Efficacy and safety of add-on mirogabalin to conventional therapy for the treatment of peripheral neuropathic pain after thoracic surgery: the multicenter, randomized, open-label ADMIT-NeP study.

BACKGROUND: For chronic pain after thoracic surgery, optimal timing of its diagnosis and effective treatment remains unresolved, although several treatment options are currently available. We examined the efficacy and safety of mirogabalin, in combination with conventional pain therapy (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and/or acetaminophen), for treating peripheral neuropathic pain (NeP) after thoracic surgery. METHODS: In this multicenter, randomized, open-label, parallel-group study, patients with peripheral NeP were randomly assigned 1:1 to mirogabalin as add-on to conventional therapy or conventional treatment alone. RESULTS: Of 131 patients of consent obtained, 128 were randomized (mirogabalin add-on group, 63 patients; conventional treatment group, 65 patients). The least squares mean changes (95% confidence interval [CI]) in Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score for pain intensity at rest from baseline to Week 8 (primary endpoint) were - 51.3 (- 54.9, - 47.7) mm in the mirogabalin add-on group and - 47.7 (- 51.2, - 44.2) mm in the conventional group (between-group difference: - 3.6 [95% CI: - 8.7, 1.5], P = 0.161). However, in patients with Self-administered Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (S-LANSS) score (used for the screening of NeP) ≥ 12 at baseline, the greater the S-LANSS score at baseline, the greater the decrease in VAS score in the mirogabalin add-on group, while no such trend was observed in the conventional treatment group (post hoc analysis). This between-group difference in trends was statistically significant (interaction P value = 0.014). Chronic pain was recorded in 7.9% vs. 16.9% of patients (P = 0.171) at Week 12 in the mirogabalin add-on vs. conventional treatment groups, respectively. Regarding activities of daily living (ADL) and quality of life (QOL), changes in Pain Disability Assessment Scale score and the EQ-5D-5L index value from baseline to Week 8 showed significant improvement in the mirogabalin add-on group vs. conventional treatment group (P < 0.001). The most common adverse events (AEs) in the mirogabalin add-on group were dizziness (12.7%), somnolence (7.9%), and urticaria (3.2%). Most AEs were mild or moderate in severity. CONCLUSIONS: Addition of mirogabalin to conventional therapy did not result in significant improvement in pain intensity based on VAS scores, but did result in significant improvement in ADL and QOL in patients with peripheral NeP after thoracic surgery. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Japan Registry of Clinical Trials jRCTs071200053 (registered 17/11/2020).

Efficacy and safety of mirogabalin for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: a prospective single-arm trial (MiroCIP study).

BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a painful, dose-limiting adverse effect of commonly used chemotherapeutic agents. The purpose of this exploratory study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of mirogabalin in patients with moderate to severe CIPN during chemotherapy and the effects of 12 weeks' intervention on chemotherapy completion and CIPN severity. METHODS: Patients experiencing moderate to severe CIPN while undergoing oxaliplatin- or taxane-containing chemotherapy for colorectal, gastric, non-small-cell lung, or breast cancer received mirogabalin at between 5 and 15 mg twice daily. The primary endpoint was change in numeric rating scale (NRS) score for pain from baseline to week 12. Secondary endpoints included NRS scores for tingling and sleep, completion of chemotherapy, severity of CIPN, and quality of life (QOL) scores. The safety endpoint was incidence of adverse events. RESULTS: Of 58 patients who consented to participation, 52 were eligible and constituted the full analysis set and safety analysis set. From baseline to week 12 (last observation carried forward [LOCF]), NRS score decreased by 30.9%: mean change (95% confidence interval [CI]), - 1.7 (- 2.4 to - 1.0) (p < 0.001). Patients with baseline NRS of ≥ 6 experienced a 44.0% reduction in score from baseline to week 12 (LOCF): mean change (95% CI), - 3.3 (- 5.0 to - 1.5) (p = 0.002). Chemotherapy was discontinued in 18 (34.6%) patients; CIPN led to discontinuation in only 2 (3.8%). There was no notable worsening of CIPN severity in terms of Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events grade or Modified Total Neuropathy Score-reduced, although use of pain medications during chemotherapy might cause worsening of CIPN due to underestimation of subjective symptoms. QOL score based on the EuroQol five-dimensional descriptive system did not worsen during the 12 weeks. Thirty-one percent of patients experienced adverse drug reactions, and the most common event was somnolence (13.5%). Serious adverse events and death occurred in 3 patients and 1 patient, respectively; however, they were unrelated to mirogabalin treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Intervention with mirogabalin during chemotherapy may be effective and safe for cancer patients with moderate to severe CIPN. It can contribute to completion of chemotherapy without worsening of CIPN. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (jRCTs031210101, registered 20/5/2021).

The safety and efficacy of the long-acting neuraminidase inhibitor laninamivir octanoate hydrate for Inhalation Suspension Set in children under the age of 5 in a post-marketing surveillance.

INTRODUCTION: We conducted a post-marketing surveillance of laninamivir octanoate hydrate for Inhalation Suspension Set in patients under the age of 5 infected with the influenza virus to evaluate safety and efficacy of the drug. METHODS: Subjects enrolled by the centralized enrollment system were administered laninamivir once using a nebulizer based on the package insert. RESULTS: Safety was evaluated in 1104 patients. The incidence of ADRs was 1.00% (11/1104). Compared to the incidence of ADRs of 2.04% (9/441) in the clinical trials for development, no increase in the frequency of ADRs was noted. Serious ADRs were noted in 3 patients (5 cases): 2 cases of convulsive attack, each 1 case of muscular weakness, a depressed level of consciousness, and pain in extremities. Excluding 2 patients with unknown outcomes, all of the patients recovered or their symptoms were alleviated. To detect risk factors for the occurrence of ADRs, 16 attributes were examined, and none of them were found to be significant. Efficacy was evaluated in 881 patients. The median time (95% CI) to fever resolution was 37.0 (33.0-39.0) h in type A virus (785 patients), 45.0 (34.0-56.0) h in type B virus (95 patients), and 22.0 h (1 patient) in the mixed type. This was similar to the time to fever resolution in the clinical trials. CONCLUSION: The results of this surveillance verified that there are no noticeable problems with the safety or efficacy of laninamivir for children under the age of 5 infected with the influenza A and B viruses.

Novel concentration-QTc models for early clinical studies with parallel placebo controls: A simulation study.

The QTc interval of the electrocardiogram is a pharmacodynamic biomarker for drug-induced cardiac toxicity. The ICH E14 guideline Questions and Answers offer a solution for evaluating a concentration-QTc relationship in early clinical studies as an alternative to conducting a thorough QT/QTc study. We focused on covariance structures of QTc intervals on the baseline day and dosing day (two-day covariance structure,) and proposed a two-day QTc model to analyze a concentration-QTc relationship for placebo-controlled parallel phase 1 single ascending dose studies. The proposed two-day QTc model is based on a constrained longitudinal data analysis model and a mixed effects model, thus allowing various variance components to capture the two-day covariance structure. We also propose a one-day QTc model for the situation where no baseline day or only a pre-dose baseline is available and models for multiple ascending dose studies where concentration and QTc intervals are available over multiple days. A simulation study shows that the proposed models control the false negative rate for positive drugs and have both higher accuracy and power for negative drugs than existing models in a variety of settings for the two-day covariance structure. The proposed models will promote early and accurate evaluation of the cardiac safety of new drugs.

Prasugrel for Japanese Patients With Ischemic Heart Disease in Long-Term Clinical Practice (PRASFIT-Practice II)　- Final 2-Year Follow-up Results of a Postmarketing Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: PRASFIT-Practice II is a postmarketing observational study conducted in 4,155 Japanese patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) who received long-term prasugrel. The data were used to assess the utility of Academic Research Consortium for High Bleeding Risk (ARC-HBR) criteria.Methods and Results:Patients in PRASFIT-practice II were clinically followed for 2 years. The primary endpoint was the cumulative incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) major/minor bleeding. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on ARC-HBR criteria (HBR (40.1% of patients) and non-HBR (59.9%)) and the effect of HBR on the primary endpoint was assessed. The median duration of dual antiplatelet therapy with prasugrel was 391.0 days. At 2 years, the cumulative incidence of MACE was 3.3%, and of TIMI major/minor bleeding was 2.7%. At 1 year, MACE and TIMI major/minor bleeding in the HBR group (4.0% and 3.4%, respectively) were higher than that in the non-HBR group (1.3% for both). Landmark analysis at 3 months and 1 year showed that the higher risk of MACE or TIMI major/minor bleeding in the HBR group persisted through 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study confirmed the safety and effectiveness of long-term treatment with prasugrel, and demonstrated that the ARC-HBR criteria for bleeding risk are applicable in Japanese IHD patients treated with prasugrel.

Safety and Effectiveness of Edoxaban in Japanese Patients With Venous Thromboembolism　- An Interim Analysis of Data From a Japanese Postmarketing Observational Study (ETNA-VTE-Japan).

BACKGROUND: ETNA-VTE-Japan is an ongoing prospective observational study conducted as part of a postmarketing observational study to investigate the safety and effectiveness of edoxaban in Japanese patients for whom the drug has been newly prescribed to treat venous thromboembolism (VTE) and prevent VTE recurrence. The results of an interim analysis of data collected at 3 months are presented.Methods and Results:A total of 1,732 patients were enrolled. The safety and effectiveness analyses included data from 1,703 and 1,699 patients, respectively. In the safety analysis set, 39.4% of patients were aged ≥75 years, 58.2% had body weight ≤60 kg, and 22.2% had creatinine clearance <50 mL/min. Approximately 90% of patients received a dose in accordance with the package insert. Approximately 80% of patients continued treatment; the mean treatment period was 74.5 days. The incidence of bleeding adverse events and major bleeding was 6.3% and 1.4%, respectively. The incidence of VTE recurrence and symptomatic VTE recurrence in the on-treatment population was 0.8% and 0.4%, respectively. Safety and effectiveness profiles of edoxaban in patients receiving the low dose (30 mg/day), generally administered to patients with high bleeding risk, were similar to those of the standard dose (60 mg/day). CONCLUSIONS: The results confirm no major concerns about the safety and effectiveness of edoxaban in Japanese patients with VTE in the first 3 months of treatment. (Trial registration No.: UMIN000016387.).

Prasugrel for Japanese Patients With Ischemic Heart Disease in Long-Term Clinical Practice (PRASFIT-Practice II)　- 1-Year Follow-up Results of a Postmarketing Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Although the effectiveness and safety of prasugrel for the prevention of cardiovascular events in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have been demonstrated, long-term real-world data of Japanese unique doses are insufficient. Therefore, we report the results of an analysis of 1-year follow-up data from a postmarketing observational study (PRASFIT-Practice II).Methods and Results:The safety and effectiveness analysis sets included 4,155 IHD patients receiving prasugrel (loading dose/maintenance dose, 20/3.75 mg) as dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with aspirin. At 360 days (after treatment start), 62.2% continued DAPT. Cumulative incidences of major adverse cardiovascular events and stent thrombosis were 1.6% and 0.2%, respectively. Cumulative incidences of Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) major bleeding and TIMI major or minor bleeding were 1.0% and 2.0%, respectively. Risk factors for TIMI major or minor bleeding in the first 30 days of treatment were age ≥80 years, anemia, female sex, and liver disease, and from day 31 to the end of month 12, hypertension and peptic ulcer. CONCLUSIONS: The 1-year follow-up results showed long-term effectiveness and safety of prasugrel at dosages approved in Japan for the treatment of IHD patients undergoing PCI.

Prasugrel for Japanese Patients With Ischemic Heart Disease in Long-Term Clinical Practice (PRASFIT-Practice II)　- A 3-Month Interim Analysis of a Postmarketing Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: A unique dose of prasugrel has been approved exclusively for Japanese patients, but real-world data for prasugrel at that dose in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) are limited. Therefore, large-scale, real-world data are needed. Methods and Results: A 2-year observational study of Japanese patients with IHD undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention and being treated with prasugrel to evaluate safety and effectiveness. This report is an interim analysis of data from case report forms (CRFs) after 3 months. CRFs were collected from 4,270 patients, 4,157 of whom were eligible for the safety and effectiveness analysis sets (mean age, 68.3 years; male, 76.5%). The median treatment period was 112 days, and 92.3% of patients continued treatment with prasugrel. The incidence of non-coronary artery bypass grafting-related bleeding adverse events (AEs) was 3.1%, of which Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) major and minor bleeding accounted for 0.5% and 0.6%, respectively. The most common bleeding AEs were gastrointestinal disorders, which accounted for 43.2% of the sum of "TIMI major and minor bleeding AEs". The incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) was 1.0%, and the cumulative incidence of MACE was 1.4%. The incidence of stent thrombosis was 0.2%. CONCLUSIONS: Interim study results indicated that prasugrel was safe and effective during the early phase of treatment in Japanese patients with IHD in real-world clinical settings.

In vitro neuraminidase inhibitory concentration (IC50) of four neuraminidase inhibitors in the Japanese 2016-17 season: Comparison with the 2010-11 to 2015-16 seasons.

To assess the extent of susceptibility to the four most commonly used neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs) in the viruses epidemic in the 2016-17 Japanese influenza season, we measured the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of these NAIs for influenza virus isolates from patients and compared them with the results from the 2010-11 to 2015-16 seasons. Viral isolation was done with specimens obtained prior to treatment, and the type and subtype was determined by RT-PCR using type- and subtype-specific primers. The IC50 was determined by a neuraminidase inhibition assay using a fluorescent substrate. A total of 276 virus isolates, 6 A (H1N1)pdm09 (2.2%), 249 A (H3N2) (90.2%), and 21 B (7.6%), had the IC50 measured for the four NAIs. B isolates included 11 (52.4%), 9 (42.9%), and one (4.8%) of the Victoria, Yamagata, and undetermined strains, respectively. No A (H1N1)pdm09 with highly reduced sensitivity for oseltamivir was found in the 2016-17 season. No isolate with highly reduced sensitivity to the four NAIs have been found for A (H3N2) or B from the 2010-11 to 2016-17 seasons. No significant trend of increase or decrease was found in the geometric mean IC50s of the four NAIs during the seven studied seasons. These results indicate that the sensitivity to the four commonly used NAIs has been maintained and that any change in the effectiveness of these NAIs would be minute. Common usage of NAIs for patient treatment has not been a driving force in the selection of NAI resistant viruses.

Duration of fever and other symptoms after the inhalation of laninamivir octanoate hydrate in the 2016/17 Japanese influenza season; comparison with the 2011/12 to 2015/16 seasons.

The duration of fever and symptoms after laninamivir octanoate hydrate (laninamivir) inhalation were investigated in the Japanese 2016/17 influenza season and the results were compared with those of the 2011/12 to 2015/16 seasons. A total of 1278 patients were evaluated for the duration of fever and symptoms in the six studied seasons. In the 2016/17 season, the influenza types/subtypes of the patients were 6 A (H1N1)pdm09 (2.9%), 183 A (H3N2) (87.6%), and 20 B (9.6%). The respective median durations of fever for A (H1N1)pdm09, A (H3N2), and B were 38.0, 33.0, and 38.5 h, without significant difference (p = 0.9201), and the median durations of symptoms were 86.5, 73.0, and 99.0 h, with significant difference (p = 0.0342). The median durations of fever and symptoms after laninamivir inhalation were quite consistent for the six studied seasons for A (H1N1)pdm09, A (H3N2), and B, without any significant differences. The percentage of patients with unresolved fever patients displayed a similar pattern through the six studied seasons for all these virus types. There was no significant difference in the duration of fever or symptoms between the Victoria and Yamagata lineages in the 2016/17 season and those of the previous studied seasons. Over the seasons tested, ten adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were reported from 1341 patients. The most frequent ADR was diarrhea and all ADRs were self-resolving and not serious. These results indicate the continuing clinical effectiveness of laninamivir against influenza A (H1N1)pdm09, A (H3N2), and B, with no safety issues.

Spread of viral infection to family members from influenza patients treated with a neuraminidase inhibitor.

We compared the incidence rates of household secondary infection among influenza patients prescribed laninamivir, oseltamivir, or zanamivir (neuraminidase inhibitors), based on health-insurance claims data owned by Japan Medical Data Center (JMDC) which was consisting of medical information on patients who were prescribed an anti-influenza drug and their family members between October 2010 and July 2011. The date when an index case patient was prescribed laninamivir, oseltamivir or zanamivir for the first time was defined as "Day 1". If other members in the same family were prescribed laninamivir, oseltamivir, zanamivir, or peramivir during Days 3-8, we assumed any household secondary infection had occurred. The incidence rate was 11.0%, 14.3%, and 11.6% in index case patients prescribed laninamivir, oseltamivir, and zanamivir, respectively. The results of the logistic regression analysis revealed a significant difference between laninamivir and oseltamivir, while no significant difference was observed between laninamivir and zanamivir.

[Multicenter trial for optimization of bolus tracking settings and contrast material injection protocol in arterial dominant phase of dynamic computed tomography for diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma].

Alongside current improvements in the performance of computer tomography (CT) systems, there has been an increase in the use of bolus tracking (BT) to acquire arterial dominant phase images for dynamic CT at optimal timing for characterization of liver focal lesions. However, optimal BT settings have not been established. In the present study, methods of contrast enhancement and BT setting values were evaluated using a multicenter post-marketing surveillance study on contrast media used in patients with chronic hepatitis and/or cirrhosis who had undergone liver dynamic CT for diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma, conducted by Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd. The results suggested the contrast injection method to be clinically useful if the amount of iodine per kilogram of body weight is set at 600 mg/kg and the injection duration at 30 s. To achieve a good arterial dominant scan under conditions where the injection duration is fixed at 30 s or the average injection duration is 34 s using the fixed injection rate method, the scan delay time should ideally to be set to longer than 13 s. If using the BT method, we recommend that the BT settings should be revalidated in reference to our results.

Antihypertensive effect of esaxerenone and correlation between brachial and wrist home monitoring devices in patients with nocturnal hypertension: A post hoc analysis of the EARLY-NH study.

Adequate management of nocturnal hypertension is crucial to reduce the risk of organ damage and cardiovascular events. The EARLY-NH study was a prospective, open-label, multicenter study conducted in Japanese patients with nocturnal hypertension who received esaxerenone treatment for 12 weeks. This post hoc analysis aimed to assess (1) the relationship between changes in morning home systolic blood pressure (SBP), bedtime home SBP, and nighttime home SBP based on changes in SBP and achievement rates of target SBP levels; and (2) the correlation between nighttime home SBP measurements using brachial and wrist home BP monitoring (HBPM) devices. This analysis evaluated 82 patients who completed the 12-week treatment period. Among those who achieved target morning home SBP (<135 mmHg) and target bedtime home SBP (<135 mmHg), the brachial HBPM device showed achievement rates of 63.6% and 56.4%, respectively, for target nighttime home SBP (<120 mmHg). The wrist device showed achievement rates of 66.7% and 63.4%, respectively, for the same targets. Significant correlations were observed between both devices for nighttime home SBP measurements at baseline (r = 0.790), Week 12 (r = 0.641), and change from baseline to Week 12 (r = 0.533) (all, p < .001). In this patient population, approximately 60% of individuals who reached target morning or bedtime home SBP levels <135 mmHg exhibited well-controlled nighttime home SBP. Although nighttime home SBP measurements obtained using both brachial and wrist HBPM devices displayed a significant correlation, the wrist device needs to be examined in more detail for clinical use.

Efficacy and Safety of Esaxerenone in Hypertensive Patients with Left Ventricular Hypertrophy (ESES-LVH) Study: A Multicenter, Open-Label, Prospective, Interventional Study.

INTRODUCTION: In contrast to the antihypertensive effect of esaxerenone, there is little evidence of its cardioprotective effect. We investigated the efficacy and safety of esaxerenone in patients with uncontrolled hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy taking a renin-angiotensin system inhibitor (RASi) or calcium-channel blocker (CCB). METHODS: This was a multicenter, open-label, exploratory study with a 24-week treatment period. Esaxerenone was orally administered at an initial dose of 2.5 mg/day (maximum dose: 5 mg/day). The primary endpoints were the change in morning home systolic blood pressure (BP)/diastolic BP and change and percentage change in left ventricular mass index (LVMI) from baseline to end of treatment (EOT). Key secondary endpoints included change from baseline in bedtime home and office BP, achievement rate of target BP, and safety. RESULTS: In total, 60 patients were enrolled. Morning home systolic/diastolic BP was significantly decreased from baseline to EOT in the total population (- 11.5/ - 4.7 mmHg, p < 0.001) and in both the RASi and CCB subcohorts (all p < 0.01). Significant reductions in bedtime home and office BP were shown in the total population and both subcohorts. LVMI was also significantly decreased from baseline to EOT in the total population (- 9.9 g/m2, - 8.5%, both p < 0.001) and both subcohorts (all p < 0.05). The incidences of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and drug-related TEAEs were 35.0% and 3.3%, respectively; most were mild or moderate. No new safety concerns were identified. CONCLUSION: Esaxerenone showed favorable antihypertensive and cardioprotective effects and safety in hypertensive patients with cardiac hypertrophy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (jRCTs071190043).

Trastuzumab deruxtecan for the treatment of patients with HER2-positive breast cancer with brain and/or leptomeningeal metastases: an updated overall survival analysis using data from a multicenter retrospective study (ROSET-BM).

We provide updated results (median follow-up duration: 20.4 months) of a retrospective study on the effectiveness of trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) breast cancer with brain metastases (BM) and/or leptomeningeal disease (ROSET-BM). Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 14.6 months. Median overall survival (OS) was not reached (NR); 24-month OS rate was 56.0%. Subgroup analysis showed that median PFS was 13.2 months in patients with analytical active BM, 17.5 months in patients with leptomeningeal carcinomatosis (LMC), and NR in patients with analytical stable BM (24-month PFS rates in patients with analytical active BM, LMC, and analytical stable BM were 32.7%, 25.1%, and 60.8%, respectively). Median OS was 27.0 months in patients with analytical active BM and NR in patients with LMC or analytical stable BM (24-month OS rates in patients with analytical active BM, LMC, and analytical stable BM were 52.0%, 61.6%, and 71.6%, respectively). The most common adverse event leading to discontinuation of T-DXd was interstitial lung disease (ILD; 23.1%); median ILD onset time among patients who discontinued T-DXd treatment due to ILD was 5.3 months. T-DXd has promising effectiveness in heavily pre-treated HER2+ metastatic breast cancer patients with BM and LMC. The incidence and median onset time of ILD were similar to those of Japanese subgroups in previous studies.

Clinical efficacy of long-acting neuraminidase inhibitor laninamivir octanoate hydrate in postmarketing surveillance.

Laninamivir octanoate hydrate (laninamivir) is a long-acting neuraminidase inhibitor which requires only a single inhaled dose to fully treat infection by the influenza virus. In Japan, this drug was launched in October 2010 as a new treatment for the influenza virus. A postmarketing surveillance study was conducted in the 2010/2011 influenza season to assess the efficacy of this drug in clinical settings. For 3542 patients evaluated for efficacy (type A, n = 3179; type B, n = 342, unknown type, n = 3), including the day of drug administration, the median duration to fever resolution was three days, and the median duration to relief from influenza symptoms was four days. Based on the judgment of participating physicians, the efficacy rate was 97.6 % for type A influenza, 93.3 % for type B influenza, and 100 % in unknown types. "Treatment failure," as judged by participating physicians, was most closely correlated with the inhalation status of laninamivir. Despite laninamivir requiring only the administration of a single dose, it was confirmed to be an effective treatment in more than 90 % of patients with type A or type B influenza virus infections. This drug was considered to be useful for the treatment of influenza infections due to ease of use and its improvement of compliance. It became clear that the efficacy of laninamivir depended strongly on the status of inhalation, and thus careful and detailed instructions on the correct method of inhalation were considered to be important in order to obtain reliable therapeutic effects.

Relationship between the dose titration and adherence of mirogabalin in patients with peripheral neuropathic pain depending on renal function: a nationwide electronic medical record database study.

BACKGROUND: Mirogabalin has been attracting attention for treating peripheral neuropathic pain. The package insert recommends that mirogabalin should be titrated depending on renal function. Here, we investigated the relationship between dose titration patterns and adherence, and persistence of mirogabalin treatment. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Peripheral neuropathic pain patients who initiated mirogabalin between March 2020 and May 2021 were identified using an electronic medical record database. The dose titration pattern was described according to degrees of renal function. Regression analyses were performed to compare adherence and persistence between the patients with and without titration. RESULTS: Of the 4,138 identified patients, 1,696 (41.0%) titrated the dose within 45 days and were more adherent than those without titration (Adjusted odds ratio: 1.75, 95% CI 1.21, 2.54). Of the total 952 patients with renal function parameters, 229 (24.1%) titrated to the effective dose within 45 days and were less likely to discontinue than those without titration (Adjusted hazard ratio: 0.57, 95% CI 0.40, 0.81). CONCLUSION: Mirogabalin dose titration was associated with better adherence and persistence. It is important for mirogabalin treatment to determine the initial prescription dose based on renal function and subsequent dose titration according to the package insert. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN000047313.

Steady-State Pharmacokinetics of Intravenous Hydromorphone in Japanese Patients With Renal Impairment and Cancer Pain.

Background: The opioid analgesic hydromorphone has a low renal excretion ratio; however, exposure after oral administration is several times higher in those with moderate or severe renal impairment. Objectives: We evaluated the impact of renal impairment on the steady-state pharmacokinetics of intravenously administered hydromorphone in patients with cancer being treated for pain. Design: This was an open-label, prospective, parallel-comparison, interventional clinical pharmacology study. Setting/Subjects: This study was conducted at one hospital in Japan. Using creatinine clearance (CLcr) values, patients were grouped according to kidney function: CLcr ≥90 mL/min (normal), 60-<90 mL/min (mild impairment), 30-<60 mL/min (moderate impairment), or <30 mL/min (severe impairment). Measurements: Hydromorphone was administered by constant infusion to patients at the same constant dose rate as at the time of enrollment. Hydromorphone and its glucuronide metabolite concentrations in plasma and urine were measured by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Pharmacokinetic parameters at steady state were assessed using noncompartmental analysis. Results: Thirty-two patients were enrolled (normal, n = 3; mild, n = 10; moderate, n = 15; and severe, n = 4). Adjusted geometric mean ratios for hydromorphone steady-state clearance (CLss) for patients with impaired versus normal renal function were 0.69 (90% confidence interval [CI], 0.41-1.14), 0.52 (90% CI, 0.31-0.84), and 0.55 (90% CI, 0.30-1.02) for mild, moderate, or severe impairment, respectively. Exposures to the metabolite hydromorphone-3-glucuronide generally increased with renal impairment. No adverse event was reported. Conclusion: Hydromorphone CLss in patients with impaired renal function (moderate and severe) was decreased ∼50% of that of normal renal function.

Efficacy and Safety of Esaxerenone in Hypertensive Patients with Diabetes Mellitus Undergoing Treatment with Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors (EAGLE-DH).

INTRODUCTION: The EAGLE-DH study assessed the efficacy and safety of esaxerenone in hypertensive patients with diabetes mellitus receiving sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. METHODS: In this multicenter, open-label, prospective, interventional study, esaxerenone was started at 1.25 or 2.5 mg/day and could be gradually increased to 5 mg/day on the basis of blood pressure (BP) and serum potassium levels. Oral hypoglycemic or antihypertensive medications prior to obtaining consent was continued. Data were evaluated in the total population and creatinine-based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) subcohorts (eGFR ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 [G1-G2 subcohort] and 30 to < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 [G3 subcohort]). RESULTS: In total, 93 patients were evaluated (G1-G2, n = 49; G3, n = 44). Morning home systolic/diastolic BP values (SBP/DBP) were significantly reduced from baseline to week 12 (- 11.8 ± 10.8/- 5.1 ± 6.3 mmHg, both P < 0.001) and week 24 (- 12.9 ± 10.5/- 5.7 ± 6.3 mmHg, both P < 0.001). Similar results were observed in both eGFR subcohorts. The urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio significantly decreased from baseline to week 24 in the total population (geometric percentage change, - 49.1%, P < 0.001) and in both eGFR subcohorts. The incidences of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and drug-related TEAEs were 45.2% and 12.9%, respectively; most were mild or moderate. Serum potassium levels increased over the first 2 weeks of esaxerenone treatment, gradually decreased by week 12, and remained constant to week 24. One patient in the G1-G2 subcohort had serum potassium levels ≥ 5.5 mEq/L. No patients had serum potassium ≥ 6.0 mEq/L. CONCLUSION: Esaxerenone effectively lowered BP, was safe, and showed renoprotective effects in hypertensive patients with diabetes mellitus receiving treatment with SGLT2 inhibitors. Esaxerenone and SGLT2 inhibitors did not interfere with either drug's efficacy and may reduce the frequency of serum potassium elevations, suggesting they are a compatible combination. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: jRCTs031200273.

Nighttime home blood pressure lowering effect of esaxerenone in patients with uncontrolled nocturnal hypertension: the EARLY-NH study.

There is limited evidence on the blood pressure (BP)-lowering effect of esaxerenone on home BP, including nighttime BP. Using two newly developed nocturnal home BP monitoring devices (brachial and wrist), this multicenter, open-label, prospective study investigated the nighttime home BP-lowering effect of esaxerenone in patients with uncontrolled nocturnal hypertension being treated with an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) or calcium-channel blocker (CCB). In total, 101 patients were enrolled. During the 12-week study period, change in nighttime home systolic/diastolic BP from baseline to end of treatment measured by the brachial device was -12.9/-5.4 mmHg in the total population and -16.2/-6.6 and -10.0/-4.4 mmHg in the ARB and CCB subcohorts, respectively (all p < 0.001). For the wrist device, the change was -11.7/-5.4 mmHg in the total population and -14.6/-6.2 and -8.3/-4.5 mmHg in each subcohort, respectively (all p < 0.001). Similar significant reductions were shown for morning and bedtime home BP and office BP. Urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, and cardio-ankle vascular index improved in the total population and each subcohort. Incidences of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and drug-related TEAEs were 38.6% and 16.8%, respectively; most were mild or moderate. The most frequent drug-related TEAEs were associated with serum potassium elevation (hyperkalemia, 9.9%; blood potassium increased, 3.0%); however, no new safety concerns were raised. Esaxerenone was effective in lowering nighttime home BP as well as morning and bedtime home BP and office BP, safe, and showed organ-protective effects in patients with uncontrolled nocturnal hypertension. Caution is warranted regarding elevated serum potassium levels. This study investigated the effect of esaxerenone on nighttime home BP and organ damage (UACR and NT-proBNP) in patients with uncontrolled nocturnal hypertension despite treatment with an ARB or CCB. Our results show that safe 24-h BP control and organ protection are possible with esaxerenone.