Phase II study to determine the anti-tumor activity and safety of simlukafusp alfa (FAP-IL2v) combined with atezolizumab in esophageal cancer.

PURPOSE: Reported here are results from the esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cohort of a Phase II, non-comparative, basket study, evaluating the anti-tumor activity and safety of FAP-IL2v plus atezolizumab in patients with advanced/metastatic solid tumors (NCT03386721). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Eligible patients had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0-1; measurable metastatic, persistent, or recurrent esophageal SCC; progression on ≥1 prior therapy; and were checkpoint inhibitor naive. Patients received FAP-IL2v 10 mg plus atezolizumab 1200 mg intravenously every 3 weeks, or FAP-IL2v weekly for 4 weeks, then every 2 weeks, plus atezolizumab 840 mg intravenously every 2 weeks. Primary endpoint was investigator-assessed objective response rate (ORR). RESULTS: In the response-evaluable population (N=34), best confirmed ORR was 20.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 10.4-36.8) with a complete response (CR) seen in one patient and partial responses (PR) in six patients. Disease control rate was 44.1% (CR=2.9%; PR=17.6%; stable disease [SD]=23.5%) and median duration of response was 10.1 months (95% CI: 5.6-26.7). Median progression-free survival was 1.9 months (95% CI: 1.8-3.7). Analysis of response by PD-L1 expression (Ventana SP263) resulted in an ORR of 26.7 % for patients with PD-L1-positive tumors (tumor area positivity [TAP] cut-off ≥1%; n=15) and 7.1% for patients with PD-L1-negative tumors (TAP cut-off <1%; n=14). Overall, the treatment combination was tolerable and adverse events were consistent with the known safety profiles of each drug. CONCLUSIONS: FAP-IL2v plus atezolizumab demonstrated clinical activity and was tolerable in patients with previously treated esophageal SCC.

The Impact of Music Perception on Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST).

Objective: The impact of listening to music on pain perception has been evaluated using questionnaires and numeric/visual analogue scales. In this study, the impact of music perception on sensory pain functions was measured by means of quantitative sensory testing. Methods: We enrolled 10 female and 10 male healthy subjects (10 of them were professional musicians). All subjects underwent, in total, four quantitative sensory testing measures (first: baseline; second: after pleasant music [Johannes Brahms, 3rd symphony, 3rd movement]; third: after unpleasant music [Krzysztof Penderecki, Threnos]; fourth: after a longer break). The pleasantness of music was evaluated using the Ertel differential scale. Results: After the participants listened to pleasant music, an increased sensitivity to cold stimuli (both threshold and pain), to mechanical stimuli (only for threshold), and to repeated stimuli (wind-up reaction) was noted. Listening to unpleasant music was not associated with changes in sensitivity. We did not observe any significant differences between male and female subjects or between musicians and non-musicians. There was no significant correlation between the rating of the music as pleasant/unpleasant and the different quantitative sensory testing measures. Conclusions: Our data show that listening to music inducing a pleasant feeling can increase the sensitivity to stimuli applied during a quantitative sensory testing session. This should be considered when performing or interpreting quantitative sensory testing examinations. Interestingly, this finding is in contrast to the observation that listening to music can decrease pain perception during painful procedures.

Safety, Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, and Antitumor Activity from a Phase I Study of Simlukafusp Alfa (FAP-IL2v) in Advanced/Metastatic Solid Tumors.

PURPOSE: Simlukafusp alfa (FAP-IL2v), a tumor-targeted immunocytokine, comprising an interleukin-2 variant moiety with abolished CD25 binding fused to human immunoglobulin G1, is directed against fibroblast activation protein-α. This phase I, open-label, multicenter, dose-escalation and extension study (NCT02627274) evaluated the safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and antitumor activity of FAP-IL2v in patients with advanced/metastatic solid tumors. METHODS: Participants received FAP-IL2v intravenously once weekly. Dose escalation started at 5 mg; flat dosing (≤25 mg) and intra-participant up-titration regimens (15/20 mg, 20/25 mg, 20/20/35 mg, 20/35/35 mg) were evaluated. Primary objectives were dose-limiting toxicities (DLT), maximum tolerated dose (MTD), recommended expansion dose, and pharmacokinetics. RESULTS: Sixty-one participants were enrolled. DLTs included fatigue (flat dose 20 mg: n = 1), asthenia (25 mg: n = 1), drug-induced liver injury (up-titration regimen 20/25 mg: n = 1), transaminase increase (20/25 mg: n = 1), and pneumonia (20/35/35 mg: n = 1). Up-titration regimen 15/20 mg was the MTD and was selected as the recommended expansion dose. Increases in peripheral blood absolute immune cell counts were seen for all tested doses (natural killer cells, 13-fold; CD4+ T cells [including Tregs], 2-fold; CD8+ T cells, 3.5-fold), but without any percentage change in Tregs. Clinical activity was observed from 5 mg (objective response rate, 5.1% [n = 3]; disease control rate, 27.1% [n = 16]). Responses were durable (n = 3; 2.8 [censored], 6.3, and 43.4 months). CONCLUSIONS: FAP-IL2v had a manageable safety profile and showed initial signs of antitumor activity in advanced/metastatic solid tumors.

Acute Treatment Patterns, Migraine Burden, and Healthcare Resource Use in People With Migraine: Results From the OVERCOME (EU) Observational Study.

INTRODUCTION: The ObserVational survey of the Epidemiology, tReatment and Care Of MigrainE (OVERCOME) European Union (EU) is part of an overarching population-based study program that also includes the United States and Japan. Here, we report data on the migraine/severe headache burden and the use of acute medication and healthcare resources in Spain and Germany. METHODS: OVERCOME (EU) was an online, non-interventional, cross-sectional survey conducted in adults in Spain and Germany between October 2020 and February 2021. A total migraine cohort was established based on health survey participants who reported headache/migraine in the last 12 months AND identified as having migraine based on modified International Classification of Headache Disorders, third edition criteria OR self-reported physician diagnosis. Data were analyzed for the total migraine cohort and the subcohort with moderate to severe headache attacks, with average pain severity ≥ 5 points, pain duration ≥ 4 h, and at least moderate disability due to migraine [Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) score ≥ 11] over the past 3 months. RESULTS: Pain of moderate or severe intensity was the most frequent symptom in the total migraine cohort (n = 19,103/20,756; 92.0%). Proportions of participants reporting severe disability (MIDAS Grade IV), poorer quality of life (QoL; Migraine-Specific QoL Questionnaire), and higher interictal burden (Migraine Interictal Burden Scale-4), generally increased with number of headache days (HDs)/month. Most participants (92.5%) reported current acute migraine/severe headache medication use, although only 39.0% were using triptans. In the moderate to severe attacks subcohort (n = 5547), 48.4% were using triptans, with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs the most common acute medication. The moderate to severe attacks subcohort also reported poorer QoL and greater pain and disability with increasing HDs/month, although severe interictal burden was reported for ~ 60% of participants regardless of HDs/month. Treatment satisfaction (six-item migraine Treatment Optimization Questionnaire) in those using triptans was generally poor in both total and subcohorts. CONCLUSION: High migraine-related burden levels were reported, despite use of acute medication. Although triptans are recommended for moderate to severe migraine attacks in Spanish and German guidelines, less than half of participants were using triptans; treatment satisfaction in those using triptans was generally poor. New tailored treatment options may help address unmet needs in current acute treatment.

The description of epileptic seizures in the classical opera.

Epilepsy or epileptic seizures have only rarely been described in the classical opera. Four operas were detected, in which epileptic seizures are described also by musical means. Three of them ("Der Golem" by Eugen d'Albert; "Idiot" by Mieczyslaw Weinberg; "Otello" by Giuseppe Verdi) describe a generalized tonic-clonic epileptic seizure by a descending chromatic scale. One opera ("The turn of the screw" by Benjamin Britten) describes temporal lobe seizures by overtone music played by the instrument celesta.

A comprehensive approach for evaluating the virucidal performance of domestic laundry detergents under practical conditions.

AIMS: We aimed to develop a method to assess the virucidal performance of domestic laundry in a lab-scale washing machine (Rotawash) based on EN 17658. METHODS AND RESULTS: For method development, virus recovery was investigated after drying on cotton carriers for three test viruses murine norovirus (MNV), modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA), and bovine coronavirus (BCoV), followed by washing simulations in flasks and Rotawash. MNV and MVA demonstrated sufficient recovery from carriers after drying and washing (up to 40°C and 60 min). BCoV exhibited lower recovery, indicating less relevance as a test virus. Rotawash efficacy tests conducted with MNV, a resistant, non-enveloped virus, showed limited efficacy of a bleach-free detergent, aligning with results from a domestic washing machine. Rotawash washes achieved higher reductions in infectious virus titers than suspension tests, indicating the role of washing mechanics in virus removal. CONCLUSIONS: This study established a practical method to test the virucidal efficacy of laundry detergents in Rotawash, simulating domestic washing.

Obinutuzumab Pretreatment as a Novel Approach to Mitigate Formation of Anti-Drug Antibodies Against Cergutuzumab Amunaleukin in Patients with Solid Tumors.

PURPOSE: The immunocytokine cergutuzumab amunaleukin (CEA-IL2v) showed manageable safety and favorable pharmacodynamics in phase I/Ib trials in patients with advanced/metastatic carcinoembryonic antigen-positive (CEA+) solid tumors, but this was accompanied by a high incidence of anti-drug antibodies (ADA). We examined B-cell depletion with obinutuzumab as a potential mitigation strategy. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Preclinical data comparing B-cell depletion with rituximab versus obinutuzumab are summarized. Substudies of phase I/Ib trials investigated the effect of obinutuzumab pretreatment on ADA development, safety, pharmacodynamics, and antitumor activity of CEA-IL2v ± atezolizumab in patients with advanced/metastatic or unresectable CEA+ solid tumors who had progressed on standard of care. RESULTS: Preclinical data showed superior B-cell depletion with obinutuzumab versus rituximab. In clinical studies, patients received CEA-IL2v monotherapy with (n = 16) or without (n = 6) obinutuzumab pretreatment (monotherapy study), or CEA-IL2v + atezolizumab + obinutuzumab pretreatment (n = 5; combination study). In the monotherapy study, after four cycles (every 2 weeks treatment), 0/15 evaluable patients administered obinutuzumab pretreatment had ADAs versus 4/6 patients without obinutuzumab. Obinutuzumab pretreatment with CEA-IL2v monotherapy showed no new safety signals and pharmacodynamic data suggested minimal impact on T cells and natural killer cells. Conversely, increased liver toxicity was observed in the combination study (CEA-IL2v + atezolizumab + obinutuzumab pretreatment). CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary findings suggest that obinutuzumab pretreatment before CEA-IL2v administration in patients with CEA+ solid tumors may be a feasible and potent ADA mitigation strategy, with an acceptable safety profile, supporting broader investigation of obinutuzumab pretreatment for ADA mitigation in other settings.

OnabotulinumtoxinA: Discussion of the evidence for effectiveness of OnabotulinumA and its place in chronic migraine treatment.

OnabotulinumtoxinA is a potent inhibitor of muscle contraction that acts by preventing the release of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction. In pain states such as migraine, its mechanism of action is not yet fully elucidated and probably relates to the phenomena of central and peripheral sensitization within the trigeminal system. Migraine is a prevalent and disabling disorder and, especially in its variant of chronic migraine (CM), is associated with relevant symptomatic and socioeconomic burden, the objective of preventive treatment being to reduce the frequency, duration, or severity of migraine attacks. OnabotulinumtoxinA, administered by intramuscular injection, is approved for the prevention of CM and is among the most utilized preventive treatments in CM and fundamental to clinical practice. The efficacy and safety of OnabotulinumtoxinA in the treatment of CM have been verified by the PREEMPT 1 and 2 studies and confirmed by the real-world studies that followed, including the COMPEL, REPOSE, and CM PASS. OnabotulinumtoxinA not only reduces headache days but also leads to improvement in functioning and quality of life, thereby reducing migraine impact. Data about its pathophysiology, efficacy, and its place in CM treatment in the era of CGRP monoclonal antibodies are reviewed and discussed here.

Migraine with aura.

This chapter describes the different types of aura including rare aura subtypes such as retinal aura. In addition, aura manifestations not classified in the International Classification of Headache Disorders and auras in headache disorders others than migraine are also described. The differential diagnosis of migraine aura comprises several neurological disorders which should be known to specialists. Migraine aura also has impact on the choice of migraine treatment; recommendations for the treatment of the migraine aura itself are also presented in this chapter.

Did Martin Luther suffer from vestibular migraine?

Martin Luther (1483-1546) reported attacks of headache and of vertigo in his letters and in his lectures. The symptomatology of his headache attacks fulfilled, at least in part, the diagnostic semiological criteria of migraine. However, because we cannot be sure about the time pattern and the exclusion of other disorders that might explain the headache, the diagnosis of migraine is not final. The vertigo attacks sometimes fulfilled the criteria of Ménière's disease. Vertigo also occurred together with headache attacks fulfilling the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition criteria for vestibular migraine; however, we do not know exactly the pattern of attack frequency and duration. In summary, it is possible that Martin Luther suffered from attacks of vestibular migraine and had in addition a comorbidity of migraine and Ménière's disease.

The Cerebellum in Musicology: a Narrative Review.

The cerebellum is involved in cognitive procressing including music perception and music production. This narrative review aims to summarize the current knowledge on the activation of the cerebellum by different musical stimuli, on the involvement of the cerebellum in cognitive loops underlying the analysis of music, and on the role of the cerebellum in the motor network underlying music production. A possible role of the cerebellum in therapeutic settings is also briefly discussed. In a second part, the cerebellum as object of musicology (i.e., in classical music, in contemporary music, cerebellar disorders of musicians) is described.

European Academy of Neurology guidelines on the treatment of cluster headache.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Cluster headache is a relatively rare, disabling primary headache disorder with a major impact on patients' quality of life. This work presents evidence-based recommendations for the treatment of cluster headache derived from a systematic review of the literature and consensus among a panel of experts. METHODS: The databases PubMed (Medline), Science Citation Index, and Cochrane Library were screened for studies on the efficacy of interventions (last access July 2022). The findings in these studies were evaluated according to the recommendations of the European Academy of Neurology, and the level of evidence was established using GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation). RECOMMENDATIONS: For the acute treatment of cluster headache attacks, there is a strong recommendation for oxygen (100%) with a flow of at least 12 L/min over 15 min and 6 mg subcutaneous sumatriptan. Prophylaxis of cluster headache attacks with verapamil at a daily dose of at least 240 mg (maximum dose depends on efficacy and tolerability) is recommended. Corticosteroids are efficacious in cluster headache. To reach an effect, the use of at least 100 mg prednisone (or equivalent corticosteroid) given orally or at up to 500 mg iv per day over 5 days is recommended. Lithium, topiramate, and galcanezumab (only for episodic cluster headache) are recommended as alternative treatments. Noninvasive vagus nerve stimulation is efficacious in episodic but not chronic cluster headache. Greater occipital nerve block is recommended, but electrical stimulation of the greater occipital nerve is not recommended due to the side effect profile.

Preventive treatment patterns and treatment satisfaction in migraine: results of the OVERCOME (EU) study.

BACKGROUND: Insights into the burden, needs and treatment of migraine from internet-based surveys in diverse real-world migraine populations are needed, especially at a time when novel preventive migraine medications are becoming part of the therapeutic armamentarium. The objectives of this analysis are to describe traditional preventive (orals and onabotulinum toxin A) treatment patterns in the OVERCOME (EU) study migraine cohort, as well as treatment patterns and patient satisfaction with current treatment in a subgroup of respondents eligible for migraine preventive medication. METHODS: The cross-sectional non-interventional OVERCOME (EU) study was conducted (October 2020-February 2021) via an online survey among adults (aged ≥ 18 years) resident in Germany or Spain. Participants, registered in existing online panels, who were willing to provide consent were considered. The migraine cohort included participants reporting headache/migraine in the past year, identified based on a validated migraine diagnostic questionnaire and/or self-reported physician diagnosis. A subgroup of survey respondents defined as eligible for migraine preventive medication at the point in time the cross-sectional survey was taken was also analysed. Variables assessed included sociodemographic and migraine-related clinical characteristics, preventive (traditional and calcitonin gene-related peptide monoclonal antibodies) treatment patterns and patient satisfaction with current treatment. Results are descriptive only. RESULTS: Of the 20,756 participants in the migraine cohort, 78.5% sought professional medical care, 50.8% received a migraine diagnosis and only 17.7% had ever used preventive medication. Half (53.3%) of participants currently using preventives took their most recent medication for six months or less. Most patients (73.9%) classified as eligible for preventive medication (based on headache frequency and/or at least moderate disability due to migraine) reported not using traditional preventives and many of those who did (66.8%) were not satisfied with their current standard of care. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight the low proportion of people diagnosed with migraine despite a higher rate of consultation and suggest the need for better access to treatment for people with migraine and new preventive therapies with improved efficacy and safety profiles to improve adherence and patient satisfaction.

Association of Mortality and Risk of Epilepsy With Type of Acute Symptomatic Seizure After Ischemic Stroke and an Updated Prognostic Model.

Importance: Acute symptomatic seizures occurring within 7 days after ischemic stroke may be associated with an increased mortality and risk of epilepsy. It is unknown whether the type of acute symptomatic seizure influences this risk. Objective: To compare mortality and risk of epilepsy following different types of acute symptomatic seizures. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study analyzed data acquired from 2002 to 2019 from 9 tertiary referral centers. The derivation cohort included adults from 7 cohorts and 2 case-control studies with neuroimaging-confirmed ischemic stroke and without a history of seizures. Replication in 3 separate cohorts included adults with acute symptomatic status epilepticus after neuroimaging-confirmed ischemic stroke. The final data analysis was performed in July 2022. Exposures: Type of acute symptomatic seizure. Main Outcomes and Measures: All-cause mortality and epilepsy (at least 1 unprovoked seizure presenting >7 days after stroke). Results: A total of 4552 adults were included in the derivation cohort (2547 male participants [56%]; 2005 female [44%]; median age, 73 years [IQR, 62-81]). Acute symptomatic seizures occurred in 226 individuals (5%), of whom 8 (0.2%) presented with status epilepticus. In patients with acute symptomatic status epilepticus, 10-year mortality was 79% compared with 30% in those with short acute symptomatic seizures and 11% in those without seizures. The 10-year risk of epilepsy in stroke survivors with acute symptomatic status epilepticus was 81%, compared with 40% in survivors with short acute symptomatic seizures and 13% in survivors without seizures. In a replication cohort of 39 individuals with acute symptomatic status epilepticus after ischemic stroke (24 female; median age, 78 years), the 10-year risk of mortality and epilepsy was 76% and 88%, respectively. We updated a previously described prognostic model (SeLECT 2.0) with the type of acute symptomatic seizures as a covariate. SeLECT 2.0 successfully captured cases at high risk of poststroke epilepsy. Conclusions and Relevance: In this study, individuals with stroke and acute symptomatic seizures presenting as status epilepticus had a higher mortality and risk of epilepsy compared with those with short acute symptomatic seizures or no seizures. The SeLECT 2.0 prognostic model adequately reflected the risk of epilepsy in high-risk cases and may inform decisions on the continuation of antiseizure medication treatment and the methods and frequency of follow-up.

The Impact of Levetiracetam and Valproate on Platelet Functions-A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Study.

It is known that valproate inhibits platelet functions; however, the exact mechanisms are not clearly identified. We studied 12 healthy adult volunteers (1 female, 11 male; age range 31.7 ± 7.8 years) before and after valproate 500 mg and compared the results to levetiracetam 1000 mg as a control substance and placebo. The study had a crossover and double-blind design. A blood sample was taken before and 90 min after medication intake, because the times to maximum serum concentration (Tmax) are 1.5 h for levetiracetam and 1 to 3 h for valproate. We analysed changes in platelet, erythrocyte, and leukocyte cell count and in platelet functions (CD62 expression (P selectin), thrombin binding, and fibrinogen binding). We found no significant differences in all cell counts before and after different study drugs. After valproate intake, but not after placebo or levetiracetam intake, the fibrinogen binding significantly decreased and the CD62 expression significantly increased resulting in decreased platelet aggregation. Our data suggest that the platelet dysfunctions reported for valproate result from decreased fibrinogen binding and from increased CD62 expression. This phenomenon might be one reason for the increased bleeding risk under valproate and cannot be observed for levetiracetam.

Cephalalgia - The early history.

The journal Cephalalgia was founded in 1980 and was first published in 1981. The foundation was mainly laid by Ottar Sjaastad who also served as the first Editor-in-Chief. In the early years, Cephalalgia was published in Scandinavia and was owned by the Norwegian Migraine Society. It became the official journal of the International Headache Society in 1984 and in 1993 ownership of Cephalalgia was transferred to International Headache Society. The publisher changed in 2000 and then again in 2009. The success of Cephalalgia can be seen by the almost continuous rising of its impact factor and by the increasing number of issues including supplements and special issues. In the future, Cephalagia will become more digital and open access.