[Effect and safety of Burosumab in the treatment of 4 children with X-linked hypophosphatemia].

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of treatment with Burosumab in pediatric X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) patients. Methods: In this retrospective case study, 4 children with pediatric XLH, who were treated with Burosumab in Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University and Shandong Provincial Hospital affiliated to Shandong First Medical University from July 2022 to December 2023, were selected as the study objects. We collected and analyzed their clinical characteristics, biochemical indicators, imaging results, and treatment. The children were followed up every 3 months until December 2023, and the clinical outcomes and adverse drug reactions after treatment were evaluated. Results: Of the 4 patients, 3 were males and 1 was female; they were aged 6.7, 2.9, 2.1, and 2.3 years, respectively. Three patients had previously received treatment with phosphate supplements and active vitamins, but their wadding gait and lower limb deformities did not improve significantly, neither did their imaging changes of active richets. The initial dose of Burosumab in the 4 patients was 0.8 mg/kg, administered subcutaneously every 2 weeks, with a treatment course of 0.8-1.3 years. The fasting serum phosphorus and tubular maximum reabsorption of phosphate/glomerular filtration rate (TmP/GFR) of the 4 patients before treatment were 0.72, 0.95, 0.81, 0.66 mmol/L and 0.67, 0.85, 0.87, 0.61 mmol/L, respectively. At the last follow-up, the fasting serum phosphorus and TmP/GFR levels were significantly increased (0.96, 1.09, 1.09, 0.90 mmol/L, and 0.85, 0.79, 1.03, 0.98 mmol/L, respectively). Among them, only the TmP/GFR level (1.17 mmol/L) in case 2 achieved normal values at 3 months post-therapy, while the rest did not reach the normal range for children of the same age. After treatment, the alkaline phosphatase levels of all patients gradually decreased (the values were 461, 240, 423, and 237 U/L, respectively), and the ALP levels in cases 2 and 4 returned to normal at the last visit. Case 4 showed a slight increase in parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels after 9 months of treatment, while the PTH levels in the rest 3 cases remained normal. Case 1 underwent a 6-minute walking test, and the walking distance increased from 245 m to 570 m. Abnormal gait, lower limb deformity, and the severity of rickets in the 4 patients had all improved. No adverse drug reactions such as nephrocalcinosis, local skin injection reaction, hyperphosphatemia, or vitamin D deficiency were observed. Conclusion: Burosumab can improve clinical symptoms in children with XLH with a good safety profile.

[Chinese expert consensus on off-label use of Tocilizumab in rheumatic diseases].

The interleukin-6 (IL-6) pathway plays a crucial role in various rheumatic diseases. Tocilizumab, a biologic targeting IL-6 receptor, has been widely used in clinical practice, though it's officially approved in China for only three indications. To address clinical challenges associated with the off-label use of tocilizumab in treating rheumatic diseases, the Committee of Chinese Primary Health Care Foundation for Rheumatologists and Immunologists engaged multidisciplinary experts and highlight 12 related clinical issues. We aggregated the drug specifications, the guidelines for clinical management of rheumatic diseases and the evidence from clinical research. Recommendations were formed through voting with the consensus conference method incorporating the Oxford evidence-based medicine criteria to evaluate the strength of evidence and recommendations. We have formulated 10 recommendations for off-label use of tocilizumab related to giant cell arteritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, Takayasu arteritis, systemic sclerosis, adult-onset Still's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. This consensus aims to provide references for the rational use of tocilizumab in clinical practice and enhance pharmacovigilance monitoring.

Comparison of Tumor Non-specific and PD-L1 Specific Imaging by Near-Infrared Fluorescence/Cerenkov Luminescence Dual-Modality In-situ Imaging.

Background: Labeled antibodies are excellent imaging agents in oncology to non-invasively visualize cancer-related antigens expression levels. However, tumor tracer uptake (TTU) of specific antibodies in-vivo may be inferior to non-specific IgG in some cases. Objectives: To explore factors affecting labeled antibody visualization by PD-L1 specific and non-specific imaging of nude mouse tumors. Methods: TTU was observed in RKO model on Cerenkov luminescence (CL) and near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging of radionuclide 131I or NIRF dyes labeled Atezolizumab and IgG. A mixture of NIRF dyes labeled Atezolizumab and 131I-labeled IgG was injected, and TTU was observed in the RKO and HCT8 model by NIRF/CL dual-modality in-situ imaging. TTU were observed by 131I-labeled Atezolizumab and IgG in-vitro distribution. Results: Labeled IgG concentrated more in tumors than Atezolizumab. NIRF/CL imaging in 24 to 168 h showed that TTU gradually decreased over time, which decreased more slowly on CL imaging compared to NIRF imaging. The distribution data in-vitro showed that TTU of 131I-labeled IgG was higher than that of 131I-labeled Atezolizumab at any time point. Conclusion: Non-specific IgG may not be suitable as a control for Atezolizumab in comparing tumor PD-L1 expression in nude mice via labeled antibody optical imaging under certain circumstances.

Frequency and predictors for early-achieved lupus low disease activity state in systemic lupus erythematosus patients treated with telitacicept or belimumab: A real-life, single-center observational study.

Objective: To collect real-world data regarding the attainment of the early-achieved lupus low disease activity state (LLDAS) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients receiving telitacicept or belimumab treatment, and identify factors predictive of target achievement. Methods: Eighty-seven SLE patients who received telitacicept (N=42) or belimumab (N=45) were retrospectively reviewed in this observational study. Clinical and laboratory data, disease activity assessment, and glucocorticoid dosage were collected for analysis. Achieving LLDAS at least once within 24 weeks post-treatment was considered as early-achieved LLDAS. Multivariate regression was used to assess baseline predictive variables for early-achieved LLDAS. Subgroup analysis and interaction tests were also performed to examine the robustness of the results across different sets of baseline characteristics. Prognostic stratification for early-achieved LLDAS was established based on the identified risk factors. Results: During the 24-week follow-up period, LLDAS was achieved by at least one time in 49.43% (43/87) of the patients, with sustained achievement through week 24 observed in 36 out of these 43 patients (83.27%). Multivariate analysis revealed that early achievement of LLDAS was particularly observed in patients with higher baseline lymphocyte counts [HR=1.79, 95% CI (1.19-2.67), P=0.005]and serum albumin levels [HR=1.06, 95% CI (1.003-1.12), P=0.039]. Conversely, hematological involvement [HR=0.48, 95% CI (0.24-0.93), P=0.031] predicted lower attainment of early-achieved LLDAS. The use of telitacicept was associated with a reduced risk of failing to attain early achievement of LLDAS [HR=2.55, 95% CI (1.36-4.79), P=0.004]. Subgroup analyses and interaction tests showed a stable relationship between the telitacicept use and LLDAS achievement. The results remained consistent across all subgroup analyses. Significant differences (P<0.001) were observed in the Kaplan-Meier estimates for LLDAS among risk groups based on the number of identified risk factors. Conclusion: The achievement of LLDAS is attainable in the management of SLE patients undergoing treatment with telitacicept or belimumab in real-life clinical practice. Baseline lymphocyte counts, serum albumin levels, hematological involvement and the use of telitacicept serve as robust predictors for early-achieved LLDAS, helping to identify patients who are likely to benefit on the treatment.

Crizanlizumab for retinal vasculopathy with cerebral leukoencephalopathy in a phase II clinical study.

BackgroundRetinal vasculopathy with cerebral leukoencephalopathy and systemic manifestations (RVCL-S) is a rare, autosomal dominant, universally fatal disease without effective treatment options. This study explores the safety and preliminary efficacy of crizanlizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody against P-selectin approved for the prevention of sickle cell crises, in slowing retinal nonperfusion and preserving vision in patients with RVCL-S.METHODSEleven patients with RVCL-S with confirmed exonuclease 3 prime repair exonuclease 1 (TREX1) mutations received monthly crizanlizumab infusions over 2 years. The study measured the nonperfusion index within 3 retinal zones and the total retina with fluorescein angiography, visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), and optical coherence tomography central subfield thickness (CST) at baseline, 1 year, and 2 years. A mixed repeated-measures analysis was performed to assess the progression rates and changes from baseline.RESULTSEleven participants received crizanlizumab infusions. All of the participants tolerated crizanlizumab well, with 8 of 11 (72.7%) reporting mild adverse effects such as nausea, fatigue, and gastrointestinal symptoms. The change in total retinal nonperfusion was 7.22% [4.47, 9.97] in year 1 and -0.69% [-4.06, 2.68] in year 2 (P < 0.001). In the mid periphery, the change in nonperfusion was 10.6% [5.1, 16.1] in year 1 and -0.68% [-3.98, 5.35] in year 2 (P < 0.01), demonstrating a reduction in progression of nonperfusion in the second year of treatment. Visual acuity, IOP, and CST remained stable.CONCLUSIONCrizanlizumab has an acceptable safety profile. These results show promising potential for examining crizanlizumab in larger studies of RVCL-S and similar small-vessel diseases and for using the retina as a biomarker for systemic disease.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT04611880.FUNDINGThe Clayco Foundation; DeNardo Education and Research Foundation Grant; Jeffrey T. Fort Innovation Fund; Siteman Retina Research Fund; unrestricted grant from Research to Prevent Blindness Inc.; National Heart,Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), NIH (R01HL129241); National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), NIH (RF1NS116565).

Effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy on bone metastases in non-small-cell lung cancer.

Background: Bone metastases (BoMs) are prevalent in patients with metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) however, there are limited data detailing how BoMs respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). The purpose of this study was to compare the imaging response to ICIs of BoMs against visceral metastases and to evaluate the effect of BoMs on survival. Materials and methods: A retrospective, multicentre cohort study was conducted in patients with NSCLC treated with nivolumab or pembrolizumab in Alberta, Canada from 2015 to 2020. The primary endpoint was the real-world organ specific progression free survival (osPFS) of bone versus visceral metastases. Visceral metastases were categorized as adrenal, brain, liver, lung, lymph node, or other intra-abdominal lesions. The secondary outcome was overall survival (OS) amongst patients with and without BoMs. Results: A total of 573 patients were included of which all patients had visceral metastases and 243 patients (42.4%) had BoMs. High PD-L1 expression was identified in 268 patients (46.8%). No significant difference in osPFS was observed between bone, liver, and intra-abdominal metastases (p=0.20 and p=0.76, respectively), with all showing shorter osPFS than other disease sites. There was no difference in the osPFS of extra-thoracic sites of disease in patients with high PD-L1 expression. There was significant discordance between visceral disease response and bone disease response to ICI (p=0.047). The presence of BoMs was an independent poor prognostic factor for OS (HR 1.26, 95%CI: 1.05-1.53, p=0.01). Conclusion: Metastatic bone, liver, and intra-abdominal lesions demonstrated inferior clinical responses to ICI relative to other sites of disease. Additionally, the presence of bone and liver metastases were independent poor prognostic factors for overall survival. This real-world data suggests that BoMs respond poorly to ICI and may require treatment adjuncts for disease control.

[Novel treatment strategies for acquired hemophilia A].

Acquired hemophilia A (AHA) is a bleeding disorder caused by autoantibody (inhibitor) production targeting blood coagulation factor VIII (FVIII). It is characterized by sudden onset, and often causes extensive and severe bleeding in soft tissue. Acquired hemophilia A is diagnosed when coagulation tests show normal PT, prolonged APTT, decreased FVIII activity, normal VWF activity, and positive FVIII inhibitor. Hemostatic therapy mainly consists of bypass therapy, which activates the extrinsic coagulation pathway, bypassing the need for FVIII or factor IX. Emicizumab, a bispecific antibody that substitutes for FVIII function, can be used to prevent bleeding. Immunosuppressive therapy is necessary to suppress or eradicate inhibitors. The majority of patients go into remission with treatment, but some die from bleeding symptoms or infections associated with immunosuppressive therapy.

Geographic and economic influences on benralizumab prescribing for severe asthma in Japan.

Benralizumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting IL-5 receptors, reduces exacerbations and oral corticosteroid requirements for severe, uncontrolled eosinophilic asthma. In Japan, geographic disparities in asthma outcomes suggest differential prescribing and access. This study aimed to quantify regional prescribing variations for benralizumab nationwide. Using Japan's National Database (NDB) of insurance claims (2009-2019), benralizumab standardized claim ratios (SCRs) were calculated for 47 prefectures. Correlations between SCRs and other biologics' SCRs, economic variables like average income, and physician densities were evaluated through univariate analysis and multivariate regressions. Income-related barriers to optimal prescribing were examined. Wide variation emerged in benralizumab SCRs, from 40.1 to 184.2 across prefectures. SCRs strongly correlated with omalizumab (r = 0.61, p < 0.00001) and mepolizumab (r = 0.43, p = 0.0024). Average monthly income also positively correlated with benralizumab SCRs (r = 0.45, p = 0.0016), whereas lifestyle factors were insignificant. Respiratory specialist density modestly correlated with SCRs (r = 0.29, p = 0.047). In multivariate regressions, average income remained the most robust predictor (B = 0.74, p = 0.022). Benralizumab SCRs strongly associate with income metrics more than healthcare infrastructure/population factors. Many regions show low SCRs, constituting apparent prescribing gaps. Access barriers for advanced asthma therapies remain inequitable among Japan's income strata. Addressing affordability alongside specialist allocation can achieve better prescribing quality and asthma outcomes.

Reflectance confocal microscopy for plaque psoriasis therapeutic follow-up during an anti-interleukin-17A monoclonal antibody: an observational study.

Interleukin-17A therapeutic inhibitors are among the most effective treatment methods for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis (PP). Reflectance confocal microscopy is a non-invasive imaging technique already documented to be beneficial in evaluating the follow-up of PP under treatment with topical actives and phototherapy. This study aimed to assess the epidermal and dermal changes associated with psoriasis and its treatment with RCM during systemic secukinumab treatment in patients with moderate-to-severe PP. A pilot study was conducted to evaluate RCM as a non-invasive tool for monitoring secukinumab treatment in patients with PP. For patients receiving secukinumab treatment, lesional skin was selected for RCM imaging, which were recorded at all scheduled times. The RCM evaluation criteria were established based on the histopathological diagnostic criteria for psoriasis. The clinical severity of psoriasis was assessed utilizing the psoriasis area severity index. A total of 23 patients with PP were included in the study. Each patient received 300 mg of subcutaneous secukinumab as induction therapy at baseline and weeks 1-4, followed by maintenance therapy every four weeks. Microscopic confocal changes were observed during the treatment. The results identified early microscopic evidence of the anti-inflammatory activity of secukinumab, which was not detected during the clinical examination. RCM findings correlating with the PASI were used to observe the patient's response to treatment and were identified as follows: acanthosis and parakeratosis, presence of epidermal and dermal inflammatory cells, presence of non-edge dermal papillae, and vascularization in the papillary dermis. This study is the first to demonstrate the use of RCM as an effective tool for non-invasive monitoring of secukinumab therapeutic response at a cellular level in a clinical or research setting. Early detection of RCM parameters associated with secukinumab activity may facilitate the identification of an early treatment response. RCM appears to be capable of providing practical and helpful information regarding follow-up in patients with PP undergoing secukinumab treatment. RCM may also provide novel perspectives on the subclinical evaluation of PP's response to biological therapy.

Targeting IL-1 controls refractory pityriasis rubra pilaris.

Pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP) is a rare inflammatory skin disease with a poorly understood pathogenesis. Through a molecularly driven precision medicine approach and an extensive mechanistic pathway analysis in PRP skin samples, compared to psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, healed PRP, and healthy controls, we identified IL-1ß as a key mediator, orchestrating an NF-κB-mediated IL-1ß-CCL20 axis, including activation of CARD14 and NOD2. Treatment of three patients with the IL-1 antagonists anakinra and canakinumab resulted in rapid clinical improvement and reversal of the PRP-associated molecular signature with a 50% improvement in skin lesions after 2 to 3 weeks. This transcriptional signature was consistent with in vitro stimulation of keratinocytes with IL-1ß. With the central role of IL-1ß underscoring its potential as a therapeutic target, our findings propose a redefinition of PRP as an autoinflammatory keratinization disorder. Further clinical trials are needed to validate the efficacy of IL-1ß antagonists in PRP.

Risk of neutropenia in psoriasis patients prescribed anti-IL-23 antibody in comparison with anti-IL-17 antibody or adalimumab based on real-world data from the MID-NET® in Japan.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the risk of neutropenia during treatment with anti-IL-23 antibodies in patients with psoriasis. METHOD: We conducted an observational study with cohort design using MID-NET® in Japan. We identified patients with psoriasis who were newly prescribed anti-IL-23 antibodies, anti-IL-17-antibodies, adalimumab, or apremilast between January 1, 2009, and March 31, 2021. We estimated the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of anti-IL-23 antibodies compared to that of anti-IL-17 antibodies, adalimumab, or apremilast, for the risk of grade 2 (neutrophil count < 1,500/µL) or grade 3 (neutrophil count < 1,000/µL) neutropenia. RESULTS: Overall, 287 patients on anti-IL-23 antibodies, 189 patients on anti-IL-17 antibodies, 293 patients on adalimumab, and 540 patients on apremilast were included. Compared with anti-IL-17 antibodies, the aHR (95% confidence interval (CI)) of anti-IL-23 antibodies was 0.83 (0.27-2.51) for grade 2 and 0.40 (0.02-7.60) for grade 3 neutropenia; that when compared with adalimumab was 0.76 (0.28-2.06) for grade 2 but was not calculated for grade 3 as no cases were found; and that compared with apremilast was 3.88 (0.62-24.48) for grade 2 and 0.43 (0.02-11.63) for grade 3 neutropenia. CONCLUSION: No clear increase in the risk of neutropenia with anti-IL-23 antibodies was observed.

Modern paradigms in biologic sequencing of inflammatory bowel disease in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The modern treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has evolved significantly in recent years. This includes development of new pharmacologic therapies and their implementation in clinical practice. Moderate-to-severe IBD represents a group of patients at risk of poorer outcomes, and mounting evidence suggests biologic and small molecule medications, collectively termed advanced therapies, are the most effective tools clinicians possess. Even with biologic treatment, many patients do not respond or lose response over time. Until recently, most randomised trials demonstrating efficacy and safety of biologics have been placebo-controlled with a lack of head-to-head studies. Therefore, selecting the right medication for the appropriate clinical scenario can be difficult. In addition, there is evidence of differing clinical success when positioning biologic treatments in different sequences. This is important, as one-third of patients treated with biologics will require a switch to a second agent by 12 months, and a further 20% will require a third agent. Over the years, there have been widespread calls in Aotearoa New Zealand for increasing biologic treatment options. Ustekinumab and vedolizumab received public funding for the treatment of moderate-to-severe IBD in 2023, and this has presented long-awaited opportunities for patients, but also new challenges for clinicians in regard to treatment selection. The purpose of this document is to provide guidance to clinicians on biologic selection, sequencing and optimisation for IBD. These recommendations are specific to the domestic prescribing climate, supported by the best available evidence and endorsed by the New Zealand Society of Gastroenterology IBD Working Group.

Development of neuro-Behcet's disease in a patient with operable HER2-positive breast cancer during neoadjuvant chemotherapy: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Neuro-Behcet's disease (NBD) is a variant of Behcet's disease (BD). To our knowledge, there have been no previous reports on concurrent NBD in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. CASE PRESENTATION: Our patient had a history of BD and was asymptomatic. She was diagnosed with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive breast cancer by core needle biopsy and was administered neoadjuvant chemotherapy. After four courses, in addition to the aggravation of the existing adverse events, headache, fever, dysarthria, and muscle weakness in the upper left and lower extremities appeared. On admission, she was diagnosed with acute NBD, and steroid therapy was initiated. After her symptoms improved gradually, she was discharged. Then, she underwent mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection for breast cancer. Trastuzumab and pertuzumab plus tamoxifen were administered postoperatively. Two years postoperatively, no recurrence of breast cancer and NBD was noted. CONCLUSION: When chemotherapy is administered to breast cancer patients with a history of BD, it is necessary to select chemotherapy with as few adverse events as possible and to continue with treatment while paying attention to the risk of NBD.

Persistent effectiveness of CGRP antibody therapy in migraine and comorbid medication overuse or medication overuse headache - a retrospective real-world analysis.

BACKGROUND: Management of patients with migraine who have concomitant medication overuse (MO) or medication overuse headache (MOH) is a major problem in clinical practice. Detoxification of acute analgesics before or during initiation of prophylactic therapy has long been recommended although this concept has recently been questioned. Additionally, relapse after detoxification is a common problem. This real-world study analyses the initial and sustained effectiveness of prophylactic migraine therapy with CGRP (receptor) antibodies without prior detoxification in patients with comorbid MO or MOH for up to one year. METHODS: A retrospective real-world analysis was performed on 291 patients (episodic migraine (EM) with MO (EM-MO; n = 35), EM without MO (EM-noMO; n = 77), chronic migraine (CM) with MOH (CM-MOH; n = 109), CM without MOH (CM-noMOH; n = 70). All patients began treatment with either erenumab (n = 173), fremanezumab (n = 70) or galcanezumab (n = 48) without prior detoxification. Data were available for up to 12 months of treatment. Responder rates for monthly headache days (MHD), monthly migraine days (MMD) and monthly acute medication intake (AMD) were analysed. RESULTS: All groups showed a significant reduction in MHD, MMD and AMD at the last observed time point compared to baseline. In patients with CM and MOH, 60.6% (66/109) no longer fulfilled the definition of MO or MOH and a further 13.8% (15/109) had only EM-MO. In the EM cohort, 89% (31/35) of MO patients lost their MO during therapy. MHD and AMD 30% responder rates were comparable for CM-MOH and CM-noMOH (MHD: CM-MOH: 56.0% vs. CM-noMOH: 41.4%, p = 0.058, AMD: CM-MOH: 66.1% vs. CM-noMOH: 52.9%, p = 0.077). MMD responder rate did not differ significantly (after Bonferroni adjustment) (CM-MOH: 62.4% vs. CM-noMOH: 47.1%, p = 0.045, α = 0.017). After successful initiation of therapy, 15.4% of the initial CM-MOH patients relapsed and met the criterion for CM-MOH at the end of follow-up. There were no antibody specific differences in response to therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Our data confirms the effectiveness of CGRP antibody treatment in migraine patients with additional MOH or MO in a real-world setting. Low relapse rates after initial successful therapy support an early start of CGRP antibody treatment in patients with MOH or MO. TRIAL REGISTRATION: No registration, retrospective analysis.

Characteristics and outcomes of patients with COVID-19 at high risk of disease progression receiving sotrovimab, oral antivirals, or no treatment: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The clinical benefit of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) treatments against new circulating variants remains unclear. We sought to describe characteristics and clinical outcomes of highest risk patients with COVID-19 receiving early COVID-19 treatments in Scotland. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of non-hospitalized patients diagnosed with COVID-19 from December 1, 2021-October 25, 2022, using Scottish administrative health data. We included adult patients who met ≥ 1 of the National Health Service highest risk criteria for early COVID-19 treatment and received outpatient treatment with sotrovimab, nirmatrelvir/ritonavir or molnupiravir, or no early COVID-19 treatment. Index date was defined as the earliest of COVID-19 diagnosis or early COVID-19 treatment. Baseline characteristics and acute clinical outcomes in the 28 days following index were reported. Values of ≤ 5 were suppressed. RESULTS: In total, 2548 patients were included (492: sotrovimab, 276: nirmatrelvir/ritonavir, 71: molnupiravir, and 1709: eligible highest risk untreated). Patients aged ≥ 75 years accounted for 6.9% (n = 34/492), 21.0% (n = 58/276), 16.9% (n = 12/71) and 13.2% (n = 225/1709) of the cohorts, respectively. Advanced renal disease was reported in 6.7% (n = 33/492) of sotrovimab-treated and 4.7% (n = 81/1709) of untreated patients, and ≤ 5 nirmatrelvir/ritonavir-treated and molnupiravir-treated patients. All-cause hospitalizations were experienced by 5.3% (n = 25/476) of sotrovimab-treated patients, 6.9% (n = 12/175) of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir-treated patients, ≤ 5 (suppressed number) molnupiravir-treated patients and 13.3% (n = 216/1622) of untreated patients. There were no deaths in the treated cohorts; mortality was 4.3% (n = 70/1622) among untreated patients. CONCLUSIONS: Sotrovimab was often used by patients who were aged < 75 years. Among patients receiving early COVID-19 treatment, proportions of 28-day all-cause hospitalization and death were low.

Real-life effectiveness and safety of vedolizumab in moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis: A single-center experience in Northern China.

Vedolizumab (VDZ), a monoclonal antibody to α4ß7 integrin, is available for patients with moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis (UC). This study planned to assess the real-world effectiveness and safety of VDZ for UC patients in Northern China. We enrolled patients with moderate-to-severe UC who underwent VDZ induction therapy from March 2021 to November 2022 at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University. The primary outcome was clinical remission at weeks 14 and 52 after the initial VDZ therapy. Overall adverse events and risk factors associated with loss of response (LOR) were also evaluated. Seventy-three UC patients receiving VDZ therapy were included in this study. The rates of clinical response, clinical remission, and steroid-free clinical remission were 69.9%, 39.7%, and 34.2% at week 14 and 90.5%, 66.7%, and 64.4% at week 52, respectively. The mucosal remission rates were 37.5% (18/48) at week 14 ±â€…8 and 27.3% (9/33) at week 52 ±â€…16, while only 2 and 3 patients achieved mucosal healing at weeks 14 ±â€…8 and 52 ±â€…16, respectively. Of the UC patients, 23.3% experienced adverse events associated with VDZ, most of which were mild and self-limiting. Until the last follow-up, 37 of 73 UC patients experienced LOR during the maintenance period. Patients with a higher ulcerative colitis endoscopic severity index (UCEIS), partial Mayo scores (PMS), or hemoglobin below 120 g/L at baseline were more likely to experience LOR after VDZ induction therapy. VDZ is an effective and safe agent for patients with moderate-to-severe UC in Northern China. A high baseline UCEIS, PMS, or hemoglobin < 120 g/L may be an independent risk factor for LOR during the maintenance period.

Acute Eosinophilic Pneumonia Induced by Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor and Anti-TIGIT Therapy.

BACKGROUND Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been linked to various immune-related adverse events, including pneumonitis, necessitating early recognition and potential treatment discontinuation. Acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP) induced by ICIs, particularly with no reported cases involving anti-TIGIT therapy, is rare. This report describes a case of AEP following treatment with pembrolizumab and anti-TIGIT therapy. CASE REPORT A 46-year-old woman with lung adenoid cystic carcinoma and chronic hypoxemic respiratory failure on long-term oxygen therapy presented with fever, cough, and shortness of breath. She underwent left pneumonectomy and radiation therapy at diagnosis 9 years earlier. She was participating in a clinical trial using pembrolizumab and anti-TIGIT EOS-448, due to cancer progression. After starting therapy, she developed stable peripheral eosinophilia and a skin rash, suggestive of a drug reaction. On admission, she was in acute-on-chronic hypoxemic respiratory failure, febrile, with an elevated eosinophil count and new multifocal infiltrates in the right lung. Despite broad antibiotics coverage for pneumonia, she developed worsening respiratory symptoms and eosinophilia. She was then empirically started on intravenous methylprednisolone for acute eosinophilic pneumonia without confirmatory bronchoscopy as she was at high risk with her previous pneumonectomy. She subsequently had rapid improvement in her symptoms. CONCLUSIONS AEP should be considered in patients treated with ICIs who develop immune-related adverse effects. Although bronchoscopy findings are part of AEP's diagnostic criteria, this case underscores the importance of clinical judgment in the prompt initiation of steroids, even without confirmatory bronchoscopy, in rapidly progressing cases. The role of anti-TIGIT therapy in this context remains uncertain.

The Safety Profiles of Adalimumab, Infliximab, Etanercept, Secukinumab and Ustekinumab in Psoriasis - A 30-month Observational Cohort Prospective Study of Adverse Events in Biologic Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Although biologic agents are very effective, long-term comparative studies demonstrating their safety relative to one another are still lacking. METHODS: A total of 124 patients with psoriasis were followed up for 30 months; 74 received anti-TNF-alpha inhibitors (adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab), 33 were on ustekinumab, and 17 were treated with secukinumab. The rates of adverse events in these groups were recorded and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Infliximab-treated patients showed a high occurrence of asymptomatic, but increased liver enzymes, fatigue, and respiratory as well as dermatologic infections. Adalimumab-treated patients were more often affected by musculoskeletal disorders and infections of all types. Patients treated with secukinumab presented with higher rates of cardiovascular disorders as well as respiratory and dermatologic infections. The group receiving etanercept was more often diagnosed with musculoskeletal and reproductive disorders, specifically menstrual disorders. The rates of therapy discontinuation and serious adverse events did not reach statistically significant values. CONCLUSION: A higher incidence of adverse events was observed among adalimumab-, and infliximab-treated patients, with ustekinumab found to have the safest profile. Our results demonstrate that a personalized approach, including evaluation of a patient's risk profile, is necessary before commencing a biologic. Further research is warranted to confirm the findings of our study.