Human monkeypox outbreak: Epidemiological data and therapeutic potential of topical cidofovir in a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Human monkeypox has become increasingly frequent worldwide since the outbreak was first reported in May 2022. OBJECTIVES: As cidofovir is effective against vaccinia and other Orthopoxvirus diseases, we hypothesize that its topical use could be an effective treatment for monkeypox skin lesions, avoiding the adverse effects of systemic administration. METHODS: We conducted a prospective study to collect data on the clinical and virologic course of patients with monkeypox. All patients were offered symptomatic treatment. They were also offered treatment with topical cidofovir on a compassionate use basis. Twelve patients received treatment with topical cidofovir 1%, while the others received only symptomatic treatment. Prospective visits were scheduled for the collection of clinical and virological data. RESULTS: Lesions cleared quicker in the cidofovir-treated group (hazard ratio, 4.572; P = .0039). The median time to resolution was 12 (11.5-15) and 18 (16-21) days, respectively. On day 14, polymerase chain reaction-positive skin lesions were detected in 10% of the cidofovir sample, compared with 62.5% of the non-treated group (P = .019). Local adverse effects were frequent (50%), especially in the anogenital region. No systemic adverse effects were reported. LIMITATIONS: The study is not a clinical trial and lacks a placebo-controlled arm. DISCUSSION: Topical cidofovir is a potentially relevant therapy in patients with skin lesions but mild systemic involvement. Reducing time to resolution could shorten isolation time and improve the cosmetic impact in areas such as the face.

Daily tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine and hydroxychloroquine for pre-exposure prophylaxis of COVID-19: a double-blind placebo-controlled randomized trial in healthcare workers.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) as pre-exposure prophylaxis on COVID-19 risk. METHODS: EPICOS is a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial conducted in Spain, Bolivia, and Venezuela. Healthcare workers with negative SARS-CoV-2 IgM/IgG test were randomly assigned to the following: daily TDF/FTC plus HCQ for 12 weeks, TDF/FTC plus HCQ placebo, HCQ plus TDF/FTC placebo, and TDF/FTC placebo plus HCQ placebo. Randomization was performed in groups of four. Primary outcome was laboratory-confirmed, symptomatic COVID-19. We also studied any (symptomatic or asymptomatic) COVID-19. We compared group-specific 14-week risks via differences and ratios with 95% CIs. RESULTS: Of 1002 individuals screened, 926 (92.4%) were eligible and there were 14 cases of symptomatic COVID-19: 220 were assigned to the TDF/FTC plus HCQ group (3 cases), 231 to the TDF/FTC placebo plus HCQ group (3 cases), 233 to the TDF/FTC plus HCQ placebo group (3 cases), and 223 to the double placebo group (5 cases). Compared with the double placebo group, 14-week risk ratios (95% CI) of symptomatic COVID-19 were 0.39 (0.00-1.98) for TDF + HCQ, 0.34 (0.00-2.06) for TDF, and 0.49 (0.00-2.29) for HCQ. Corresponding risk ratios of any COVID-19 were 0.51 (0.21-1.00) for TDF + HCQ, 0.81 (0.44-1.49) for TDF, and 0.73 (0.41-1.38) for HCQ. Adverse events were generally mild. DISCUSSION: The target sample size was not met. Our findings are compatible with both benefit and harm of pre-exposure prophylaxis with TDF/FTC and HCQ, alone or in combination, compared with placebo.

BILATERAL UVEITIS AND HYPOTONY FOLLOWING TREATMENT WITH TOPICAL CIDOFOVIR.

PURPOSE: To report a case of bilateral uveitis and hypotony associated with topical cidofovir treatment. METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: A 59-year-old diabetic man with HIV/AIDS presented with photophobia, ocular pain, and decreased vision. He was found to have bilateral hypotony, anterior uveitis, and serous choroidal detachments. Infectious disease workup, patient-reported history, and review of the patient's electronic medication list did not identify the etiology. Treatment with intensive topical corticosteroids led to resolution of uveitis and choroidal effusions within 3 months and resolution of hypotony within 9 months. Two years after his initial presentation, the patient developed acute recurrence of bilateral hypotony, anterior uveitis, and serous choroidal detachments shortly after intravenous cidofovir treatment. Careful reevaluation of the patient's outside medical records revealed that he had initiated treatment for rectal herpes simplex virus with compounded topical cidofovir one month before his initial presentation. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of topical cidofovir causing ocular toxicity. Compounded and topical medications, like cidofovir in this case, may not appear on a patient's electronic medication list, so a focused review of outside medical records may be beneficial when a particular medication toxicity is suspected.

Daily low dose intravesical cidofovir for the treatment of BK virus associated hemorrhagic cystitis after allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: BK virus associated hemorrhagic cystitis(BKV-AHC) is a serious complication observed after allogeneic stem cell transplantation and the current therapeutic options are scarce with substantial renal side effects. Although the guidelines recommend intravenous cidofovir application with caution to nephrotoxicity, there are few studies which investigated intravesical administration and reported similar therapeutic results with less renal side effects. METHODS: We administered low dose, daily and consecutive (75 mg/day, for 5 days) intravesical cidofovir to 25 patients with BKV-AHC that developed after (ASCT). RESULTS: The response rate in our cohort was 92% and relapse was not encountered in 84% of the patient population during one year of follow-up. The median BK urine viral load significantly decreased from 260,000,000 IU/mL to 53,000,000 IU/mL after a week of treatment (p = 0.0001). Rise in serum creatinine was observed in 5 patients during treatment and post-treatment nephrotoxicity was seen in only 1 patient. CONCLUSIONS: Daily low dose intravesical cidofovir might be an effective treatment option for BKV-AHC after ASCT with favorable less systemic side effects.

Cidofovir-induced anterior uveitis in an allogeneic stem cell transplant recipient.

Anterior uveitis is a reported complication of intravenous cidofovir, almost exclusively described in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients treated for cytomegalovirus retinitis. In this study, we report the case of an allogeneic stem cell transplant recipient with significant visual impairment and hypotony following administration of high-dose intravenous cidofovir for hemorrhagic cystitis due to BK virus.

Selatogrel: A Novel Subcutaneous P2Y12 Inhibitor.

ABSTRACT: The use of a P2Y12 inhibitor as a component of dual antiplatelet therapy in patients with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is well established. However, the P2Y12 inhibitors currently available have pharmacokinetic limitations due to delayed absorption, lack of enteral access for administration with oral formulations, need for intravenous access with cangrelor, or need for metabolization to be ideal in the critical 3-hour window during an ACS. Selatogrel is a novel, potent, reversible, and selective 2-phenylprimdine-4-carboxamide administered subcutaneously under development. Results from preclinical, phase 1, and phase 2 trials have confirmed that the agent provides sustained and reversible P2Y12 platelet inhibition with an acceptable safety profile. The most commonly reported adverse effects include minor bleeding and dyspnea. Phase 3 trials are being designed to understand the critical role this agent can play in upstream management of patients with ACS including a more defined understanding of the adverse effect profile, how to transition from this agent to an oral agent, who will be administering, and does this agent allow for a safe and quick transition to coronary artery bypass graft surgery if needed. Should it obtain approval, selatogrel has the potential to provide a unique and advantageous mechanism for P2Y12 inhibition.

Safety and efficacy of intravenously administered cidofovir in adult haematopoietic cell transplant recipients: a retrospective multicentre cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of cidofovir for the treatment of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) viral infections following allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplant (HCT). METHODS: This was a retrospective multicentre cohort study including adult HCT recipients who received ≥1 dose of IV-administered cidofovir for any dsDNA viral infection from 2006 to 2019. The objectives were to describe the rate of and risk factors for nephrotoxicity and virological response by the end of treatment (EOT). RESULTS: We included 165 patients from nine centres. Cidofovir was administered at 5 mg/kg/week (N = 115; 69.7%), 1 mg/kg/week (18; 10.9%), 3 mg/kg/week (12; 7.3%) or 1 mg/kg three times/week (11; 6.7%). Cidofovir was administered for adenovirus, cytomegalovirus (CMV) and BK virus infection in 75 (45.5%), 64 (38.8%) and 51 (30.9%) patients, respectively. Among 158 patients with renal function data at baseline and EOT, 40 (25.3%) developed nephrotoxicity. In multivariable analyses, age (OR 1.04; P = 0.05), weight (OR 1.05; P = 0.01), CMV infection (OR 3.6; P = 0.02), liposomal amphotericin B (OR 8.06; P = 0.05) and IV voriconazole/posaconazole (OR 13.0; P = 0.003) were predictors of nephrotoxicity. Creatinine concentration was significantly higher at EOT (1.16 ±â€Š0.95 mg/dL) compared with baseline (0.91 ±â€Š0.39 mg/dL; P < 0.001), but improved by 2 weeks (0.91 ±â€Š0.84 mg/dL; P = 0.007) and 4 weeks (0.96 ±â€Š0.89 mg/dL; P = 0.03) post-EOT. Median viral load significantly declined for patients with adenovirus DNAaemia by EOT (P < 0.0001) and for patients with CMV DNAaemia by EOT + 4 weeks (P = 0.003), but not for patients with BK virus DNAaemia. CONCLUSIONS: One in four HCT recipients treated with IV cidofovir developed largely reversible nephrotoxicity. Careful selection of patients and close follow-up of renal function may minimize toxicity.

Long-term safety and efficacy of emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide vs emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate for HIV-1 pre-exposure prophylaxis: week 96 results from a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial.

BACKGROUND: In DISCOVER, a multinational, randomised controlled trial, emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide compared with emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate showed non-inferior efficacy for HIV prevention and improved bone mineral density and renal safety biomarkers at week 48. We report outcomes analysed after all participants had completed 96 weeks of follow-up. METHODS: This study is an ongoing, randomised, double-blind, multicentre, active-controlled, phase 3, non-inferiority trial done at 94 community, public health, and hospital-associated clinics located in Europe and North America. Adult cisgender men and transgender women who have sex with men, both with a high risk of acquiring HIV as determined by self-reported sexual behaviour or recent sexually transmitted infections, were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide (200/25 mg) tablets daily, with matched placebo tablets (emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide group), or emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (200/300 mg) tablets daily, with matched placebo tablets (emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate group). The primary efficacy outcome was incident HIV infection. Incidence of HIV-1 infection per 100 person-years was assessed when the last participant had completed 96 weeks of follow-up. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02842086. FINDINGS: Between Sept 13, 2016, and June 30, 2017, 5387 participants were randomly assigned to receive emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide (n=2694) or emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (n=2693), contributing 10 081 person-years of follow-up. At 96 weeks of follow-up, there were eight HIV infections in participants who had received emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide (0·16 infections per 100 person-years [95% CI 0·07-0·31]) and 15 in participants who had received emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (0·30 infections per 100 person-years [0·17-0·49]). Emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide maintained its non-inferiority to emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate for HIV prevention (IRR 0·54 [95% CI 0·23-1·26]). Approximately 78-82% of participants reported taking study medication more than 95% of the time across all study visits. Rates of sexually transmitted infections remained high and similar across groups (21 cases per 100 person-years for rectal gonorrhoea and 28 cases per 100 person-years for rectal chlamydia). Emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide continued to show superiority over emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate in all but one of the six prespecified bone mineral density and renal biomarkers. There was more weight gain among participants who had received emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide (median weight gain 1·7 kg vs 0·5 kg, p<0·0001). INTERPRETATION: Emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide is safe and effective for longer-term pre-exposure prophylaxis in cisgender men and transgender women who have sex with men. FUNDING: Gilead Sciences.

Insights from In Vitro and Clinical Data to Guide Transition from the Novel P2Y12 Antagonist Selatogrel to Clopidogrel, Prasugrel, and Ticagrelor.

Reduced pharmacodynamic (PD) effects of irreversible oral P2Y12 receptor antagonists have been reported when administered during cangrelor infusion. Therefore, the PD interaction liability of the novel P2Y12 receptor antagonist selatogrel with irreversible (i.e., clopidogrel, prasugrel) and reversible (i.e., ticagrelor) oral P2Y12 receptor antagonists was investigated in vitro and in healthy subjects. In vitro, selatogrel reduced the effects of clopidogrel and prasugrel in a concentration-dependent manner, while additive effects were observed for the combination of selatogrel and ticagrelor. Accordingly, a single-center, randomized, double-blind, two-way crossover study was conducted consisting of six groups. In each group (N = 12), an open-label loading dose of 300 or 600 mg clopidogrel, 60 mg prasugrel, or 180 mg ticagrelor was administered 30 minutes (i.e., at t max of selatogrel) or 12 hours after a single subcutaneous dose of 16 mg selatogrel or placebo. Inhibition of platelet aggregation (IPA) was assessed at various time points up to 48 hours. Reduced IPA was determined when clopidogrel or prasugrel was administered 30 minutes after selatogrel (∼40 and 70% lower IPA, respectively, at 24 hours postdosing). However, when administering prasugrel 12 hours after selatogrel, IPA was not impacted (>90% IPA) and in the case of clopidogrel reduced effects were partially mitigated. Similar IPA was determined for ticagrelor when administered 30 minutes after selatogrel or placebo. In conclusion, reduced IPA was observed for clopidogrel and prasugrel when administered after selatogrel, which can be mitigated by applying an appropriate time interval. No PD interaction with ticagrelor was observed.

Organophosphorus compounds and oximes: a critical review.

Organophosphorus (OP) pesticides and nerve agents still pose a threat to the population. Treatment of OP poisoning is an ongoing challenge and burden for medical services. Standard drug treatment consists of atropine and an oxime as reactivator of OP-inhibited acetylcholinesterase and is virtually unchanged since more than six decades. Established oximes, i.e. pralidoxime, obidoxime, TMB-4, HI-6 and MMB-4, are of insufficient effectiveness in some poisonings and often cover only a limited spectrum of the different nerve agents and pesticides. Moreover, the value of oximes in human OP pesticide poisoning is still disputed. Long-lasting research efforts resulted in the preparation of countless experimental oximes, and more recently non-oxime reactivators, intended to replace or supplement the established and licensed oximes. The progress of this development is slow and none of the novel compounds appears to be suitable for transfer into advanced development or into clinical use. This situation calls for a critical analysis of the value of oximes as mainstay of treatment as well as the potential and limitations of established and novel reactivators. Requirements for a straightforward identification of superior reactivators and their development to licensed drugs need to be addressed as well as options for interim solutions as a chance to improve the therapy of OP poisoning in a foreseeable time frame.

Osteomalacia and renal failure due to Fanconi syndrome caused by long-term low-dose Adefovir Dipivoxil: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Progressive bone pain and fracture and abnormal positron emission tomography combined with a computed tomography are main reasons for the oncologists suspecting bone tumor. During the patient's medical treatment, the oncologists' unfamiliarity with adverse reactions to anti-HBV drugs were main reason for the long-term exposure to the drug and the adverse reaction (ADR) experienced by the patient. CASE PRESENTATION: A 63-year-old Chinese man had a 27-month history of progressive generalized bone pain combined with spontaneous fractures. Positron emission tomography combined with a computed tomography, revealed an abnormal increase in ribose metabolism and low positron serum inorganic phosphorus concentration (0.7; 0.78-1.65 mmol/L). Serum creatinine level was 252 µmol/L (53-97) µmol/L, and glomerular filtration rate was 22.79 mL/min/1.73 m2. The patient was referred to a multidisciplinary clinic to clarify the diagnosis of myeloma or bone tumor for further treatment in 2017. His medical history revealed that he had a 30-year history of chronic hepatitis B infection. He had received lamivudine at a daily dose of 100 mg for 19 years (1990 to 2009), which had been changed to adefovir (10 mg/day) owing to lamivudine resistance in 2009. Based on the changes in the patient's laboratory markers and the results of emission computed tomography and other radiographic findings, adefovir-induced hypophosphatemic osteomalacia due to acquired renal Fanconi syndrome was suspected by the clinical pharmacist. Considerable clinical improvement was observed after adefovir discontinuation and the administration of entecavir (1.0 mg, every other day). CONCLUSION: Fanconi syndrome with osteomalacia can develop in patients with chronic hepatitis B infection being treated with adefovir at a conventional low dosage of 10 mg/day. This case highlights the importance of ADR as a differential diagnosis and the need of pharmacists with drug safety expertise expert in the patient management.

Retrospective analysis of the clinical characteristics of adefovir dipivoxil-induced Fanconi's syndrome in the Chinese population.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical characteristics of adefovir dipivoxil-induced Fanconi's syndrome in the Chinese population and provide a reference for rational drug use in the clinic. METHODS: By searching the CNKI, Wanfang, Chinese VIP, PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Knowledge, Ovid, Elsevier and SpringerLink databases during 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2019, 78 studies of ADV-induced Fanconi's syndrome involving a total of 110 patients were collected and analysed retrospectively. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Prolonged usage of adefovir dipivoxil at low doses to treat hepatitis B might cause Fanconi's syndrome as the first symptom, especially for use over 12 months.The main clinical manifestation was bone pain accompanied by hypophosphataemia, elevated alkaline phosphatase (ALP), urine glycosuria and urine protein. X-rays and bone mineral density (BMD) examinations were mainly used to characterized osteoporosis. The patients had pain relief within 1 week to 1 month, and the biochemical indicators returned to normal within from 2 to 4 months. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: Sufficient attention is required before and during exposure to long-term ADV therapy. The clinical picture, laboratory and radiograph alterations are important clues for ADV-induced Fanconi's syndrome.

Brincidofovir: understanding its unique profile and potential role against adenovirus and other viral infections.

Brincidofovir (BCV) is a lipid conjugate of cidofovir with good oral bioavailability, enabling optimal intracellular levels of the active drug. Lower rates of nephrotoxicity and myelotoxicity make it a favorable alternative. Despite a greater safety profile among pediatric hematopoietic cell transplant recipients, the oral formulation has been associated with increased gastrointestinal toxicity in adult hematopoietic cell transplant recipients. Oral BCV continues to be developed as a countermeasure against smallpox, while a potentially safer intravenous preparation has been out licensed to another company. BCV has demonstrated great in vitro potency against double-stranded DNA viruses, especially adenovirus. Because of its importance for immunocompromised patients, this review aims to evaluate BCV's clinical and safety profile to support its continued development.

Mitochondrial toxicity and body shape changes during nucleos(t)ide analogues administration in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Our study purpose was to evaluate mitochondrial (mt)DNA and RNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and body shape changes (BSC) in HBV-infected patients. mtDNA and mtRNA were measured in PBMCs. The presence of BSC was evaluated through a questionnaire and clinical evaluation. A total of 157 subjects were enrolled, of these 107 were HBV-infected patients, 54 receiving nucleoside analogues (NAs, Group A), 53 naive to antivirals (Group B) and 50 age-sex matched controls (Group C). All HBV-treated patients had negative HBV-DNA. Twenty (37,0%) received lamivudine + adefovir, 20 (37.0%) tenofovir, 2 (3.7%) lamivudine and 12 (22.2%) entecavir. Therapy median duration was 38 months (IQR 20-60) in NA-treated patients. Group A showed significantly higher mtDNA/nuclear (n) DNA ratio (p = 0.000008) compared to Group C and Group B (p = 0.002). Group B showed significantly higher mtDNA/nDNA ratio compared to Group C (p = 0.017). Group A and B had significantly lower mtRNA/nRNA ratio compared to Group C (p = 0.00003 and p = 0.00006, respectively). Tenofovir and entecavir showed less impact compared to lamivudine + adefovir. mtDNA/nDNA ratio positively (Rho = 0.34, p < 0.05) and mtRNA/nRNA ratio negatively (Rho = -0.34, p < 0.05) correlated with therapy duration. BSC were significantly more frequent in Group A [10/54 (18.5%)] compared to Group B [3/53 (5.6%, p = 0.04)] and Group C [0/50, (p = 0.0009)]. In conclusion, long-term NA therapy was associated both to mitochondrial toxicity and BSC, showing significant differences in mtDNA and mtRNA levels. Tenofovir and entecavir showed lower impact on alterations, compared to 1st generation NA.