Oral Valganciclovir Initiated Beyond 1 Month of Age as Treatment of Sensorineural Hearing Loss Caused by Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine if valganciclovir initiated after 1 month of age improves congenital cytomegalovirus-associated sensorineural hearing loss. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 trial of 6 weeks of oral valganciclovir at US (n = 12) and UK (n = 9) sites. Patients of ages 1 month through 3 years with baseline sensorineural hearing loss were enrolled. The primary outcome was change in total ear hearing between baseline and study month 6. Secondary outcome measures included change in best ear hearing and reduction in cytomegalovirus viral load in blood, saliva, and urine. RESULTS: Of 54 participants enrolled, 35 were documented to have congenital cytomegalovirus infection and were randomized (active group: 17; placebo group: 18). Mean age at enrollment was 17.8 ± 15.8 months (valganciclovir) vs 19.5 ± 13.1 months (placebo). Twenty (76.9%) of the 26 ears from subjects in the active treatment group did not have worsening of hearing, compared with 27 (96.4%) of 28 ears from subjects in the placebo group (P = .09). All other comparisons of total ear or best ear hearing outcomes were also not statistically significant. Saliva and urine viral loads decreased significantly in the valganciclovir group but did not correlate with change in hearing outcome. CONCLUSIONS: In this randomized controlled trial, initiation of antiviral therapy beyond the first month of age did not improve hearing outcomes in children with congenital cytomegalovirus-associated sensorineural hearing loss. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01649869.

Uso do Ganciclovir no tratamento da Covid-19 / Use of Ganciclovir in the treatment of Covid-19

Desde os primeiros surtos da doença provocada pelo novo coronavírus (SARS-CoV-2), que se disseminou rapidamente pelo mundo, há um interesse crescente em encontrar um potencial agente terapêutico para a doença. A prática atual para tratar COVID-19 é variável, o que reflete a incerteza em grande escala e, para tentar sanar essa incerteza, numerosos ensaios clínicos randomizados de diferentes medicamentos estão em andamento com o intuito de melhor orientar a clínica (WHO,2020). Até o momento os trabalhos acerca do uso do ganciclovir para tratar pacientes que contraíram a doença são escassos e ainda não foram realizados ensaios clínicos com este fármaco, apenas relatos e séries de caso foram localizados na literatura. Considerando os estudos analisados e a pirâmide de evidência proposta pelo Oxford Center for Evidence-Based Medicine (figura 02), ainda não existe evidência robusta para sustentar a utilização deste fármaco, em larga escala, no tratamento da COVID-19.

Since the first outbreaks of the disease caused by the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), which has spread rapidly around the world, there is a growing interest in finding a potential therapeutic agent for the disease. The current practice to treat COVID-19 is variable, which reflects large-scale uncertainty and, to try to address this uncertainty, numerous randomized clinical trials of different drugs are underway in order to better guide the clinic (WHO,2020). To date, studies on the use of ganciclovir to treat patients who contracted the disease are scarce and no clinical trials have been conducted with this drug, only reports and case series have been found in the literature. Considering the studies analyzed and the pyramid of evidence proposed by the Oxford Center for Evidence-Based Medicine (figure 02), there is still no robust evidence to support the use of this drug, on a large scale, in the treatment of COVID-19.

Combined intrastromal injection of ganciclovir and depot betamethasone for the management of nummular keratitis: Case series. / Inyección intraestromal combinada con ganciclovir y betametasona de depósito para el manejo de la queratitis numular: serie de casos.

Nummular keratitis is an inflammatory process of the cornea that is characterised by multiple sub-epithelial deposits, for which a variety of therapeutic approaches have been proposed. A retrospective review was performed using the medical records of patients diagnosed with nummular keratitis and treated with a combined intrastromal injection of ganciclovir and depot betamethasone between the years 2009 and 2017. A total of 21 eyes of 16 patients were finally included. Upon termination of the treatment, 18 eyes (85.71%) were asymptomatic. This improvement was maintained during a mean follow-up time of 22.90 months. Depot betamethasone mixed with ganciclovir by intrastromal application is a good alternative for the treatment of nummular keratitis.

Retinite por citomegalovírus em paciente com Síndrome de Good / Cytomegalovirus retinitis in Good Syndrome

Resumo A Síndrome de Good é uma síndrome paraneoplásica caracterizada pela associação de timoma e hipogamaglobulinemia, cursando com imunossupressão. Relatamos um caso raro de retinite por citomegalovírus em paciente com esta síndrome.

Abstract Good syndrome is a paraneoplastic syndrome characterized by the association of thymoma and hypogammaglobulinemia, with immunosuppression. We report a rare case of cytomegalovirus retinitis in a patient with this syndrome.

Identification of a Critical Window for Ganciclovir-Induced Disruption of Testicular Development in Rats.

Ganciclovir (GCV) has been implicated in the development of testicular alterations. Exposure on gestational day (GD) 10 in rats induced permanent effects, including focal reduction or absence of germ cells (Sertoli cell-only tubules). Because the timing of exposure can be critical for testicular effects, we exposed rat dams to 300 mg/kg GCV (3 100 mg/kg subcutaneous injections) on GD10, 14 and 19, when germ cells have high rates of migration, proliferation and are mitotically quiescent, respectively. Males exposed to GCV in utero on GD10 and 14 were evaluated for androgenization markers, serum and fecal androgens, and testicular histomorphometry at adulthood. Double-labeling immunofluorescence for DAZL and Ki67 were used to assess gonocytes number and the proliferative activity of germ and somatic cells in fetal testes on GD15 and 20, ie, 24 h after GCV exposure. Adult rats exposed on GD14 showed delayed puberty onset, despite normal androgen levels. Also, there was a 50% reduction in testicular weight and about 30% of seminiferous tubules lacking germ cells. Effects on GD10 animals were less pronounced. In the fetal testis, the number of gonocytes was reduced by 50% in rats exposed on GD14, but normal in GD19 fetuses. GCV also reduced Sertoli cell proliferation immunolabeling in GD19 fetuses and Sertoli cell number in adults. In conclusion, GCV toxicity on germ cells seems to be linked to their proliferation rate and GD14 is a critical window in rats, when GCV exposure causes an acute massive loss of germ cells that persists until adulthood.

Desafíos terapéuticos en la enfermedad injerto contra huésped / Therapeutic challenges in graft versus host disease

La enfermedad injerto contra huésped es una entidad en la cual las células inmunológicas competentes de un tejido injertado reconocen y dañan antígenos presentes en el receptor del trasplante, que es incapaz de defenderse de ellas. Es una complicación frecuente del trasplante alogénico de médula ósea, y con menor frecuencia se produce luego de trasplantes de órganos sólidos o transfusiones de hemoderivados no irradiados. Se comunica el caso de una paciente de sexo femenino de 23 años, con leucemia linfoblástica aguda.y trasplante alogénico de médula ósea, que presentó una enfermedad injerto contra huésped con compromiso cutáneo y gastrointestinal dependiente de corticoides, con mejoría de los signos y síntomas cutáneos luego del tratamiento con infliximab y fotoféresis extracorpórea. (AU)

Graft versus host disease is an entity in which competent grafted immune cells recognize and damage tissue antigens present in the transplant recipient, who is unable to defend from them. It is one of the most serious complications in patients undergoing allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, although less frequently it may be associated with solid organ transplants or transfusions of not irradiated blood products. We report the case of a 23 year-old patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, that presented graft versus host disease with skin and gastrointestinal involvement, dependent on corticosteroids, that showed improvement in signs and skin symptoms after treatment with infliximab and extracorporeal photopheresis. (AU)

Tolerability of up to 200 days of prophylaxis with valganciclovir oral solution and/or film-coated tablets in pediatric kidney transplant recipients at risk of cytomegalovirus disease.

This multicenter, open-label study evaluated the tolerability of extended prophylaxis with valganciclovir in pediatric kidney transplant recipients at risk of CMV disease. Fifty-six patients aged 4 months to 16 years received once-daily valganciclovir oral solution and/or tablets, dosed by BSA and renal function, for up to 200 days. The most common AEs on treatment were upper respiratory tract infection (33.9%), urinary tract infection (33.9%), diarrhea (32.1%), leukopenia (25.0%), neutropenia (23.2%), and headache (21.4%). There were fewer AEs during days 101-228 vs days 1-100. Twenty-seven patients (48.2%) had treatment-related AEs during valganciclovir treatment, most commonly leukopenia (21.4%), neutropenia (19.6%), anemia (7.1%), and tremor (5.4%). Treatment-related serious AEs were reported for nine patients (16.1%) and six withdrew due to AEs. Viremia was centrally confirmed in 10 patients; there was no confirmed CMV disease. One patient tested positive for a resistance mutation (UL97 L595F). Biopsy-proven acute rejection occurred in six patients (10.7%), but no graft loss or deaths occurred. In conclusion, up to 200 days of valganciclovir prophylaxis in pediatric kidney allograft recipients showed a safety profile consistent with that established in adult transplant patients.

Evaluation of Low- Versus High-dose Valganciclovir for Prevention of Cytomegalovirus Disease in High-risk Renal Transplant Recipients.

BACKGROUND: Despite proven efficacy of prolonged cytomegalovirus (CMV) prophylaxis using valganciclovir 900 mg/day, some centers use 450 mg/day due to reported success and cost savings. This multicenter, retrospective study compared the efficacy and safety of 6 months of low-dose versus high-dose valganciclovir prophylaxis in high-risk, donor-positive/recipient-negative, renal transplant recipients (RTR). METHODS: Two hundred thirty-seven high-risk RTR (low-dose group = valganciclovir 450 mg/day [n = 130]; high-dose group = valganciclovir 900 mg/day [n = s7]) were evaluated for 1-year CMV disease prevalence. Breakthrough CMV, resistant CMV, biopsy-proven acute rejection (BPAR), graft loss, opportunistic infections (OI), new-onset diabetes after transplantation (NODAT), premature valganciclovir discontinuation, renal function and myelosuppression were also assessed. RESULTS: Patient demographics and transplant characteristics were comparable. Induction and maintenance immunosuppression were similar, except for more early steroid withdrawal in the high-dose group. Similar proportions of patients developed CMV disease (14.6% vs 24.3%; P = 0.068); however, controlling CMV risk factor differences through multivariate logistic regression revealed significantly lower CMV disease in the low-dose group (P = 0.02; odds ratio, 0.432, 95% confidence interval, 0.211-0.887). Breakthrough and resistant CMV occurred at similar frequencies. There was no difference in renal function or rates of biopsy-proven acute rejection, graft loss, opportunistic infections, or new-onset diabetes after transplantation. The high-dose group had significantly lower mean white blood cell counts at months 5 and 6; however, premature valganciclovir discontinuation rates were similar. CONCLUSIONS: Low-dose and high-dose valganciclovir regimens provide similar efficacy in preventing CMV disease in high-risk RTR, with a reduced incidence of leukopenia associated with the low-dose regimen and no difference in resistant CMV. Low-dose valganciclovir may provide a significant cost avoidance benefit.

The role of secondary cytomegalovirus prophylaxis for kidney and liver transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: The role of secondary cytomegalovirus (CMV) prophylaxis, defined as the continuation of valganciclovir to prevent relapse after the successful treatment of CMV disease, is not well understood. METHODS: Cases of CMV disease in patients who underwent kidney or liver transplantation from January 2001 to January 2010 were reviewed to determine if the use of secondary prophylaxis was associated with fewer relapses or other favorable outcomes. Secondary prophylaxis was used at the discretion of each treating clinician, without an institutional protocol. RESULTS: Twenty-two cases of CMV disease in kidney transplant recipients and 20 cases in liver transplant recipients were included. Relapsed CMV disease was significantly more common among kidney transplant recipients (5/22 vs. 0/20, P = 0.049). Of 22 kidney transplant recipients, 16 received secondary prophylaxis. After a mean of 3.7 years, relapsed CMV disease occurred in three of 16 patients who received secondary prophylaxis and in two of six who did not. Among liver transplant recipients, only two of 20 patients received secondary prophylaxis. After a mean of 3.2 years, no relapsed CMV disease occurred. The use of secondary prophylaxis was not significantly associated with fewer episodes of CMV relapse, graft loss, or death. Time to clearance of CMV viremia during treatment was significantly longer in those who relapsed (mean, 30 days vs. 20 days; P = 0.037). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that secondary CMV prophylaxis may not provide additional benefit after the successful treatment of CMV disease, particularly among liver transplant recipients.

Efectividad y seguridad de valganciclovir comparado con ganciclovir, valaciclovir y aciclovir, en pacientes receptores de trasplante de órganos sólidos / Effectiveness and safety of valganciclovir compared to ganciclovir, valaciclovir and acyclovir in patients receiving solid organ transplantation

Introducción: Valganciclovir es un medicamento de uso oral, que se metaboliza rápidamente a ganciclovir y es una opción para la profilaxis y el tratamiento de la infección por citomegalovirus en pacientes receptores e trasplante de órgano sólido. Esta evaluación tecnológica se desarrolló en el marco de la actualización integral del Plan Obligatorio de Salud para el año 2015. Objetivo: Evaluar la efectividad y seguridad del uso de valganciclovir para la prevención y el tratamiento de infección por citomegalovirus comparada con gancinclovir, valaciclovir y aciclovir en pacientes receptores de trasplante de órgano sólido. Metodología: La evaluación fue realizada de acuerdo con un protocolo definido a priori por el grupo desarrollador. Se realizó una búsqueda sistemática en MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects y LILACS, con restricción al idioma inglés y español y limitada a revisiones sistemáticas publicadas en los últimos cinco años y ensayos clínicos sin restricción de tiempo. Las búsquedas electrónicas fueron hechas entre octubre y diciembre de 2014 y se complementaron mediante búsqueda manual en bola de nieve y una consulta con expertos temáticos. La tamización de referencias se realizó por un revisor. La selección de estudios fue realizada mediante la revisión en texto completo de las referencias preseleccionadas, verificando los criterios de elegibilidad. La calidad de los estudios fue valorada con la herramienta de riesgo de sesgo de la Colaboración Cochrane. Las características de los estudios fueron extraídas a partir de las publicaciones originales. Se realizó una síntesis narrativa de las estimaciones del efecto para las comparaciones y desenlaces de interés a partir de los estudios de mejor calidad. Se estimaron medidas combinadas del efecto a través de un metanálisis con el método de Mantel-Haenszel y un modelo de efectos aleatorios, empleando el programa RevMan 5.2. Resultados: En relación a efectividad: Valganciclovir es tan efectivo como ganciclovir intravenoso y valaciclovir oral en la profilaxis de enfermedad por citomegalovirus en pacientes receptores de trasplante de órgano sólido, pues no se encontraron diferencias con significancia estadística en los desenlaces enfermedad por citomegalovirus a los seis y doce meses (RR=0.76 (0.47, 1.24) y RR 0.93 (0.60, 1.44) respectivamente), rechazo del órgano trasplantado a los seis y doce meses (RR 0.85 (0.64, 1.14) y RR 0.78 (0.49, 1.23)) y supervivencia del paciente al año (RR=1.01 (0.97, 1.06). Valganciclovir es tan efectivo como ganciclovir oral en el tratamiento de enfermedad por CMV de pacientes receptores de trasplante de órgano sólido, pues no se encontraron diferencias con significancia estadística en los desenlaces cura clínica a los 21 días (77.4% para valganciclovir oral y 80.3% ganciclovir intravenoso, p=no significativa), cura clínica a los 49 días (85.4% para valganciclovir oral y 84.1% ganciclovir intravenoso, p=no significativa) y supervivencia del paciente a los 49 días. En relación a seguridad: Valganciclovir es tan seguro como ganciclovir y valaciclovir en la producción de eventos adversos, sin embargo, tiene una menor proporción de eventos adversos que lleven a la suspensión del medicamento antiviral (RR=0.1, (0.02, 0.51)), en el escenario de la profilaxis universal de la infección por CMV en pacientes receptores de trasplante de órgano sólido. Conclusiones: Valganciclovir es similar en seguridad y eficacia que ganciclovir intravenoso y valaciclovir oral en el escenario de la profilaxis de la infección por CMV en el paciente receptor de trasplante de órgano sólido y además valganciclovir es semejante a ganciclovir intravenoso en el tratamiento de esta infección en esta misma población.(AU)

Eficácia e segurança de valganciclovir para prevenção da doença pelo citomegalovirus em pacientes transplantados / Efficacy and safety of valganciclovir for the prevention of cytomegalovirus disease in transplanted patients / Eficacia y seguridad de valganciclovir en la prevención de la enfermidad por citomegalovirus en los receptores de transplante

TECNOLOGIA: Valganciclovir. INDICAÇÃO: Prevenção da doença por citomegalovírus em receptores de transplante de órgão sólido ­ rim, coração, pâncreas. CARACTERIZAÇÃO DA TECNOLOGIA: Valganciclovir é um medicamento antiviral, L-valil éster (pró-fármaco) do ganciclovir. Atua inibindo a síntese do DNA viral, por meio da inibição competitiva da incorporação da desoxiguanosina trifosfato pela DNA polimerase viral e pela incorporação do trifosfato de ganciclovir ao DNA viral. PERGUNTA: O uso do valganciclovir é mais eficaz e seguro que as alternativas terapêuticas existentes para prevenção da doença pelo citomegalovírus em receptores de transplante de órgão sólido? TECNOLOGIA: Valganciclovir. INDICAÇÃO: Prevenção da doença por citomegalovírus em receptores de transplante de órgão sólido ­ rim, coração, pâncreas. CARACTERIZAÇÃO DA TECNOLOGIA: Valganciclovir é um medicamento antiviral, L-valil éster (pró-fármaco) do ganciclovir. Atua inibindo a síntese do DNA viral, por meio da inibição competitiva da incorporação da desoxiguanosina trifosfato pela DNA polimerase viral e pela incorporação do trifosfato de ganciclovir ao DNA viral. PERGUNTA: O uso do valganciclovir é mais eficaz e seguro que as alternativas terapêuticas existentes para prevenção da doença pelo citomegalovírus em receptores de transplante de órgão sólido? BUSCA E QUALIDADE DAS EVIDÊNCIAS CIENTÍFICAS: Foram pesquisadas as bases de dados The Cochrane Library (via Bireme), Medline (via Pubmed), LILACS e Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (CRD). Incluíram-se revisões sistemáticas (RS) e metanálises de ensaios clínicos que comparassem valganciclovir com outros medicamentos antivirais. Os estudos foram avaliados segundo o sistema GRADE. Foi realizada, também, busca por avaliações de tecnologias em saúde (ATS) em sites de agências internacionais e da Rede Brasileira de Avaliação de Tecnologias em Saúde (REBRATS). RESUMO DOS RESULTADOS DOS ESTUDOS SELECIONADOS: Foram selecionadas sete revisões sistemáticas, cuja qualidade variou de muito baixa a baixa. A maioria delas não mostrou eficácia significativamente superior do valganciclovir na prevenção da doença pelo citomegalovírus em pacientes receptores de transplante de órgãos sólidos, quando comparado às alternativas terapêuticas existentes. Além disso, o seu uso, sobretudo na dose de 900mg/dia, mostrou-se estatisticamente associado ao risco de desenvolvimento de leucopenia e/ou neutropenia. Não foi recuperada nenhuma ATS nos sites da REBRATS e das principais agências internacionais. RECOMENDAÇÕES: Considerando a qualidade da evidência, os resultados apresentados e o maior custo frente às alternativas terapêuticas existentes, recomenda-se fracamente contra o uso do valganciclovir na prevenção da doença pelo citomegalovírus em pacientes receptores de transplante de órgãos sólidos. Contudo, mais estudos transplante-específicos são necessários para avaliação da sua eficácia, conforme o tipo de órgão sólido transplantado.(AU)

TECHNOLOGY: Valganciclovir. INDICATION: Prevention of cytomegalovirus disease in solid organ transplant recipients. CHARACTERIZATION OF THE TECHNOLOGY: Valganciclovir is an antiviral drug, L-valyl ester (prodrug) of ganciclovir. It acts by inhibiting the viral DNA synthesis by a competitive inhibition of deoxyguanosine triphosphate incorporation to the viral DNA. QUESTION: Is valganciclovir more effective and safer than other available therapies for cytomegalovirus prevention in solid organ transplant patients? ? SEARCH AND ANALYSIS OF SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE: We searched the Medline (via Pubmed), The Cochrane Library (via Bireme), Lilacs and the Centre for Reviews Dissemination (CRD). Systematic Reviews (SR) of clinical trials comparing valganciclovir to other antiviral drugs were included. Health Technologies Assessment (HTA) reports of international agencies were also searched. The quality of evidence and strength of recommendation were assessed using the GRADE system. SUMMARY OF RESULTS OF SELECTED STUDIES: Seven SR were included and most of them presented low quality. None showed significantly superior efficacy of valganciclovir in cytomegalovirus prevention in solid organ transplants patients, when compared to therapeutic alternatives. In addition, its use, especially in 900mg/day dose, was statistically associated with the risk of leucopenia or neutropenia. We did not include any HTA. RECOMMENDATIONS: The strength of recommendation is weak against valganciclovir for cytomegalovirus prevention in solid organ transplants patients, considering the quality of the evidence and the higher cost of treatment compared to therapeutic alternatives. However, more transplant-specific studies are needed to evaluate its effectiveness in each type of solid organ transplant.(AU)

TECNOLOGÍA: Valganciclovir. INDICACIÓN: La prevención de la enfermedad por citomegalovirus en los receptores de trasplante de órgano sólido. CARACTERIZACIÓN DE LA TECNOLOGÍA: El valganciclovir es un fármaco antiviral, éster L-valina (profármaco) del ganciclovir. Actúa mediante la inhibición de la síntesis de ADN viral por medio de la inhibición competitiva de la incorporación de trifosfato de desoxiguanosina por la ADN polimerasa viral y la incorporación de trifosfato de ganciclovir para el ADN viral. PREGUNTA: ¿El uso de valganciclovir es más eficaz y más seguro que las alternativas terapéuticas existentes para la prevención de la enfermedad por citomegalovirus en los receptores de trasplante de órgano sólido? BÚSQUEDA Y ANÁLISIS DE LA EVIDENCIA CIENTÍFICA: Las bases de datos de la Cochrane Library (vía Bireme), MEDLINE (vía PubMed), LILACS y Centro de Revisiones y Difusión (CRD) fueron investigados. Se incluyeron revisiones sistemáticas (SR) y meta-análisis de los ensayos clínicos que compararon valganciclovir con otros antivirales. Los estudios fueron evaluados de acuerdo con el sistema GRADE.También se seleccionaron Evaluaciones de Tecnologías Sanitarias (ETS) en los sitios de agencias internacionales. RESUMEN DE LOS RESULTADOS DE LOS ESTUDIOS SELECCIONADOS: Siete revisiones sistemáticas fueron seleccionadas, cuya calidad varió de muy bajo a bajo. La mayoría no mostró ninguna eficacia significativamente superior de valganciclovir en la prevención de la enfermedad por citomegalovirus en pacientes que reciben trasplantes de órganos sólidos, en comparación con las alternativas terapéuticas existentes. Además, su uso, especialmente en dosis de 900mg/dia, mostró estar estadísticamente asociado con el riesgo de leucopenia y / o neutropenia. No se incluyó ninguna ETS. RECOMENDACIONES: Debido a baja calidad de las pruebas, a los resultados presentados y el mayor costo hacia las alternativas terapéuticas existentes, el uso del valganciclovir, en la prevención de la enfermedad por citomegalovirus en pacientes que reciben trasplantes de órganos sólidos, es débilmente recomendado contra. Sin embargo, se necesitan adicionales estudios de trasplante específico para evaluar su eficacia, conforme el tipo de trasplante de órganos sólidos.(AU)

Uso de ganciclovir 0,15 por cento gel para tratamento de ceratoconjuntivite adenoviral / Ganciclovir 0.15 percent ophthalmic gel in the treatment of adenovirus keratoconjuntivitis

OBJETIVOS: Determinar a efetividade e a toxicidade do ganciclovir 0,15 por cento gel no tratamento de ceratoconjuntivites adenovirais e na prevenção de complicações tais como infiltrados corneanos, membranas ou pseudomembranas conjuntivais. MÉTODOS: Ensaio clínico duplo-cego, intervencionista, randomizado. Os 33 pacientes com diagnóstico clínico de ceratoconjuntivite adenoviral com início dos sintomas há menos de cinco dias foram randomizados em dois grupos: Grupo 1 (tratamento) com 19 pacientes que usaram ganciclovir e Grupo 2 (controle) com 14 pacientes que usaram lágrima artificial sem conservante. Todos pacientes responderam a um questionário de sinais e sintomas e foram submetidos a um exame oftalmológico. No 6º dia de tratamento responderam ao mesmo questionário por telefone e no 10º dia foram reavaliados pelo mesmo examinador e responderam novamente ao questionário. Os sinais e sintomas foram comparados. Para análise estatística foi utilizado os testes T de Student, Mann-Whitney e Wilcoxon, com significância estatística p<0,05. RESULTADOS: Tendência de melhor resposta no grupo tratamento em relação à percepção pelos pacientes, além da melhora mais rápida desse grupo em relação ao grupo controle (p=0,26). Houve menor transmissão para o olho adelfo (p=0,86) e para pessoas do convívio (p=0,16) no grupo tratamento. Comparando os dois grupos não houve diferença estatística em relação aos sintomas e sinais da conjuntivite. Comparando isoladamente cada grupo entre o pré-tratamento e no decorrer do tratamento, observou-se melhora estatisticamente significativa da dor, prurido e fotofobia apenas no grupo tratamento. Ganciclovir não mostrou toxicidade e teve maior tolerância pelos pacientes. Não houve diferença significativa no aparecimento de complicações da conjuntivite entre os dois grupos. CONCLUSÕES: O estudo evidenciou uma tendência à melhora mais rápida dos sinais e sintomas dos pacientes tratados com ganciclovir em relação ao grupo ...

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and the toxicity of 0.15 percent ganciclovir gel in the treatment of adenoviral conjunctivitis and in preventing ocular complications after adenoviral conjunctivitis, such as corneal infiltrates and pseudomembranes. METHODS: Double blind, interventional and randomized clinical trial. Thirty-three patients with clinical diagnosis of adenoviral conjunctivitis with onset of symptoms for five or less days were randomized in two groups: Group 1 (treatment) with 19 patients used ganciclovir gel and Group 2 (control) with 14 patients used artificial tears without preservative. Patients answered a questionnaire of signs and symptoms and were submitted to an ophthalmologic exam. On the 6th and 10th days of treatment they answered the same questions and were re-examined by the same ophthalmologist. Signs and symptoms were compared. T Student, Mann-Whitney e Wilcoxon tests were used to statistical analysis. RESULTS: Trend of better response in the treatment group in relation of patients' perception, besides faster improvement of this group compared to the control group (p=0.26). There were lower transmission to the fellow eye (p=0.86) and to people living together (p=0.16) in the treatment group. No statistical difference related to signs and symptoms of conjunctivitis were found comparing both groups. We observed statistical difference in pain, itch and photophobia only in the treatment group, comparing each group alone. No toxicity and more tolerance of the ganciclovir were observed. There was no statistical difference in the ocular complications after conjunctivitis between both groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed trend of better and faster response of the signs and symptoms of the patients treated with ganciclovir compared with the control group, but with no statistical significant. These results need to be confirmed by additional studies, with more patients and longer follow-up. Clinical Trails.gov: NCT01349452.

Cytokine-enhanced vaccine and interferon-ß plus suicide gene as combined therapy for spontaneous canine sarcomas.

Eleven soft tissue- and five osteosarcoma canine patients were subjected to: (i) periodic subcutaneous injection of irradiated xenogeneic cells secreting hGM-CSF and hIL-2 mixed with allogeneic or autologous tumor homogenates; and (ii) injections of cIFN-ß and HSVtk-carrying lipoplexes and ganciclovir, marginal (after surgery) and/or intratumoral (in the case of partial tumor resection, local relapse or small surface tumors). This treatment alone (4 patients) or as surgery adjuvant (12 patients), was safe and well tolerated. In those patients presenting local disease (6/11), the suicide gene plus cIFN-ß treatment induced local antitumor activity evidenced by the objective responses (3 complete, 2 partial) and stable diseases (2). In addition, the treatment prevented or delayed local relapse, regional metastases (lymph nodes developed only in 3/16) and distant metastases (0/16), suggesting a strong systemic antitumor immunity. The most encouraging result was the long survival times of 10 patients (>1 year, with good quality of life).

[Ganciclovir 0.15% ophthalmic gel in the treatment of adenovirus keratoconjunctivitis]. / Uso de ganciclovir 0,15% gel para tratamento de ceratoconjuntivite adenoviral.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and the toxicity of 0.15% ganciclovir gel in the treatment of adenoviral conjunctivitis and in preventing ocular complications after adenoviral conjunctivitis, such as corneal infiltrates and pseudomembranes. METHODS: Double blind, interventional and randomized clinical trial. Thirty-three patients with clinical diagnosis of adenoviral conjunctivitis with onset of symptoms for five or less days were randomized in two groups: Group 1 (treatment) with 19 patients used ganciclovir gel and Group 2 (control) with 14 patients used artificial tears without preservative. Patients answered a questionnaire of signs and symptoms and were submitted to an ophthalmologic exam. On the 6th and 10th days of treatment they answered the same questions and were re-examined by the same ophthalmologist. Signs and symptoms were compared. T Student, Mann-Whitney e Wilcoxon tests were used to statistical analysis. RESULTS: Trend of better response in the treatment group in relation of patients' perception, besides faster improvement of this group compared to the control group (p=0.26). There were lower transmission to the fellow eye (p=0.86) and to people living together (p=0.16) in the treatment group. No statistical difference related to signs and symptoms of conjunctivitis were found comparing both groups. We observed statistical difference in pain, itch and photophobia only in the treatment group, comparing each group alone. No toxicity and more tolerance of the ganciclovir were observed. There was no statistical difference in the ocular complications after conjunctivitis between both groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed trend of better and faster response of the signs and symptoms of the patients treated with ganciclovir compared with the control group, but with no statistical significant. These results need to be confirmed by additional studies, with more patients and longer follow-up. Clinical Trails.gov: NCT01349452.

Suicide gene and cytokines combined nonviral gene therapy for spontaneous canine melanoma.

Canine spontaneous melanoma is a highly aggressive tumor resistant to current therapies. We evaluated the safety, efficacy and antitumor effects of direct intratumor injections of lipoplexes encoding herpes simplex thymidine kinase coadministrated with ganciclovir, and irradiated transgenic xenogeneic cells secreting 20-30 mug day(-1) of human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and interleukin-2. Toxicity was minimal or absent in all patients. This combined treatment (CT) induced tumor regression and a pronounced immune cell infiltration. The objective responses (47%: 21/45) averaged 80% of tumor mass loss. Local CT also induced systemic antitumor response evidenced by complete remission of one pulmonary metastasis and by the significantly higher percentage of metastasis-free patients (76: 34/45)) until the study ending compared to untreated (UC: 29%, 5/17), surgery-treated (CX: 48%, 11/23) or suicide gene-treated controls (SG: 56%, 9/16) (Fisher's exact test). CT significantly improved median survival time: 160 (57-509) days compared to UC (69 (10-169)), CX (82 (43-216)) or SG (94 (46-159)). CT also increased (P<0.00001, Kaplan-Meier analysis) metastasis-free survival: >509 (57-509) days with respect to UC: 41 (10-169), CX: 133 (43-216) and SG: >159 (41-159). Therefore, CT controlled tumor growth by delaying or preventing distant metastasis, thereby significantly extending survival and recovering the quality of life.

Cytokine-enhanced vaccine and suicide gene therapy as surgery adjuvant treatments for spontaneous canine melanoma.

We evaluated the safety, efficacy and anti-tumor effects of a surgery adjuvant treatment on canine patients with malignant melanoma. This approach combined suicide gene therapy with a subcutaneous vaccine composed by formolized tumor cells and irradiated xenogeneic cells producing human interleukin-2 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. The post-surgical margin of the cavity was infiltrated with lipid-complexed thymidine kinase suicide gene coadministrated with ganciclovir. Toxicity was minimal or absent in all patients. With respect to surgery-treated controls (SC), this combined treatment (CT) significantly increased the fraction of patients local disease-free from 6 to 58% and distant metastases-free from 43 to 78% (Fisher's Exact test). In addition, CT significantly improved both SC overall 78 (23-540) and metastasis-free survival 112 (0-467) days to more than 1312 days (respective ranges: 43-1312 and 0-1312) (Kaplan-Meier analysis). In those patients subjected to partial surgery or presenting local recurrence, the efficacy of CT was verified by a 49% of objective responses that averaged 85% of tumor mass loss, while 22% displayed tumor progression as 94% of SC did. Therefore, surgery adjuvant CT controlled tumor growth, delaying or preventing post-surgical recurrence and distant metastasis, significantly extending survival and recovering the quality of life.

The incidence of cytomegalovirus infection in lung transplant recipients under universal prophylaxis with intravenous ganciclovir.

The best strategy for control of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in lung transplant patients is still not determined. The aim of this study was to document the incidence of CMV infection in a cohort of lung transplant recipients under universal prophylaxis with intravenous ganciclovir. All patients received immunosuppressive regimens consisting of cyclosporine, azathioprine, and prednisone. Regardless of CMV serostatus, intravenous ganciclovir was prescribed for every patient in the first 3 months post-transplantation. CMV infection was defined as the detection of CMV pp65 in leukocytes. Eighty-two lung transplant patients were included over a 5-year period. The incidence of CMV infection in the first year post-transplantation was 68.3%, occurring after a median length of 114 days (range, 26-343 days). This study revealed a high incidence of CMV infection in the first year following lung transplantation despite prolonged universal ganciclovir prophylaxis.

The incidence of cytomegalovirus infection in lung transplant recipients under universal prophylaxis with intravenous ganciclovir

The best strategy for control of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in lung transplant patients is still not determined. The aim of this study was to document the incidence of CMV infection in a cohort of lung transplant recipients under universal prophylaxis with intravenous ganciclovir. All patients received immunosuppressive regimens consisting of cyclosporine, azathioprine, and prednisone. Regardless of CMV serostatus, intravenous ganciclovir was prescribed for every patient in the first 3 months post-transplantation. CMV infection was defined as the detection of CMV pp65 in leukocytes. Eighty-two lung transplant patients were included over a 5-year period. The incidence of CMV infection in the first year post-transplantation was 68.3 percent, occurring after a median length of 114 days (range, 26-343 days). This study revealed a high incidence of CMV infection in the first year following lung transplantation despite prolonged universal ganciclovir prophylaxis.