Diagnosis and clinical management of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP): a consensus statement from the TTP Catalan group.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a low prevalence disease characterized by severe deficiency of the enzyme ADAMTS13, leading to the development of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) and often resulting in severe organ disfunction. TTP is an extremely serious condition and, therefore, timely and appropriate treatment is critical to prevent life-threatening complications.Over the past 25 years, significant advances in the understanding of the pathophysiology of immune TTP have led to the development of readily available techniques for measuring ADAMTS13 levels, as well as new drugs that are particularly effective in the acute phase and in preventing relapses. These developments have improved the course of the disease.Given the complexity of the disease and its various clinical and laboratory manifestations, early diagnosis and treatment can be challenging.To address this challenge, a group of experienced professionals from the Catalan TTP group have developed this consensus statement to standardize terminology, diagnosis, treatment and follow up for immune TTP, based on currently available scientific evidence in the field. This guidance document aims to provide healthcare professionals with a comprehensive tool to make more accurate and timely diagnosis of TTP and improve patient outcomes.

Estudio Anatómico y Prevalencia del Canalis sinuosus Evaluado Mediante Cone Beam CT en Pacientes Chilenos / Anatomical Study and Prevalence of Canalis sinuosus Evaluated by Cone Beam CT in Chilean Patients

Canalis sinuosus, canal intraóseo localizado en región maxilar anterior, contiene elementos vasculonerviosos alveolares anterosuperiores. Diversas intervenciones en región maxilar anterior como colocación de implantes, exodoncias, instalación de microtornillos ortodóncicos, procedimientos quirúrgicos, entre otros, pueden comprometer al Canalis sinuosus y/o sus canales accesorios dañando los elementos contenidos en su interior causando complicaciones como hemorragias, parestesia, disestesia, etc. Dado el gran desconocimiento de su existencia, el Canalis sinuosus frecuentemente es confundido con lesiones patológicas y/o endodónticas. Clásicamente la literatura lo describe como una variación anatómica variación anatómica, sin embargo, presenta elevadas prevalencias (51,7 %-100 %), siendo cuestionada esta aseveración. Determinar prevalencia y característica s anatómicas del Canalis sinuosus mediante Cone Beam CT en pacientes chilenos del centro radiológico IMAPROX® entre 2017- 2021. Análisis retrospectivo de 220 CBCT maxilares anonimizados, considerando variables sexo, presencia del Canalis sinuosus, Canalis sinuosus uni/bilateral, diámetro mayor del Canalis sinuosus, presencia/número de accesorios. Análisis estadístico uni y bivariado. 100 % de prevalencia del Canalis sinuosus en ambos sexos, presencia bilateral 100 %. Diámetro mayor promedio del Canalis sinuosus: 2,58 mm. El 76,8 % presentó accesorios, siendo más prevalente la presencia de 2 CA (34,1 %). Una estructura anatómica normal habitual debe presentar sobre 50 % de prevalencia para ser considerada como tal, pero no hay consensos en criterios empleados para definir variación anatómica o estructura anatómica normal habitual. Literatura describe al Canalis sinuosus como variación anatómica, pero estudios actuales muestran elevadas prevalencias: Rusia 67 %, Brasil 88 %, Turquía, Colombia y Chile 100 %. Este estudio encontró 100 % de prevalencia, sugiriendo que Canalis sinuosus es una estructura anatómica normal habitual. Sin embargo, Canalis sinuosus es poco conocido asociándose a numerosas complicaciones por procedimientos odontológicos y/o quirúrgicos en RMA pudiendo generar hemorragias, parestesia/disestesia, dolor agudo, etc. Elevadas prevalencias reportadas sugieren que Canalis sinuosus es una estructura anatómica normal habitual y no una variación anatómica, pero se requieren más estudios y consensos para aseverarlo. Es de relevancia clínica conocer la existencia y localización del Canalis sinuosus para evitar complicaciones.

Canalis sinuosus, an intraosseous canal located in the anterior maxillary region, contains anterosuperior alveolar vascular-nervous elements. Various interventions in anterior maxillary region such as implant placement, extractions, installation of orthodontic microscrews, surgical procedures, among others, can compromise the Canalis sinuosus and/or its accessory canals, damaging the elements contained inside, causing complications such as bleeding, paresthesia, dysesthesia, etc. Given the great ignorance of its existence, Canalis sinuosus is frequently confused with pathological and/or endodontic lesions. Classically, the literature describes it as an anatomical variation, however, it presents high prevalence (51.7 %-100 %), this assertion being questioned. Objective: to determine the prevalence and anatomical characteristics of Canalis sinuosus using Cone Beam CT in Chilean patients from the IMAPROX® radiological center between 2017-2021. Retrospective analysis of 220 anonymous maxillary CBCT, considering variables sex, presence of Canalis sinuosus, uni/bilateral Canalis sinuosus, largest diameter of Canalis sinuosus, presence/number of accessory canals. Univariate and bivariate statistical analysis. The 100 % prevalence of Canalis sinuosus in both sexes, 100 % bilateral presence. Canalis sinuosus average major diameter: 2.58 mm, 76.8 % presented accessory canals, with the presence of 2 accessory canals being more prevalent (34.1 %). A habitual normal anatomical structure must have a prevalence of over 50 % to be considered as such, but there is no consensus on the criteria used to define anatomical variation or normal anatomical structure. Literature describes Canalis sinuosus as anatomical variation, but current studies show high prevalence: Russia 67 %, Brazil 88 %, Turkey, Colombia and Chile 100 %. This study found 100 % prevalence, suggesting that Canalis sinuosus is an normal anatomical structure. However, Canalis sinuosus is little known as it is associated with numerous complications from dental and/or surgical procedures in anterior maxillary region, which can cause bleeding, paresthesia/ dysesthesia, acute pain, etc. High reported prevalences suggest that Canalis sinuosus is an normal anatomical structure and not an anatomical variation, but more studies and consensus are required to confirm this. It is clinically relevant to know the existence and location of Canalis sinuosus to avoid complications.

Migration of surface-associated microbial communities in spaceflight habitats.

Astronauts are spending longer periods locked up in ships or stations for scientific and exploration spatial missions. The International Space Station (ISS) has been inhabited continuously for more than 20 years and the duration of space stays by crews could lengthen with the objectives of human presence on the moon and Mars. If the environment of these space habitats is designed for the comfort of astronauts, it is also conducive to other forms of life such as embarked microorganisms. The latter, most often associated with surfaces in the form of biofilm, have been implicated in significant degradation of the functionality of pieces of equipment in space habitats. The most recent research suggests that microgravity could increase the persistence, resistance and virulence of pathogenic microorganisms detected in these communities, endangering the health of astronauts and potentially jeopardizing long-duration manned missions. In this review, we describe the mechanisms and dynamics of installation and propagation of these microbial communities associated with surfaces (spatial migration), as well as long-term processes of adaptation and evolution in these extreme environments (phenotypic and genetic migration), with special reference to human health. We also discuss the means of control envisaged to allow a lasting cohabitation between these vibrant microscopic passengers and the astronauts.

Pathological Findings Associated With SARS-CoV-2 on Postmortem Core Biopsies: Correlation With Clinical Presentation and Disease Course.

Background: Autopsies can shed light on the pathogenesis of new and emerging diseases. Aim: To describe needle core necropsy findings of the lung, heart, and liver in decedents with COVID-19. Material: Cross-sectional study of needle core necropsies in patients who died with virologically confirmed COVID-19. Histopathological analyses were performed, and clinical data and patient course evaluated. Results: Chest core necropsies were performed in 71 decedents with a median age of 81 years (range 52-97); 47 (65.3%) were men. The median interval from symptoms onset to death was 17.5 days (range 1-84). Samples of lung (n = 62, 87.3%), heart (n = 48, 67.6%) and liver (n = 39, 54.9%) were obtained. Fifty-one lung samples (82.3%) were abnormal: 19 (30.6%) showed proliferative diffuse alveolar damage (DAD), 12 (19.4%) presented exudative DAD, and 10 (16.1%) exhibited proliferative plus exudative DAD. Of the 46 lung samples tested for SARS-CoV-19 by RT-PCR, 39 (84.8%) were positive. DAD was associated with premortem values of lactate dehydrogenase of 400 U/L or higher [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 21.73; 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.22-146] and treatment with tocilizumab (AOR 6.91; 95% CI 1.14-41.7). Proliferative DAD was associated with an onset-to-death interval of over 15 days (AOR 7.85, 95% CI 1.29-47.80). Twenty-three of the 48 (47.9%) heart samples were abnormal: all showed fiber hypertrophy, while 9 (18.8%) presented fibrosis. Of the liver samples, 29/39 (74.4%) were abnormal, due to steatosis (n = 12, 30.8%), cholestasis (n = 6, 15.4%) and lobular central necrosis (n = 5, 12.8%). Conclusion: Proliferative DAD was the main finding on lung core needle necropsy in people who died from COVID-19; this finding was related to a longer disease course. Changes in the liver and heart were common.

Distinct thermal patterns to detect and quantify trace levels of wheat flour mixed into ground chickpeas.

This paper combines intelligent algorithms based on a residual neural network (ResNet34) to process thermographic images. This integration is aimed at detecting traces of wheat flour, in concentrations from 1 to 50 ppm, mixed into chickpea flour. Using an image database of over 16 thousand samples to train the ResNet34, and 1712 images to blindly test it, the optimized intelligent algorithm is able to classify the thermographic images into 14 classes according to the concentration of wheat flour at a 99.0% correct classification rate. These results open the door to the development of a simple, fast, and inexpensive prototype that can be used during the entire distribution chain to help protect brands and consumers. The detection and quantification of trace amounts of wheat flour, or indirectly gluten, serves as a quality control and health safety application protecting, for example, people with celiac disease.

Plasma exchange with albumin replacement and disease progression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Plasma exchange (PE) is used to treat a range of neurological disorders. Based on results demonstrated in Alzheimer's disease, we theorized that PE with albumin replacement (PE-A) might alter the metabolic profile of plasma and cerebrospinal fluid in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by removing disease-inducing molecules. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of PE-A on disease progression in ALS. METHODS: In this open-label, non-controlled, single-arm, prospective pilot study, 13 adults with ALS had 6 months' treatment with PE-A 5% and 6 months' follow-up. Primary endpoints were changes from baseline in the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R) score and forced vital capacity (FVC) through 48 weeks. A post hoc analysis compared individual patient data with the expected ALSFRS-R progression slope. RESULTS: The median ALSFRS-R score declined throughout the study, although the rate of decline was slower than expected in seven patients at treatment end and in five patients at study end. Six patients remained in the same baseline slope progression category, and four patients improved their slope category at treatment end. Median FVC decreased significantly during the study. Treatment was well tolerated. Of 330 PE-A procedures, 0.9% were associated with potentially related adverse events. CONCLUSION: Although functional impairment progressed, about two-thirds of patients showed a slower than expected rate of decline at treatment end. Most patients had unaltered (54.5%) or reduced (36.4%) ALSFRS-R slope progression at treatment end. Further evaluation of PE-A in controlled studies involving more patients is warranted. EUDRACT NUMBER: 2013-004842-40. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02479802.

Addition of plerixafor to G-CSF in poor mobilizing healthy related donors overcame mobilization failure: An observational case series on behalf of the Grupo Español de Trasplante Hematopoyético (GETH).

Plerixafor (Mozobil, Sanofi) is approved for using in patients with lymphoma and multiple myeloma when steady-state mobilization strategies fail. Although off-label use of plerixafor in healthy related donors (HRD) is known, limited data are available and no recommendations exist to guide its use in this setting. With the aim of collecting data from HRDs who received plerixafor in our country, we designed an observational case series study within the Spanish Group of Hematopoietic Transplant and Cell Therapy (GETH). Plerixafor was administered subcutaneously to 30 HRDs at a median dose of 0.24 mg/Kg (interquartile range (IQR): 0.23-0.25) because mobilization failure after using mobilization with G-CSF (mobilization failure was defined as collection of <4.0 × 106 CD34+ cells/Kg recipient). All HRDs received G-CSF at a median dose of 11 µg/Kg/day (IQR: 10-12) for 4-5 days. Leukocytapheresis after G-CSF mobilization was performed in 23 (77 %) HRDs collecting a median of 1.6 × 106 CD34+ cells/Kg recipient weight (IQR: 0.9-2.5). Addition of plerixafor allowed the collection of a higher median number of CD34 cells (4.98 × 106 CD34+ cells/Kg recipient weight (IQR: 3.5-5.8)) when compared with the collection of CD34+ cells with G-CSF alone (p < 0.01). The final median total number of CD34+ cells collected was 6.1 × 106/Kg recipient weight (IQR: 4.8-7.3). Mild adverse events related with plerixafor administration were reported in 8 (27 %) donors. In conclusion, addition of plerixafor after G-CSF mobilization failure in HRDs allowed collecting higher number of CD34+ cells in comparison with steady-state mobilization.

Proposal of a clinically relevant working classification of pituitary neuroendocrine tumors based on pituitary transcription factors.

The immunohistochemistry (IHC) characterization of pituitary transcription factors (PTFs) PIT1, TPIT, and SF1, which enable the identification of three different adenohypophyseal cell lines, has been incorporated into the latest classification system of the World Health Organization (WHO) for pituitary adenomas. This change overturns the concept of the adenoma as solely a hormone producer and classifies these tumors based on their cell lineage. The aim of the study was to provide a diagnostic algorithm, based on IHC expression of hypophyseal hormones with potential use in diagnostic practice, contributing to an improved classification of pituitary adenomas. Our sample included 146 pituitary adenomas previously classified based on hormonal subtypes by IHC (former 2004 WHO criteria) and re-evaluated after the IHC quantification of PIT1, TPIT, and SF1 expression, under WHO 2017 recommendations. We assessed the correlation between expression of PTFs and the classification as per hormonal IHC and correlated clinicopathological profiles based on PTFs. The IHC study of PTFs allowed reclassification of 82% of tumors that were negative for all pituitary hormones, with 21 positive cases for SF1 (reclassified as gonadotroph tumors), 1 positive case for TPIT (reclassified as a corticotroph tumor), and 4 positive cases for PIT1. Using SF1 enabled detection of a substantial portion of gonadotroph tumors, reducing the estimated prevalence of null cell tumors to less than 5%, and identification of plurihormonal pituitary neuroendocrine tumors with PIT1-SF1 coexpression and hormone-negative PIT1s, a group in which we did not observe differences in the clinical behavior compared with the rest of the tumors of the same cell lineage.Our results suggest that applying a diagnostic algorithm based on the study of PTFs could contribute to improving the classification of pituitary adenomas. By adding TPIT assessment, we propose a two-step algorithm, with hypophyseal hormones being used in a selective modality, depending on initial results.

Atypical pediatric presentation of lymphocytic thrombophilic arteritis: Diagnostic difficulties and recent nosological clarification.

A 4-year-old girl presented with a 2-month history of round, hypopigmented, slightly scaly patches measuring 1-6 cm and encircled by an erythematous halo, first appearing on the lower limbs then spreading to the whole body. Three biopsies were taken as the condition progressed, each showing a lymphocytic infiltrate affecting a medium-sized artery at the dermal-subcutaneous junction, with a concentric fibrin ring. These findings are characteristic of lymphocytic thrombophilic arteritis (LTA). The young age of our patient and the type of skin lesions she developed make this an atypical presentation of LTA, which usually manifests as hyperpigmented macules on the lower extremities, predominantly in dark-skinned women.

Adenosis microglandular mamaria en paciente con antecedente de radioterapia mediastínica / Microglandular adenosis of the breast in a patient with a history of mediastinal radiotherapy

El riesgo de tumores secundarios en los pacientes que han recibido radioterapia mediastínica es ampliamente conocido. La adenosis microglandular de la mama es una lesión poco frecuente considerada como benigna, aunque se plantea su papel precursor del carcinoma infiltrante de mama. Presentamos un caso de adenosis microglandular en una paciente que recibió radioterapia mediastínica en la infancia por linfoma de Hodgkin. Hasta la fecha este es el primer caso informado en la literatura de adenosis microglandular en paciente con radioterapia mediastínica, planteando un interrogante en la contribución en la patogénesis

The risk of secondary tumors in patients who have received mediastinal radiation therapy is well-known. Microglandular adenosis of the breast is a rare lesion that is considered benign, although its possible role as a precursor of invasive breast carcinoma has been considered. We present a case of microglandular adenosis in a patient who received mediastinal radiation therapy in childhood for Hodgkin's lymphoma. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of microglandular adenosis in a patient with mediastinal radiotherapy which may shed light on its pathogenesis

[Microglandular adenosis of the breast in a patient with a history of mediastinal radiotherapy]. / Adenosis microglandular mamaria en paciente con antecedente de radioterapia mediastínica.

The risk of secondary tumors in patients who have received mediastinal radiation therapy is well-known. Microglandular adenosis of the breast is a rare lesion that is considered benign, although its possible role as a precursor of invasive breast carcinoma has been considered. We present a case of microglandular adenosis in a patient who received mediastinal radiation therapy in childhood for Hodgkin's lymphoma. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of microglandular adenosis in a patient with mediastinal radiotherapy which may shed light on its pathogenesis.

Mobilization of Hematopoietic Stem Cells into Peripheral Blood for Autologous Transplantation Seems Less Efficacious in Poor Mobilizers with the Use of a Biosimilar of Filgrastim and Plerixafor: A Retrospective Comparative Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Biosimilars of granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (G-CSF) have shown similar efficacy to originator filgrastim (Neupogen® [NEU]; Amgen Inc.) as prophylaxis in neutropenia and in the mobilization of stem cells in patients receiving combination chemotherapy with G-CSF. METHODS: This was a retrospective study in which the characteristics of stem cell mobilization treated with a G-CSF alone were compared in 216 patients and 56 donors. The two G-CSF compared were NEU and the biosimilar filgrastim Zarzio® (Sandoz GmbH) (referred to hereafter as BIO). Primary objectives were mobilization rate (minimum of 10 × 103/ml CD34+ on day 4 of treatment [day +4]) and use of the immunostimulant plerixafor (PLEX) in each group. RESULTS: The general characteristics of the patients receiving NEU (n = 138) and those receiving BIO (n = 78) did not differ significantly. PLEX was used in 24% of BIO patients and in 25.7% of NEU patients. The median CD34+ cell count on day +4 was significantly lower in BIO patients who needed PLEX than in those who did not (2.4 vs. 4.8 × 103/ml; p = 0.002), as was the final CD34+ cell count (2.5 vs. 3.3 × 106/kg; p 0.03). Mobilization failure rate was higher in the BIO group than in the NEU group (20 vs. 0%; p = 0.01). With respect to donors, more than one apheresis was needed in three BIO donors, one of them with PLEX. The use of BIO was the only risk factor for mobilization failure in patients who needed PLEX (hazard ratio 10.3; 95% confidence interval 1.3-77.8). CONCLUSION: The study revealed that BIO had a lower efficacy for stem cell mobilization when the only treatment was G-CSF, especially in poor mobilizers needing PLEX.

Increased E2F1 mRNA and miR-17-5p Expression Is Correlated to Invasiveness and Proliferation of Pituitary Neuroendocrine Tumours.

miR-17-5p and E2F1 have been described as deregulated in cancer, but they have scarcely been studied in pituitary neuroendocrine tumours (PitNETs). This study evaluates the relationship of E2F1 and miR-17-5p with the invasiveness and proliferation of PitNETs. In this cross-sectional descriptive study, we evaluated the expression of E2F1, MYC, and miR-17-5p by quantitative real time PCR analysis in 60 PitNETs: 29 gonadotroph (GT), 15 functioning somatotroph (ST), and 16 corticotroph (CT) tumours, of which 8 were silent (sCT). The clinical data were collected from the Spanish Molecular Register of Pituitary Adenomas (REMAH) database. We defined invasiveness according to the Knosp classification and proliferation according to a molecular expression of Ki-67 ≥ 2.59. E2F1 was more expressed in invasive than in non-invasive tumours in the whole series (p = 0.004) and in STs (p = 0.01). In addition, it was overexpressed in the silent subtypes (GTs and sCTs; all macroadenomas) and normoexpressed in the functioning ones (fCTs and STs; some microadenomas). miR-17-5p was more expressed in proliferative than in non-proliferative tumours (p = 0.041) in the whole series but not by subtypes. Conclusions: Our study suggests that in PitNETs, E2F1 could be a good biomarker of invasiveness, and miR-17-5p of proliferation, helping the clinical management of these tumours.

Primary peritoneal clear cell carcinoma. A case report and literature review.

Primary peritoneal malignant tumors are exceptional. Among them, clear cell carcinoma is extremely rare, being only thirteen cases previously reported in the literature since 1990. We report a case of a 48-year-old Caucasian woman who was treated at the University General Hospital of Alicante. She consulted because of progressive abdominal pain over the last seven months, with the initial diagnosis of renal-ureteral colic. Ultrasound and computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis revealed a 25 × 15 cm, well-defined cystic lesion with papillary projections, centrally located in the abdomen. The radiology report suggested a primary ovarian tumor versus peritoneal implant as the first option. The patient underwent an exploratory laparotomy showing a large cystic mass located in the urinary bladder peritoneum, firmly attached to the mesentery. The entire abdominal tumor was completely excised, and total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and infra-colical omentectomy were performed. The final histological study revealed a new case of primary peritoneal clear cell carcinoma located in the urinary bladder peritoneum, firmly attached to the mesentery. Grossly, it was well-circumscribed and multicystic with papillary growth involving part of the inner wall. Microscopically, it showed tubulocystic and papillary patterns with highly atypical tumor cells. After an extensive immunohistochemical analysis, the most relevant finding was an ARID1A loss that was corroborated by molecular analysis showing an ARID1A deletion. The patient received systemic chemotherapy with carboplatin and paclitaxel protocol (Å ~ 4 cycles). Patient follow-up after the eighth month showed peritoneal implants predominantly in the right diaphragmatic cupule that were histologically confirmed as recurrence. She has just received another six cycles of chemotherapy with carboplatin and paclitaxel. Recognition of primary peritoneal clear cell carcinoma in this uncommon location, and exclude metastasis from the ovary, represents a diagnostic challenge.

How Valuable Is the RT-qPCR of Pituitary-Specific Transcription Factors for Identifying Pituitary Neuroendocrine Tumor Subtypes According to the New WHO 2017 Criteria?

The classification of pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs) subtypes continues generating interest. In 2017, the World Health Organization (WHO) proposed considering the immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis of pituitary-specific transcription factors (TF) for their typification. The present study targeted the quantification of pituitary-specific TF (TPIT, PIT-1, SF-1, GATA2, ESR1) gene expression by RT-qPCR to overcome the shortcomings of IHC and to complement it. We analyzed 251 tumors from our collection of PitNETs and performed additional IHC studies in a subset of 56 samples to analyze the concordance between gene and protein expression of the TF. The molecular and IHC studies allowed us to significantly reduce the percentage of null cell tumors in our series, most of which were reclassified as gonadotroph tumors. The concordance between the molecular and the immunohistochemical studies was good for tumors coming from the corticotroph and Pit-1 lineages but worsened for the rest of the tumors. Indeed, the RT-qPCR helped to improve the typification of plurihormonal Pit-1 and unusual tumors. Overall, our results suggest that the RT-qPCR of pituitary-specific TF and hormone genes could help pathologists, endocrinologists, and neurosurgeons to improve the management of patients with pituitary tumors.

Medicamentos sujetos a seguimiento adicional en la Unión Europea / Medicines under additional monitoring in the European Union

Objetivo: El objetivo de nuestro estudio fue analizar las características de los medicamentos sujetos a seguimiento adicional. Para ello, estudiamos: los criterios aplicados para su designación, los criterios de dispensación autorizados, los grupos farmacológicos a los que pertenecen y su seguridad postcomercialización. Método: Se analizó la lista publicada por la Agencia Europea de Medicamentos en enero de 2017 (EMA/245297/2013 Rev.41). La información para el análisis se extrajo de las páginas web de la Agencia Europea de Medicamentos y la Agencia Española de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios. Resultados: Se estudiaron 316 medicamentos sujetos a seguimiento adicional. El criterio de designación más común fue ser un nuevo principio activo (n = 197 [62,3%]). Otros criterios de designación comunes fueron: requerir un estudio postautorización de seguridad (n = 52 [16,5%]) y ser un medicamento biológico, aunque no un nuevo principio activo (n = 49 [15,5%]). Con respecto a las condiciones de dispensación, casi el 66% de estos medicamentos se autorizaron con criterios de dispensación restringidos. Hasta enero de 2017, la Agencia Española de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios había publicado 14 notas informativas de seguridad referidas a los medicamentos sujetos a seguimiento adicional. Conclusiones: Los medicamentos sujetos a seguimiento adicional incluyen mayoritariamente nuevas sustancias activas. El grupo farmacológico más frecuente es el de los fármacos antineoplásicos e inmunomoduladores. La revisión postcomercialización de su seguridad ha generado ya alguna información publicada por la Agencia Española de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios

Objective: The objective of this study was to analyse the characteristics of medicines subject to additional monitoring. We assessed the following aspects: the criteria applied to approve a medicine as being subject to additional monitoring; the authorized dispensing conditions; the pharmacological groups to which they belong; and their post-authorisation safety. Method: We analysed the list published by the European Medicines Agency in January 2017 (EMA/245297/2013 Rev.41). Information for the analysis was obtained from the web sites of the European Medicines Agency and the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices. Results: We assessed 316 medicines subject to additional monitoring. The most common criterion used to assign a medicine as being subject to additional monitoring was it being a new active substance (n = 197 [62.3%]). Other common criteria were requiring a post-authorisation safety study (n = 52 [16.5%]) and being a biologic medicine but not a new active substance (n = 49 [15.5%]). Regarding dispensing conditions, nearly 66% of these medicines were authorized under restricted conditions. Until January 2017, the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Device published 14 safety reports related to medicines subject to additional monitoring. Conclusions: The group of medicines subject to additional monitoring mainly includes new active substances. The most common pharmacological group is antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents. The postauthorisation safety study has already produced information published by the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices

Medicines under additional monitoring in the European Union.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to analyse the characteristics of  medicines subject to additional monitoring. We assessed the following aspects:  the criteria applied to approve a medicine as being subject to additional  monitoring; the authorized dispensing conditions; the pharmacological groups to which they belong; and their post-authorisation safety. METHOD: We analysed the list published by the European Medicines Agency in  January 2017 (EMA/245297/2013 Rev.41). Information for the analysis was  obtained from the web sites of the European Medicines Agency and the Spanish  Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices. RESULTS: We assessed 316 medicines subject to additional monitoring. The most  common criterion used to assign a medicine as being subject to additional  monitoring was it being a new active substance (n = 197 [62.3%]). Other  common criteria were requiring a post-authorisation safety study (n = 52  [16.5%]) and being a biologic medicine but not a new active substance (n = 49  [15.5%]). Regarding dispensing conditions, nearly 66% of these medicines were authorized under restricted conditions. Until January 2017, the Spanish Agency  of Medicines and Medical Device published 14 safety reports related to medicines subject to additional monitoring. CONCLUSIONS: The group of medicines subject to additional monitoring mainly  includes new active substances. The most common pharmacological group is antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents. The postauthorisation safety  study has already produced information published by the Spanish Agency of  Medicines and Medical Devices.

Objetivo: El objetivo de nuestro estudio fue analizar las características de los  medicamentos sujetos a seguimiento adicional. Para ello, estudiamos: los  criterios aplicados para su designación, los criterios de dispensación autorizados,  los grupos farmacológicos a los que pertenecen y su seguridad postcomercialización.Método: Se analizó la lista publicada por la Agencia Europea de Medicamentos en enero de 2017 (EMA/245297/2013 Rev.41). La información para el análisis se extrajo de las páginas web de la Agencia Europea  de Medicamentos y la Agencia Española de Medicamentos y Productos  Sanitarios.Resultados: Se estudiaron 316 medicamentos sujetos a seguimiento adicional.  El criterio de designación más común fue ser un nuevo principio activo (n = 197  [62,3%]). Otros criterios de designación comunes fueron: requerir un estudio  postautorización de seguridad (n = 52 [16,5%]) y ser un medicamento  biológico, aunque no un nuevo principio activo (n = 49 [15,5%]). Con respecto a las condiciones de dispensación, casi el 66% de estos medicamentos se  autorizaron con criterios de dispensación restringidos. Hasta enero de 2017, la  Agencia Española de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios había publicado 14  notas informativas de seguridad referidas a los medicamentos sujetos a  seguimiento adicional.Conclusiones: Los medicamentos sujetos a seguimiento adicional incluyen mayoritariamente nuevas sustancias activas. El grupo farmacológico más frecuente es el de los fármacos antineoplásicos e  nmunomoduladores. La revisión postcomercialización de su seguridad ha  generado ya alguna información publicada por la Agencia Española de  Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios.

A Highly Potent and Broadly Neutralizing H1 Influenza-Specific Human Monoclonal Antibody.

Influenza's propensity for antigenic drift and shift, and to elicit predominantly strain specific antibodies (Abs) leaves humanity susceptible to waves of new strains with pandemic potential for which limited or no immunity may exist. Subsequently new clinical interventions are needed. To identify hemagglutinin (HA) epitopes that if targeted may confer universally protective humoral immunity, we examined plasmablasts from a subject that was immunized with the seasonal influenza inactivated vaccine, and isolated a human monoclonal Ab (mAb), KPF1. KPF1 has broad and potent neutralizing activity against H1 influenza viruses, and recognized 83% of all H1 isolates tested, including the pandemic 1918 H1. Prophylactically, KPF1 treatment resulted in 100% survival of mice from lethal challenge with multiple H1 influenza strains and when given as late as 72 h after challenge with A/California/04/2009 H1N1, resulted in 80% survival. KPF1 recognizes a novel epitope in the HA globular head, which includes a highly conserved amino acid, between the Ca and Cb antigenic sites. Although recent HA stalk-specific mAbs have broader reactivity, their potency is substantially limited, suggesting that cocktails of broadly reactive and highly potent HA globular head-specific mAbs, like KPF1, may have greater clinical feasibility for the treatment of influenza infections.