Nimotuzumab in the Treatment of Inoperable Esophageal Tumors of Epithelial Origin.

Background: Nimotuzumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that targets the epidermal growth factor receptor. It was approved in Cuba for the indication of inoperable malignant tumors of the esophagus of epithelial origin. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety, overall and progression-free survival, clinical response, and quality of life, in adult patients with inoperable esophageal tumors of epithelial origin treated with nimotuzumab in a practical context. Material and Methods. The number of patients who developed adverse events was determined, and the frequency, seriousness, causality, and severity of these adverse events were determined. It also determined the median of survival and progression-free survival and rates at 12 and 24 months and the quality of life. Results: A total of 111 patients were included. The proportion of serious and related AE with the use of nimotuzumab was 1.3%. Most of the related AEs were mild and moderate, and the most frequent AEs were diarrhea, chills, and tremors. New diagnosed patients who received nimotuzumab concurrent with chemotherapy and radiotherapy reached a median OS of 12.2 months (95% CI, 6.9-17.5) and 12- and 24-month survival rates of 51.0% and 17.0%, respectively. Median PFS was 7.8 months (95% CI, 6.2-9.5), and 12- and 24-month PFS rates were 39.3% and 11.2%, respectively. A favorable evolution of the general state of health (p=0.03) was obtained from the beginning of treatment until month 12, with a significant reduction in the appearance of nausea (p=0.009), insomnia (p=0.04), constipation (p=0.04), eating difficulties (p=0.0006), and choking when swallowing (p=0.0001), but increased in dysphagia (p=0.02). Conclusions: The administration of nimotuzumab was safe in the real-world setting. New diagnosed patients that received nimotuzumab concurrent with chemotherapy and radiotherapy reached a higher overall and progression-free survival and better quality of life than the rest of the patients. Trial registration is RPCEC00000215 (Cuban Registry of Clinical Trials; https://registroclinico.sld.cu/en/home). It is registered prospectively on June 30, 2016.

Seguridad del tratamiento con Surfacen® en recién nacidos pretérminos con síndrome de dificultad respiratoria / Safety of the treatment with Surfacen® in preterm newborns with syndrome of respiratory difficulty

Introducción: Varias han sido las publicaciones sobre Surfacen®, pero ninguna ha comparado la seguridad del producto entre su uso temprano y tardío. Objetivo: Comprobar las características de los eventos adversos en ambas formas de administración del producto. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio analítico observacional, no controlado, multicentro, nacional, desde 2007 al 2013. La muestra fue de 484 recién nacidos en los que se comprobaron los eventos adversos ocurridos por Surfacen® administrado de manera temprana y tardía. Las variables estudiadas fueron de caracterización general y de caracterización de los eventos adversos. Resultados: El grupo al que se le administró el surfactante de manera tardía tuvo mayor incidencia de eventos adversos que los tratados de manera temprana (277 vs 268). El porcentaje de pacientes con estos eventos fue mayor en los tratados de manera tardía (63,7 vs 41,3 por ciento). El rescate tardío tuvo 2,5 veces más riesgo de presentar la hemorragia peri- e intraventricular (10,4 vs 4,0 por ciento), mayor riesgo de presentar las diferentes formas de bloqueo aéreo, tres veces más riesgo de displasia broncopulmonar (8,8 vs 2,6 por ciento) y 6 veces más riesgo de presentar desaturación de oxígeno, que el rescate temprano. Conclusiones: El tratamiento con Surfacen®, tanto en su forma de rescate temprano como tardío presenta los mismos eventos adversos que otros surfactantes utilizados y el tratamiento de rescate temprano tiene menos riesgo de presentar eventos adversos como son la hemorragia intraventricular, el bloqueo aéreo, displasia broncopulmonar y desaturación de oxígeno, por lo que su administración es segura(AU)

Introduction: There have been several publications on SURFACEN®, but none has compared the safety of this product in the early and late uses of it. Objective: To check the characteristics of adverse events in both ways of administering the product. Methods: It was carried out an analytic, observational, non- controlled, national multicentric study from 2007 to 2013. The sample consisted of 484 newborns in whom were checked the adverse events occurred in the early and late ways by administered SURFACEN®. The studied variables were of general characterization and of characterization of the adverse events. Results: The group to which the surfactant was administered in a late way had more incidences of adverse events than the ones treated earlier (277 vs 268). The percentage of patients with these events was higher in the ones treated in a late way (63.7 vs 41.3 percent). The late rescue had 2.5 times more risk of presenting peri- and intra-ventricular hemorrhage (10.4 vs 4.0 percent), higher risk of presenting the different forms of air block, three times more risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (8.8 vs 2.6 percent), and six times more risk of presenting oxygen desaturation. Conclusions: As much in the way of early rescue as in the late one, the treatment with SURFACEN® presents the same adverse events that other used surfactants; and the early rescue's treatment has less risk of presenting adverse events or intraventricular hemorrhage, air block, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and oxygen desaturation, that is why its administration is safe(AU)

Seguridad del tratamiento con surfactante pulmonar en el síndrome de dificultad respiratoria aguda en adultos / Safety of the treatment with pulmonary surfactant in adults with acute respiratory distress syndrome

Introducción: el síndrome de dificultad respiratoria aguda (SDRA) es una enfermedad nosológica asociada con una alta morbilidad y mortalidad. Objetivo: determinar los eventos adversos (EA) asociados a la terapia con surfactante pulmonar (SURFACEN®) en adultos con SDRA. Métodos: se incluyeron 48 pacientes adultos entre 18 y 75 años con SDRA en un ensayo clínico fase II, controlado, aleatorizado y multicéntrico. El grupo A con 24 pacientes, recibió surfactante pulmonar cada ocho horas, durante tres días, en dosis de 100 mg totales, junto al tratamiento estándar (oxigenación y ventilación mecánica). El grupo B, también con 24 pacientes, recibió el tratamiento estándar. Se identificó y cuantificó la aparición de eventos adversos, así como la gravedad, seriedad y relación de causalidad con respecto al fármaco desde la inclusión del paciente en el estudio hasta el egreso de la unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI). Resultados: el 56, 25 % de los pacientes incluidos presentó algún evento adverso: 14 (29, 17 %) en el grupo A y 13 (27, 08 %) en el B. El 42, 37 % de estos EA se manifestaron con intensidad moderada; el 39, 39 % resultó reversible y el 92, 59 % tuvo causalidad remota respecto al surfactante. La fiebre fue el EA que se reportó con mayor frecuencia. Conclusiones: el surfactante pulmonar (SURFACEN®) junto al tratamiento estándar en adultos con SDRA es seguro.

Introduction: acute respiratory distress syndrome is a nosologic disease associated to a high mortality and morbidity. Objective: to determine the adverse events associated to the therapy with pulmonary surfactant (SURFACEN®) in adults with acute respiratory distress syndrome. Methods: a randomized and multicentric clinical trial stage II was conducted in 48 adult patients between 18 and 75 years old. The group A, that included 24 patients, received doses of 100 total milligrams of pulmonary surfactant every eight hours for three days, along with the standard treatment (oxygenation and mechanical ventilation). The group B, also with 24 patients, received the standard treatment. The appearance of adverse events was identified and quantified, as well as the seriousness and the causality regarding the medicine from the inclusion of the patient in the study to the discharge from the intensive care unit. Results: the 56, 25 % of the patients included in the study presented an adverse event: 14 (29, 17 %) in the group A and 13 (27, 08 %) in the group B. The 42, 37 % of these adverse events appeared with moderate intensity; the 39, 39 % were reversible and the 92, 59 % had a remote causality regarding the surfactant. Fever was the most frequent adverse event reported. Conclusions: pulmonary surfactant (SURFACEN®), along with the standard treatment in adults with acute respiratory distress syndrome, is safe.

Seguridad del tratamiento con surfactante pulmonar en el síndrome de dificultad respiratoria aguda en adultos / Safety of the treatment with pulmonary surfactant in adults with acute respiratory distress syndrome

Fundamento: el síndrome de dificultad respiratoria aguda es una enfermedad nosológica asociada con una alta morbilidad y mortalidad.Objetivo: determinar los eventos adversos asociados a la terapia con surfactante pulmonar en adultos con SDRA.Métodos: se incluyeron 48 pacientes adultos entre 18 y 75 años con SDRA en un ensayo clínico fase II, controlado, aleatorizado y multicéntrico. El grupo A con 24 pacientes, recibió surfactante pulmonar cada ocho horas, durante tres días, en dosis de 100 mg totales, junto al tratamiento estándar (oxigenación y ventilación mecánica). El grupo B, también con 24 pacientes, recibió el tratamiento estándar. Se identificó y cuantificó la aparición de eventos adversos, así como la gravedad, seriedad y relación de causalidad con respecto al fármaco desde la inclusión del paciente en el estudio hasta el egreso de la unidad de cuidados intensivos.Resultados: el 56, 25 porciento de los pacientes incluidos presentó algún evento adverso: 14 (29, 17 porciento) en el grupo A y 13 (27, 08 porciento) en el B. El 42, 37 porciento de estos EA se manifestaron con intensidad moderada; el 39, 39 porciento resultó reversible y el 92, 59 porciento tuvo causalidad remota respecto al surfactante. La fiebre fue el EA que se reportó con mayor frecuencia.Conclusiones: el surfactante pulmonar junto al tratamiento estándar en adultos con SDRA es seguro(AU)

Background: acute respiratory distress syndrome is a nosologic disease associated to a high mortality and morbidity.Objective: to determine the adverse events associated to the therapy with pulmonary surfactant (SURFACEN®) in adults with acute respiratory distress syndrome.Methods: a randomized and multicentric clinical trial stage II was conducted in 48 adult patients between 18 and 75 years old. The group A, that included 24 patients, received doses of 100 total milligrams of pulmonary surfactant every eight hours for three days, along with the standard treatment (oxygenation and mechanical ventilation). The group B, also with 24 patients, received the standard treatment. The appearance of adverse events was identified and quantified, as well as the seriousness and the causality regarding the medicine from the inclusion of the patient in the study to the discharge from the intensive care unit.Results: the 56, 25 percent of the patients included in the study presented an adverse event: 14 (29, 17 percent) in the group A and 13 (27, 08 percent) in the group B. The 42, 37 percent of these adverse events appeared with moderate intensity; the 39, 39 percent were reversible and the 92, 59 percent had a remote causality regarding the surfactant. Fever was the most frequent adverse event reported.Conclusions: pulmonary surfactant, along with the standard treatment in adults with acute respiratory distress syndrome, is safe(AU)

Uso de surfactante porcino en recién nacidos pretérminos con bronconeumonía de inicio temprano / Use of porcine surfactant in preterm newborns with early-onset bronchopneumonia

Fundamento: existen discrepancias con respecto al uso de surfactante en la bronconeumonía del recién nacido. Objetivo: evaluar el comportamiento de los recién nacidos con bronconeumonía de inicio temprano tratados con surfactante exógeno. Métodos: se realizó un estudio multicéntricos, abierto, no aleatorizado ni controlado, en 39 recién nacidos pretérminos con bronconeumonía de inicio temprano tratados con surfactante exógeno. Se estudió la edad gestacional, el peso al nacer y el tiempo de estadía en la unidad de cuidados intensivos neonatales, la relación PaO²/FiO², el tiempo en ventilación mecánica, las complicaciones del soporte ventilatorio y la mortalidad según número de dosis de surfactante exógeno y uso de esteroides prenatales para lo que se calcularon, las frecuencias absolutas y relativas, las medias y ji cuadrado. Resultados: la necesidad de administrar un mayor número de dosis se asoció a menor relación PaO²/FiO² (p=0,0103), se obtuvieron valores adecuados con la primera y segunda dosis. El uso de esteroides prenatales se asoció a un menor tiempo en ventilación mecánica (p=0,0474), a valores mayores de la relación PaO²/FiO² (p=0,0162) y a una menor mortalidad (p=0,0076). No se halló asociación estadística en las complicaciones relacionadas con la ventilación. Conclusiones: los pacientes que requirieron mayor número de dosis de surfactante tuvieron una respuesta ventilatoria desfavorable y mayor mortalidad. El uso de esteroides prenatales favoreció una mejor respuesta ventilatoria y menor mortalidad. Puede ser beneficiosa la combinación del uso prenatal de esteroides y surfactante exógeno en pretérminos con bronconeumonía de inicio temprano.

Background: there are disagreements about the use of surfactant in bronchopneumonia in newborns. Objective: to evaluate the behaviour of newborns with early bronchopneumonia treated with exogenous surfactant. Methods: an open, multicentric, non-randomized or controlled study was conducted in 39 preterm newborns with early bronchopneumonia treated with exogenous surfactant. The gestation age, the birth weight and the stay time in the neonatal intensive care unit, the relation PaO2/FiO2, the mechanical ventilation time, the complications of ventilatory support and the mortality according to the number of doses of exogenous surfactant and the use of prenatal steroids were studied. The absolute and relative frequencies, the average and the chi-squared test were calculated. Results: the need of administrating a greater number of doses was associated to a lower relation PaO²/FiO² (p=0,0103). Adequate values were obtained with the first and the second doses. The use of prenatal steroids was associated to a lesser time with mechanical ventilation (p=0,0474), to greater values of the relation PaO²/FiO² (p=0,0162) and to a lower mortality (p=0,0076). No statistical association was found in the complications related to ventilation. Conclusions: those patients who required a greater number of doses of surfactant had an unfavorable ventilatory response and a greater mortality. The use of prenatal steroids favoured a better ventilatory response and a lower mortality. The combination of prenatal steroids and exogenous surfactant can be beneficial in preterm newborns with early bronchopneumonia.

Ética en el diseño, conducción y monitoreo de ensayos clínicos con SURFACEN® en Cuba / Ethics in the design, conduction and monitoring of clinical trials with SURFACEN® in Cuba

FUNDAMENTO: el Centro Nacional Coordinador de Ensayos Clínicos, el Centro Nacional de Sanidad Agropecuaria y unidades de cuidados intensivos cubanas, ejecutaron ensayos clínicos con SURFACEN® para tratar el síndrome de dificultad respiratoria. OBJETIVO:describir la actuación ética en el diseño, conducción y monitoreo de estos ensayos clínicos, así como determinar su validez interna y externa. MÉTODOS: se realizó un estudio prospectivo y descriptivo entre 2004 y 2014. Se diseñaron protocolos, cuadernos de recogida de datos, consentimiento informado; se planificaron sitios clínicos, recursos humanos y materiales; se capacitaron investigadores clínicos y se monitoreó la ejecución de ensayos clínicos fase II, III y IV, que evaluaron el efecto, la eficacia, efectividad y seguridad del SURFACEN® para tratar el síndrome de dificultad respiratoria en tres grupos poblacionales: neonatos, niños (entre 28 días y 18 años de edad) y adultos. RESULTADOS: participaron 41 unidades de cuidados intensivos (17 de neonatología, 7 de pediatría y 17 de adultos). Se evaluaron 1 413 pacientes y se incluyeron 306. Se capacitaron en Buenas Prácticas Clínicas 709 profesionales de la salud. Del monitoreo, revisión de la documentación y los procederes realizados, se evidenció el cumplimiento de las normas éticas para la investigación en humanos. La validez interna de los resultados se demostró con la objetividad de la observación, comparación recurrente y asignación aleatoria de tratamientos, planificación y ejecución conforme a las Guías de Buenas Prácticas Clínicas. La validez externa se evidenció en la modificación del registro sanitario del producto con la aprobación de tres nuevas indicaciones: en el síndrome de dificultad respiratoria aguda en pediatría y adultos, así como el uso temprano (primeras 2 horas de vida) en recién nacidos pre-términos. CONCLUSIONES: el diseño, la conducción y el monitoreo de ensayos clínicos con SURFACEN® cumplimentó los principios éticos básicos para la investigación clínica y garantizó la validez interna y externa de los resultados.

BACKGROUND: the Coordinating National Center of Clinical Trial, the National Center of Agricultural Health and the Cuban intensive care units carried out clinical trials with SURFACEN® to treat respiratory distress syndrome. Objective: to describe the ethical in the design, conduction and monitoring of these clinical trials, as well as determine its internal and external validity. METHODS: a descriptive, prospective study was conducted between 2004 and 2014. Protocols, data collecting notebooks and informed consent were designed; clinical sites, human and material resources were planned; clinical investigators were trained; also, the implementation of clinical trials stages II, III, and IV that evaluated the effect, effectiveness and security of SURFACEN® to treat respiratory distress syndrome in three population groups: newborn babies, infants, children (up to 18 years old) and adults, was monitored. RESULTS: forty-one intensive care units participated (17 of neonatology, 7 for pediatric patients and 17 for adults), 1 413 patients were evaluated and 306 were included and 709 health professionals were trained in Good Clinical Practice. The performance of the ethical norms for the investigation in human beings could be shown in the monitoring, the revision of the documentation and the carried-out procedures. The internal validity of the results could be shown through the objectivity of the observation, the recurrent comparison and the random assignment of treatments, and through the planning and performance according to the Guides of Good Clinical Practice. The external validity could be shown in the change of the legislation of the product with the approval of three new indications: for the acute respiratory distress syndrome in pediatric patients and adults and for preterm babies with an early use (two hours old). CONCLUSIONS: the design, conduction and monitoring of clinical trials with SURFACEN® performed the basic ethical principles for the clinical investigation and guaranteed the internal and external validity of the results.

Ética en el diseño, conducción y monitoreo de ensayos clínicos con SURFACEN® en Cuba / Ethics in the design, conduction and monitoring of clinical trials with SURFACEN® in Cuba

Fundamento: el Centro Nacional Coordinador de Ensayos Clínicos, el Centro Nacional de Sanidad Agropecuaria y unidades de cuidados intensivos cubanas, ejecutaron ensayos clínicos con SURFACEN® para tratar el síndrome de dificultad respiratoria.Objetivos:describir la actuación ética en el diseño, conducción y monitoreo de estos ensayos clínicos, así como determinar su validez interna y externa.Métodos: se realizó un estudio prospectivo y descriptivo entre 2004 y 2014. Se diseñaron protocolos, cuadernos de recogida de datos, consentimiento informado; se planificaron sitios clínicos, recursos humanos y materiales; se capacitaron investigadores clínicos y se monitoreó la ejecución de ensayos clínicos fase II, III y IV, que evaluaron el efecto, la eficacia, efectividad y seguridad del SURFACEN® para tratar el síndrome de dificultad respiratoria en tres grupos poblacionales: neonatos, niños (entre 28 días y 18 años de edad) y adultos.Resultados: participaron 41 unidades de cuidados intensivos (17 de neonatología, 7 de pediatría y 17 de adultos). Se evaluaron 1 413 pacientes y se incluyeron 306. Se capacitaron en Buenas Prácticas Clínicas 709 profesionales de la salud. Del monitoreo, revisión de la documentación y los procederes realizados, se evidenció el cumplimiento de las normas éticas para la investigación en humanos. La validez externa se evidenció en la modificación del registro sanitario del producto con la aprobación de tres nuevas indicaciones: en el síndrome de dificultad respiratoria aguda en pediatría y adultos, así como el uso temprano (primeras 2 horas de vida) en recién nacidos pre-términos.Conclusiones: el diseño, la conducción y el monitoreo de ensayos clínicos con SURFACEN® cumplimentó los principios éticos básicos para la investigación clínica y garantizó la validez interna y externa de los resultados(AU)

Background: the Coordinating National Center of Clinical Trial, the National Center of Agricultural Health and the Cuban intensive care units carried out clinical trials with SURFACEN® to treat respiratory distress syndrome.Objective: to describe the ethical in the design, conduction and monitoring of these clinical trials, as well as determine its internal and external validity.Methods: a descriptive, prospective study was conducted between 2004 and 2014. Protocols, data collecting notebooks and informed consent were designed; clinical sites, human and material resources were planned; clinical investigators were trained; also, the implementation of clinical trials stages II, III, and IV that evaluated the effect, effectiveness and security of SURFACEN® to treat respiratory distress syndrome in three population groups: newborn babies, infants, children (up to 18 years old) and adults, was monitored.Results: forty-one intensive care units participated (17 of neonatology, 7 for pediatric patients and 17 for adults), 1 413 patients were evaluated and 306 were included and 709 health professionals were trained in Good Clinical Practice. The internal validity of the results could be shown through the objectivity of the observation, the recurrent comparison and the random assignment of treatments, and through the planning and performance according to the Guides of Good Clinical Practice. The external validity could be shown in the change of the legislation of the product with the approval of three new indications: for the acute respiratory distress syndrome in pediatric patients and adults and for preterm babies with an early use (two hours old). Conclusions: the design, conduction and monitoring of clinical trials with SURFACEN® performed the basic ethical principles for the clinical investigation and guaranteed the internal and external validity of the results(AU)

Particularidades de los ensayos clínicos ejecutados en las unidades de cuidados intensivos / Particularities of the clinical trials executed in the units of intensive cares

Durante la etapa de planificación de un Ensayo Clínico, teniendo en cuenta las Buenas Prácticas Clínicas y los principios éticos planteados en la Declaración de Helsinki, se lleva a cabo la elaboración del Protocolo de Investigación, donde se describen clara y detalladamente el diseño, metodología y organización (consideraciones prácticas) del estudio; los acápites de este documento se desarrollan de acuerdo a las especificidades del Ensayo Clínico. En este trabajo se analizaron las peculiaridades de la confección del Protocolo de Investigación de un Ensayo Clínico que involucra las Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos ya que su objetivo es evaluar la eficacia y seguridad de un Surfactante de producción nacional en el Síndrome de Distress Respiratorio Adulto. Se concluye que en los estudios en estas unidades, participarán un mayor número de investigadores, solicitar y obtener el consentimiento informado y conservar el producto en estudio en la unidad(AU)

During the phase of planning of a clinical trial, keeping in mind the Good Clinical Practices and the ethical principles presented in the Statement of Helsinki, the elaboration of the Protocol of Investigation is carries out, where they are described clear and in detail the design, methodology and organization (practical considerations) of the study; the paragraphs of this document develop according to the specificities of the clinical trial. In this work the pecularities of the making of the Protocol of Investigation of a clinical trial were analyzed that involves the Units of Intensive Cares since their objective is to evaluate the efficacy and security of a Surfactante of national production in the Syndrome of Distress Respiratory Adult. It is concluded that in the studies in these units, they will participate a greater number of investigators, to request and to obtain the consent reported and to conserve the product in study in the unit(AU)

Comparison of two recombinant erythropoietin formulations in patients with anemia due to end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis: a parallel, randomized, double blind study.

BACKGROUND: Recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO) is used for the treatment of last stage renal anemia. A new EPO preparation was obtained in Cuba in order to make this treatment fully nationally available. The aim of this study was to compare the pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and safety properties of two recombinant EPO formulations in patients with anemia due to end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis. METHODS: A parallel, randomized, double blind study was performed. A single 100 IU/Kg EPO dose was administered subcutaneously. Heberitro (Heber Biotec, Havana, formulation A), a newly developed product and Eprex (CILAG AG, Switzerland, formulation B), as reference treatment were compared. Thirty-four patients with anemia due to end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis were included. Patients had not received EPO previously. Serum EPO level was measured by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) during 120 hours after administration. Clinical and laboratory variables were determined as pharmacodynamic and safety criteria until 216 hours. RESULTS: Both groups of patients were similar regarding all demographic and baseline characteristics. EPO kinetics profiles were similar for both formulations; the pharmacokinetic parameters were very close (i.e., AUC: 4667 vs. 4918 mIU.h/mL; Cmax: 119.1 vs. 119.7 mIU/mL; Tmax: 13.9 vs. 18.1 h; half-life, 20.0 vs. 22.5 h for formulations A and B, respectively). The 90% confidence intervals for the ratio between both products regarding these metrics were close to the 0.8-1.25 range, considered necessary for bioequivalence. Differences did not reach 20% in any case and were not determined by a formulation effect, but probably by a patients' variability effect. Concerning pharmacodynamic features, a high similitude in reticulocyte counts increments until 216 hours and the percentage decrease in serum iron until 120 hours was observed. There were no differences between formulations regarding the adverse events and their intensity. The more frequent events were pain at injection site (35.3%) and hypertension (29%). Additionally, further treatment of the patients with the study product yielded satisfactory increases in hemoglobin and hematocrit values. CONCLUSION: The formulations are comparable. The newly developed product should be acceptable for long-term application.