28 and time to onset of CMV disease through week 52 were secondary outcomes. Exploratory outcomes included quantifiable CMV DNAemia and resistance. The rate of leukopenia or neutropenia through week 28 was a prespecified safety outcome. Results: Among 601 participants randomized, 589 received at least 1 dose of the study drug (mean age, 49.6 years; 422 [71.6%] men). Letermovir (n = 289) was noninferior to valganciclovir (n = 297) for prevention of CMV disease through week 52 (10.4% vs 11.8% of participants with committee-confirmed CMV disease; stratum-adjusted difference -1.4% [95% CI, -6.5% to 3.8%]). No participants who received letermovir vs 5 participants (1.7%) who received valganciclovir developed CMV disease through week 28. Time to onset of CMV disease was comparable between the groups (hazard ratio, 0.90 [95% CI, 0.56-1.47]). Quantifiable CMV DNAemia was detected in 2.1% of participants in the letermovir group vs 8.8% in the valganciclovir group by week 28. Of participants evaluated for suspected CMV disease or CMV DNAemia, none (0/52) who received letermovir and 12.1% (8/66) who received valganciclovir had resistance-associated substitutions. The rate of leukopenia or neutropenia through week 28 was lower with letermovir vs valganciclovir (26% vs 64%; difference, -37.9% [95% CI, -45.1% to -30.3%]; P < .001). Fewer participants in the letermovir group than the valganciclovir group discontinued prophylaxis due to adverse events (4.1% vs 13.5%) or drug-related adverse events (2.7% vs 8.8%). Conclusion and Relevance: Among adult CMV-seronegative kidney transplant recipients who received an organ from a CMV-seropositive donor, letermovir was noninferior to valganciclovir for prophylaxis of CMV disease over 52 weeks, with lower rates of leukopenia or neutropenia, supporting its use for this indication. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03443869; EudraCT: 2017-001055-30.

Impact of Letermovir Use for Cytomegalovirus Prophylaxis on Re-Hospitalization Following Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: An Analysis of a Phase III Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is associated with substantial healthcare resource use, particularly when recipients develop cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. Letermovir reduced post-HSCT CMV infection risk compared with placebo in a previous phase III trial. This analysis evaluated letermovir's impact on re-hospitalization post-transplant. METHODS: Using data from a phase III, multicenter, randomized clinical trial (NCT02137772, registered May 14, 2014), this study assessed CMV-associated and all-cause re-hospitalizations at weeks 14, 24, and 48 post-transplant among recipients of letermovir versus placebo. Unstandardized re-hospitalization rates and days were reported; standardized rates and days were estimated accounting for censoring due to death or early study discontinuation. RESULTS: Unstandardized rates (95% confidence interval [CI]) of all-cause re-hospitalization in letermovir versus placebo recipients at weeks 14, 24, and 48 were 36.6% (31.4-42.1) versus 47.6% (39.9-55.4), 49.2% (43.7-54.8) versus 55.9% (48.1-63.5), and 55.7% (50.1-61.2) versus 60.6% (52.8-68.0), respectively. Unstandardized mean total duration (95% CI) of re-hospitalization with letermovir versus placebo at weeks 14, 24, and 48 were 7.6 (5.9-9.8) versus 11.3 (8.6-14.8), 13.9 (11.2-17.2) versus 15.5 (11.9-20.1), and 18.0 (14.8-21.9) versus 20.7 (15.8-27.1) days, respectively. Similar results were found in CMV-associated re-hospitalization outcomes and standardized rates and days of all-cause re-hospitalizations. CONCLUSIONS: In this post-hoc analysis, letermovir was associated with lower rates of CMV-associated and all-cause re-hospitalizations with a shorter length of stay (especially within the first 14 weeks post-transplant).

Efficacy, safety and central nervous system effects after switch from efavirenz/tenofovir/emtricitabine to doravirine/tenofovir/lamivudine.

OBJECTIVE: Doravirine is an alternative treatment option for individuals who do not tolerate efavirenz. We assessed efficacy, safety, and CNS effects in adults with HIV-1 and CNS complaints who switched from an efavirenz-based regimen to a doravirine-based regimen. DESIGN: Multicenter, double-blind, randomized trial (NCT02652260). METHODS: Virologically suppressed adults receiving efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir (EFV/FTC/TDF), or its components, with ongoing EFV-associated CNS toxicity grade 2 or higher (DAIDS criteria) were switched to doravirine/lamivudine/tenofovir (DOR/3TC/TDF) on day 1 (Immediate Switch Group [ISG]) or after 12 weeks (Deferred Switch Group [DSG]). CNS toxicity data were collected by self-administered questionnaire. The primary endpoint was the proportion of participants with any grade 2 or higher CNS toxicity at week 12. Secondary endpoints included virologic response and effect on fasting lipids. RESULTS: Eighty-six participants (58% men, 56% black, median age 41 years, median 4 years on prior EFV regimen) were enrolled (43 ISG, 43 DSG) and included in the analyses. At week 12, 42% of ISG and 37% of DSG had at least 1 grade 2 or higher CNS toxicity [difference 4.7%, 95% CI (-16 to 25%); P = 0.33]. At 24 weeks postswitch, HIV-1 RNA less than 50 copies/ml was maintained in 95.3% of participants, and fasting lipids were significantly decreased (LDL-cholesterol -11.0, non-HDL-cholesterol -13.2, HDL-cholesterol -7.7, total cholesterol -20.9, and triglycerides -13.0 mg/dl). CONCLUSION: In participants who had CNS complaints while receiving EFV/FTC/TDF, improvement in CNS toxicities attributable to EFV was not significantly different after switching to DOR/3TC/TDF compared with remaining on EFV/FTC/TDF. Virologic efficacy was maintained and lipid profiles improved after switching to DOR/3TC/TDF.

Letermovir Resistance Analysis in a Clinical Trial of Cytomegalovirus Prophylaxis for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients.

BACKGROUND: Letermovir (LET), a cytomegalovirus (CMV) deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) terminase inhibitor, was recently approved for prophylaxis of CMV infection in adult CMV-seropositive recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Cytomegalovirus genotyping was performed to identify LET-resistance-associated variants (RAVs) among subjects in a Phase 3 trial. METHODS: The CMV UL56 and UL89 genes, encoding subunits of CMV DNA terminase, were sequenced from plasma collected from subjects with clinically significant CMV infection (CS-CMVi). Novel variants were evaluated by recombinant phenotyping to assess their potential to confer resistance to LET. RESULTS: Genotyping was successful for 50 of 79 LET subjects with CS-CMVi. Resistance-associated variants (encoding pUL56 V236M and C325W) were detected independently in subjects 1 and 3 who experienced CS-CMVi while receiving LET prophylaxis, and 2 other variants (encoding pUL56 E237G and R369T) were detected >3 weeks after subjects 2 and 3, respectively, had discontinued LET prophylaxis and received preemptive therapy with ganciclovir. CONCLUSIONS: The detected incidence of CMV resistance among subjects who received LET as prophylaxis in this Phase 3 trial was low. The LET RAVs that were detected mapped to the CMV UL56 gene at positions associated with reduced susceptibility to LET based on resistance selections in cell culture.

A Mortality Analysis of Letermovir Prophylaxis for Cytomegalovirus (CMV) in CMV-seropositive Recipients of Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: In a phase 3 trial, letermovir reduced clinically significant cytomegalovirus infections (CS-CMVi) and all-cause mortality at week 24 versus placebo in CMV-seropositive allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) recipients. This post hoc analysis of phase 3 data further investigated the effects of letermovir on all-cause mortality. METHODS: Kaplan-Meier survival curves were generated by treatment group for all-cause mortality. Observations were censored at trial discontinuation for reasons other than death or at trial completion. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using Cox modeling, adjusting for risk factors associated with mortality. RESULTS: Of 495 patients with no detectable CMV DNA at randomization, 437 had vital-status data available through week 48 post-HCT at trial completion (101 deaths, 20.4%). Following letermovir prophylaxis, the HR for all-cause mortality was 0.58 (95% CI, 0.35-0.98; P = .04) at week 24 and 0.74 (95% CI, 0.49-1.11; P = .14) at week 48 post-HCT versus placebo. Incidence of all-cause mortality through week 48 post-HCT in the letermovir group was similar in patients with or without CS-CMVi (15.8 vs 19.4%; P = .71). However, in the placebo group, all-cause mortality at week 48 post-HCT was higher in patients with versus those without CS-CMVi (31.0% vs 18.2%; P = .02). The HR for all-cause mortality in patients with CS-CMVi was 0.45 (95% CI, 0.21-1.00; P = .05) at week 48 for letermovir versus placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Letermovir may reduce mortality by preventing or delaying CS-CMVi in HCT recipients. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02137772.

Outcomes of patients with detectable CMV DNA at randomization in the phase III trial of letermovir for the prevention of CMV infection in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation.

Letermovir, a cytomegalovirus (CMV) terminase-complex inhibitor, is indicated for prophylaxis of CMV infection and disease in adult CMV-seropositive recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). In a phase III, double-blind, randomized trial, letermovir significantly reduced the risk of clinically significant CMV infection (CS-CMVi) vs placebo through Week 24 post-HCT. This analysis investigated outcomes in participants with detectable CMV DNA at randomization, who were excluded from the primary efficacy analysis. In total, 70 of 565 randomized participants had detectable CMV DNA at randomization (letermovir 48; placebo 22). Study treatment completion rates were greater in letermovir-treated participants compared with placebo (52.1% vs 9.1%). The incidence of CS-CMVi or imputed primary endpoint events through Week 24 were 64.6% and 90.9% in the letermovir and placebo groups, respectively (treatment difference -26.1%; P = .010). Kaplan-Meier event rates for CS-CMVi onset through Week 14 (end-of-treatment period) were 33.1% for letermovir and 86.6% for placebo (P < .001). Median viral loads at the CS-CMVi events was similar in both treatment arms. All-cause mortality through Week 24 posttransplant was 15.0% for letermovir and 18.2% for placebo; through Week 48, mortality rates were 26.5% and 40.9%, respectively (P = .268). Overall, clinical outcomes were similar to those reported for participants with undetectable CMV DNA at randomization.

Comparison of the follicular output rate after controlled ovarian stimulation with daily recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone versus corifollitropin alfa.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the Follicular Output Rate (FORT) between corifollitropin alfa (CFA) and recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (rFSH) during controlled ovarian stimulation (COS). STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective analysis compared FORT between women treated with CFA or rFSH from three clinical trials: ENGAGE (N = 1476; ages 18-36, >60 kg), ENSURE (N = 395; ages 18-36, ≤60 kg), and PURSUE (N = 1388; ages 35-42, ≥50 kg). Women underwent COS in a GnRH antagonist protocol followed by hCG trigger prior to IVF. Antral follicle count (AFC; <11 mm) and pre-ovulatory follicle count (>15 mm) were used for FORT, defined as [pre-ovulatory follicles/AFCx100]. RESULTS: For CFA and rFSH, respectively, mean FORT (adjusted for trial and age) was 85.0 versus 76.8 (p < 0.001) in the combined cohort, 86.0 versus 75.0 in ENGAGE (p < 0.001), 96.2 versus 79.2 in ENSURE (p = 0.070), and 74.1 versus 71.2 in PURSUE (p = 0.180); mean oocyte output (oocytes retrieved/AFCx100, adjusted for age) was 121.9 versus 107.3 in ENGAGE (p = 0.001), 133.5 versus 102.3 in ENSURE (p < 0.001), and 100.6 versus 98.1 in PURSUE (p = 0.463). FORT and oocyte output were consistent with the number of metaphase II oocytes retrieved for CFA and rFSH: 10.4 versus 8.8 in ENGAGE (p < 0.001), 10.3 versus 7.6 in ENSURE (p < 0.001), and 7.5 versus 7.2 in PURSUE (p = 0.37). No differences in pregnancy rates based on FORT were observed. CONCLUSIONS: FORT was significantly higher in CFA-stimulated cycles and accurately predicted oocyte output. No association of FORT with pregnancy likelihood was found.

Letermovir Prophylaxis for Cytomegalovirus in Hematopoietic-Cell Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection remains a common complication after allogeneic hematopoietic-cell transplantation. Letermovir is an antiviral drug that inhibits the CMV-terminase complex. METHODS: In this phase 3, double-blind trial, we randomly assigned CMV-seropositive transplant recipients, 18 years of age or older, in a 2:1 ratio to receive letermovir or placebo, administered orally or intravenously, through week 14 after transplantation; randomization was stratified according to trial site and CMV disease risk. Letermovir was administered at a dose of 480 mg per day (or 240 mg per day in patients taking cyclosporine). Patients in whom clinically significant CMV infection (CMV disease or CMV viremia leading to preemptive treatment) developed discontinued the trial regimen and received anti-CMV treatment. The primary end point was the proportion of patients, among patients without detectable CMV DNA at randomization, who had clinically significant CMV infection through week 24 after transplantation. Patients who discontinued the trial or had missing end-point data at week 24 were imputed as having a primary end-point event. Patients were followed through week 48 after transplantation. RESULTS: From June 2014 to March 2016, a total of 565 patients underwent randomization and received letermovir or placebo beginning a median of 9 days after transplantation. Among 495 patients with undetectable CMV DNA at randomization, fewer patients in the letermovir group than in the placebo group had clinically significant CMV infection or were imputed as having a primary end-point event by week 24 after transplantation (122 of 325 patients [37.5%] vs. 103 of 170 [60.6%], P<0.001). The frequency and severity of adverse events were similar in the two groups overall. Vomiting was reported in 18.5% of the patients who received letermovir and in 13.5% of those who received placebo; edema in 14.5% and 9.4%, respectively; and atrial fibrillation or flutter in 4.6% and 1.0%, respectively. The rates of myelotoxic and nephrotoxic events were similar in the letermovir group and the placebo group. All-cause mortality at week 48 after transplantation was 20.9% among letermovir recipients and 25.5% among placebo recipients. CONCLUSIONS: Letermovir prophylaxis resulted in a significantly lower risk of clinically significant CMV infection than placebo. Adverse events with letermovir were mainly of low grade. (Funded by Merck; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02137772 ; EudraCT number, 2013-003831-31 .).

HLA Amino Acid Polymorphisms and Kidney Allograft Survival.

BACKGROUND: The association of HLA mismatching with kidney allograft survival has been well established. We examined whether amino acid (AA) mismatches (MMs) at the antigen recognition site of HLA molecules represent independent and incremental risk factors for kidney graft failure (GF) beyond those MMs assessed at the antigenic (2-digit) specificity. METHODS: Data on 240 024 kidney transplants performed between 1987 and 2009 were obtained from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. We imputed HLA-A, -B, and -DRB1 alleles and corresponding AA polymorphisms from antigenic specificity through the application of statistical and population genetics inferences. GF risk was evaluated using Cox proportional-hazards regression models adjusted for covariates including patient and donor risk factors and HLA antigen MMs. RESULTS: We show that estimated AA MMs at particular positions in the peptide-binding pockets of HLA-DRB1 molecule account for a significant incremental risk that was independent of the well-known association of HLA antigen MMs with graft survival. A statistically significant linear relationship between the estimated number of AA MMs and risk of GF was observed for HLA-DRB1 in deceased donor and living donor transplants. This relationship was strongest during the first 12 months after transplantation (hazard ratio, 1.30 per 15 DRB1 AA MM; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that independent of the well-known association of HLA antigen (2-digit specificity) MMs with kidney graft survival, estimated AA MMs at peptide-binding sites of the HLA-DRB1 molecule account for an important incremental risk of GF.

Esophageal Expression of Active IκB Kinase-ß in Mice Up-Regulates Tumor Necrosis Factor and Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor, Promoting Inflammation and Angiogenesis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: IκB kinase-ß (IKKß) mediates activation of the nuclear factor-κB, which regulates immune and inflammatory responses. Although nuclear factor-κB is activated in cells from patients with inflammatory diseases or cancer, little is known about its roles in the development and progression of esophageal diseases. We investigated whether mice that express an activated form of IKKß in the esophageal epithelia develop esophageal disorders. METHODS: We generated ED-L2-Cre/Rosa26-IKK2caSFL mice, in which the ED-L2 promoter activates expression of Cre in the esophageal epithelia, leading to expression of a constitutively active form of IKKß (IKKßca) in epithelial cells but not in inflammatory cells or the surrounding stroma (IKKßca mice). Mice lacking the Cre transgene served as controls. Some mice were given intraperitoneal injections of neutralizing antibodies against granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) or tumor necrosis factor (TNF), or immunoglobulin G1 (control), starting at 1 month of age. Epithelial tissues were collected and analyzed by immunofluorescence, immunohistochemical, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction assays. Transgenes were overexpressed from retroviral vectors in primary human keratinocytes. RESULTS: IKKßca mice developed esophagitis and had increased numbers of blood vessels in the esophageal stroma, compared with controls. Esophageal tissues from IKKßca mice had increased levels of GM-CSF. Expression of IKKßca in primary human esophageal keratinocytes led to 11-fold overexpression of GM-CSF and 200-fold overexpression of TNF. Incubation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells with conditioned media from these keratinocytes increased endothelial cell migration by 42% and promoted formation of capillary tubes; these effects were blocked by a neutralizing antibody against GM-CSF. Injections of anti-GM-CSF reduced angiogenesis and numbers of CD31+ blood vessels in esophageal tissues of IKKßca mice, but did not alter the esophageal vasculature of control mice and did not alter recruitment of intraepithelial leukocytes to esophageal tissues of IKKßca mice. Injections of anti-TNF prevented the development of esophagitis in IKKßca mice. CONCLUSIONS: Constitutive activation of IKKß in the esophageal epithelia of mice leads to inflammation and angiogenesis, mediated by TNF and GM-CSF, respectively.

Interleukin-6 Is a Risk Factor for Atrial Fibrillation in Chronic Kidney Disease: Findings from the CRIC Study.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). In this study, we examined the association between inflammation and AF in 3,762 adults with CKD, enrolled in the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) study. AF was determined at baseline by self-report and electrocardiogram (ECG). Plasma concentrations of interleukin(IL)-1, IL-1 Receptor antagonist, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, transforming growth factor-ß, high sensitivity C-Reactive protein, and fibrinogen, measured at baseline. At baseline, 642 subjects had history of AF, but only 44 had AF in ECG recording. During a mean follow-up of 3.7 years, 108 subjects developed new-onset AF. There was no significant association between inflammatory biomarkers and past history of AF. After adjustment for demographic characteristics, comorbid conditions, laboratory values, echocardiographic variables, and medication use, plasma IL-6 level was significantly associated with presence of AF at baseline (Odds ratio [OR], 1.61; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21 to 2.14; P = 0.001) and new-onset AF (OR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.53; P = 0.03). To summarize, plasma IL-6 level is an independent and consistent predictor of AF in patients with CKD.

Statin Therapy and Risk of Acute Memory Impairment.

IMPORTANCE: Reports on the association between statins and memory impairment are inconsistent. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether statin users show acute decline in memory compared with nonusers and with users of nonstatin lipid-lowering drugs (LLDs). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Using The Health Improvement Network database during January 13, 1987, through December 16, 2013, a retrospective cohort study compared 482,543 statin users with 2 control groups: 482,543 matched nonusers of any LLDs and all 26,484 users of nonstatin LLDs. A case-crossover study of 68,028 patients with incident acute memory loss evaluated exposure to statins during the period immediately before the outcome vs 3 earlier periods. Analysis was conducted from July 7, 2013, through January 15, 2015. RESULTS: When compared with matched nonusers of any LLDs (using odds ratio [95% CI]), a strong association was present between first exposure to statins and incident acute memory loss diagnosed within 30 days immediately following exposure (fully adjusted, 4.40; 3.01-6.41). This association was not reproduced in the comparison of statins vs nonstatin LLDs (fully adjusted, 1.03; 0.63-1.66) but was also present when comparing nonstatin LLDs with matched nonuser controls (adjusted, 3.60; 1.34-9.70). The case-crossover analysis showed little association. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Both statin and nonstatin LLDs were strongly associated with acute memory loss in the first 30 days following exposure in users compared with nonusers but not when compared with each other. Thus, either all LLDs cause acute memory loss regardless of drug class or the association is the result of detection bias rather than a causal association.

Arterial stiffness, central pressures, and incident hospitalized heart failure in the chronic renal insufficiency cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease is associated with an increased risk of heart failure (HF). We aimed to evaluate the role of large artery stiffness, brachial, and central blood pressure as predictors of incident hospitalized HF in the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC), a multiethnic, multicenter prospective observational study of patients with chronic kidney disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 2602 participants who were free of HF at baseline. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (CF-PWV; the gold standard index of large artery stiffness), brachial, and central pressures (estimated via radial tonometry and a generalized transfer function) were assessed at baseline. Participants were prospectively followed up to assess the development of new-onset hospitalized HF. During 3.5 years of follow-up, 154 participants had a first hospital admission for HF. CF-PWV was a significant independent predictor of incident hospitalized HF. When compared with the lowest tertile, the hazard ratios among subjects in the middle and top CF-PWV tertiles were 2.33 (95% confidence interval, 1.37-3.97; P=0.002) and 5.24 (95% confidence interval, 3.22-8.53; P<0.0001), respectively. After adjustment for multiple confounders, the hazard ratios for the middle and top CF-PWV tertiles were 1.95 (95% confidence interval, 0.92-4.13; P=0.079) and 3.01 (95% confidence interval, 1.45-6.26; P=0.003), respectively. Brachial systolic and pulse pressure were also independently associated with incident hospitalized HF, whereas central pressures were less consistently associated with this end point. The association between CF-PWV and incident HF persisted after adjustment for systolic blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS: Large artery stiffness is an independent predictor of incident HF in chronic kidney disease, an association with strong biological plausibility given the known effects of large artery stiffening of left ventricular pulsatile load.

Relation of serum lipids and lipoproteins with progression of CKD: The CRIC study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Hyperlipidemia is common in patients with CKD. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether measures of plasma lipids and lipoproteins predict progression of kidney disease in patients with CKD. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: Prospective cohort study in adults (n=3939) with CKD aged 21-74 years recruited between 2003 and 2008 and followed for a median of 4.1 years. At baseline, total cholesterol, triglycerides, very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), apoA-I , apoB, and lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] were measured. The outcomes were composite end point of ESRD or 50% decline in eGFR from baseline (rate of change of GFR). RESULTS: Mean age of the study population was 58.2 years, and the mean GFR was 44.9 ml/min per 1.73 m(2); 48% of patients had diabetes. None of the lipid or lipoprotein measures was independently associated with risk of the composite end point or rate of change in GFR. However, there were significant (P=0.01) interactions by level of proteinuria. In participants with proteinuria<0.2 g/d, 1-SD higher LDL-C was associated with a 26% lower risk of the renal end point (hazard ratio [HR], 0.74; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.59 to 0.92; P=0.01), and 1-SD higher total cholesterol was associated with a 23% lower risk of the renal end point (HR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.62 to 0.96; P=0.02). In participants with proteinuria>0.2 g/d, neither LDL-C (HR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.98 to 1.05) nor total cholesterol levels were associated with renal outcomes. Treatment with statins was reported in 55% of patients and was differential across lipid categories. CONCLUSIONS: In this large cohort of patients with CKD, total cholesterol, triglycerides, VLDL-C, LDL-C, HDL-C, apoA-I, apoB, and Lp(a) were not independently associated with progression of kidney disease. There was an inverse relationship between LDL-C and total cholesterol levels and kidney disease outcomes in patients with low levels of proteinuria.

Gender differences in achieving optimal lipid goals in patients with coronary artery disease.

To investigate gender differences in lipid goal attainment, we conducted a retrospective analysis of outpatient electronic health records from a large cardiology practice from September 2008 to September 2009. The most recent lipid profile and lipid-lowering medications and doses were extracted from electronic medical record. We identified 9,950 patients with coronary artery disease of whom 3,366 (34%) were women. Women were less likely to achieve a low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol goal of <70 mg/dl compared with men (30.6% vs 38.4%, p <0.001) and less likely to achieve a non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol goal of <100 mg/dl (37.1% vs 48.2%, p <0.001). Irrespective of age, women were less likely to achieve their LDL cholesterol goals. Compared with men, women were more likely to be on no statin (16.9% vs 11.6%, p <0.001) or any lipid-lowering therapy (12.8% vs 7.8%, p <0.001) and less likely to be on high-potency statin (14.9% vs 18.0%, p <0.001) or combination therapy (22.2% vs 30.1%, p <0.001). There exists a major difference in the use of lipid-lowering therapy between men and women with coronary artery disease. In conclusion, women with coronary artery disease are prescribed insufficient doses of statins and combination lipid-lowering therapy and are less likely to achieve their optimal LDL and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol goals.