Effects of CYP3A5 Genotype on Tacrolimus Pharmacokinetics and Graft-versus-Host Disease Incidence in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

Tacrolimus (Tac) is pivotal in preventing acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT). It has been reported that genetic factors, including CYP3A5*3 and CYP3A4*22 polymorphisms, have an impact on Tac metabolism, dose requirement, and response to Tac. There is limited information regarding this topic in alloHSCT. The CYP3A5 genotype and a low Tac trough concentration/dose ratio (Tac C0/D ratio) can be used to identify fast metabolizers and predict the required Tac dose to achieve target concentrations earlier. We examined 62 Caucasian alloHSCT recipients with a fast metabolizer phenotype (C0/dose ratio ≤ 1.5 ng/mL/mg), assessing CYP3A5 genotypes and acute GVHD incidence. Forty-nine patients (79%) were poor metabolizers (2 copies of the variant *3 allele) and 13 (21%) were CYP3A5 expressers (CYP3A5*1/*1 or CYP3A5*1/*3 genotypes). CYP3A5 expressers had lower C0 at 48 h (3.7 vs. 6.2 ng/mL, p = 0.03) and at 7 days (8.6 vs. 11.4 ng/mL, p = 0.04) after Tac initiation, tended to take longer to reach Tac therapeutic range (11.8 vs. 8.9 days, p = 0.16), and had higher incidence of both global (92.3% vs. 38.8%, p < 0.001) and grade II-IV acute GVHD (61.5% vs. 24.5%, p = 0.008). These results support the adoption of preemptive pharmacogenetic testing to better predict individual Tac initial dose, helping to achieve the therapeutic range and reducing the risk of acute GVHD earlier.

At-Home Foscarnet Administration in Patients with Cytomegalovirus Infection Post-Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Unicentric, Safe, and Feasible Program.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a relevant cause of morbimortality in patients receiving allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-HCT). Foscarnet (FCN) is an effective drug against CMV administered intravenously and usually on an inpatient basis. The Home Care Unit (HCU) for hematologic patients at our hospital designed an at-home FCN administration model to avoid the hospitalization of patients requiring FCN treatment. This study analyzes whether the at-home administration of FCN is as safe and effective as its hospital administration. We collected and compared demographic, clinical, analytical, and economic data of patients with CMV infection post-allo-HCT who received FCN in the hospital (n = 16, 17 episodes) vs. at-home (n = 67, 88 episodes). The proportions of patients with cured CMV infections were comparable between the two groups (65.9% vs. 76.5%, p = 0.395). The median duration of FCN treatment was 15 (interquartile range [IQR] 9-23) and 14 (IQR 11-19) days in the HCU and inpatient cohorts, respectively (p = 0.692). There were no significant differences in the FCN toxicities between groups except for hypocalcemia (26.1% vs. 58.8%, p = 0.007), which was more prevalent in the inpatient cohort. A significant cost-effectiveness was found in the HCU cohort, with a median savings per episode of EUR 5270. It may be concluded that home administration of FCN is a safe, effective, and cost-efficient therapeutic option for patients with CMV infection and disease.

Assessment of the change of antiemetic prophylaxis from double to triple combination in patients with high dose carboplatin chemotherapy.

INTRODUCTION: Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is one of the adverse events that most affects oncologic patients' quality of life. Carboplatin AUC ≥ 4 belongs to agents with high emetic risk (moderate risk in ASCO guidelines). We aimed to compare the effectiveness of netupitant/palonosetron and dexamethasone triple combination (TC) therapy versus ondansetron and dexamethasone double combination (DC) therapy as antiemetic prophylaxis in patients with carboplatin AUC ≥ 4. As a secondary endpoint, in TC group we evaluated the effectiveness of changing NEPA administration timing from 1 h to 15 min before chemotherapy. METHODS: Open-label prospective study conducted in a tertiary-care hospital in patients receiving carboplatin AUC ≥ 4. CINV was evaluated using MASCC antiemetic tool, in acute (<24 h) and delayed phase (24-120 h). Results were analyzed using χ2 test. RESULTS: Two-hundred four completed questionnaires (CQ) were analyzed (76 in DC and 128 in TC). The proportion of patients who remained emesis-free was superior for TC-treated group compared to DC, either in acute (99.2% vs 92.1%, p = 0.0115) and delayed phase (97.6% vs 90.7%, p = 0.043). Likewise, a higher proportion of TC-treated patients compared to DC remained nausea-free for the first 24 h after treatment (90.6% vs 71%, p = 0.0004) and between 24 and 120 h (82.3% vs 62.7%, p = 0.0025). The change of NEPA administration time showed similar effectiveness in terms of CINV control (81.6% vs 74.5%, p = 0.70). CONCLUSIONS: TC showed superiority in early and delayed CINV control in carboplatin AUC ≥ 4 regimens, with no significant differences among cancer types. Change in NEPA administration timing has beneficial implications; it allows NEPA to be administered at hospitals before chemotherapy session.

Real-world data of the use and experience of caplacizumab for the treatment of acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura: Case series.

PURPOSE: Caplacizumab was licensed for acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (aTTP) based on prospective controlled trials. Real-world evidence is crucial in rare diseases. We aim to describe a patient population with aTTP, receiving caplacizumab in a real-world setting, reporting their outcomes, including safety and tolerability, and contrasting them with a historical cohort from our center. METHODS: We describe data collected retrospectively from 2012 to 2022 for 16 patients with aTTP (8 received caplacizumab and 8 the historical standard-of-care). Patients' characteristics and outcomes were compared between groups. RESULTS: Patients' demographic and baseline characteristics were similar in both groups. Caplacizumab led to a rapid normalization of the platelet count of 3.5 (IQR, 2-6) versus 16 (IQR, 9.5-23.5) days in the historical cohort: (p = .002). The median number of plasma exchanges and the length of days requiring them, between the caplacizumab group versus the historical cohort, was 6 (IQR, 6-10) versus 19.5 (IQR, 12.5-29.5) plasma exchanges (p = .006); and 9 (IQR, 8.5-13.5) versus 22 (15-31) days (p = .049), respectively. There were no refractory cases in the caplacizumab group in comparison with 37.5 % in the historical cohort. None of patients treated with caplacizumab experienced a recurrence after 1081 (IQR, 511-3125) days of follow-up. Safety was in line with data reported in clinical trials, with mild adverse events (mostly grade≤2). CONCLUSION: We provided real-world evidence in the treatment of aTTP, confirming the results obtained in clinical trials. Caplacizumab reduced the time to platelet count recovery and the number and length of plasma exchanges.

Primary care electronic medication record discrepancies in patients starting treatment at a hospital-based ambulatory care pharmacy and impact on prevalence of potential drug-drug interactions.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to evaluate the prevalence of discrepancies between primary care electronic medication records (EMR) and patient reported medication (PRM) in ambulatory patients starting a hospital dispensing treatment (HDT) at a hospital-based ambulatory care pharmacy (HACPh). Our secondary aims were to analyse factors associated with the presence of discrepancies and their impact on the prevalence of potential drug-drug interactions (DDIs) with the HDT. METHODS: Retrospective study including 230 patients starting a HDT at the HACPh. Pharmacists interviewed patients and PRM was compared with EMR. Discrepancies were classified as omissions (medication in the PRM not present in the EMR) and commissions (medication active in the EMR that the patients were not taking). Potential DDIs with the HDT were screened, and univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to detect factors associated with the presence of discrepancies. RESULTS: We identified 221 discrepancies in 116 (50.4%) patients. Being visited by three or more medical specialties (OR 1.93, 95% CI 1.11 to 3.37) and attending private healthcare (OR 4.36, 95% CI 1.14 to 16.72) in the 12 months before the study inclusion were the factors independently associated with the presence of discrepancies. Among patients with commissions (n=91), 15.4% had a potential DDI between the HDT and one medication from the EMR that they were not taking at that moment. Among patients with omissions (n=45), 11.1% had a potential DDI between the HDT and a medication in the PRM not present in the EMR. CONCLUSIONS: About 40% of patients had one or more medications in the EMR which they were not taking and one fifth used medications that were not listed in the EMR. EMR should not be used as the only source of information when screening for DDIs, especially in patients followed by different medical specialties or combining private and public healthcare.

¿Conlleva la desprescripción de condroprotectores en pacientes con artrosis un incremento del consumo de analgésicos? Estudio observacional retrospectivo / Does the deprescription of chondroprotectors in patients with osteoarthritis lead to an increase in the consumption of analgesics? Observational retrospective study

Objetivo: El objetivo del estudio es evaluar si la desprescripción de medicamentos considerados de bajo valor intrínseco como los condroprotectores o SYSADOA, conlleva un empeoramiento sintomáti-co de la artrosis, incrementándose el consumo de analgésicos.Material y métodos: Siguiendo la práctica clínica habitual se retiró el tratamiento con SYSADOA a pa-cientes de un Centro de Atención Primaria (pobla-ción asignada: 34.382 habitantes, 17% mayores de 65 años) en base a la evidencia científica publicada y a la recomendación de la administración sanitaria de reducir los tratamientos con medicamentos de bajo valor intrínseco. Mediante un estudio obser-vacional post-intervención se analizaron diferen-cias de consumo de analgésicos y AINEs entre un periodo anterior a la retirada y el mismo periodo post-retirada.Resultados: Se analizaron 354 pacientes (68,4% mujeres, media de edad 66,2 años). No se encon-traron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en el consumo de analgesia total en el periodo de 6 meses post-retirada (media de 3,97 envases) com-parado con el periodo de 6 meses previo (media de 4,04 envases). Al estratificar por código ATC, edad y género, únicamente se encontraron diferencias en el consumo de otros analgésicos y antipiréticos teniendo en cuenta el sexo.Conclusión: Se concluye que, considerar con el paciente la desprescripción de SYSADOA a criterio del médico, es seguro y no conlleva un aumento del consumo de analgésicos (otros analgésicos y anti-piréticos, AINE, opioides menores, opioides mayo-res) sugiriendo que no implica un empeoramiento de la enfermedad artrósica. La desprescripción de SYSADOA, además, puede contribuir a reducir la po-limedicación sin alterar la situación clínica y evitar posibles riesgos de efectos adversos o interaccio-nes potenciales (AU)

Objective: The objective of this study is to assess if the deprescription of medications that are consid-ered low intrinsic value medications such as the chondroprotectors or SYSADOA entails a symptom-atic worsening of the arthrosis and consequently an increase of the consumption of analgesics.Material and Methods: Following the usual clinical practise, the SYSADOA treatment was withdrawn to the patients from a Primary Health Care Centre (assigned population: 34,382 inhabitants, 17% up to 65 years old) according to the published scientific proof and the recommendation of the health ad-ministration consisting of reducing the treatments with low intrinsic value medications. Differences in consumption of analgesics and AINEs between a previous period before the withdrawn and the same period post-withdrawn were studied through an observational post-intervention study.Results: 354 patients were analysed (68,4% wom-en, average age 66,2 years). There were not found significant differences from a statistical point of view in the total consumption of analgesia in the 6 months period post-withdrawn (average of 3,97 packagings) compared to the previous period of 6 months (average of 4,04 packagings). When stratifying by ATC code, age and gender, there were only found differences in the consumption of other analgesics and antipyretics taking into account the sex.Conclusion: It is concluded that considering togeth-er with the patient the deprescription of SYSADOA according to doctor’s criteria is safe and does not involve an increase of analgesics consumption (other analgesics, antipyretics, AINEs, major and minor opiods) suggesting that it does not suppose a worsening of the arthrosis disease. Besides, the deprescription of SYSADOA may contribute to re-duce polymedication without disrupting the clinical situation and avoid possible risks of adverse effects or potential interactions

Impact of HCV cure with drug-acting antivirals in the use of concomitant medication and lipid profile: follow-up data 2 years after the sustained virological response.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) frequently associated comorbidities and concomitant medication. Sustained virological response (SVR12) has been related to an increase in cholesterol serum levels and in peripheral vascular resistance. Our aim was to evaluate the impact of SVR12 on the use of concomitant medication and serum lipid profile. METHODS: Prospective study including patients treated with direct-acting antivirals who had achieved the SVR12. Clinical data and concomitant drugs were analysed at baseline and at least 1 year after SVR12. Differences from baseline to follow-up in the concomitant medication were evaluated by Stuart-Maxwell test and lipid profile by Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Patients were categorized according to the increase/decrease in the number of drugs included in each class (Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification system). RESULTS: Two hundred twenty-six patients with SVR12 were included, 73.5% were receiving concomitant drugs (49.6% with antihypertensive effect, 30.5% antacids, 16.4% anti-diabetic drugs, and 7.1% lipid-lowering agents). One year after SVR12, total cholesterol serum levels increased from 161 to 179 mg/dl (P < 0.001) and, after a median time of 25.7 months, the use of lipid-lowering drugs increased from 7.8 to 11.5% (P = 0.009). In addition, we observed a trend to use more antihypertensive drugs in older patients (P = 0.06), especially in those with cirrhosis. Anxiolytics decreased after SVR12 from 13.7 to 10.6% (P = 0.035). CONCLUSION: CHC cure is associated with a significant increase in cholesterol serum levels and the use of lipid-lowering agents, as well as the use of drugs with antihypertensive effect in older patients.

Prognostic factors and effect on survival of immune-related adverse events in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer treated with immune checkpoint blockage.

Our aim was to describe the incidence and characteristics of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) and to evaluate their impact on outcome. All cases of NSCLC patients treated with ICIs in the second-line setting between December 2015 and May 2018 were evaluated. Seventy patients were included. Mean age was 65.9 years, and the majority of male (n = 53, 75.7%), with PS of 0-1 (n = 62, 88.6%) treated with nivolumab (n = 51; 72.9%). Thirty-one patients (44.3%) experienced an AE, 5 (7.1%) were grades 3-4. Median OS in patients with AE was 30.1 months (95% CI, 16.7-43.5) compared with 5.1 months (95% CI, 1.2-9.0) in cases without AE (log-rank test: p = 0.010). The adjusted HR for OS was 0.46 (95% CI, 0.25-0.86) for the irAE occurrence and 3.60 (95% CI, 1.56-8.32) for PS 2-3 group. The development of irAEs was associated with improved patient outcome.

ERBB2 mRNA Expression and Response to Ado-Trastuzumab Emtansine (T-DM1) in HER2-Positive Breast Cancer.

Trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) is approved for the treatment of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive (HER2+) metastatic breast cancer (BC) and for residual disease after neoadjuvant therapy; however, not all patients benefit. Here, we hypothesized that the heterogeneity in the response seen in patients is partly explained by the levels of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 gene (ERBB2) mRNA. We analyzed ERBB2 expression using a clinically applicable assay in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumors (primary or metastatic) from a retrospective series of 77 patients with advanced HER2+ BC treated with T-DM1. The association of ERBB2 levels and response was further validated in 161 baseline tumors from the West German Study (WGS) Group ADAPT phase II trial exploring neoadjuvant T-DM1 and 9 in vitro BC cell lines. Finally, ERBB2 expression was explored in 392 BCs from an in-house dataset, 368 primary BCs from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset and 10,071 tumors representing 33 cancer types from the PanCancer TCGA dataset. High ERBB2 mRNA was found associated with better response and progression-free survival in the metastatic setting and higher rates of pathological complete response in the neoadjuvant setting. ERBB2 expression also correlated with in vitro response to T-DM1. Finally, our assay identified 0.20-8.41% of tumors across 15 cancer types as ERBB2-high, including gastric and esophagus adenocarcinomas, urothelial carcinoma, cervical squamous carcinoma and pancreatic cancer. In particular, we identified high ERBB2 mRNA in a patient with HER2+ advanced gastric cancer who achieved a long-lasting partial response to T-DM1. Our study demonstrates that the heterogeneity in response to T-DM1 is partly explained by ERBB2 levels and provides a clinically applicable assay to be tested in future clinical trials of breast cancer and other cancer types.

Strong opioid consumption and its correlation with pain intensity and inpatient complexity. A 6-year analysis in a tertiary hospital.

BACKGROUND: An increasing trend in opioid consumption has been observed worldwide in last decades. However, data related to opioid utilization in hospital settings are scarce. The aim of this study was to determine the evolution of use of strong opioids and pain intensity in a tertiary hospital during 6 years. METHODS: Consumption of strong opioid analgesics used at the hospital at any time between 2012 and 2017 was collected. Data were expressed on oral morphine equivalents (OMEs) per 100 bed-days. Pain intensity was measured by the numerical rating scale (NRS) and the percentage of patients who experienced a NRS value ≥3 and ≥7 were calculated. Case mix index (CMI) was also collected. Data were quantified in medical and surgical area separately. RESULTS: Consumption of opioids varied from 812.4 to 1,038.8 OMEs/100 bed-days and from 967.3 to 1,023.7 in medical and surgical area. The percentage of patients that experienced a value of NRS ≥ 3 and ≥7 in medical area increased from 24.2% and 5.5% to 31.7% and 7.5%, (p = .038, p = .040). It was observed a correlation between the percentage of patients that experienced a NRS ≥ 7 in two consecutive determinations and opioid prescription in medical area (p = .039).The CMI increased from 1.05 and 0.91 to 1.18 and 1.04 in medical and surgical area (p = .020, p = .004). CONCLUSIONS: Consumption of strong opioids has remained stable, both in medical and surgical area, during last years. A correlation between prescription of opioids and pain intensity is observed in case of repeated and severe pain in medical departments. SIGNIFICANCE: This study shows a stable consumption of strong opioid analgesics in a hospital setting in contrast to what appears to be the extrahospitalary trend during last years. The association between consumption of opioids and pain intensity seems to indicate a good control of pain in the clinical setting, showing a significant correlation between the consumption of opioids and repeated and severe pain in medical departments.