Collaboration in pharmacovigilance: lamotrigine and fatal severe cutaneous adverse reactions - a review of spontaneous reports.

Pharmacovigilance presents many challenges, particularly when managing unpredictable, rare conditions, eg, severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs). Such rare events are often only detected from spontaneous reports, which present their own limitations, particularly during a prolonged global launch schedule. GlaxoSmithKline's routine pharmacovigilance includes regular reviews of global adverse event (AE) reports and aggregate data from a central safety database. Lamotrigine is one of the several antiepileptic drugs associated with SCARs. After identification of increased rates of fatal SCAR cases with lamotrigine in Japan between September and December 2014, this analysis investigated the global incidence of fatal SCARs with lamotrigine and explored whether known risk factors may have contributed to these cases. Global fatal SCAR cases reported with lamotrigine administration from launch until January 2015 were reviewed for evidence of temporal association with dosing and the presence of risk factors, including comorbidities, concomitant medications, and noncompliance with the prescribing information (PI). Worldwide, the estimated cumulative exposure to lamotrigine was >8.4 million patient-years. Globally, there were 54,513 AE reports for lamotrigine, of which 3,454 (6.3%) concerned SCARs. Of these, 122 (3.5%) had a fatal outcome (attributable and nonattributable to lamotrigine), equating to 0.01 fatal SCARs per 1,000 patient-years. In Japan (estimated cumulative exposure 141,000 patient-years), 17 fatal SCARs were reported (attributable and nonattributable), equating to 0.12 per 1,000 patient-years. Seventy-one percent of fatal SCAR cases in Japan showed evidence of noncompliance with the recommended dosing regimen; in 65% of the cases, a delay in discontinuation of lamotrigine after early signs of hypersensitivity was reported. Despite a number of limitations inherent in comparing spontaneous report data, this analysis highlights the need for adherence to the lamotrigine PI and emphasizes the importance of collaboration between global and local pharmacovigilance departments, to promptly identify and reduce the risk of rare and serious events, such as SCARs.

[Antibacterial activity for clinical isolates from pediatric patients of clavulanic acid/amoxicillin (1: 14) -outcomes of special drug use investigation on antibacterial activity (annual changes)].

As a special drug use investigation, we monitored and assessed trends in antibacterial activity of clavulanic acid/amoxicillin (1:14) (hereafter, "CVA/AMPC (1:14)") and other antimicrobial agents for clinical isolates from pediatric patients with otitis media or respiratory, skin, and urinary tract infections. Against Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis isolated and identified from otorrhea, epipharynx and rhinorrhea of pediatric patients with otitis media, the MIC90s of CVA/AMPC (1:14) in five years between 2006-2010 were 1 microg/mL for S. pneumoniae and 8 microg/mL for H. influenzae and 0.25-0.5microg/mL for M catarrhalis. The changes of MIC90s of CVA/AMPC (1:14) for penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae (PRSP) and beta-lactamase non-producing H. influenzae were two times, and no decrease in drug susceptibility was found in the period of the present investigation. In addition, the MIC changes of other antimicrobial agents for these three organisms were approximately two to four times as well. Against organisms isolated and identified from pus, sputum, pharynx, skin and urine of pediatric patients with respiratory, skin, and urinary tract infections, the MIC90s of CVA/AMPC (1:14) in four years between 2008-2011 were 1 microg/mL for S. pneumoniae, < or =0.06microg/mL for penicillin susceptible S. pneumoniae (PSSP) without any change, 0.5-1 microg/mL for penicillin intermediate resistant S. pneumoniae (PISP) with a twofold change and 1 microg/mL for PRSP with no change. The MIC90s of CVA/AMPC (1:14) were 2-8 microg/mL for S. aureus with a fourfold change, 2 microg/mL for methicillin-sensitive S. aureus without any change, 4-8 microg/mL for H. influenzae with a twofold change. Against beta-lactamase non-producing H. influenzae, MIC90s of CVA/AMPC (1:14) were 1 microg/mL for beta-lactamase negative ampicillin susceptible (BLNAS), 8 microg/mL for beta-lactamase negative ampicillin resistant (BLNAR), showing no change. Neither Streptococcus pyogenes or Klebsiella pneumoniae demonstrated any change and M. catarrhalis and Escherichia coli showed twofold changes of MIC90s of CVA/AMPC (1: 14). In the present investigation conducted to monitor annual changes in antibacterial activity intended for pediatric patients with otitis media or other infections, there was no significant change in antibacterial activity of CVA/AMPC (1: 14).

Safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of belimumab in Japanese patients with mild-to-moderate systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVES: Belimumab, an anti-B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) human monoclonal antibody, was approved in the United States, Canada and European Union for the treatment of the patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, belimumab had not been evaluated in Japanese patients. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the safety and tolerability of belimumab in Japanese patients with SLE, as well as to investigate the pharmacokinetics (PK) and biological activity of belimumab in this population. METHODS: A total of 12 Japanese patients were enrolled in a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-ascending design study. A dosing regimen of a single intravenous infusion over 1 hour of belimumab (1 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg) was employed. Patients were followed for 84 days after dosing to assess adverse events, pharmacokinetics, biomarkers and SLE disease activity. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier is NCT01381536. RESULTS: Belimumab (1 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg) demonstrated a favorable clinical safety and tolerability profile in Japanese patients with SLE. The incidence of adverse events was similar among the two belimumab groups and placebo group. The PK profile of single-dose belimumab was approximately dose proportional, and the long terminal elimination half-life (12.4-15.7 days), low clearance (3.55-4.65 mL/day/kg), and small volume of distribution (76.2-80.1 mL/kg) were consistent with a fully humanized antibody. Effects of belimumab on B cells suggested biological activity effects expected as an inhibitor of BLyS. LIMITATION: The small sample size and single dose design of this study prevent definitive conclusions regarding the safety, pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics of belimumab in a Japanese population being made. CONCLUSIONS: The preliminary safety, PK profile, and observed biological activity of belimumab support further evaluation of its safety and efficacy in Japanese patient with SLE.

Phase I and pharmacologic study of weekly bolus topotecan for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE: We conducted a phase I trial of the topoisomerase I inhibitor topotecan for the purpose of determining the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and the dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) of topotecan when administered weekly to patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twelve patients with stage IIIB or IV disease were treated with topotecan by 30-minute intravenous infusion on days 1, 8, and 15 every 4 weeks. The dose was escalated in 2-mg/m2 increments from the starting dose of 4 mg/m2 until the MTD was reached. After the MTD had been reached in previously treated patients, chemotherapy-naive patients were enrolled for treatment at that dose, and the dose was escalated to estimate the MTD in the treatment-naive group. RESULTS: The MTD of topotecan was determined to be 6 mg/m2 in the previously treated group and 8 mg/m2 in the chemotherapy-naive group. All 3 previously treated patients experienced DLT at the 6-mg/m2 dose level. Although only 1 of the 3 previously treated patients experienced DLT (grade 4 neutropenia for > or = 3 days) at the 8-mg/m2 dose level, skipping the topotecan dose on day 15 because of neutropenia was reported in 2 patients. Anorexia and general fatigue were the common nonhematologic toxicities. CONCLUSION: The recommended dose of topotecan for phase II studies in previously untreated patients is 6 mg/m2 on days 1, 8, and 15, every 28 days, and 4 mg/m2 appears to be a suitable dose for use in previously treated patients with this schedule.