Molnupiravir for Oral Treatment of Covid-19 in Nonhospitalized Patients.

BACKGROUND: New treatments are needed to reduce the risk of progression of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). Molnupiravir is an oral, small-molecule antiviral prodrug that is active against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). METHODS: We conducted a phase 3, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of treatment with molnupiravir started within 5 days after the onset of signs or symptoms in nonhospitalized, unvaccinated adults with mild-to-moderate, laboratory-confirmed Covid-19 and at least one risk factor for severe Covid-19 illness. Participants in the trial were randomly assigned to receive 800 mg of molnupiravir or placebo twice daily for 5 days. The primary efficacy end point was the incidence hospitalization or death at day 29; the incidence of adverse events was the primary safety end point. A planned interim analysis was performed when 50% of 1550 participants (target enrollment) had been followed through day 29. RESULTS: A total of 1433 participants underwent randomization; 716 were assigned to receive molnupiravir and 717 to receive placebo. With the exception of an imbalance in sex, baseline characteristics were similar in the two groups. The superiority of molnupiravir was demonstrated at the interim analysis; the risk of hospitalization for any cause or death through day 29 was lower with molnupiravir (28 of 385 participants [7.3%]) than with placebo (53 of 377 [14.1%]) (difference, -6.8 percentage points; 95% confidence interval [CI], -11.3 to -2.4; P = 0.001). In the analysis of all participants who had undergone randomization, the percentage of participants who were hospitalized or died through day 29 was lower in the molnupiravir group than in the placebo group (6.8% [48 of 709] vs. 9.7% [68 of 699]; difference, -3.0 percentage points; 95% CI, -5.9 to -0.1). Results of subgroup analyses were largely consistent with these overall results; in some subgroups, such as patients with evidence of previous SARS-CoV-2 infection, those with low baseline viral load, and those with diabetes, the point estimate for the difference favored placebo. One death was reported in the molnupiravir group and 9 were reported in the placebo group through day 29. Adverse events were reported in 216 of 710 participants (30.4%) in the molnupiravir group and 231 of 701 (33.0%) in the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS: Early treatment with molnupiravir reduced the risk of hospitalization or death in at-risk, unvaccinated adults with Covid-19. (Funded by Merck Sharp and Dohme; MOVe-OUT ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04575597.).

Molnupiravir for the treatment of COVID-19 in immunocompromised participants: efficacy, safety, and virology results from the phase 3 randomized, placebo-controlled MOVe-OUT trial.

PURPOSE: Immunocompromised patients have a potentially increased risk for progression to severe COVID-19 and prolonged replication of SARS-CoV-2. This post hoc analysis examined outcomes among immunocompromised participants in the MOVe-OUT trial. METHODS: In phase 3 of MOVe-OUT, non-hospitalized at-risk adults with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 were randomized to receive molnupiravir 800 mg or placebo twice daily for 5 days. Immunocompromised participants were identified based on prior/concomitant medications and/or medical history. All-cause hospitalization/death, adverse events, SARS-CoV-2 titers, infectivity, and RNA sequences were compared between immunocompromised participants who received molnupiravir or placebo and with non-immunocompromised participants. RESULTS: Fifty-five of 1408 participants were considered immunocompromised. Compared to placebo, fewer molnupiravir-treated immunocompromised participants were hospitalized/died through Day 29 (22.6% [7/31] vs. 8.3% [2/24]), with fewer adverse events (45.2% [14/31] vs. 25.0% [6/24]). A larger mean change from baseline in SARS-CoV-2 RNA was observed with molnupiravir compared to placebo in non-immunocompromised participants (least squares mean [LSM] difference Day 5: - 0.31, 95% confidence interval [CI] - 0.47 to - 0.15), while the mean change was comparable between treatment groups in immunocompromised participants (LSM difference Day 5: 0.23, 95% CI - 0.71 to 1.17). Molnupiravir treatment was associated with increased clearance of infectious virus. Increased errors in viral nucleotide sequences in post-baseline samples compared to placebo support molnupiravir's mechanism of action and were not associated with observation of novel treatment-emergent amino acid substitutions in immunocompromised participants. CONCLUSION: Although the study population was small, these data suggest that molnupiravir treatment for mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in non-hospitalized immunocompromised adults is efficacious and safe and quickly reduces infectious SARS-CoV-2. GOV REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04575597.

Effect of Molnupiravir on Biomarkers, Respiratory Interventions, and Medical Services in COVID-19 : A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: In the MOVe-OUT trial, molnupiravir showed a clinically meaningful reduction in the risk for hospitalization or death in adults with mild to moderate COVID-19 and risk factors for progression to severe disease. OBJECTIVE: To identify other potential clinical benefits of molnupiravir versus placebo. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 component of MOVe-OUT. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04575597). SETTING: 107 sites globally. PARTICIPANTS: 1433 nonhospitalized adults aged 18 years or older with mild to moderate COVID-19. INTERVENTION: Molnupiravir, 800 mg, or placebo every 12 hours for 5 days. MEASUREMENTS: Changes from baseline in C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration and oxygen saturation (Spo 2), need for respiratory interventions (including invasive mechanical ventilation), and need for medical services in all randomly assigned participants through day 29, and need for respiratory interventions and time to discharge in the subgroup of participants who were hospitalized after randomization. RESULTS: Participants receiving molnupiravir showed faster normalization of CRP and Spo 2, with improvements observed on day 3 of therapy, compared with placebo. Molnupiravir-treated participants had a decreased need for respiratory interventions versus placebo-treated participants (relative risk reduction [RRR], 34.3% [95% CI, 4.3% to 54.9%]), with similar findings in participants who were hospitalized after randomization (RRR, 21.3% [CI, 0.2% to 38.0%]). Hospitalized participants who received molnupiravir were discharged a median of 3 days before those who received placebo. Acute care visits (7.2% vs. 10.6%; RRR, 32.1% [CI, 4.4% to 51.7%]) and COVID-19-related acute care visits (6.6% vs. 10.0%; RRR, 33.8% [CI, 5.6% to 53.6%]) were less frequent in molnupiravir- versus placebo-treated participants. LIMITATIONS: Some analyses were performed post hoc. Longer-term benefits of molnupiravir therapy were not evaluated. Participants were not immunized against SARS-CoV-2. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest there are additional important clinical benefits of molnupiravir beyond reduction in hospitalization or death. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc.

A Randomized, Double-blind, Multicenter Trial Comparing Efficacy and Safety of Imipenem/Cilastatin/Relebactam Versus Piperacillin/Tazobactam in Adults With Hospital-acquired or Ventilator-associated Bacterial Pneumonia (RESTORE-IMI 2 Study).

BACKGROUND: Imipenem combined with the ß-lactamase inhibitor relebactam has broad antibacterial activity, including against carbapenem-resistant gram-negative pathogens. We evaluated efficacy and safety of imipenem/cilastatin/relebactam in treating hospital-acquired/ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia (HABP/VABP). METHODS: This was a randomized, controlled, double-blind phase 3 trial. Adults with HABP/VABP were randomized 1:1 to imipenem/cilastatin/relebactam 500 mg/500 mg/250 mg or piperacillin/tazobactam 4 g/500 mg, intravenously every 6 hours for 7-14 days. The primary endpoint was day 28 all-cause mortality in the modified intent-to-treat (MITT) population (patients who received study therapy, excluding those with only gram-positive cocci at baseline). The key secondary endpoint was clinical response 7-14 days after completing therapy in the MITT population. RESULTS: Of 537 randomized patients (from 113 hospitals in 27 countries), the MITT population comprised 264 imipenem/cilastatin/relebactam and 267 piperacillin/tazobactam patients; 48.6% had ventilated HABP/VABP, 47.5% APACHE II score ≥15, 24.7% moderate/severe renal impairment, 42.9% were ≥65 years old, and 66.1% were in the intensive care unit. The most common baseline pathogens were Klebsiella pneumoniae (25.6%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (18.9%). Imipenem/cilastatin/relebactam was noninferior (P < .001) to piperacillin/tazobactam for both endpoints: day 28 all-cause mortality was 15.9% with imipenem/cilastatin/relebactam and 21.3% with piperacillin/tazobactam (difference, -5.3% [95% confidence interval {CI}, -11.9% to 1.2%]), and favorable clinical response at early follow-up was 61.0% and 55.8%, respectively (difference, 5.0% [95% CI, -3.2% to 13.2%]). Serious adverse events (AEs) occurred in 26.7% of imipenem/cilastatin/relebactam and 32.0% of piperacillin/tazobactam patients; AEs leading to treatment discontinuation in 5.6% and 8.2%, respectively; and drug-related AEs (none fatal) in 11.7% and 9.7%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Imipenem/cilastatin/relebactam is an appropriate treatment option for gram-negative HABP/VABP, including in critically ill, high-risk patients. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: NCT02493764.

RESTORE-IMI 1: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-blind Trial Comparing Efficacy and Safety of Imipenem/Relebactam vs Colistin Plus Imipenem in Patients With Imipenem-nonsusceptible Bacterial Infections.

BACKGROUND: The ß-lactamase inhibitor relebactam can restore imipenem activity against imipenem-nonsusceptible gram-negative pathogens. We evaluated imipenem/relebactam for treating imipenem-nonsusceptible infections. METHODS: Randomized, controlled, double-blind, phase 3 trial. Hospitalized patients with hospital-acquired/ventilator-associated pneumonia, complicated intraabdominal infection, or complicated urinary tract infection caused by imipenem-nonsusceptible (but colistin- and imipenem/relebactam-susceptible) pathogens were randomized 2:1 to 5-21 days imipenem/relebactam or colistin+imipenem. Primary endpoint: favorable overall response (defined by relevant endpoints for each infection type) in the modified microbiologic intent-to-treat (mMITT) population (qualifying baseline pathogen and ≥1 dose study treatment). Secondary endpoints: clinical response, all-cause mortality, and treatment-emergent nephrotoxicity. Safety analyses included patients with ≥1 dose study treatment. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients received imipenem/relebactam and 16 colistin+imipenem. Among mITT patients (n = 21 imipenem/relebactam, n = 10 colistin+imipenem), 29% had Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores >15, 23% had creatinine clearance <60 mL/min, and 35% were aged ≥65 years. Qualifying baseline pathogens: Pseudomonas aeruginosa (77%), Klebsiella spp. (16%), other Enterobacteriaceae (6%). Favorable overall response was observed in 71% imipenem/relebactam and 70% colistin+imipenem patients (90% confidence interval [CI] for difference, -27.5, 21.4), day 28 favorable clinical response in 71% and 40% (90% CI, 1.3, 51.5), and 28-day mortality in 10% and 30% (90% CI, -46.4, 6.7), respectively. Serious adverse events (AEs) occurred in 10% of imipenem/relebactam and 31% of colistin+imipenem patients, drug-related AEs in 16% and 31% (no drug-related deaths), and treatment-emergent nephrotoxicity in 10% and 56% (P = .002), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Imipenem/relebactam is an efficacious and well-tolerated treatment option for carbapenem-nonsusceptible infections. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: NCT02452047.

Comparison of Treatment Outcomes between Analysis Populations in the RESTORE-IMI 1 Phase 3 Trial of Imipenem-Cilastatin-Relebactam versus Colistin plus Imipenem-Cilastatin in Patients with Imipenem-Nonsusceptible Bacterial Infections.

The RESTORE-IMI 1 phase 3 trial demonstrated the efficacy and safety of imipenem-cilastatin (IMI) combined with relebactam (REL) for treating imipenem-nonsusceptible infections. The objective of this analysis was to compare the outcomes among patients meeting eligibility requirements based on central laboratory susceptibility versus local laboratory susceptibility. Patients with serious infections caused by imipenem-nonsusceptible, colistin-susceptible, and imipenem-REL-susceptible pathogens were randomized 2:1 to IMI-REL plus placebo or colistin plus IMI for 5 to 21 days. The primary endpoint was a favorable overall response. Key endpoints included the clinical response and all-cause mortality. We compared outcomes between the primary microbiological modified intent-to-treat (mMITT) population, where eligibility was based on central laboratory susceptibility testing, and the supplemental mMITT (SmMITT) population, where eligibility was based on local, site-level testing. The SmMITT (n = 41) and MITT (n = 31) populations had similar baseline characteristics, including sex, age, illness severity, and renal function. In both analysis populations, favorable overall response rates in the IMI-REL treatment group were >70%. Favorable clinical response rates at day 28 were 71.4% for IMI-REL and 40.0% for colistin plus IMI in the mMITT population, whereas they were 75.0% for IMI-REL and 53.8% for colistin plus IMI in the SmMITT population. Day 28 all-cause mortality rates were 9.5% for IMI-REL and 30.0% for colistin plus IMI in the mMITT population, whereas they were 10.7% for IMI-REL and 23.1% for colistin plus IMI in the SmMITT population. The outcomes in the SmMITT population were generally consistent with those in the mMITT population, suggesting that outcomes may be applicable to the real-world use of IMI-REL for treating infections caused by imipenem-nonsusceptible Gram-negative pathogens. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under identifier NCT02452047.).

Prospective, randomized, double-blind, Phase 2 dose-ranging study comparing efficacy and safety of imipenem/cilastatin plus relebactam with imipenem/cilastatin alone in patients with complicated urinary tract infections.

Objectives: The ß-lactamase inhibitor relebactam can restore imipenem activity against imipenem non-susceptible pathogens. Methods: To explore relebactam's safety, tolerability and efficacy, we conducted a randomized (1:1:1), controlled, Phase 2 trial comparing imipenem/cilastatin+relebactam 250 mg, imipenem/cilastatin+relebactam 125 mg and imipenem/cilastatin alone in adults with complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI) or acute pyelonephritis, regardless of baseline pathogen susceptibility. Treatment was administered intravenously every 6 h for 4-14 days, with optional step-down to oral ciprofloxacin. The primary endpoint was favourable microbiological response rate (pathogen eradication) at discontinuation of intravenous therapy (DCIV) in the microbiologically evaluable (ME) population. Non-inferiority of imipenem/cilastatin+relebactam over imipenem/cilastatin alone was defined as lower bounds of the 95% CI for treatment differences being above -15%. Results: At DCIV, 71 patients in the imipenem/cilastatin + 250 mg relebactam, 79 in the imipenem/cilastatin + 125 mg relebactam and 80 in the imipenem/cilastatin-only group were ME; 51.7% had cUTI and 48.3% acute pyelonephritis. Microbiological response rates were 95.5%, 98.6% and 98.7%, respectively, confirming non-inferiority of both imipenem/cilastatin + relebactam doses to imipenem/cilastatin alone. Clinical response rates were 97.1%, 98.7% and 98.8%, respectively. All 23 ME patients with imipenem non-susceptible pathogens had favourable DCIV microbiological responses (100% in each group). Among all 298 patients treated, 28.3%, 29.3% and 30.0% of patients, respectively, had treatment-emergent adverse events. The most common treatment-related adverse events across groups (1.0%-4.0%) were diarrhoea, nausea and headache. Conclusions: Imipenem/cilastatin + relebactam (250 or 125 mg) was as effective as imipenem/cilastatin alone for treatment of cUTI. Both relebactam-containing regimens were well tolerated. (NCT01505634).

Early Timing of Thyroidectomy for Hyperthyroidism in Graves' Disease Improves Biochemical Recovery.

BACKGROUND: The role of thyroidectomy as an early treatment for hyperthyroidism has been poorly investigated. Our aim was to examine its success rates, particularly focusing on thyroidectomy as an early treatment. METHODS: Patients with thyroidectomy for hyperthyroidism between February 2008 and October 2014 were included. They were divided into two groups (early and delayed thyroidectomy), and patient characteristics, treatment indications, complications and time to biochemical recovery were analyzed. RESULTS: Ninety-nine patients met the inclusion criteria, of whom 65 (66%) suffered from Graves' disease, 25 (25%) from toxic goiters and 9 (9%) from amiodarone-induced hyperthyroidism. Structural abnormalities of the thyroid (39 patients, 39%) represented the most frequent indications for thyroidectomy. Forty-six patients (46%) underwent an early and 53 (54%) a delayed surgical approach. Patients with Graves' disease undergoing early thyroidectomy did not suffer more often from complications but had a significantly faster biochemical recovery after surgery than those with a delayed thyroidectomy, as judged by a shorter time to reach TSH (121 ± 24 vs. 240 ± 31 days, p = 0.007) and fT4 (91 ± 29 vs. 183 ± 31 days p = 0.015) levels in the normal range. As expected, there were no recurrences of hyperthyroidism. CONCLUSIONS: Early thyroidectomy was neither associated with permanent complications nor thyroid storm, but with a significantly improved biochemical recovery and therefore has to be recommended early in patients with Graves' disease.

Phase 2, Dose-Ranging Study of Relebactam with Imipenem-Cilastatin in Subjects with Complicated Intra-abdominal Infection.

Relebactam (REL [MK-7655]) is a novel class A/C ß-lactamase inhibitor intended for use with imipenem for the treatment of Gram-negative bacterial infections. REL restores imipenem activity against some resistant strains of Klebsiella and Pseudomonas In this multicenter, double-blind, controlled trial (NCT01506271), subjects who were ≥18 years of age with complicated intra-abdominal infection were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to receive 250 mg REL, 125 mg REL, or placebo, each given intravenously (i.v.) with 500 mg imipenem-cilastatin (IMI) every 6 h (q6h) for 4 to 14 days. The primary efficacy endpoint was the proportion of microbiologically evaluable (ME) subjects with a favorable clinical response at discontinuation of i.v. therapy (DCIV). A total of 351 subjects were randomized, 347 (99%) were treated, and 255 (73%) were ME at DCIV (55% male; mean age, 49 years). The most common diagnoses were complicated appendicitis (53%) and complicated cholecystitis (17%). Thirty-six subjects (13%) had imipenem-resistant Gram-negative infections at baseline. Both REL doses plus IMI were generally well tolerated and demonstrated safety profiles similar to that of IMI alone. Clinical response rates at DCIV were similar in subjects who received 250 mg REL plus IMI (96.3%) or 125 mg REL plus IMI (98.8%), and both were noninferior to IMI alone (95.2%; one-sided P < 0.001). The treatment groups were also similar with respect to clinical response at early and late follow-up and microbiological response at all visits. Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic simulations show that imipenem exposure at the proposed dose of 500 mg IMI with 250 mg REL q6h provides coverage of >90% of carbapenem-resistant bacterial strains.

IMRT/VMAT for malignancies in the head-and-neck region : Outcome in patients aged 80.

OBJECTIVE: Elderly patients with malignant head-and-neck tumors (HNT) often pose a therapeutic challenge. They frequently have significant comorbidities which may influence their ability to tolerate tumor-specific therapies. Our aim was to investigate the outcome of patients aged 80+ years undergoing curative intent intensity- or volume-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT/VMAT). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed our HNT patients aged 80+ treated with curative IMRT/VMAT from December 2003 to November 2015. Overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), local control (LC), and treatment tolerance were assessed. Outcome results were compared with that of a younger HNT patient cohort from our hospital. RESULTS: A total of 140 consecutive patients were included (65 postoperative, 75 definitive). Mean/median age at treatment start was 84.8/84.1 years (range 80-96 years). Mean/median follow-up time was 25/16 months (range 2-92 months). Of the 140 patients, 80 were alive with no evidence of disease when last seen, 28 had died due to the cancer, 12 remained alive with disease, the remaining 20 died intercurrently. Systemic concomitant therapy was administered in 7 %. Late grade 3-4 toxicity was observed in 2 %. All patients completed treatment. Hospitalization and feeding tube rates were 26 % and 11 %, respectively. The 2­/3-year LC, DFS, and OS rates for the entire cohort were 81/80 %, 69/63 %, and 68/66 %, respectively. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) patients showed an inferior 3-year OS rate as compared to non-SCC patients (62 % vs 77 %, p = 0.0002), while LC and DFS did not differ. Patients undergoing postoperative radiation attained a higher OS compared to the definitively irradiated subgroup with 74 vs. 60 % at 3 years (p = 0.01); however, DFS rates were similar for both groups (68 vs. 61 %, p = 0.15). Corresponding rates for >1400 HNT patients <80 years treated during the same time interval were 81/80 %, 69/67 %, and 77/72 %, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment tolerance in our patients aged 80+ was high. These results suggest that elderly HNT patients should not be denied potentially curative treatment strategies.

Interdisciplinary strategies for diagnosis and treatment of trigeminal neuralgia.

Temporary, sudden, shooting and recurrent unilateral facial pain in the supply area of one or more trigeminal nerve branches characterises trigeminal neuralgia. Innocuous stimuli trigger the pain, e.g. chewing, speaking or brushing teeth. In some patients, paroxysms superimpose on continuous pain. In aetiological terms, idiopathic, classic (due to neurovascular compression) and secondary trigeminal neuralgia (e.g. due to multiple sclerosis, brainstem ischaemia and space-occupying lesions) are defined. Many drugs may be efficacious, with carbamazepine being first-choice therapy. However, non-pharmacological and invasive procedures may also help. To reach the correct diagnosis and determine the best therapeutic measures, adequate pain characterisation and interdisciplinary collaboration are essential. We hereby present our experience of an interdisciplinary approach for the diagnosis and treatment of trigeminal neuralgia.

Respiratory virus coinfections during the COVID-19 pandemic: epidemiologic analysis and clinical outcomes from the Phase 2/3 molnupiravir trial (MOVe-OUT).

This exploratory post hoc analysis assessed the incidence of respiratory viral coinfections and their impact on clinical outcomes in non-hospitalized adults with mild-to-moderate coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) treated with molnupiravir versus placebo for 5 days in the Phase 2/3 MOVe-OUT trial (NCT04575597), which took place in October 2020 to January 2021 (Phase 2, n = 302) and May 2021 to October 2021 (Phase 3, n = 1,433). Among 1,735 total randomized participants, 1,674 had a baseline respiratory pathogen panel (NxTAG Respiratory Pathogen Panel for the Luminex MAGPIX instrument) performed and 69 (4.1%) were coinfected with at least one additional respiratory viral pathogen. Human rhinovirus/enterovirus (39/69, 56.5%) was the most common coinfection detected at baseline. In the modified intention-to-treat population, two participants with coinfecting respiratory RNA viruses were hospitalized and received respiratory interventions through Day 29, and none died; one participant in the molnupiravir group was coinfected with human rhinovirus/enterovirus, and one participant in the placebo group was coinfected with human metapneumovirus. Hospitalization or death occurred in 6.2% and 9.0% of non-coinfected participants in the molnupiravir versus placebo group, respectively, and over 90% did not require respiratory interventions. Most coinfecting respiratory RNA viruses detected at baseline were not detected at the end of therapy in both the molnupiravir and placebo groups. In summary, participants coinfected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and another respiratory RNA virus were not more likely to be hospitalized or die, or require respiratory interventions, compared to participants who were not coinfected with another respiratory RNA virus at baseline in both groups. IMPORTANCE: Respiratory viral coinfections are known to occur with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). In a cohort of non-hospitalized adults with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 treated with molnupiravir versus placebo in the MOVe-OUT trial during October 2020 to October 2021, 4.1% of participants had a documented viral coinfection; human rhinovirus/enterovirus was the most common pathogen detected with the NxTAG Respiratory Pathogen Panel assay. Participants who had a coinfection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and another respiratory RNA virus were not more likely to have worse clinical outcomes compared to those participants without a viral coinfection, and many coinfecting respiratory RNA viruses were no longer detected at the end of the 5-day treatment period in both groups.

Outcome Analysis of Treatment Modalities for Thoracic Sarcomas.

BACKGROUND: Primary chest wall sarcomas are a rare and heterogeneous group of chest wall tumors that require multimodal oncologic and surgical therapy. The aim of this study was to review our experience regarding the surgical treatment of chest wall sarcomas, evaluating the short- and long-term results. METHODS: In this retrospective single-center study, patients who underwent surgery for soft tissue and bone sarcoma of the chest wall between 1999 and 2018 were included. We analyzed the oncologic and surgical outcomes of chest wall resections and reconstructions, assessing overall and recurrence-free survival and the associated clinical factors. RESULTS: In total, 44 patients underwent chest wall resection for primary chest wall sarcoma, of which 18 (41%) received surgery only, 10 (23%) received additional chemoradiotherapy, 7% (3) received surgery with chemotherapy, and 30% (13) received radiotherapy in addition to surgery. No perioperative mortality occurred. Five-year overall survival was 51.5% (CI 95%: 36.1-73.4%), and median overall survival was 1973 days (CI 95% 1461; -). As determined in the univariate analysis, the presence of metastasis upon admission and tumor grade were significantly associated with shorter survival (p = 0.037 and p < 0.01, respectively). Five-year recurrence-free survival was 71.5% (95% CI 57.6%; 88.7%). Tumor resection margins and metastatic disease upon diagnosis were significantly associated with recurrence-free survival (p < 0.01 and p < 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSION: Surgical therapy is the cornerstone of the treatment of chest wall sarcomas and can be performed safely. Metastasis and high tumor grade have a negative influence on overall survival, while tumor margins and metastasis have a negative influence on local recurrence.

Virologic Outcomes with Molnupiravir in Non-hospitalized Adult Patients with COVID-19 from the Randomized, Placebo-Controlled MOVe-OUT Trial.

INTRODUCTION: The randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind MOVe-OUT trial demonstrated molnupiravir (800 mg every 12 h for 5 days) as safe and effective for outpatient treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19, significantly reducing the risk of hospitalization/death in high-risk adults. At the time of that report, virologic assessments from the trial were partially incomplete as a result of their time-intensive nature. Here we present final results from all prespecified virology endpoints in MOVe-OUT based on the full trial dataset. METHODS: Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected at baseline (day 1, prior to first dose) and days 3, 5 (end-of-treatment visit), 10, 15, and 29. From these samples, change from baseline in SARS-CoV-2 RNA titers (determined by quantitative PCR), detection of infectious SARS-CoV-2 (by plaque assay), and SARS-CoV-2 viral error induction (determined by whole genome next-generation sequencing) were assessed as exploratory endpoints. RESULTS: Molnupiravir was associated with greater mean reductions from baseline in SARS-CoV-2 RNA than placebo (including 50% relative reduction at end-of-treatment) through day 10. Among participants with infectious virus detected at baseline (n = 96 molnupiravir, n = 97 placebo) and evaluable post-baseline samples, no molnupiravir-treated participant had infectious SARS-CoV-2 by day 3, whereas infectious virus was recovered from 21% of placebo-arm participants on day 3 and 2% at end-of-treatment. Consistent with molnupiravir's mechanism of action, sequence analysis demonstrated that molnupiravir was associated with an increased number of low-frequency transition errors randomly distributed across the SARS-CoV-2 RNA genome compared with placebo (median 143.5 molnupiravir, 15 placebo), while transversion errors were infrequent overall (median 2 in both arms). Outcomes were consistent regardless of baseline SARS-CoV-2 clade, presence of SARS-CoV-2-specific immune response, or viral load. CONCLUSIONS: A 5-day course of orally administered molnupiravir demonstrated a consistently greater virologic effect than placebo, including rapidly eliminating infectious SARS-CoV-2, in high-risk outpatients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04575597.

Characterization of Resting-State Functional Connectivity Changes in Hypertension by a Modified Difference Degree Test.

Introduction: Hypertension affects over a billion people worldwide, and the application of neuroimaging may elucidate changes brought about by the disease. We have applied a graph theory approach to examine the organizational differences in resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) data between hypertensive and normotensive participants. To detect these groupwise differences, we performed statistical testing using a modified difference degree test (DDT). Methods: Structural and rs-fMRI data were collected from a cohort of 52 total (29 hypertensive and 23 normotensive) participants. Functional connectivity maps were obtained by partial correlation analysis of participant rs-fMRI data. We modified the DDT null generation algorithm and validated the change through different simulation schemes and then applied this modified DDT to our experimental data. Results: Through a comparative analysis, the modified DDT showed higher true positivity rates (TPR) when compared with the base DDT while also maintaining false positivity rates below the nominal value of 5% in nearly all analytically thresholded trials. Applying the modified DDT to our rs-fMRI data showed differential organization in the hypertension group in the regions throughout the brain including the default mode network. These experimental findings agree with previous studies. Conclusions: While our findings agree with previous studies, the experimental results presented require more investigation to prove their link to hypertension. Meanwhile, our modification to the DDT results in higher accuracy and an increased ability to discern groupwise differences in rs-fMRI data. We expect this to be useful in studying groupwise organizational differences in future studies.

Population pharmacokinetics of molnupiravir in adults with COVID-19: Lack of clinically important exposure variation across individuals.

Effective antiviral treatments for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are needed to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, particularly in patients with risk factors for severe disease. Molnupiravir (MK-4482, EIDD-2801) is an orally administered, ribonucleoside prodrug of ß-D-N4-hydroxycytidine (NHC) with submicromolar potency against SARS-CoV-2. A population pharmacokinetic (PopPK) analysis for molnupiravir exposure was conducted using 4202 NHC plasma concentrations collected in 1207 individuals from a phase I trial in healthy participants, a phase IIa trial in non-hospitalized participants with COVID-19, a phase II trial in hospitalized participants with COVID-19, and a phase II/III trial in non-hospitalized participants with COVID-19. Molnupiravir pharmacokinetics (PK) was best described by a two-compartment model with a transit-compartment absorption model and linear elimination. Molnupiravir apparent elimination clearance increased with body weight less-than-proportionally (power 0.412) and was estimated as 70.6 L/h in 80-kg individuals with a moderate interindividual variability (43.4% coefficient of variation). Additionally, effects of sex and body mass index on apparent central volume and food status and formulation on the absorption mean transit time were identified as statistically significant descriptors of variability in these PK parameters. However, none of the identified covariate effects caused clinically relevant changes in the area under the NHC concentration versus time curve between doses, the exposure metric most closely related to clinical response. Overall, the PopPK model indicates that molnupiravir can be administered in adults without dose adjustment based on age, sex, body size, food, and mild-to-moderate renal or mild hepatic impairment.

Randomized Trial of Molnupiravir or Placebo in Patients Hospitalized with Covid-19.

BACKGROUND: Molnupiravir is an oral prodrug of ß-D-N4-hydroxycytidine, active against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro and in animal models. We report data from the phase 2 component of MOVe-IN, a clinical trial evaluating molnupiravir in patients hospitalized with Covid-19. METHODS: We conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind phase 2/3 trial in patients 18 years old and older requiring in-hospital treatment for laboratory-confirmed Covid-19 with symptom onset 10 or fewer days before randomization. Participants were randomly assigned to placebo or molnupiravir 200 mg, 400 mg, or 800 mg (1:1:1:1 ratio), twice daily for 5 days. Primary end points were safety and sustained recovery (participant alive and either not hospitalized or medically ready for discharge) through day 29. RESULTS: Of 304 randomly assigned participants, 218 received at least one dose of molnupiravir and 75 of placebo. At baseline, 74.0% had at least one risk factor for severe Covid-19. Adverse events were reported in 121 of 218 (55.5%) molnupiravir-treated and 46 of 75 (61.3%) placebo-treated participants, with no apparent dose effect on adverse event rates and no evidence of hematologic toxicity based on prespecified adverse events. Of 16 confirmed deaths, most were in participants with severe Covid-19 (75.0%), with underlying comorbidities (87.5%), older than 60 years of age (81.3%), and/or symptom duration longer than 5 days (75.0%) at randomization. Median time to sustained recovery was 9 days in all groups, with similar day 29 recovery rates ranging from 81.5% to 85.2%. CONCLUSIONS: In this phase 2 trial of patients hospitalized with Covid-19, a 5-day course of molnupiravir up to 800 mg twice daily was not associated with dose-limiting side effects or adverse events, but did not demonstrate clinical benefit. (Funded by Merck Sharp & Dohme; ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04575584.)

Phase 2/3 Trial of Molnupiravir for Treatment of Covid-19 in Nonhospitalized Adults.

BACKGROUND: Safe and effective oral treatments are needed to improve clinical outcomes for nonhospitalized patients with Covid-19. Molnupiravir is an orally administered, small-molecule ribonucleoside prodrug shown to inhibit replication of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in vitro and in animal models. METHODS: MOVe-OUT is an ongoing, phase 2/3, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study evaluating the safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics of molnupiravir in nonhospitalized adults. In the phase 2 component, participants had mild or moderate, laboratory-confirmed Covid-19 with sign/symptom onset up to (and including) 7 days before randomization. Participants were randomly assigned 1:1:1:1 to receive 200, 400, or 800 mg of molnupiravir or placebo twice daily for 5 days, stratified by time since sign/symptom onset and by being at increased risk for severe illness from Covid-19. The primary efficacy end point was the proportion of participants who were hospitalized and/or died through day 29. RESULTS: The phase 2 component randomly assigned 302 participants to treatment; baseline characteristics were comparable across treatment groups. Molnupiravir had no apparent dose-related effect on adverse events, and no clinically meaningful abnormalities in laboratory test results were observed in relation to dose or treatment. Eleven participants were hospitalized or died through day 29. Of 225 participants in the combined molnupiravir group, 7 (3.1%) were hospitalized or died, compared with 4 of 74 participants (5.4%) in the placebo group. Subgroup analyses suggested lower incidences of hospitalization and/or death in the molnupiravir versus placebo groups in participants older than 60 years of age, those with increased risk for severe illness, those with symptom onset up to (and including) 5 days before randomization, and those with both symptom onset up to (and including) 5 days before randomization and increased risk for severe illness. CONCLUSIONS: These interim study results support further evaluation of molnupiravir as a potential treatment to reduce hospitalizations and/or death in nonhospitalized patients with Covid-19. (Funded by Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc.; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04575597.)

The effect of preoperative radiotherapy on surgical resectability, tumor volume and the necrosis rate of soft tissue sarcomas: A retrospective single-center analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The mainstay of soft tissue sarcoma treatment is limb preserving resection, often combined with radiotherapy, preferably preoperative radiotherapy. The goal of this study is to retrospectively assess the effect of preoperative (neoadjuvant) radiotherapy on the minimal distance to critical neurovascular structures, on tumor volume and the necrosis rate. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data of fifty-one patients treated for a localized soft tissue sarcoma (STS) of the extremity or the trunk were retrospectively reviewed. All patients were analyzed with MR imaging before and after preoperative radiotherapy to determine the impact of radiotherapy on the precise planning and execution of the surgical excision of the tumor. The volume of the tumor as well as the distance to anatomically relevant structures were measured on MRI. Tumor type, characteristics and necrosis rate were obtained from the pathology report. RESULTS: At latest follow-up (median 51 months (range 6-113)) 32/51 (63%) patients were alive. The minimal distance between the myxoid liposarcomas (n = 12) and the vessels was significantly increased by preoperative radiotherapy from 1.09 mm [0-21.1] to 5.23 mm [0-32.70] (P = 0.045). High-grade tumors showed a significant increase in tumor volume after irradiation (p = 0.03) and a significantly greater necrosis rate than low-grade tumors (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Preoperative radiotherapy significantly increases the minimal distance from myxoid liposarcomas to the vessel. In the subgroup of STS that demonstratea volume reduction the distance to nerves and vessels increases, but with the low number of cases, this increase is not statistically significant. The effect of preoperative radiotherapy on the tumor volume varies greatly, whereas the subtype of myxoid liposarcoma shows a significant volume reduction in all cases.