Differential effects of itacitinib, fedratinib, and ruxolitinib in mouse models of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.

ABSTRACT: Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) comprises a severe hyperinflammatory phenotype driven by the overproduction of cytokines, many of which signal via the JAK/STAT pathway. Indeed, the JAK1/2 inhibitor ruxolitinib has demonstrated efficacy in preclinical studies and early-phase clinical trials in HLH. Nevertheless, concerns remain for ruxolitinib-induced cytopenias, which are postulated to result from the blockade of JAK2-dependent hematopoietic growth factors. To explore the therapeutic effects of selective JAK inhibition in mouse models of HLH, we carried out studies incorporating the JAK1 inhibitor itacitinib, JAK2 inhibitor fedratinib, and JAK1/2 inhibitor ruxolitinib. All 3 drugs were well-tolerated and at the doses tested, they suppressed interferon-gamma (IFN-γ)-induced STAT1 phosphorylation in vitro and in vivo. Itacitinib, but not fedratinib, significantly improved survival and clinical scores in CpG-induced secondary HLH. Conversely, in primary HLH, in which perforin-deficient (Prf1-/-) mice are infected with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), itacitinib, and fedratinib performed suboptimally. Ruxolitinib demonstrated excellent clinical efficacy in both HLH models. RNA-sequencing of splenocytes from LCMV-infected Prf1-/- mice revealed that itacitinib targeted inflammatory and metabolic pathway genes in CD8 T cells, whereas fedratinib targeted genes regulating cell proliferation and metabolism. In monocytes, neither drug conferred major transcriptional impacts. Consistent with its superior clinical effects, ruxolitinib exerted the greatest transcriptional changes in CD8 T cells and monocytes, targeting more genes across several biologic pathways, most notably JAK-dependent proinflammatory signaling. We conclude that JAK1 inhibition is sufficient to curtail CpG-induced disease, but combined inhibition of JAK1 and JAK2 is needed to best control LCMV-induced immunopathology.

Efficacy and safety of delgocitinib cream in adults with moderate to severe chronic hand eczema (DELTA 1 and DELTA 2): results from multicentre, randomised, controlled, double-blind, phase 3 trials.

BACKGROUND: Chronic hand eczema is a fluctuating, inflammatory, pruritic, often painful disease of hands and wrists that strongly impacts quality of life and occupational capabilities of patients. The aim of phase 3 DELTA 1 and DELTA 2 was to assess the efficacy and safety of twice-daily applications of the topical pan-Janus kinase inhibitor delgocitinib cream 20 mg/g versus cream vehicle in adults with moderate to severe chronic hand eczema. METHODS: Both trials were randomised, double-blinded, and vehicle-controlled, with DELTA 1 being conducted at 53 trial centres in Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and the UK and DELTA 2 at 50 trial centres in Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, and Spain. Adults (aged ≥18 years) with moderate to severe chronic hand eczema were randomly assigned 2:1 to twice-daily delgocitinib cream 20 mg/g or cream vehicle for 16 weeks. The primary endpoint was Investigator's Global Assessment for Chronic Hand Eczema (IGA-CHE) treatment success at week 16, defined as IGA-CHE score of 0 (clear) or 1 (almost clear, defined as only barely perceptible erythema). Efficacy and safety were assessed in all patients who were exposed to trial treatment. These trials are registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04871711 and NCT04872101. FINDINGS: Between May 10, 2021, and Oct 31, 2022, 487 patients (181 male and 306 female) were enrolled in DELTA 1; between May 25, 2021, and Jan 6, 2023, 473 patients (161 male and 312 female) were enrolled in DELTA 2. 325 patients in DELTA 1 and 314 in DELTA 2 were assigned to delgocitinib cream; 162 patients in DELTA 1 and 159 in DELTA 2 were assigned to cream vehicle. At week 16, a greater proportion of delgocitinib-treated patients versus cream vehicle patients had IGA-CHE treatment success (64 [20%] of 325 vs 16 [10%] of 162 in DELTA 1 and 91 [29%] of 313 vs 11 [7%] of 159 in DELTA 2; both trials p≤0·0055). The proportion of patients who reported adverse events was similar with delgocitinib (147 [45%] of 325 in DELTA 1 and 143 [46%] of 313 in DELTA 2) and the cream vehicle (82 [51%] of 162 in DELTA 1 and 71 [45%] of 159 in DELTA 2). Most frequent adverse events occurring in at least 2% of patients were similar in both treatment groups and included COVID-19 and nasopharyngitis. INTERPRETATION: Overall, delgocitinib cream showed superior efficacy versus cream vehicle and was well tolerated over 16 weeks. These results support the clinical benefit of delgocitinib cream as a potential treatment option for patients with moderate to severe chronic hand eczema, who are unable to adequately control their disease with basic skin care practices and topical corticosteroids. FUNDING: LEO Pharma.

Pharmacological Improvement of Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Function Rescues Airway Epithelial Homeostasis and Host Defense in Children with Cystic Fibrosis.

Rationale: Pharmacological improvement of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) function with elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (ETI) provides unprecedented improvements in lung function and other clinical outcomes in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). However, ETI effects on impaired mucosal homeostasis and host defense at the molecular and cellular levels in the airways of patients with CF remain unknown. Objectives: To investigate effects of ETI on the transcriptome of nasal epithelial and immune cells from children with CF at the single-cell level. Methods: Nasal swabs from 13 children with CF and at least one F508del allele aged 6 to 11 years were collected at baseline and 3 months after initiation of ETI, subjected to single-cell RNA sequencing, and compared with swabs from 12 age-matched healthy children. Measurements and Main Results: Proportions of CFTR-positive cells were decreased in epithelial basal, club, and goblet cells, but not in ionocytes, from children with CF at baseline and were restored by ETI therapy to nearly healthy levels. Single-cell transcriptomics revealed an impaired IFN signaling and reduced expression of major histocompatibility complex classes I and II encoding genes in epithelial cells of children with CF at baseline, which was partially restored by ETI. In addition, ETI therapy markedly reduced the inflammatory phenotype of immune cells, particularly of neutrophils and macrophages. Conclusions: Pharmacological improvement of CFTR function improves innate mucosal immunity and reduces immune cell inflammatory responses in the upper airways of children with CF at the single-cell level, highlighting the potential to restore epithelial homeostasis and host defense in CF airways by early initiation of ETI therapy.

In grade C/D erosive esophagitis, vonoprazan ranks highest among PPIs and P-CABs for healing and maintaining remission.

SOURCE CITATION: Zhuang Q, Chen S, Zhou X, et al. Comparative efficacy of P-CAB vs proton pump inhibitors for grade C/D esophagitis: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Am J Gastroenterol. 2024;119:803-813. 38345252.

Simplified Helicobacter pylori therapy for patients with penicillin allergy: a randomised controlled trial of vonoprazan-tetracycline dual therapy.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of vonoprazan and tetracycline (VT) dual therapy as first-line treatment for Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with penicillin allergy. METHODS: In this randomised controlled trial, treatment-naïve adults with H. pylori infection and penicillin allergy were randomised 1:1 to receive either open-label VT dual therapy (vonoprazan 20 mg two times per day+tetracycline 500 mg three times a day) or bismuth quadruple therapy (BQT; lansoprazole 30 mg two times per day+colloidal bismuth 150 mg three times a day+tetracycline 500 mg three times a day+metronidazole 400 mg three times a day) for 14 days. The primary outcome was non-inferiority in eradication rates in the VT dual group compared with the BQT group. Secondary outcomes included assessing adverse effects. RESULTS: 300 patients were randomised. The eradication rates in the VT group and the BQT group were: 92.0% (138/150, 95% CI 86.1% to 95.6%) and 89.3% (134/150, 95% CI 83.0% to 93.6%) in intention-to-treat analysis (difference 2.7%; 95% CI -4.6% to 10.0%; non-inferiority p=0.000); 94.5% (138/146, 95% CI 89.1% to 97.4%) and 93.1% (134/144, 95% CI 87.3% to 96.4%) in modified intention-to-treat analysis (difference 1.5%; 95% CI -4.9% to 8.0%; non-inferiority p=0.001); 95.1% (135/142, 95% CI 89.7% to 97.8%) and 97.7% (128/131, 95% CI 92.9% to 99.4%) in per-protocol analysis (difference 2.6%; 95% CI -2.9% to 8.3%; non-inferiority p=0.000). The treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were significantly lower in the VT group (14.0% vs 48.0%, p=0.000), with fewer treatment discontinuations due to TEAEs (2.0% vs 8.7%, p=0.010). CONCLUSIONS: VT dual therapy demonstrated efficacy and safety as a first-line treatment for H. pylori infection in the penicillin-allergic population, with comparable efficacy and a lower incidence of TEAEs compared with traditional BQT. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ChiCTR2300074693.

Targeted Cyclo[8]pyrrole-Based NIR-II Photoacoustic Tomography Probe for Suppression of Orthotopic Pancreatic Tumor Growth and Intra-abdominal Metastases.

Pancreatic cancer is highly lethal. New diagnostic and treatment modalities are desperately needed. We report here that an expanded porphyrin, cyclo[8]pyrrole (CP), with a high extinction coefficient (89.16 L/g·cm) within the second near-infrared window (NIR-II), may be formulated with an αvß3-specific targeting peptide, cyclic-Arg-Gly-Asp (cRGD), to form cRGD-CP nanoparticles (cRGD-CPNPs) with promising NIR-II photothermal (PT) therapeutic and photoacoustic (PA) imaging properties. Studies with a ring-array PA tomography system, coupled with analysis of control nanoparticles lacking a targeting element (CPNPs), revealed that cRGD conjugation promoted the delivery of the NPs through abnormal vessels around the tumor to the solid tumor core. This proved true in both subcutaneous and orthotopic pancreatic tumor mice models, as confirmed by immunofluorescent studies. In combination with NIR-II laser photoirradiation, the cRGD-CPNPs provided near-baseline tumor growth inhibition through PTT both in vitro and in vivo. Notably, the combination of the present cRGD-CPNPs and photoirradiation was found to inhibit intra-abdominal metastases in an orthotopic pancreatic tumor mouse model. The cRGD-CPNPs also displayed good biosafety profiles, as inferred from PA tomography, blood analyses, and H&E staining. They thus appear promising for use in combined PA imaging and PT therapeutic treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Association Between Vonoprazan and the Risk of Gastric Cancer After Helicobacter pylori Eradication.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Potassium-competitive acid blockers (PCABs) have been increasingly used to treat upper gastrointestinal disorders, replacing proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Whereas PPIs are associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer (GC) after Helicobacter pylori (Hp) eradication, it is uncertain whether PCABs carry the same risk. METHODS: Using a population-based claims database in Japan, we identified patients who were prescribed a clarithromycin-based first regimen of Hp eradication between 2015 and 2018. Patients who failed this regimen and those diagnosed with GC before or within 1 year after Hp eradication were excluded. We compared GC incidence between PCAB users and histamine type-2 receptor antagonist (H2RA) users, matching them on the basis of propensity scores calculated with considerations for age, sex, smoking, alcohol consumption, comorbidities, and co-administered medications. PCABs included only vonoprazan in this study. RESULTS: Among 54,055 patients, 568 (1.05%) developed GC during the follow-up period (mean, 3.65 years). The cumulative incidence of GC was 1.64% at 3 years, 2.02% at 4 years, and 2.36% at 5 years in PCAB users and 0.71% at 3 years, 1.04% at 4 years, and 1.22% at 5 years in H2RA users. The use of PCABs was associated with a higher GC risk (matched hazard ratio, 1.92; 95% confidence interval, 1.13-3.25; P = .016). Longer PCAB use and high-dose PCAB use were significantly associated with higher incidence of GC. Sensitivity analyses showed the risk of GC incidence among PCAB users was comparable with that of PPI users. CONCLUSIONS: The use of PCABs was associated with an increased risk of GC among Hp-eradicated patients, with duration/dose response effects.

Tofacitinib in Acute Severe Ulcerative Colitis (TACOS): A Randomized Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Intravenous corticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment of patients hospitalized with acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC). However, 30%-40% of the patients are refractory to corticosteroids. We investigated whether addition of tofacitinib to corticosteroids improved the treatment responsiveness in patients with ASUC. METHODS: This single-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial randomized adult patients with ASUC (defined by the Truelove Witts severity criteria) to receive either tofacitinib (10 mg thrice daily) or a matching placebo for 7 days while continuing intravenous corticosteroids (hydrocortisone 100 mg every 6 hours). The primary end point was response to treatment (decline in the Lichtiger index by >3 points and an absolute score <10 for 2 consecutive days without the need for rescue therapy) by day 7. The key secondary outcome was the cumulative probability of requiring initiation of infliximab or undergoing colectomy within 90 days following randomization. All analyses were performed in the intention-to-treat population. RESULTS: A total of 104 patients were randomly assigned to a treatment group (53 to tofacitinib and 51 to placebo). At day 7, response to treatment was achieved in 44/53 (83.01%) patients receiving tofacitinib vs 30/51 (58.82%) patients receiving placebo (odds ratio 3.42, 95% confidence interval 1.37-8.48, P = 0.007). The need for rescue therapy by day 7 was lower in the tofacitinib arm (odds ratio 0.27, 95% confidence interval 0.09-0.78, P = 0.01). The cumulative probability of need for rescue therapy at day 90 was 0.13 in patients who received tofacitinib vs 0.38 in patients receiving placebo (log-rank P = 0.003). Most of the treatment-related adverse effects were mild. One patient, receiving tofacitinib, developed dural venous sinus thrombosis. DISCUSSION: In patients with ASUC, combination of tofacitinib and corticosteroids improved treatment responsiveness and decreased the need for rescue therapy.

Rates of Adverse Events in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis Undergoing Colectomy During Treatment With Tofacitinib vs Biologics: A Multicenter Observational Study.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) receiving immunosuppressive drugs are at substantial risk of colectomy. We aimed to assess the risk of postoperative complications of tofacitinib exposure before colectomy in comparison with biologics. METHODS: A multicenter, retrospective, observational study was conducted in patients with UC who underwent total colectomy for medically refractory disease, exposed to tofacitinib or a biologic before surgery. Primary outcome was the occurrence of any complication within 30 (early) and 90 (late) days after surgery. Secondary outcomes were the occurrence of infections, sepsis, surgical site complications, venous thromboembolic events (VTE), hospital readmissions, and redo surgery within the same timepoints. RESULTS: Three hundred one patients (64 tofacitinib, 162 anti-tumor necrosis factor-α agents, 54 vedolizumab, and 21 ustekinumab) were included. No significant differences were reported in any outcome, except for a higher rate of early VTE with anti-tumor necrosis factor-α agents ( P = 0.047) and of late VTE with vedolizumab ( P = 0.03). In the multivariate analysis, drug class was not associated with a higher risk of any early and late complications. Urgent colectomy increased the risk of any early (odds ratio [OR] 1.92, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06-3.48) complications, early hospital readmission (OR 4.79, 95% CI 1.12-20.58), and early redo surgery (OR 7.49, 95% CI 1.17-47.85). A high steroid dose increased the risk of any early complications (OR 1.96, 95% CI 1.08-3.57), early surgical site complications (OR 2.03, 95% CI 1.01-4.09), and early redo surgery (OR 7.52, 95% CI 1.42-39.82). Laparoscopic surgery decreased the risk of any early complications (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.29-1.00), early infections (OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.18-0.85), and late hospital readmissions (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.12-1.00). DISCUSSION: Preoperative tofacitinib treatment demonstrated a postoperative safety profile comparable with biologics in patients with UC undergoing colectomy.

Inhibition of JAK-STAT pathway corrects salivary gland inflammation and interferon driven immune activation in Sjögren's disease.

OBJECTIVES: Inflammatory cytokines that signal through the Janus kinases-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) pathway, especially interferons (IFNs), are implicated in Sjögren's disease (SjD). Although inhibition of JAKs is effective in other autoimmune diseases, a systematic investigation of IFN-JAK-STAT signalling and the effect of JAK inhibitor (JAKi) therapy in SjD-affected human tissues has not been fully investigated. METHODS: Human minor salivary glands (MSGs) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were investigated using bulk or single-cell (sc) RNA sequencing (RNAseq), immunofluorescence (IF) microscopy and flow cytometry. Ex vivo culture assays on PBMCs and primary salivary gland epithelial cell (pSGEC) lines were performed to model changes in target tissues before and after JAKi. RESULTS: RNAseq and IF showed activated JAK-STAT pathway in SjD MSGs. Elevated IFN-stimulated gene (ISGs) expression associated with clinical variables (eg, focus scores, anti-SSA positivity). scRNAseq of MSGs exhibited cell type-specific upregulation of JAK-STAT and ISGs; PBMCs showed similar trends, including markedly upregulated ISGs in monocytes. Ex vivo studies showed elevated basal pSTAT levels in SjD MSGs and PBMCs that were corrected with JAKi. SjD-derived pSGECs exhibited higher basal ISG expressions and exaggerated responses to IFN-ß, which were normalised by JAKi without cytotoxicity. CONCLUSIONS: SjD patients' tissues exhibit increased expression of ISGs and activation of the JAK-STAT pathway in a cell type-dependent manner. JAKi normalises this aberrant signalling at the tissue level and in PBMCs, suggesting a putative viable therapy for SjD, targeting both glandular and extraglandular symptoms. Predicated on these data, a phase Ib/IIa randomised controlled trial to treat SjD with tofacitinib was initiated.

Patients With Psoriatic Arthritis-Related Enthesitis and Persistence on Tofacitinib Under Real-World Conditions.

OBJECTIVE: Information on the persistence of tofacitinib (TOF) in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is scarce in real-world conditions. Our objective was to analyze the persistence and safety of TOF under these conditions. METHODS: This was a single-center retrospective longitudinal observational study of all patients with PsA who received at least 1 dose of TOF. The main focus was on adverse events (AEs) and drug survival. Drug survival was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier curves and persistence explanatory factors by multivariate Cox regression models. The hazard ratio (HR) was used to measure association. RESULTS: Seventy-two patients were included, 54 women and 18 men, mean age 51.9 (SD 11.1) years, mean disease duration of 10.4 (SD 6.99) years. TOF was ≥ third line of therapy in > 70% of cases. The median survival was 13.0 (IQR 5.3-29.0) months. One-year retention rate was 52.7% (95% CI 42.4-65.6). TOF survival was not influenced by sex, disease duration, comorbidities, or line of treatment. Younger patients (HR 0.96, P = 0.01) and those with enthesitis (HR 0.37, P = 0.03) showed lower odds of drug discontinuation. The overall rate of AEs was 52.9 (95% CI 38.5-70.6)/100 person-years. Most AEs occurred during the first 6 months of exposure. CONCLUSION: In this real-world study, TOF showed a reasonably good retention rate in a PsA population that was mostly refractory to biologic and oral targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. There were no new causes for concern regarding safety. Patients with refractory PsA and enthesitis might be a specific target population for this drug.

Efficacy and Safety of Tofacitinib in Ankylosing Spondylitis by Baseline C-Reactive Protein Level: Post Hoc Analysis of Phase II and Phase III Clinical Trials.

OBJECTIVE: This post hoc analysis assessed the effect of baseline C-reactive protein (CRP) on the efficacy and safety of tofacitinib (TOF) use in ankylosing spondylitis (AS), as well as patient-reported outcomes (PROs). METHODS: Phase II (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01786668) and phase III (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03502616) data from patients with active AS were used. Endpoints (weeks 12, 16, and 48), including 20% and 40% improvement in Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS), AS Disease Activity Score with CRP low disease activity, 50% improvement in Bath AS Disease Activity Index (BASDAI50), and PROs (pain and fatigue), were stratified by baseline CRP (mg/L) as follows: < 5 (normal), ≥ 5 (elevated), < 10, and ≥ 10. Safety outcomes were evaluated between < 5 and ≥ 5 mg/L subgroups. RESULTS: Overall, 372 patients were included (69.6% ≥ 5mg/L; 50.8% ≥ 10 mg/L). At baseline in the < 5mg/L group, more placebo-treated than TOF-treated patients received concomitant nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or sulfasalazine (SSZ). Week 12 efficacy and PRO responses were generally higher for TOF vs placebo, regardless of baseline CRP. The treatment effect (placebo-adjusted response) at week 12 was generally numerically higher in ≥ 5 mg/L and ≥ 10 mg/L vs < 5 mg/L and < 10 mg/L groups. Incidence rates for treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and "all infections" were numerically higher for TOF vs placebo in patients in the < 5 mg/L group, but similar for TOF vs placebo in patients in the ≥ 5 mg/L group. CONCLUSION: Regardless of baseline CRP, TOF was more efficacious vs placebo at week 12. The placebo-adjusted efficacy and PRO responses were generally numerically higher in patients with CRP ≥ 5 mg/L and ≥ 10 mg/L vs < 5 mg/L and < 10 mg/L. The higher concomitant NSAID/SSZ exposure may have improved efficacy responses in the baseline < 5 mg/L placebo group, and ultimately affected the TOF treatment effect. Safety was consistent with previous studies of TOF use in AS, with numerically higher incidence rates for TEAEs and "all infections" for TOF vs placebo in patients with CRP < 5 mg/L.

Characteristics of Helicobacter pylori Eradication Therapy in Patients 80 Years or Older Living in a Metropolitan Area: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: The situation of Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy has been changing over time, owing to increases in antimicrobial-resistant strains, lifestyle improvements, and changes in indications for eradication. In Japan, eradication therapy is now available to all H. pylori-positive patients under the medical insurance system, and the potassium-competitive acid blocker vonoprazan has been used for eradication from 2015. Recently, with the aging of society, opportunities to provide eradication to elderly patients are increasing, but the current status and effectiveness of eradication in elderly patients remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the trends of H. pylori eradication in a metropolitan area to determine the factors associated with successful H. pylori eradication in elderly patients older than 80 years. METHODS: Trends in the eradication rates of patients who received first- or second-line eradication at 20 hospitals in the Tokyo metropolitan area from 2013 to 2023 were investigated. RESULTS: The eradication rates in the per-protocol analysis were 82.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 81.2%-83.2%) for the first-line treatment (n = 6481), and 87.9% (86.9%-88.9%) for the second-line treatment (n = 4899). Multivariate analysis showed that independent factors for successful eradication in the first-line treatment were an age of older than 80 years (OR: 0.606; 95% CI: 0.448-0.822), peptic ulcers (vs. atrophic gastritis: 3.817; 3.286-4.433), and vonoprazan (vs. proton pump inhibiters (PPIs), 3.817; 3.286-4.433), and an age of older than 80 years (0.503; 0.362-0.699) and vonoprazan (1.386; 1.153-1.667) in the second-line treatment. CONCLUSION: After 2015, the eradication rate of both first- and second-line therapies were maintained at a higher level than before 2015, owing to the use of vonoprazan. As the H. pylori eradication rate in patients older than 80 years was low, an effective strategy for these patients needs to be developed in the future.

Low-dose or high-dose amoxicillin in vonoprazan-based dual therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The amoxicillin dose used in dual therapy to eradicate Helicobacter pylori varies across studies and the optimal amoxicillin dose for vonoprazan-based dual therapies remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of low- and high-dose amoxicillin in vonoprazan-amoxicillin dual therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comprehensive systematic review was conducted by searching databases from inception to October 2023. All trials that evaluated the effectiveness and safety of vonoprazan-amoxicillin dual therapy for eradicating H. pylori were included. Pooled eradication rate, incidence of adverse events, relative risks, and 95% confidence intervals are presented. RESULTS: Eighteen studies with 12 low-dose amoxicillin (VLA) and 13 high-dose amoxicillin (VHA) arms were included. The pooled eradication rates were 82.4% and 86.8% for VLA therapy, and 86.0% and 90.9% for VHA therapy by the intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses, respectively. In the subgroup analysis stratified by duration, the eradication rates achieved in 7 days, 10 days, and 14 days treatments with VLA and VHA dual therapies were 80.8%, 84.2%, 83.1%, and 67.3%, 88.8%, 87.5%, respectively. In the four randomized controlled trials that directly compared VLA and VHA dual therapies, the efficacy was not statistically different in the intention-to-treat (76.9% vs 81.4%, p = 0.337) and per-protocol (81.6% vs 84.0%, p = 0.166) analyses. Additionally, the incidence of adverse events (p = 0.965) and compliance (p = 0.994) were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: VLA therapy demonstrated comparable efficacy and safety to VHA therapy, along with regional differences. An appropriately extended treatment duration may be critical for therapeutic optimization of vonoprazan-amoxicillin treatment.

Vonoprazan-based therapies versus PPI-based therapies in patients with H. pylori infection: Systematic review and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of vonoprazan-amoxicillin (VA), vonoprazan-amoxicillin-clarithromycin (VAC), vonoprazan-based bismuth-containing quadruple therapy (VBQT), and PPI-based triple (PAC) or quadruple therapy (PBQT) for H. pylori infection with the consideration of duration of therapy and amoxicillin dose (H: high; L: low). MATERIALS AND METHODS: PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched for eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) up to December 15, 2023. The efficacy outcome was eradication rate, and safety outcomes included the rates of adverse events and treatment discontinuation. RESULTS: Twenty-seven RCTs were included. The pooled eradication rates were 82.8% for VA, 89.1% for VAC, and 91.8% for VBQT, which increased with the higher amoxicillin frequency of administration and extended duration of therapy within each regimen. There were no significant differences in eradication rate when comparing 7-VA versus 7-VAC and 14-VA versus 14-VAC. VA was at least comparable to PAC. The eradication rate did not differ significantly between 10-H-VA or 14-H-VA versus 14-PBQT. 7-L-VAC demonstrated higher eradication rate versus 7-PAC and comparable rate to 14-PAC. 14-VBQT showed higher eradication rates versus 14-PBQT. The adverse events rate was 19.3% for VA, 30.6% for VAC, and 38.4% for VBQT. VA had similar risk of adverse events versus VAC and significantly fewer adverse events compared to PBQT. The treatment discontinuation rate did not differ significantly between treatments. CONCLUSIONS: The eradication rate of VBQT was the highest at above 90% followed by VAC and VA. VA was as effective as VAC and superior to PPI-based therapies with favorable safety, highlighting the potential of VA therapy as a promising alternative to traditional PPI-based therapies. VPZ-based triple or quadruple therapies was more effective than PPI-based therapies. Further studies are needed to establish the optimal treatment regimen especially in the western countries.

Seven-Day Vonoprazan-Based Triple Therapy as First-Line Helicobacter pylori Treatment in Comparison With Extended Sequential Therapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Vonoprazan, a potassium-competitive acid blocker, has demonstrated greater potency and a longer duration of acid suppression when compared to the proton pump inhibitors. However, data regarding the comparison between vonoprazan-based triple therapy with standard treatment for first-line Helicobacter pylori treatment are limited. This study aimed to compare the efficacy between 7-day vonoprazan-based triple therapy with high-dose amoxicillin (VAC-7) and 14-day extended sequential therapy (S-14). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a single-center prospective randomized controlled trial following a noninferiority design. Subjects over 20 years old with confirmed H. pylori infection were enrolled prospectively from Fu Jen Catholic University Hospital. They were randomly assigned to the VAC-7 or S-14 group. The primary endpoint was the eradication rate in first-line treatment, evaluated by urea breath test, with noninferiority determined using the Farrington-Manning method. The secondary outcome included adverse effect rates and compliance, assessed through self-administered questionnaires. RESULTS: Between December 2021 and June 2023, a total of 628 patients were recruited. The eradication rates by per-protocol analysis and intention-to-treat analysis were 88.6%/81.8% for VAC-7 and 90.3%/81.4% for S-14, respectively. The VAC-7 was non-inferior to S-14 in terms of ITT analysis. Subjects experienced fewer incidences of nausea, anorexia, dizziness, fatigue, and any severe adverse events in the VAC-7 group. Compliance was higher in the VAC-7 group, with 94% taking all the pills correctly. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings supported the use of 7-day vonoprazan triple therapy with high-dose amoxicillin as the standard first-line treatment for H. pylori infection. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05371249.

Vonoprazan-Amoxicillin Dual Therapy With Different Amoxicillin Administration Regimens for Helicobacter pylori Treatment: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: The effect of preprandial or postprandial administration of amoxicillin on the efficacy of vonoprazan-amoxicillin dual therapy (VA-dual therapy) for Helicobacter pylori treatment has not been studied. It is also unclear whether amoxicillin dosing four times daily is more effective than three times daily. We aimed to investigate the effect of different amoxicillin administration regimens on the efficacy of VA-dual therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: H. pylori-infected subjects were randomly assigned to three groups in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive a 14-day dual therapy consisting of vonoprazan 20 mg twice daily + amoxicillin 1000 mg three times daily before meals (BM-TID) or 1000 mg three times daily after meals (AM-TID) or 750 mg four times daily after meals (AM-QID). H. pylori eradication rates, adverse events rates, compliance, and antibiotic resistance were compared. RESULTS: Between May 2021 to April 2023, 327 subjects were enrolled. The eradication rates of BM-TID, AM-TID, and AM-QID dual therapy were 88.1%, 89.9%, and 93.6% in intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis, 90.6%, 94.2%, and 99.0% in modified ITT (MITT) analysis, and 90.4%, 94.1%, and 99.0% in per-protocol (PP) analysis. Although there was non-inferiority between BM-TID and AM-TID, as well as between AM-TID and AM-QID, AM-QID was significantly more effective than BM-TID. There were no significant differences in adverse event rates, compliance, and antibiotic resistance among the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Postprandial administration and the increased frequency of administration of amoxicillin may contribute to a better efficacy of VA-dual therapy, especially for rescue therapy. All VA-dual therapy in our study could achieve good efficacy for first-line treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov: NCT05901051.

The presence of hiatal hernia is a significant predictor for symptomatic recurrence after cessation of vonoprazan therapy for gastroesophageal reflux disease: a long-term observational study.

BACKGROUND: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms frequently recur after cessation of acid blockers. The presence of a hiatal hernia may worsen GERD symptoms and increase the risk of esophageal malignancy. The aim of this study is to clarify the timing and predictors for recurrence of GERD symptoms after cessation of vonoprazan (VPZ) therapy. METHODS: A retrospective observational study involved 86 patients who underwent cessation of VPZ therapy for symptomatic GERD. Collated data from medical record review included the endoscopic findings and Izumo scale score. RESULTS: The mean duration of continuous VPZ therapy before cessation was 7.9 months. GERD symptoms requiring the resumption of VPZ therapy recurred in 66 of 86 patients (77%). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that overall recurrence-free rates at 6 months, one and two years after VPZ cessation were 44%, 32% and 23%, respectively. Alcohol use, the presence of a hiatal hernia and long-term therapy for more than six months were identified as significant positive predictors for symptomatic recurrence. Notably, hiatal hernia had the highest hazard ratio in both univariate and multivariate analyses. The recurrence-free rate in patients with a hiatal hernia was much lower at 6 months than in patients without a hiatal hernia (15% and 51%, respectively p = 0.002). After the symptomatic recurrence, GERD symptoms improved significantly after one-month VPZ therapy. CONCLUSION: The rate of symptomatic recurrence after VPZ cessation in patients with GERD is considerable. Cessation of acid suppression therapy should be cautious in patients with both a hiatal hernia and GERD.

Evaluating vonoprazan and tegoprazan for gastroesophageal reflux disease treatment in Chinese Healthcare: an EVIDEM framework analysis.

BACKGROUND: In Chinese healthcare settings, drug selection decisions are predominantly influenced by the Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee (PTC). This study evaluates two recently introduced potassium-competitive acid blockers, vonoprazan (VPZ) and tegoprazan (TPZ), utilizing the Evidence and Value: Impact on DEcisionMaking (EVIDEM) framework. METHODS: The study employed the 10th edition of EVIDEM, which includes a core model with five domains and 13 criteria. Two independent expert panels were involved: the PTC expert panel, tasked with assigning weights using a 5-point scale, defining scoring indicators, examining the evidence matrix, scoring, and decision-making; and the evidence matrix expert panel, responsible for conducting a systematic literature review, creating the evidence matrix, and evaluating the value contributions of VPZ and TPZ. RESULTS: The analysis estimated the value contributions of VPZ and TPZ to be 0.59 and 0.54, respectively. The domain of 'economic consequences of intervention' showed the most significant variation in value contribution between the two drugs, followed by 'comparative outcomes of intervention' and 'type of benefit of intervention'. CONCLUSION: Employing the EVIDEM framework, VPZ's value contribution was found to be marginally superior to that of TPZ. The EVIDEM framework demonstrates potential for broader application in Chinese medical institutions.

Comparison of vonoprazan and proton pump inhibitors for the treatment of gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection-induced ulcer: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Both vonoprazan and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are currently used to treat artificial ulcers after gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection. However, evidence-based medicine proving the efficacy of vonoprazan is still lacking. Therefore, this meta-analysis aimed to compare the efficacy of vonoprazan and PPIs for the treatment of artificial ulcers after gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection. METHODS: The PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library databases were searched up to September 2023 for related randomized controlled trials (RCTs). RCTs that compared the efficacy of vonoprazan and PPIs in treating artificial gastric ulcers after gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection were included. Two independent reviewers screened the included studies, extracted the data and assessed the risk of bias. The following outcomes were extracted for comparison: ulcer healing rate, ulcer shrinkage rate, delayed postoperative bleeding rate, and ulcer perforation rate. RESULTS: Nine randomized controlled trials involving 926 patients were included. The pooled results showed that vonoprazan had a significantly lower rate of delayed postoperative bleeding than did PPIs (RR = 0.46; 95% CI = 0.23-0.91; P = 0.03). No significant differences were found in terms of ulcer healing, shrinkage rates, or ulcer perforation rates between vonoprazan and PPIs. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with PPIs, vonoprazan is superior at reducing delayed postoperative bleeding after endoscopic submucosal dissection. However, further studies are needed to prove the efficacy of vonoprazan. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: Identifier CRD42024509227.