Mortality rate in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase treated with frontline second generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors: a retrospective analysis by the monitoring registries of the Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA).

The introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) has improved the overall survival of chronic myeloid leukemia patients in chronic phase (CP-CML) and reduced the rate of disease-related mortality. Conflicting results have been however reported between data emerged from sponsored clinical trials and from population-based registries. Moreover, no data are so far available for patients treated with frontline second-generation TKIs, excluding those from sponsored studies. We analyzed the mortality rate of 2315 CP-CML patients treated with frontline second-generation TKIs through the Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA) registries and compared it with the ISTAT mortality rate of the general population. The estimated differences show that the increased rate of mortality in CP-CML patients is less than 1% for the class 0-29 years, stable around 2% for the intervals 30-44 years and 45-59 years, and 1.4% for the interval 60-74 years; interestingly this rate is reduced for patients aged 75 years and more as compared to the general population (- 0.65%). The difference between potential and estimated deaths is higher among women in the age classes between 30 and 74 years.

Long-term efficacy and safety profile of multiple injections of intravitreal dexamethasone implant to manage diabetic macular edema: A systematic review of real-world studies.

INTRODUCTION: Systematic review of real-world studies about repeated dexamethasone intravitreal implant (DEXi) 0.7 mg in diabetic macular edema management, in order to identify the effective window of time occurring between injections, the critical evaluation of efficacy of the treatment, and the relative long-term safety in the real life setting. METHODS: Literature databases such as PubMed, SCOPUS, and EMBASE were used to identify reports including DEX implant injections. RESULTS: Twenty-one peer-reviewed publications were identified. DEX implants retreatment was considered on a pro re nata (PRN) basis at any time or starting from month three or four. About 1/3 of the eyes were retreated before six months from first injection (range 0-86.7%). Mean retreatment average time was 5.3 ± 0.9 months, with an estimated average of 1.3 injections each six months. There was no statistical correlation between average retreatment time and incidence of adverse events or other variables investigated. Limited safety issues related to implants number have been found, suggesting an overall good tolerance of long-term DEXi. CONCLUSIONS: Comprehensive evaluation of real-world data suggests an average DEXi duration close to five months, following a PRN treatment strategy, including about 1/3 of patients. Repeated DEXi administration revealed an acceptable long-term efficacy/safety ratio.

The antineoplastic drug flavopiridol reverses memory impairment induced by Amyloid-ß1-42 oligomers in mice.

The ectopic re-activation of cell cycle in neurons is an early event in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), which could lead to synaptic failure and ensuing cognitive deficits before frank neuronal death. Cytostatic drugs that act as cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors have been poorly investigated in animal models of AD. In the present study, we examined the effects of flavopiridol, an inhibitor of CDKs currently used as antineoplastic drug, against cell cycle reactivation and memory loss induced by intracerebroventricular injection of Aß1-42 oligomers in CD1 mice. Cycling neurons, scored as NeuN-positive cells expressing cyclin A, were found both in the frontal cortex and in the hippocampus of Aß-injected mice, paralleling memory deficits. Starting from three days after Aß injection, flavopiridol (0.5, 1 and 3mg/kg) was intraperitoneally injected daily, for eleven days. Here we show that a treatment with flavopiridol (0.5 and 1mg/kg) was able to rescue the loss of memory induced by Aß1-42, and to prevent the occurrence of ectopic cell-cycle events in the mouse frontal cortex and hippocampus. This is the first evidence that a cytostatic drug can prevent cognitive deficits in a non-transgenic animal model of AD.

Do the current performance-based schemes in Italy really work? "Success fee": a novel measure for cost-containment of drug expenditure.

BACKGROUND: Drug costs have risen rapidly in the last decade, driving third-party payers to adopt performance-based agreements that provide either a discount before payment or an ex post reimbursement on the basis of treatments' effectiveness and/or safety issues. OBJECTIVES: This article analyses the strategies currently approved in Italy and proposes a novel model called "success fee" to improve payment-by-result schemes and to guarantee patients rapid access to novel therapies. METHODS: A review of the existing risk-sharing schemes in Italy has been performed, and data provided by the Italian National report (2012) on drug use have been analyzed to assess the impact on drug expenditure deriving from the application of "traditional" performance-based strategies since their introduction in 2006. RESULTS: Such schemes have poorly contributed to the fulfillment of the purpose in Italy, producing a trifling refund, compared with relevant drugs costs for the National Health System : €121 million out of a total of €3696 million paid. The novel risk-sharing agreement called "success fee" has been adopted for a new high-cost therapy approved for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, pirfenidone, and consists of an ex post payment made by the National Health System to the manufacturer for those patients who received a real benefit from treatment. CONCLUSIONS: "Success fee" represents an effective strategy to promote value-based pricing, making available to patients a rapid access to innovative and expensive therapies, with an affordable impact on drug expenditure and, simultaneously, ensuring third-party payers to share with manufacturers the risk deriving from uncertain safety and effectiveness.

The dual blocker of FAAH/TRPV1 N-arachidonoylserotonin reverses the behavioral despair induced by stress in rats and modulates the HPA-axis.

In recent years, several studies have explored the involvement of the deregulation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in the pathophysiology of stress-related disorders. HPA hyper-activation as a consequence of acute/chronic stress has been found to play a major role in the neurobiological changes that are responsible for the onset of such states. Currently available medications for depression, one of the most relevant stress-related disorders, present several limitations, including a time lag for treatment response and low rates of efficacy. N-Arachidonoylserotonin (AA-5-HT), a dual blocker at fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH, the enzyme responsible for the inactivation of the endocannabinoid anandamide) and transient receptor potential vanilloid type-1 channel (TRPV1), produces anxiolytic-like effects in mice. The present study was designed to assess the capability of AA-5-HT to reverse the behavioral despair following exposure to stress in rats and the role of the HPA-axis. Behavioral tasks were performed, and corticosterone and endocannabinoid (anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol) levels were measured in selected brain areas critically involved in the pathophysiology of stress-related disorders (medial PFC and hippocampus) under basal and stress conditions, and in response to treatment with AA-5-HT. Our data show that AA-5-HT reverses the rat behavioral despair in the forced swim test under stress conditions, and this effect is associated with the normalization of the HPA-axis deregulation that follows stress application and only in part with elevation of anandamide levels. Blockade of FAAH and TRPV1 may thus represent a novel target to design novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of stress-related disorders.

Pharmacovigilance and Appropriate Drug Use.

This Special Issue collects updated evidence about pharmacovigilance and regulatory actions which can be translated into the change and control of prescribing behaviour [...].

Flavan-3-ols and Vascular Health: Clinical Evidence and Mechanisms of Action.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are one of the main causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. A healthy diet rich in plant-derived compounds such as (poly)phenols appears to have a key role in improving cardiovascular health. Flavan-3-ols represent a subclass of (poly)phenols of great interest for their possible health benefits. In this review, we summarized the results of clinical studies on vascular outcomes of flavan-3-ol supplementation and we focused on the role of the microbiota in CVD. Clinical trials included in this review showed that supplementation with flavan-3-ols mostly derived from cocoa products significantly reduces blood pressure and improves endothelial function. Studies on catechins from green tea demonstrated better results when involving healthy individuals. From a mechanistic point of view, emerging evidence suggests that microbial metabolites may play a role in the observed effects. Their function extends beyond the previous belief of ROS scavenging activity and encompasses a direct impact on gene expression and protein function. Although flavan-3-ols appear to have effects on cardiovascular health, further studies are needed to clarify and confirm these potential benefits and the rising evidence of the potential involvement of the microbiota.

Isoflavones Effects on Vascular and Endothelial Outcomes: How Is the Gut Microbiota Involved?

Isoflavones are a group of (poly)phenols, also defined as phytoestrogens, with chemical structures comparable with estrogen, that exert weak estrogenic effects. These phytochemical compounds have been targeted for their proven antioxidant and protective effects. Recognizing the increasing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), there is a growing interest in understanding the potential cardiovascular benefits associated with these phytochemical compounds. Gut microbiota may play a key role in mediating the effects of isoflavones on vascular and endothelial functions, as it is directly implicated in isoflavones metabolism. The findings from randomized clinical trials indicate that isoflavone supplementation may exert putative effects on vascular biomarkers among healthy individuals, but not among patients affected by cardiometabolic disorders. These results might be explained by the enzymatic transformation to which isoflavones are subjected by the gut microbiota, suggesting that a diverse composition of the microbiota may determine the diverse bioavailability of these compounds. Specifically, the conversion of isoflavones in equol-a microbiota-derived metabolite-seems to differ between individuals. Further studies are needed to clarify the intricate molecular mechanisms behind these contrasting results.

Resveratrol and vascular health: evidence from clinical studies and mechanisms of actions related to its metabolites produced by gut microbiota.

Cardiovascular diseases are among the leading causes of mortality worldwide, with dietary factors being the main risk contributors. Diets rich in bioactive compounds, such as (poly)phenols, have been shown to potentially exert positive effects on vascular health. Among them, resveratrol has gained particular attention due to its potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action. Nevertheless, the results in humans are conflicting possibly due to interindividual different responses. The gut microbiota, a complex microbial community that inhabits the gastrointestinal tract, has been called out as potentially responsible for modulating the biological activities of phenolic metabolites in humans. The present review aims to summarize the main findings from clinical trials on the effects of resveratrol interventions on endothelial and vascular outcomes and review potential mechanisms interesting the role of gut microbiota on the metabolism of this molecule and its cardioprotective metabolites. The findings from randomized controlled trials show contrasting results on the effects of resveratrol supplementation and vascular biomarkers without dose-dependent effect. In particular, studies in which resveratrol was integrated using food sources, i.e., red wine, reported significant effects although the resveratrol content was, on average, much lower compared to tablet supplementation, while other studies with often extreme resveratrol supplementation resulted in null findings. The results from experimental studies suggest that resveratrol exerts cardioprotective effects through the modulation of various antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hypertensive pathways, and microbiota composition. Recent studies on resveratrol-derived metabolites, such as piceatannol, have demonstrated its effects on biomarkers of vascular health. Moreover, resveratrol itself has been shown to improve the gut microbiota composition toward an anti-inflammatory profile. Considering the contrasting findings from clinical studies, future research exploring the bidirectional link between resveratrol metabolism and gut microbiota as well as the mediating effect of gut microbiota in resveratrol effect on cardiovascular health is warranted.

Early Access for Medicines in ITALY: The Case of Ruxolitinib for Patients with Graft-Versus-Host Disease.

After European Medicines Agency (EMA) approval, national pricing and reimbursement procedures are necessary to guarantee access to drugs, based on the willingness to pay and the recognition of therapeutic value. These can result in delays in drug availability for patients, even for those with important unfmet needs for whom it may be necessary and ethical to ensure access. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of ruxolitinib for patients with graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) after EMA approval at the University Hospital of Catania. We analysed data about the use of ruxolitinib in patients with GvHD, describing their basic characteristics, their outcomes and the cost of the treatment. In the reference period, 24 ruxolitinib treatments were started according to the Summary of Product Characteristic. The average treatment duration was 10 months. Twenty patients showed a response, maintained over time, with no adverse reactions. The total expenditure amounts to EUR 963,424. The use of ruxolitinib in a real population confirms its role in an important therapeutic need. The quantification of costs requires a reflection on the sustainability of early access to medicines authorised by the EMA for serious diseases and in the absence of therapeutic alternatives.

The therapeutic value of treatment for multiple sclerosis: analysis of health technology assessments of three European countries.

In accordance with European regulation, medicines containing a new active substance to treat neurodegenerative diseases as well as autoimmune and other immune dysfunctions must be approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) through the centralized procedure before they can be marketed. However, after EMA approval, each country is responsible for national market access, following the assessment performed by health technology assessment (HTA) bodies with regard to the therapeutic value. This study aims to provide a comparative analysis of HTA recommendations issued by three EU countries (France, Germany, and Italy) for new drugs for multiple sclerosis (MS) following EMA approval. In the reference period, we identified 11 medicines authorized in Europe for MS, including relapsing forms of MS (RMS; n = 4), relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS; n = 6), secondary progressive MS (SPMS; n = 1), and the primary progressive form (PPMS; n = 1). We found no agreement on the therapeutic value (in particular, the "added value" compared to the standard of care) of the selected drugs. Most evaluations resulted in the lowest score ("additional benefit not proven/no clinical improvement"), underlining the need for new molecules with better efficacy and safety profiles for MS, especially for some forms and clinical settings.

Fluoxetine Protects Retinal Ischemic Damage in Mice.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the neuroprotective effect of the topical ocular administration of fluoxetine (FLX) in a mouse model of acute retinal damage. METHODS: Ocular ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in C57BL/6J mice was used to elicit retinal damage. Mice were divided into three groups: control group, I/R group, and I/R group treated with topical FLX. A pattern electroretinogram (PERG) was used as a sensitive measure of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) function. Finally, we analyzed the retinal mRNA expression of inflammatory markers (IL-6, TNF-α, Iba-1, IL-1ß, and S100ß) through Digital Droplet PCR. RESULTS: PERG amplitude values were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the I/R-FLX group compared to the I/R group, whereas PERG latency values were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in I/R-FLX-treated mice compared to the I/R group. Retinal inflammatory markers increased significantly (p < 0.05) after I/R injury. FLX treatment was able to significantly (p < 0.05) attenuate the expression of inflammatory markers after I/R damage. CONCLUSIONS: Topical treatment with FLX was effective in counteracting the damage of RGCs and preserving retinal function. Moreover, FLX treatment attenuates the production of pro-inflammatory molecules elicited by retinal I/R damage. Further studies need to be performed to support the use of FLX as neuroprotective agent in retinal degenerative diseases.

Severe Gastrointestinal Toxicity Following the Use of Gilteritinib: A Case Series and Analysis of Postmarketing Surveillance Data.

Gilteritinib has been approved as monotherapy in adults with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) FLT3 mutated with relapsed or refractory disease, in light of its advantages in terms of survival and the favorable safety profile. Hepatobiliary disorders and musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders represent the most frequent adverse reactions associated with gilteritinib, whereas the most frequent serious adverse reaction is acute kidney injury. In the summary of product characteristics, gastrointestinal (GI) events are indicated as very common, in particular diarrhea, nausea and stypsis. Furthermore, serious GI disorders have been observed with gilteritinib in clinical trials, including GI hemorrhage, GI perforation and GI obstruction. However, the association with the FLT3 inhibitor has not been confirmed. Nevertheless, serious GI AEs have been recognized as an important potential risk to be monitored in postmarketing surveillance. We present three cases of serious self-limiting GI events observed in patients on gilteritinib treatment for AML, and an analysis of relevant available postmarketing surveillance data.

Bioequivalence, Drugs with Narrow Therapeutic Index and The Phenomenon of Biocreep: A Critical Analysis of the System for Generic Substitution.

The prescription of generic drugs represents one of the main cost-containment strategies of health systems, aimed at reducing pharmaceutical expenditure. In this context, most regulatory authorities encourage or obligate dispensing generic drugs because they are far less expensive than their brand-name alternatives. However, drug substitution can be critical in particular situations, such as the use of drugs with a narrow therapeutic index (NTI). Moreover, generics cannot automatically be considered bioequivalent with each other due to the biocreep phenomenon. In Italy, the regulatory authority has established the Transparency Lists which include the medications that will be automatically substituted for brand-name drugs, except in exceptional cases. This is a useful tool to guide prescribers and guarantee pharmaceutical sustainability, but it does not consider the biocreep phenomenon.

SARS-Cov-2 Damage on the Nervous System and Mental Health.

The World Health Organization declared the pandemic situation caused by SARSCoV- 2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2) in March 2020, but the detailed pathophysiological mechanisms of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are not yet completely understood. Therefore, to date, few therapeutic options are available for patients with mildmoderate or serious disease. In addition to systemic and respiratory symptoms, several reports have documented various neurological symptoms and impairments of mental health. The current review aims to provide the available evidence about the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on mental health. The present data suggest that SARS-CoV-2 produces a wide range of impairments and disorders of the brain. However, a limited number of studies investigated the neuroinvasive potential of SARS-CoV-2. Although the main features and outcomes of COVID-19 are linked to severe acute respiratory illness, the possible damages on the brain should be considered, too.

Periodontal Disease and Pregnancy: Correlation with Underweight Birth.

Periodontal disease is a risk factor for many systemic diseases including preterm birth and underweight birth. The purpose of this systematic review is to analyze the literature and to highlight any clinical correlation. Information sources such as PubMed, MEDLINE, and Web of Science were consulted to obtain our results with these keywords "periodontal disease," "pregnancy," "weight loss" using the connector "AND." After the first screening by authors, only 27 articles were included in this review. From the analysis of the literature, it was noted that the presence of periodontal disease could have a correlation with underweight birth. Surely, control oral hygiene and oral health is essential during pregnancy to reduce risks, and these results should be essential in establishing a protocol to be maintained during pregnancy.

Efficacy and Safety of Subthreshold Micropulse Yellow Laser for Persistent Diabetic Macular Edema After Vitrectomy: A Pilot Study.

Aim: To examine the effect of subthreshold micropulse yellow laser (SMYL) on best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) changes in eyes with persistent diabetic macular edema (DME) after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for tractional DME (TDME). Patients and Methods: In a comparative study, 95 eyes of 95 consecutive patients with persistent DME were prospectively enrolled. The SMYL group (54 eyes) was treated with SMYL 6 months after PPV, while the control group (41 eyes) was followed up without treatment. BCVA and CMT by OCT were analyzed at baseline and 3 and 6 months. Additionally, parameters such as the vessel density (VD) in the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP), respectively, and the area of the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) were also evaluated on OCT-A. Results: There were no significant differences between both groups in demographic data. In the SMYL group, mean BCVA was significantly increased [F(2,106) = 17.25; p < 0.001; η p 2 = 0.246] from 51.54 ± 13.81 ETDRS letters at baseline to 57.81 ± 12.82 ETDRS letters at 3 months (p < 0.001) and 57.83 ± 13.95 EDTRS letters at 6 months (p < 0.001), respectively. In comparison to the control group, BCVA values were statistically significantly higher in the SMYL group at 3 and 6 months, respectively. Mean CMT significantly decreased [F(2,106) = 30.98; p < 0.001; η p 2 = 0.368] from the baseline value 410.59 ± 129.91 µm to 323.50 ± 89.66 µm at 3 months (p < 0.001) and to 283.39 ± 73.45 µm at 6 months (p < 0.001). CMT values were significantly lower in the SMYL group (p < 0.001), especially at 6 months follow-up time (p < 0.001) compared with the control group. Parafoveal VD in the SCP and DCP was significantly higher in the SMYL group in comparison to the control group, respectively, at 3-month (SCP p < 0.001; DCP p < 0.001) and 6-month follow-up (SCP p < 0.001; DCP p < 0.001). FAZ area was also significantly smaller in the SMYL group at 6-month follow-up (p = 0.001). There were no adverse SMYL treatment effects. Conclusion: SMYL therapy may be a safe and effective treatment option in eyes with persistent macular edema following PPV for TDME.

Rituximab in Multiple Sclerosis: Are We Ready for Regulatory Approval?

Despite the availability of a lot of effective disease-modifying drugs, multiple sclerosis (MS) (in particular the progressive forms) still represents an important unmet medical need, because of issues in terms of effectiveness, duration of response, safety, and patient compliance. An increasing body of evidence from randomized clinical trials and real-world data suggest that rituximab is a highly effective alternative in both relapsing and progressive MS, with a low discontinuation rate, related to a good benefit/risk profile, and a good compliance. To date, the use of rituximab in patients with multiple sclerosis is not in accordance with the authorized product information (off-label use). However, the use of this medicine is widespread in several countries, and in some cases, it is the most commonly used disease-modifying drug for MS subtypes. This use could be officially recognized by national regulatory authorities, according to specific procedures, to ensure equal access for patients to a safe and effective option.

Fertility Preservation in Female Pediatric Patients With Cancer: A Clinical and Regulatory Issue.

Fertility preservation represents one important goal of cancer patients' management due to the high impact on health and quality of life of survivors. The available preventive measures cannot be performed in all patients and are not feasible in all health-care facilities. Therefore, the pharmacological treatment with GnRHa has become a valuable non-invasive and well-tolerated alternative, especially in those who cannot access to cryopreservation options due to clinical and/or logistic issues. Supporting data demonstrate a significant advantage for the survivors who received GnRHa in the long-term maintenance of ovarian function and preservation of fertility. The prevention of the risk of ovarian failure with GnRHa is a typical off-label use, defined as the administration of a medicinal product not in accordance with the authorized product information. Italy has officially recognized the off-label use of GnRHa in adult women at risk of premature and permanent menopause following chemotherapy. However, fertility preservation still represents an unmet medical need in adolescents who cannot access to other treatment options.