A Phase 1 Dose-Escalation Study of PF-06671008, a Bispecific T-Cell-Engaging Therapy Targeting P-Cadherin in Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors.

P-cadherin is a cell-cell adhesion molecule that is overexpressed in several solid tumors. PF-06671008 is a T-cell-redirecting bispecific antibody that engages both P-cadherin on tumors and CD3ϵ on T cells and induces antitumor activity in preclinical models. We conducted a phase 1, open-label, first-in-human, dose-escalation study to characterize the safety and tolerability of PF-06671008, towards determining the recommended phase 2 dose. Adult patients with treatment-refractory solid tumors received PF-06671008 (1.5-400 ng/kg) as a weekly intravenous (IV) infusion on a 21-day/3-week cycle. Parallel cohorts evaluated dosing via subcutaneous injection (SC) or an IV-prime dose. Of the 27 patients enrolled in the study, 24 received PF-06671008 IV in escalating doses, two received SC, and one IV-prime. A dose-limiting toxicity of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) occurred in the 400-ng/kg IV group, prompting evaluation of SC and IV-prime schedules. In all, 25/27 patients who received PF-06671008 reported at least one treatment-related adverse event (TRAE); the most common were CRS (21/27), decreased lymphocyte count (9/27), and hypophosphatemia (8/27). Seven patients permanently discontinued treatment due to adverse events and no treatment-related deaths occurred. Cytokine peak concentrations and CRS grade appeared to positively correlate with Cmax. Although the study was terminated due to limited antitumor activity, it provides important insights into understanding and managing immune-related adverse events resulting from this class of molecules. Clinical Trial Registration: URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02659631, ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02659631.

The evolution of cyclin dependent kinase inhibitors in the treatment of cancer.

Introduction: The cell cycle cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) play a critical role in controlling the transition between cell cycle phases, as well as cellular transcription. Aberrant CDK activation is common in cancer, and deregulation of the cell cycle a key hallmark of cancer. Although CDK4/6 inhibitors are now a standard-of-care option for first- and second-line HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer, resistance inevitably limits their clinical benefit.Areas covered: Early pan-CDK inhibitors targeted the cell cycle and RNA polymerase II phosphorylation, but were complicated by toxicity, providing a rationale and need for the development of selective CDK inhibitors. In this review, we highlight selected recent literature to provide a narrative review summarizing the current CDK inhibitor therapeutic landscape. We detail the challenges associated with targeting CDKs for the treatment of breast and other cancers and review emerging biomarkers that may aid response prediction. We also discuss the risk-benefit ratio for CDK therapy and explore promising combination approaches.Expert opinion: Although CDK inhibitors may stem the proliferation of cancer cells, resistance remains an issue, and currently there are limited biomarkers to predict response to therapy. Ongoing research investigating CDK inhibitors in cancer is of paramount importance to define appropriate and effective treatment regimens.

Model-Based Characterization of the Pharmacokinetics, Target Engagement Biomarkers, and Immunomodulatory Activity of PF-06342674, a Humanized mAb Against IL-7 Receptor-α, in Adults with Type 1 Diabetes.

IL-7 receptor-α (IL-7Rα) blockade has been shown to reverse autoimmune diabetes in the non-obese diabetic mouse by promoting inhibition of effector T cells and consequently altering the balance of regulatory T (Treg) and effector memory (TEM) cells. PF-06342674 is a humanized monoclonal antibody that binds to and inhibits the function of IL-7Rα. In the current phase 1b study, subjects with type 1 diabetes (T1D) received subcutaneous doses of either placebo or PF-06342674 (1, 3, 8 mg/kg/q2w or 6 mg/kg/q1w) for 10 weeks and were followed up to 18 weeks. Nonlinear mixed effects models were developed to characterize the pharmacokinetics (PK), target engagement biomarkers, and immunomodulatory activity. PF-06342674 was estimated to have 20-fold more potent inhibitory effect on TEM cells relative to Treg cells resulting in a non-monotonic dose-response relationship for the Treg:TEM ratio, reaching maximum at ~ 3 mg/kg/q2w dose. Target-mediated elimination led to nonlinear PK with accelerated clearance at lower doses due to high affinity binding and rapid clearance of the drug-target complex. Doses ≥ 3 mg/kg q2w result in sustained PF-06342674 concentrations higher than the concentration of cellular IL-7 receptor and, in turn, maintain near maximal receptor occupancy over the dosing interval. The results provide important insight into the mechanism of IL-7Rα blockade and immunomodulatory activity of PF-06342674 and establish a rational framework for dose selection for subsequent clinical trials of PF-06342674. Furthermore, this analysis serves as an example of mechanistic modeling to support dose selection of a drug candidate in the early phases of development.

Immunomodulatory activity of humanized anti-IL-7R monoclonal antibody RN168 in subjects with type 1 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: The cytokine IL-7 is critical for T cell development and function. We performed a Phase Ib study in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) to evaluate how blockade of IL-7 would affect immune cells and relevant clinical responses. METHODS: Thirty-seven subjects with T1D received s.c. RN168, a monoclonal antibody that blocks the IL -7 receptor α (IL7Rα) in a dose-escalating study. RESULTS: Between 90% and 100% IL-7R occupancy and near-complete inhibition of pSTAT5 was observed at doses of RN168 1 mg/kg every other week (Q2wk) and greater. There was a significant decline in CD4+ and CD8+ effector and central memory T cells and CD4+ naive cells, but there were fewer effects on CD8+ naive T cells. The ratios of Tregs to CD4+ or CD8+ effector and central memory T cells versus baseline were increased. RNA sequencing analysis showed downmodulation of genes associated with activation, survival, and differentiation of T cells. Expression of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 was reduced. The majority of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were mild and not treatment related. Four subjects became anti-EBV IgG+ after RN168, and 2 had symptoms of active infection. The immunologic response to tetanus toxoid was preserved at doses of 1 and 3 mg/kg Q2wk but reduced at higher doses. CONCLUSIONS: This trial shows that, at dosages of 1-3 mg/kg, RN168 selectively inhibits the survival and activity of memory T cells while preserving naive T cells and Tregs. These immunologic effects may serve to eliminate pathologic T cells in autoimmune diseases. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02038764. FUNDING: Pfizer Inc.

A Modeling Framework to Characterize Cytokine Release upon T-Cell-Engaging Bispecific Antibody Treatment: Methodology and Opportunities.

T-cell-engaging bispecific antibodies (T-BsAbs) are an important class of antibody therapeutics in immuno-oncology. T-BsAbs simultaneously bind to CD3 on T cells and a tumor-associated antigen on tumor cells, activate T cells, and redirect T cells' cytotoxicity against tumor cells. Cytokine release syndrome (CRS), a common dose-limiting adverse event for T-BsAbs, is associated with T-cell activation. A "priming" dose strategy (i.e., a lower initial dose followed by a higher maintenance dose) has been implemented in the clinic to mitigate CRS and to achieve efficacious doses with T-BsAbs. So far, the selection of the optimal priming dosing regimen is largely empirical. A "fit-for-purpose" semimechanistic pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model was developed to characterize the cytokine release profiles upon T-BsAb treatment, including the priming effect observed with repeated dosing. This model can be utilized to simulate cytokine profiles following various dosing regimens and may assist the design of clinical dosing strategies for T-BsAbs programs.

Improving attribution of adverse events in oncology clinical trials.

Attribution of adverse events (AEs) is critical to oncology drug development and the regulatory process. However, processes for determining the causality of AEs are often sub-optimal, unreliable, and inefficient. Thus, we conducted a toxicity-attribution workshop in Silver Springs MD to develop guidance for improving attribution of AEs in oncology clinical trials. Attribution stakeholder experts from regulatory agencies, sponsors and contract research organizations, clinical trial principal investigators, pre-clinical translational scientists, and research staff involved in capturing attribution information participated. We also included patients treated in oncology clinical trials and academic researchers with expertise in attribution. We identified numerous challenges with AE attribution, including the non-informative nature of and burdens associated with the 5-tier system of attribution, increased complexity of trial logistics, costs and time associated with AE attribution data collection, lack of training in attribution for early-career investigators, insufficient baseline assessments, and lack of consistency in the reporting of treatment-related and treatment-emergent AEs in publications and clinical scientific reports. We developed recommendations to improve attribution: we propose transitioning from the present 5-tier system to a 2-3 tier system for attribution, more complete baseline information on patients' clinical status at trial entry, and mechanisms for more rapid sharing of AE information during trials. Oncology societies should develop recommendations and training in attribution of toxicities. We call for further harmonization and synchronization of recommendations regarding causality safety reporting between FDA, EMA and other regulatory agencies. Finally, we suggest that journals maintain or develop standardized requirements for reporting attribution in oncology clinical trials.

A phase 1, dose-escalation study of PF-06664178, an anti-Trop-2/Aur0101 antibody-drug conjugate in patients with advanced or metastatic solid tumors.

Purpose and Methods Trop-2 is a glycoprotein over-expressed in many solid tumors but at low levels in normal human tissue, providing a potential therapeutic target. We conducted a phase 1 dose-finding study of PF-06664178, an antibody-drug conjugate that targets Trop-2 for the selective delivery of the cytotoxic payload Aur0101. The primary objective was to determine the maximum tolerated dose and recommended phase 2 dose. Secondary objectives included further characterization of the safety profile, pharmacokinetics and antitumor activity. Eligible patients were enrolled and received multiple escalating doses of PF-06664178 in an open-label and unblinded manner based on a modified continual reassessment method. Results Thirty-one patients with advanced or metastatic solid tumors were treated with escalating doses of PF-06664178 given intravenously every 21 days. Doses explored ranged from 0.15 mg/kg to 4.8 mg/kg. Seven patients experienced at least one dose limiting toxicity (DLT), either neutropenia or rash. Doses of 3.60 mg/kg, 4.2 mg/kg and 4.8 mg/kg were considered intolerable due to DLTs in skin rash, mucosa and neutropenia. Best overall response was stable disease in 11 patients (37.9%). None of the patients had a partial or complete response. Systemic exposure of PF-06664178 increased in a dose-related manner. Serum concentrations of free Aur0101 were substantially lower than those of PF-06664178 and total antibody. No correlation of Trop-2 expression and objective response was observed, although Trop-2 overexpression was not required for study entry. The intermediate dose of 2.4 mg/kg appeared to be the highest tolerated dose, but this was not fully explored as the study was terminated early due to excess toxicity. Conclusion PF-06664178 showed toxicity at high dose levels with modest antitumor activity. Neutropenia, skin rash and mucosal inflammation were dose limiting toxicities. Findings from this study may potentially aid in future antibody drug conjugate design and trials.

A population pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic study of a peripheral κ-opioid receptor agonist CR665 and oxycodone.

BACKGROUND: Peripherally acting opioids, particularly peripheral κ-opioid agonists, may be effective for treating visceral pain by activating receptors expressed on afferent nerves within the gut. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic profile of a novel peripherally selective κ-opioid agonist, CR665 (JNJ-38488502), and compare it to that of oxycodone, a non-selective brain-penetrant opioid. METHODS: In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, three-way crossover study, healthy male volunteers were administered CR665 (0.36 mg/kg, intravenous), oxycodone (15 mg, oral) or placebo (intravenous and oral), followed by assessment of visceral pain tolerance thresholds (VPTT) measured as volume of water (mL) in the bag placed on an oesophageal probe. Plasma drug concentration data were used to generate pharmacokinetic models, which were then used to fit the VPTT data using NONMEM(®) VI to generate population pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic models. RESULTS: CR665 kinetics were optimally fitted with a two-compartment model, while oxycodone kinetics were best described by a one-compartment model with transit compartment absorption feeding directly into the central compartment. For both drugs, the plasma concentration effects on VPTT were best fit by a direct linear model, i.e. without the concentration-analgesia delay characteristic of brain-penetrant opioids. The slope of oxycodone (0.089 mL per ng/mL) was steeper than that of CR665 (0.0035 mL per ng/mL) for the plasma drug concentration acting on the VPTT. CONCLUSION: The results are consistent with the peripheral selectivity of CR665, as well as the possibility that peripheral actions of oxycodone contribute to its visceral analgesic efficacy.

Objective comparison of 4 nonlongitudinal ultrasound modalities regarding efficiency and chatter.

PURPOSE: To compare efficiency and chatter of Infiniti Ozil with and without Intelligent Phacoemulsification (IP) and the Signature Ellips with and without FX. SETTING: John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. DESIGN: Experimental study. METHODS: Brunescent 2.0 mm human lens cubes were created by an instrument devised for this study. Cubes were tested (10 per test) for time of particle removal (efficiency) and for the number of times the lens particle bounced off the tip (chatter) at 300 mm Hg and 550 mm Hg, 50% and 100% power, and 50% and 100% amplitudes (amplitude for Ozil only). RESULTS: Of the ultrasound settings, efficiency varied from a mean of 3.3 seconds ± 1.4 (SD) to 50.4 ± 11.7 seconds and chatter from 0.0 to 52.0 ± 16.7 bounces per run. The Ozil-IP was generally more efficient than the Ozil and the Ellips FX more efficient than the Ellips. At optimized values, the Ozil-IP and Ellips-FX were similar. In general, efficiency and chatter were better at 550 mm Hg and at 50% power. The amplitude effect was complex. Efficiency closely correlated with chatter (Pearson r(2) = .31, P<.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Objective comparison of phacoemulsification efficiency and chatter found that optimized Ozil-IP and Ellips-FX were similar in both parameters and in general, both performed better than preceding technology. The study parameters can significantly affect efficiency and chatter, which strongly correlate with each other.

Endocapsular carousel technique phacoemulsification.

We describe an approach to cataract phacoemulsification that uses the carouseling technique within the capsular bag. This is made possible by a newly designed phacoemulsification tip with 3 unique modifications: a 20-degree right bend in the tip, a semicircular opening, and a third irrigation port. These 3 features facilitate the carouseling technique of phacoemulsification without expressing the lens into the anterior chamber. The method decreases corneal endothelial injury by maximizing the distance between the delivered thermal energy and the corneal endothelium. The preoperative and postoperative pachymetry and endothelial cell counts in the first 8 patients treated using this technique are reported.

Cataract surgery following phakic intraocular lens implantation.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review the most recent literature regarding the incidence and pathophysiology of phakic intraocular lens (pIOL) associated cataracts, surgical issues and outcomes of combined pIOL explantation/cataract surgery, and the prevention of cataract formation secondary to pIOLs. RECENT FINDINGS: The overall rate of cataracts secondary to pIOLs is low, but a disproportionate number is associated with posterior chamber pIOLs. All combination pIOL explantation/cataract surgeries resulted in the successful implantation of a posterior chamber intraocular lens in the capsular bag. We present several theories regarding the pathophysiology of anterior subcapsular cataracts secondary to posterior chamber pIOLs. In addition, we present general strategies in performing combination pIOL explantation/cataract surgery. Several methods of preoperative assessment show promise in helping prevent cataracts secondary to pIOLs, including new ultrasound methods for sulcus imaging and preoperative simulations. SUMMARY: Although the incidence of cataracts secondary to pIOLs is low, more studies regarding the pathophysiology of this phenomenon and improvement of preoperative assessment are needed, especially for posterior chamber pIOLs.

Corneal transparency: genesis, maintenance and dysfunction.

Optimal vision is contingent upon transparency of the cornea. Corneal neovascularization, trauma and, surgical procedures such as photorefractive keratectomy and graft rejection after penetrating keratoplasty can lead to corneal opacification. In this article we identify the underlying basis of corneal transparency and factors that compromise the integrity of the cornea. With evidence from work on animal models and clinical studies, we explore the molecular mechanisms of both corneal avascularity and its dysfunction. We also seek to review therapeutic regimens that can safely salvage and restore corneal transparency.

Analgesic efficacy of peripheral kappa-opioid receptor agonist CR665 compared to oxycodone in a multi-modal, multi-tissue experimental human pain model: selective effect on visceral pain.

BACKGROUND: Peripherally selective opioids may be beneficial in visceral pain management due to absence of centrally mediated side effects. The objectives of this study were: (1) to assess the effects of a peripherally selective tetrapeptide kappa-opioid receptor agonist, CR665, on experimental pain from multi-modal stimulation of skin, muscle, and viscera, and (2) contrast these effects with those of oxycodone (centrally acting opioid). METHODS: The study was designed as a single-center, single-dose, randomized, double-blind, placebo and active-controlled, double-dummy, three-way, crossover study in healthy males. Subjects received the following treatments in randomized order: (1) CR665 (0.36 mg/kg) administered intravenously over 1 h, (2) oxycodone (15 mg) administered orally, and (3) placebo administered intravenously and orally. The following pain tests were used: (1) cutaneous pinch pain tolerance threshold, (2) pressure pain detection and tolerance thresholds, (3) cuff pressure pain tolerance threshold, and (4) pain rating thresholds to distension and thermal stimulation of the esophagus. Measurements were performed before dosing and at 30, 60, and 90 min after dosing. RESULTS: Compared to placebo, oxycodone elevated cutaneous pinch pain tolerance (P < 0.001) and cuff pressure pain tolerance threshold (P < 0.001), as well as pain rating thresholds (visual analogue scale = 7) to esophageal distension (P < 0.001) and thermal stimulation (P < 0.002). Compared to placebo, CR665 significantly increased the pain rating threshold to esophageal distension (P < 0.005) but reduced the pain tolerance threshold to skin pinching (P = 0.007). CONCLUSION: CR665 had a selective effect on visceral pain. Oxycodone exhibited a generalized effect, elevating thresholds for cutaneous, deep somatic, and visceral pain stimulation.

Use of a lidocaine patch in the management of postsurgical neuropathic pain in patients with cancer: a phase III double-blind crossover study (N01CB).

OBJECTIVE: Current therapies often have limited efficacy and untenable side effects when used to treat persistent incisional pain following cancer-related surgery. Lidocaine patches reduce neuropathic pain from herpes zoster but their benefits for persistent cancer-related postsurgical incisional pain remain unclear. STUDY DESIGN: Multicenter, double-blind, randomized, two-period crossover trial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight cancer patients with postsurgical incisional pain were randomly assigned to receive either lidocaine patches followed by placebo patches or the reverse. Each study period lasted 4 weeks. Patches were applied daily upon waking and left in place for a maximum of 18 h. The primary outcome measure, an 11-point pain intensity rating scale, was administered weekly. Secondary outcomes were administered weekly (Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form(BPI-SF), Subject Global Impression of Change) and at the end of each study period (Short Form-Magill Pain Questionnaire, Linear Analogue Self Assessment Scale, Neuropathy Pain Scale, Pain Catastrophizing Scale, Profile of Mood States Short Form). RESULTS: Twenty-one patients completed the first period and 18 completed their crossover second phase. No significant intergroup differences were detected in pain intensity ratings. Few secondary end points were significantly different when subjects used the lidocaine versus placebo patches. BPI-SF interference scores were lower in patients using the lidocaine patch during the first study period, including several scores that achieved statistical significance, general activity (p = 0.02), work (p = 0.04), and relations with others (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Lidocaine patch use did not significantly reduce pain intensity ratings or the majority of related secondary end points in cancer patients with persistent incisional pain.

Therapeutic potential of vanilloid receptor TRPV1 agonists and antagonists as analgesics: Recent advances and setbacks.

The vanilloid receptor TRPV1 is a homotetrameric, non-selective cation channel abundantly expressed in the nociceptors (c-fibers). TRPV1 is considered as a highly validated pain target because, i) its agonists such as capsaicin cause desensitization of TRPV1 channels that relieves pain behaviors in preclinical species, and ii) its antagonists relieve pain behaviors in rodent models of inflammation, osteoarthritis, and cancer. Hence, both agonists and antagonists of TRPV1 are being evaluated as potential analgesics in clinical trials. Clinical trial results of TRPV1 agonists such as resiniferatoxin in interstitial cystitis, NGX 4010 in post-herpetic neuralgia, and 4975 (Adlea) in osteoarthritis, bunionectomy, and Morton's neuroma have been reported. Similarly, clinical trial results of TRPV1 antagonists such as SB-705498 and AMG 517 have also been published recently. Overall, some molecules (e.g., capsaicin) demonstrated potential analgesia in certain conditions (postsurgical pain, postherpetic neuralgia, pain in diabetic neuropathy, osteoarthritis, bunionectomy, and Morton's neuroma), whereas others fell out of the clinic due to on-target liabilities or failed to demonstrate efficacy. This review summarizes recent advances and setbacks of TRPV1 agonists and antagonists in the clinic and predicts future directions.

Hearing loss and cerebrospinal fluid pressure: case report and review of the literature.

A decrease in cerebrospinal fluid pressure may result in an endolymphatic hydrops through a patent cochlear aqueduct or through the fundus of the internal auditory canal. This hydrops typically leads to low-frequency sensorineural hearing loss. We describe the case of a man who presented with a subjective and objective hearing loss in addition to a headache 4 days after he had undergone a dural puncture. We treated him with a standard epidural blood patch. Immediately after treatment, his hearing improved and his headache resolved.

Efficacy of lamotrigine in the management of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: a phase 3 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, N01C3.

BACKGROUND: Lamotrigine, an antiepileptic agent, has been reported as being effective in reducing symptoms of neuropathy associated with various etiologies. Based on such data, a multicenter double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of lamotrigine on pain and other neuropathic symptoms due to chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). METHODS: Patients with symptomatic CIPN with symptom scores of either 1) >3 on a 0-10 Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) or 2) >1 on the 0-3 the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) neuropathy scale (ENS) were eligible (higher numbers corresponding to greater severity of symptoms in both scales). Patients were randomly assigned to receive lamotrigine (target dose of 300 mg/day) or placebo for 10 weeks. Endpoints were measured biweekly. RESULTS: In all, 131 patients were enrolled. Both groups were well matched at baseline. Over the 10-week period of the trial, the average pain scores (NRS) for the lamotrigine and placebo arms declined in both arms, with no statistically significant difference noted between the changes in the 2 groups (0.3 and 0.5 unit reduction from baseline, respectively; P=.56). Similarly, decreases in the ENS with therapy were not statistically different (0.4 and 0.3, respectively; P=.3). Changes in other subjective symptom scales were also not found to be statistically different between the 2 groups. Toxicities were mild and similar in each group. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that lamotrigine is not effective for relieving neuropathic symptoms in patients because of CIPN.

Precision of health-related quality-of-life data compared with other clinical measures.

To many clinicians, the assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQL) seems more art than science. This belief is due in part to the lack of formal training available to clinicians regarding HRQL measurement and interpretation. When HRQL is used systematically, it has been shown to improve patient-physician communication, clinical decision making, and satisfaction with care. Nevertheless, clinicians rarely use formal HRQL data in their practices. One major reason is unfamiliarity with the interpretation and potential utility of the data. This unfamiliarity causes a lack of appreciation for the reliability of data generated by formal HRQL assessment and a tendency to regard HRQL data as having insufficient precision for individual use. This article discusses HRQL in the larger context of health indicators and health outcome measurement and is targeted to the practicing clinician who has not had the opportunity to understand and use HRQL data. The concept and measurement of reliability are explained and applied to HRQL and common clinical measures simultaneously, and these results are compared with one another. By offering a juxtaposition of common medical measurements and their associated error with HRQL measurement error, we note that HRQL instruments are comparable with commonly used clinical data. We further discuss the necessary requirements for clinicians to adopt formal, routine HRQL assessment into their practices.

Efficacy of gabapentin in the management of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: a phase 3 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial (N00C3).

BACKGROUND: The antiepileptic agent, gabapentin, has been demonstrated to relieve symptoms of peripheral neuropathy due to various etiologies. On the basis of these data, a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover, randomized trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of gabapentin on symptoms of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). METHODS: Patients with symptomatic CIPN who complained of 'average' daily pain scores of either 1) >/=4 on a 0-10 numerical rating scale (NRS); or 2) >/=1 on the 0-3 Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group neuropathy scale (ENS) were eligible (higher numbers indicate greater severity of symptoms in both scales). Patients were randomized to receive gabapentin (target dose, 2700 mg) or placebo for 6 weeks. Crossover occurred after a 2-week washout period. CIPN-related symptoms were evaluated weekly by questionnaires. Statistical methods followed established methods for crossover designs, including Student t tests to compare average intrapatient differences between treatments and linear models to adjust for potential concomitant covariates. RESULTS: There were 115 patients who were randomly assigned to the treatment or control arm. Both groups were well matched by symptoms at study entry. Changes in symptom severity were statistically similar between the 2 groups during the study. Adverse events were mild and similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: This trial failed to demonstrate any benefit to using gabapentin to treat symptoms caused by CIPN.

Validation of the S-LANSS in the community setting.

The Self-Administered Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (S-LANSS), an assessment tool to determine if pain is predominantly neuropathic, has not been validated in a community setting. Previously identified residents of Olmsted County, Minnesota, with chronic pain were recruited using a stratified randomization process to increase the frequency of neuropathic pain in the study sample. Subjects completed the S-LANSS in mailed and telephone formats, and underwent clinical assessment to determine if a component of their pain was neuropathic. Sensitivity and specificity of the S-LANSS as compared to the clinical assessment were determined. Two hundred and five subjects participated in the study. Eighty-three subjects (40%) had a positive S-LANSS score in the mailed, as did 59 of 173 (34%) in the telephone format, with little inter-subject difference in scores (p=0.57). Clinical assessment identified a component of neuropathic pain in 37% of the sample (75/205). Compared to clinical assessment, sensitivity and specificity in the mailed S-LANSS were 57% (95% CI, 46-69%) and 69% (95% CI, 61-77%), respectively, and in the telephone S-LANSS were 52% (95% CI, 39-64%) and 78% (95% CI, 68-85%), respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the S-LANSS in both formats were lower than the initial S-LANSS validation study. Differences in survey format and subject population could account for these differences, suggesting that the S-LANSS is best suited as a screening tool and its use to determine the prevalence of neuropathic pain in population studies should be viewed cautiously.