Epithelial Lining Fluid and Plasma Concentrations of Dalbavancin in Healthy Adults after a Single 1,500-Milligram Infusion.

Dalbavancin is a lipoglycopeptide antibiotic with a prolonged half-life. A phase 1 study assessed dalbavancin levels in epithelial lining fluid (ELF) in 35 healthy adults using ELF bronchial microsampling up to 168 h after administration of 1,500 mg dalbavancin. The penetration of dalbavancin into ELF was 36%. ELF levels of dalbavancin exceeded the MIC90s of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus for ≥7 days.

A Randomized Clinical Trial of Single-Dose Versus Weekly Dalbavancin for Treatment of Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infection.

BACKGROUND: Acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSIs) are a cause of significant morbidity and therapy can be a burden to the healthcare system. New antibiotics that simplify treatment and avoid hospitalization are needed. This study compared the safety and efficacy of a single intravenous infusion of 1500 mg of dalbavancin to the 2-dose regimen. METHODS: This study was a randomized, double-blind trial in patients aged >18 years with ABSSSIs. Patients were randomized to dalbavancin 1500 mg either as a single intravenous (IV) infusion or 1000 mg IV on day 1 followed 1 week later by 500 mg IV. The primary endpoint was a ≥20% reduction in the area of erythema at 48-72 hours in the intent-to-treat population. Noninferiority was to be declared if the lower limit of the 95% confidence interval (CI) on the difference in the outcomes was greater than -10%. Clinical outcome was also assessed at days 14 and 28. RESULTS: Six hundred ninety-eight patients were randomized. Demographic characteristics were similar on each regimen, although there were more patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) at baseline on the 2-dose regimen (36/210 [17.1%] vs 61/220 [27.7%]). Dalbavancin delivered as a single dose was noninferior to a 2-dose regimen (81.4% vs 84.2%; difference, -2.9% [95% CI, -8.5% to 2.8%]). Clinical outcomes were also similar at day 14 (84.0% vs 84.8%), day 28 (84.5% vs 85.1%), and day 14 in clinically evaluable patients with MRSA in a baseline culture (92.9% vs 95.3%) in the single- and 2-dose regimens, respectively. Treatment-emergent adverse events occurred in 20.1% of the single-dose patients and 19.9% on the 2-dose regimen. CONCLUSIONS: A single 1500-mg infusion of dalbavancin is noninferior to a 2-dose regimen, has a similar safety profile, and removes logistical constraints related to delivery of the second dose. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: NCT02127970.

Extended-duration dosing and distribution of dalbavancin into bone and articular tissue.

Dalbavancin is an intravenous lipoglycopeptide with activity against Gram-positive pathogens and an MIC90 for Staphylococcus aureus of 0.06 µg/ml. With a terminal half-life of >14 days, dosing regimens with infrequent parenteral administration become available to treat infectious diseases such as osteomyelitis and endocarditis that otherwise require daily dosing for many weeks. In order to support a rationale for these novel regimens, the pharmacokinetics over an extended dosing interval and the distribution of dalbavancin into bone and articular tissue were studied in two phase I trials and pharmacokinetic modeling was performed. Intravenous administration of 1,000 mg of dalbavancin on day 1 followed by 500 mg weekly for seven additional weeks was well tolerated and did not demonstrate evidence of drug accumulation. In a separate study, dalbavancin concentrations in cortical bone 12 h after infusion of a single 1,000-mg intravenous infusion were 6.3 µg/g and 2 weeks later were 4.1 µg/g. A two-dose, once-weekly regimen that would provide tissue exposure over the dalbavancin MIC for Staphylococcus aureus for 8 weeks, maximizing the initial exposure to treatment while minimizing the frequency of intravenous therapy, is proposed.

Effects of inhaled nitric oxide on hemostasis in healthy adults treated with heparin: a randomized, controlled, blinded crossover study.

BACKGROUND: Effects of nitric oxide (NO) on hemostasis have been studied in various investigational settings, but data regarding inhaled NO on bleeding and platelet function are conflicting. It is not known if inhaled NO has an effect when administered with drugs that influence hemostasis. This trial evaluated effects of inhaled NO on hemostasis in the presence of heparin using aspirin as a positive control. PATIENTS/METHODS: Twelve healthy adult males were enrolled in a single-center, randomized, single-blind, four-way crossover trial. Subjects received 80 ppm NO or medical air (placebo) inhalation for 30 min with simultaneous injection of placebo or heparin. Aspirin capsules were used as a positive control. Parameters of hemostasis were measured before treatment and at post-treatment intervals. RESULTS: Activated clotting time (ACT), prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) increased only in groups that received heparin. Areas under the curve for ACT in heparin groups receiving inhaled NO were judged to be equivalent to those receiving medical air for both 0- to 4-h (ratio: 1.00; 90% CI, 0.90-1.11) and 0- to 24-h time intervals (ratio: 1.01; 90% CI, 0.92-1.12). Changes in bleeding time and platelet aggregation were observed only in aspirin groups. No clinically significant changes in hemoglobin, red blood cell counts or haematocrit were observed in any group. CONCLUSIONS: Inhaled NO, when administered with heparin, exhibited no significant additive effects on ACT, PT, aPTT, bleeding time or platelet aggregation.

Inhaled nitric oxide for prevention of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in premature babies (EUNO): a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: In animal models, inhaled nitric oxide improved gas exchange and lung structural development, but its use in premature infants at risk of developing bronchopulmonary dysplasia remains controversial. We therefore tested the hypothesis that inhaled nitric oxide at a low concentration, started early and maintained for an extended period in babies with mild respiratory failure, might reduce the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. METHODS: 800 preterm infants with a gestational age at birth of between 24 weeks and 28 weeks plus 6 days (inclusive), weighing at least 500 g, requiring surfactant or continuous positive airway pressure for respiratory distress syndrome within 24 h of birth were randomly assigned in a one-to-one ratio to inhaled nitric oxide (5 parts per million) or placebo gas (nitrogen gas) for a minimum of 7 days and a maximum of 21 days in a double-blind study done at 36 centres in nine countries in the European Union. Care providers and investigators were masked to the computer-generated treatment assignment. The primary outcome was survival without development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia at postmenstrual age 36 weeks. Analysis was by intention to treat. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00551642. FINDINGS: 399 infants were assigned to inhaled nitric oxide, and 401 to placebo. 395 and 400, respectively, were analysed. Treatment with inhaled nitric oxide and placebo did not result in significant differences in survival of infants without development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (258 [65%] of 395 vs 262 [66%] of 400, respectively; relative risk 1.05, 95% CI 0.78-1.43); in survival at 36 weeks' postmenstrual age (343 [86%) of 399 vs 359 [90%] of 401, respectively; 0.74, 0.48-1.15); and in development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (81 [24%] of 339 vs 96 [27%] of 358, respectively; 0.83, 0.58-1.17). INTERPRETATION: Early use of low-dose inhaled nitric oxide in very premature babies did not improve survival without bronchopulmonary dysplasia or brain injury, suggesting that such a preventive treatment strategy is unsuccessful. FUNDING: INO Therapeutics.

Nitric oxide for inhalation in the acute treatment of sickle cell pain crisis: a randomized controlled trial.

CONTEXT: Inhaled nitric oxide has shown evidence of efficacy in mouse models of sickle cell disease (SCD), case series of patients with acute chest syndrome, and 2 small placebo-controlled trials for treatment of vaso-occlusive pain crisis (VOC). OBJECTIVE: To determine whether inhaled nitric oxide gas reduces the duration of painful crisis in patients with SCD who present to the emergency department or hospital for care. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Prospective, multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial for up to 72 hours of inhaled nitric oxide gas vs inhaled nitrogen placebo in 150 participants presenting with VOC of SCD at 11 centers between October 5, 2004, and December 22, 2008. Intervention Inhaled nitric oxide gas vs inhaled nitrogen placebo. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary end point was the time to resolution of painful crisis, defined by (1) freedom from parenteral opioid use for 5 hours; (2) pain relief as assessed by visual analog pain scale scores of 6 cm or lower (on 0-10 scale); (3) ability to walk; and (4) patient's and family's decision, with physician consensus, that the remaining pain could be managed at home. RESULTS: There was no significant change in the primary end point between the nitric oxide and placebo groups, with a median time to resolution of crisis of 73.0 hours (95% confidence interval [CI], 46.0-91.0) and 65.5 hours (95% CI, 48.1-84.0), respectively (P = .87). There were no significant differences in secondary outcome measures, including length of hospitalization, visual analog pain scale scores, cumulative opioid usage, and rate of acute chest syndrome. Inhaled nitric oxide was well tolerated, with no increase in serious adverse events. Increases in venous methemoglobin concentration confirmed adherence and randomization but did not exceed 5% in any study participant. Significant increases in plasma nitrate occurred in the treatment group, but there were no observed increases in plasma or whole blood nitrite. CONCLUSION: Among patients with SCD hospitalized with VOC, the use of inhaled nitric oxide compared with placebo did not improve time to crisis resolution. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00094887.

Vasodilator testing with nitric oxide and/or oxygen in pediatric pulmonary hypertension.

The objective of this study was to determine whether a combination of inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) and O(2) is more effective than 100% O(2) or iNO alone for acute vasodilator testing in children. An open, prospective, randomized, controlled trial was conducted at 16 centers. Subjects were children 4 weeks to 18 years of age with pulmonary hypertension (PH) and increased pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) undergoing right heart catheterization for acute vasodilator testing. All patients were tested with each of three agents (80 ppm iNO, 100% O(2), combination of 80 ppm iNO/100% O(2)) in three 10-min treatment periods, and hemodynamic measurements obtained. Primary outcome measures were percentages of acute responders with O(2) alone vs. iNO/O(2) and iNO alone vs. iNO/O(2). More patients on the combination were acute responders compared with O(2) or iNO alone (26% vs. 14%, P = 0.019, and 27% vs. 24%, P = 0.602, respectively). Changes in PVR index and mean pulmonary arterial pressure vs. baseline were greater with iNO/O(2) vs. either O(2) or iNO alone (P < 0.001). Survival at 1-year follow-up included (1) 90.9% of acute responders to the combination, compared with 77.8% of nonresponders to the combination, and (2) 85.7% of acute responders to O(2) alone, compared with 80.6% of nonresponders to O(2). Key conclusions are as follows. In children with PH and increased PVR, more acute responders were identified with the iNO/O(2) combination vs. O(2) alone. While there was no significant difference in acute responder rate with iNO alone vs. iNO/O(2), the combination improved pulmonary hemodynamics acutely better than iNO alone. One-year survival data show similar rates between the iNO/O(2) and the O(2) alone groups; however, the combination may be more effective than O(2) alone in discriminating survivors versus nonsurvivors at long-term follow-up.

Safety and Efficacy of Subretinally Administered Palucorcel for Geographic Atrophy of Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Phase 2b Study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate safety and successful use of a novel subretinal delivery system and suprachoroidal surgical approach and safety and activity of human umbilical tissue-derived cells (palucorcel) via a novel delivery system in patients with geographic atrophy (GA). DESIGN: Multicenter, open-label phase 2b study. PARTICIPANTS: Participants were 55 to 90 years with GA secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/80 to 20/800. Exclusion criteria included neovascular AMD in the intervention eye, glaucoma with intraocular pressure of 25 mmHg or more, or other significant ophthalmologic conditions. METHODS: Participants received a subretinal injection of palucorcel, 3.0 × 105 cells in 50 µl, using the custom-designed delivery system and surgical procedure. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Safety assessments included treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs), immunologic assessments, and ophthalmologic evaluations. Efficacy was evaluated as change in mean number of BCVA letters from baseline, proportion of participants gaining 15 BCVA letters or more, and growth rate of GA lesions at 12 months. RESULTS: Surgery and palucorcel administration were performed in 21 participants at 8 sites by 8 different surgeons. At baseline, median total area of GA was 13.4 mm2 and median BCVA was 43 letters in the intervention eye. Eye-related AEs occurred in 76% of participants (16/21), including conjunctival hemorrhage (n = 5), retinal hemorrhage (n = 4), and vitreous floaters (n = 4). Most AEs were mild and resolved within 1 month. No serious AEs, no retinal detachment or perforation, and no significant changes in intraocular pressure occurred. At month 12, mean change in BCVA from baseline was -5.9 letters correct (standard deviation, 13.0 letters correct) in the intervention eye and -3.7 letters correct (standard deviation, 9.0 letters correct) in the fellow eye. No participants showed improvement of 15 letters or more in the intervention eye, and 3 participants lost more than 15 letters by month 1. No apparent effect of treatment was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Palucorcel was delivered successfully to the targeted subretinal site using a novel delivery system and suprachoroidal approach for most participants; however, improvement in GA area, retardation of growth, or visual acuity were not demonstrated.

Two-year outcomes of a randomized controlled trial of inhaled nitric oxide in premature infants.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The European Union Nitric Oxide trial was designed to assess the potential benefits of inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) compared with placebo in infants with respiratory failure. This follow-up study evaluated respiratory, neurodevelopmental, and other outcomes for infants entered into the European Union Nitric Oxide trial to age 2 years. METHODS: In a multicenter, randomized, double-blind study, preterm infants born at <29 weeks' gestation with moderate respiratory failure were allocated to receive iNO (5 ppm) or placebo for 7 to 21 days. Subjects underwent assessments at 1 and 2 years corrected for prematurity. RESULTS: At 36 weeks' postmenstrual age, 696 of 792 infants were alive; 4 in the iNO arm subsequently died before age 2 years compared with 7 in the control arm. We evaluated 95% of the survivors at 12 months and 90% at 2 years. In the iNO arm, 244 of 363 (67.2%) infants had survived without disability at age 2 years compared with 270 of 374 (72.2%) who received placebo (P = .094). Mean (SD) cognitive composite scores (Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, third edition) were 94 (13) in the iNO group and 95 (14) in the placebo group; in the iNO group, 19% scored <85 and 9.5% developed cerebral palsy compared with 13.3% and 9%, respectively. There were no significant differences in hospitalizations overall or due to respiratory illness in use of home oxygen therapy or respiratory medications, in growth, or in other health outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: At 2 years of age, low-dose (5 ppm) iNO started early (<24 hours after birth) for a median of 20 days did not affect neurodevelopmental or other health outcomes.

Inhaled nitric oxide after left ventricular assist device implantation: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, multicenter, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Used frequently for right ventricular dysfunction (RVD), the clinical benefit of inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) is still unclear. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial to determine the effect of iNO on post-operative outcomes in the setting of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) placement. METHODS: Included were 150 patients undergoing LVAD placement with pulmonary vascular resistance ≥ 200 dyne/sec/cm(-5). Patients received iNO (40 ppm) or placebo (an equivalent concentration of nitrogen) until 48 hours after separation from cardiopulmonary bypass, extubation, or upon meeting study-defined RVD. For ethical reasons, crossover to open-label iNO was allowed during the 48-hour treatment period if RVD criteria were met. RESULTS: RVD criteria were met by 7 of 73 patients (9.6%; 95% confidence interval, 2.8-16.3) in the iNO group compared with 12 of 77 (15.6%; 95% confidence interval, 7.5-23.7) who received placebo (p = 0.330). Time on mechanical ventilation decreased in the iNO group (median days, 2.0 vs 3.0; p = 0.077), and fewer patients in the iNO group required an RVAD (5.6% vs 10%; p = 0.468); however, these trends did not meet statistical boundaries of significance. Hospital stay, intensive care unit stay, and 28-day mortality rates were similar between groups, as were adverse events. Thirty-five patients crossed over to open-label iNO (iNO, n = 15; placebo, n = 20). Eighteen patients (iNO, n = 9; placebo, n = 9) crossed over before RVD criteria were met. CONCLUSIONS: Use of iNO at 40 ppm in the perioperative phase of LVAD implantation did not achieve significance for the primary end point of reduction in RVD. Similarly, secondary end points of time on mechanical ventilation, hospital or intensive care unit stay, and the need for RVAD support after LVAD placement were not significantly improved.