Barriers towards effective pharmacovigilance systems of biosimilars in rheumatology: A Latin American survey

Purpose

This review summarises the current status of regulatory guidelines for the approval of biosimilars in Latin America and highlights the main barriers to effective pharmacovigilance in this region. We also report results from a survey of Latin American rheumatologists assessing their understanding of prescribing biosimilars and the pharmacovigilance of these drugs.

Methods

We reviewed the current guidelines for the regulatory approval of biosimilars and barriers to effective pharmacovigilance in Latin American countries. Rheumatologists attending the II Pan‐American League of Rheumatology Associations PANLAR Review Course (Biosimilars update) in Lima, Peru were asked to complete a short survey to determine their knowledge of biosimilars.

Results

Many Latin American countries continue to lag behind Europe and the United States in establishing regulatory guidance and effective pharmacovigilance systems for biosimilars. Results from our survey also highlight a lack of awareness regarding the availability of biosimilars, their nomenclature, automatic substitution, and reporting adverse drug reactions because of these drugs.

Conclusions

The main barriers to effective pharmacovigilance in Latin America are the lack of consensus on the interchangeability of reference biologics and biosimilars, and the need for more suitably trained personnel to carry out effective postmarketing pharmacovigilance of biosimilars. Inconsistencies in biosimilar nomenclature make it difficult to adequately trace drugs and record adverse drug reactions associated with their use, creating a barrier to the global pharmacovigilance of biologics.

Challenges for social media editors in rheumatology journals: an outlook

Social media has become a key component of contemporary medicine, and the rheumatology subspecialty is not an exemption. We found that just six of the 40 key peer-reviewed rheumatology journals have found it sensible to incorporate the new appointment of a Social Media Editor-or a similar designation-into their Editorial Boards. We propose that the role of a social media editor is a trinomial: not only a technological work to promote digital engagement but also an activity of ethical guidance and a cultural challenge dealing with worldwide cultural and mindset diversity.

Ultrasound of Subtalar Joint Synovitis in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Results of an OMERACT Reliability Exercise Using Consensual Definitions

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the intraobserver and interobserver reliability of the ultrasonographic (US) assessment of subtalar joint (STJ) synovitis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS

Following a Delphi process, 12 sonographers conducted an US reliability exercise on 10 RA patients with hindfoot pain. The anteromedial, posteromedial, and posterolateral STJ was assessed using B-mode and power Doppler (PD) techniques according to an agreed US protocol and using a 4-grade semiquantitative grading score for synovitis [synovial hypertrophy (SH) and signal] and a dichotomous score for the presence of joint effusion (JE). Intraobserver and interobserver reliability were computed by Cohen's and Light's κ. Weighted κ coefficients with absolute weighting were computed for B-mode and PD signal.

RESULTS

Mean weighted Cohen's κ for SH, PD, and JE were 0.80 (95% CI 0.62-0.98), 0.61 (95% CI 0.48-0.73), and 0.52 (95% CI 0.36-0.67), respectively. Weighted Cohen's κ for SH, PD, and JE in the anteromedial, posteromedial, and posterolateral STJ were -0.04 to 0.79, 0.42-0.95, and 0.28-0.77; 0.31-1, -0.05 to 0.65, and -0.2 to 0.69; 0.66-1, 0.52-1, and 0.42-0.88, respectively. Weighted Light's κ for SH was 0.67 (95% CI 0.58-0.74), 0.46 (95% CI 0.35-0.59) for PD, and 0.16 (95% CI 0.08-0.27) for JE. Weighted Light's κ for SH, PD, and JE were 0.63 (95% CI 0.45-0.82), 0.33 (95% CI 0.19-0.42), and 0.09 (95% CI -0.01 to 0.19), for the anteromedial; 0.49 (95% CI 0.27-0.64), 0.35 (95% CI 0.27-0.4), and 0.04 (95% CI -0.06 to 0.1) for posteromedial; and 0.82 (95% CI 0.75-0.89), 0.66 (95% CI 0.56-0.8), and 0.18 (95% CI 0.04-0.34) for posterolateral STJ, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Using a multisite assessment, US appears to be a reliable tool for assessing synovitis of STJ in RA.

Abstract P1-11-17: Effects of depression, anxiety, and sexual functioning on quality of life among young breast cancer patients in Mexico

Background: Despite the disproportionately high-rates of breast cancer (BC) in young women in Mexico, cancer-control efforts have been predominantly aimed at improving oncological treatment, bypassing survivorship issues and supportive care for this group. The “Joven & Fuerte” cohort, the first supportive care and research program for young BC patients in Latin America, aims to describe and assess the burden of BC in young Mexican women. In this study, we focused on evaluating the association between quality of life (QoL) and anxiety, depression, and sexual functioning in young women with BC (≤ 40 years).

Methods: This study included non-metastatic and non-recurrent patients belonging to the cohort's pilot phase. QoL was assessed with the EORTC QLQ-C30 global score. Patients were classified in the domains of anxiety and depression with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) as either probable case, doubtful case, or not a case. Sexual functioning was assessed with the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the sexual functioning and enjoyment domains of the EORTC QLQ-BR23. Assessments were performed at baseline, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years. Pearson chi-square and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used for analysis. Nominal unadjusted significance is reported with p<0.05.

Results: 73 out of 96 (76%) pilot phase patients met the inclusion criteria and had complete assessments up to 2 years follow-up. Global QoL was significantly worse for cases with anxiety and depression at baseline (means for non-cases, doubtful cases and cases, respectively: for anxiety, 81.09, 69.54, and 61.54, p<.001; and for depression, 75.63, 64.17, and 55.00, p=0.01) and depression at 6 months (76.55, 66.67, and 35.42, respectively, p<.001). Classification of case level anxiety was associated with FSFI morbidity during the first year (baseline, p=0.03; 6 months, p=0.09; 1 year, p=0.04). There was no significant association between case level depression and FSFI morbidity in the first 2 years. Neither anxiety nor depression was generally associated with significantly different BR23 sexual functioning or sexual enjoyment; however, a sporadic association was observed between anxiety and BR23 sexual functioning at 6 months (p=0.04).

Conclusion: This study confirmed an association between anxiety and/or depression and worse QoL at diagnosis of BC and after 6 months. Additionally, worse sexual function was significantly associated with the classification of case level anxiety. These findings support the current recommendation that physicians should regularly assess patients' psychosocial health and sexual functioning and provide prompt referral to corresponding supportive care services. Additional efforts must be conducted in low-resource settings, where sexual health and psychosocial care are not considered routine cancer treatment. Dedicated programs that promote multidisciplinary and supportive care services, such as “Joven & Fuerte”, should be incorporated into institutional health-care protocols to systematically address patients' emerging needs and improve QoL.

Citation Format: Villarreal-Garza C, Platas A, Miaja M, Lopez-Martinez EA, Muñoz-Lozano JF, Fonseca A, Pineda C, Barragan-Carrillo R, Martinez-Cannon BA, Chapman J-AW, Goss PE, Bargallo-Rocha JE, Mohar A, Castro-Sanchez A. Effects of depression, anxiety, and sexual functioning on quality of life among young breast cancer patients in Mexico [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-11-17.

Mexican rheumatology: where do we stand?

The aim of this review was to provide an overall overview of the past, present, and future situations and main challenges that are facing Mexican Rheumatology as a medical subspecialty in the context of their national healthcare system, where a deficit of workforce at the national level coexists with a shortage of specialists in the less-developed southern states of the country and a great surplus of professionals within large metropolitan areas. We also analyzed the prevalence and burden of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases (RMDs), the structural composition and distribution of Mexican Rheumatology, and the clinical profile of the Mexican Rheumatologist. Last, we examined comorbidities, education and training programs and one scenario for Mexican Rheumatology wherein the principal main threats and opportunities are determined.

First Latin American clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus: Latin American Group for the Study of Lupus (GLADEL, Grupo Latino Americano de Estudio del Lupus)-Pan-American League of Associations of Rheumatology (PANLAR)

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a complex and heterogeneous autoimmune disease, represents a significant challenge for both diagnosis and treatment. Patients with SLE in Latin America face special problems that should be considered when therapeutic guidelines are developed. The objective of the study is to develop clinical practice guidelines for Latin American patients with lupus. Two independent teams (rheumatologists with experience in lupus management and methodologists) had an initial meeting in Panama City, Panama, in April 2016. They selected a list of questions for the clinical problems most commonly seen in Latin American patients with SLE. These were addressed with the best available evidence and summarised in a standardised format following the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. All preliminary findings were discussed in a second face-to-face meeting in Washington, DC, in November 2016. As a result, nine organ/system sections are presented with the main findings; an 'overarching' treatment approach was added. Special emphasis was made on regional implementation issues. Best pharmacologic options were examined for musculoskeletal, mucocutaneous, kidney, cardiac, pulmonary, neuropsychiatric, haematological manifestations and the antiphospholipid syndrome. The roles of main therapeutic options (ie, glucocorticoids, antimalarials, immunosuppressant agents, therapeutic plasma exchange, belimumab, rituximab, abatacept, low-dose aspirin and anticoagulants) were summarised in each section. In all cases, benefits and harms, certainty of the evidence, values and preferences, feasibility, acceptability and equity issues were considered to produce a recommendation with special focus on ethnic and socioeconomic aspects. Guidelines for Latin American patients with lupus have been developed and could be used in similar settings.

Biosimilars in oncology and inflammatory diseases: current and future considerations for clinicians in Latin America

Biological therapies have revolutionized the treatment of several cancers and systemic immune-mediated inflammatory conditions. Expiry of patents protecting a number of biologics has provided the opportunity to commercialize highly similar versions, known as biosimilars. Biosimilars are approved by regulatory agencies via an independent pathway that requires extensive head-to-head comparison with the originator product. Biosimilars have the potential to provide savings to healthcare systems and expand patient access to biologics. In Latin American countries, regulatory frameworks for biosimilar approval have been introduced in recent years, and biosimilars of monoclonal antibody and fusion protein therapies are now emerging. However, the situation in this region is complicated by the presence of "non-comparable biotherapeutics" (also known as "intended copies"), which have not been rigorously compared with the originator product. We review the considerations for clinicians in Latin American countries, focusing on monoclonal antibody biosimilars relevant to oncology, rheumatology, gastroenterology, and dermatology.

Fast Morphological Gallbladder Changes Triggered by a Hypercholesterolemic Diet

INTRODUCTION AND AIM

Obesity is a worldwide epidemic problem, described as a risk factor for hepatic diseases, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and other pathologies related to development of cholesterol crystals and cholesterol gallbladder stones. It has been reported that cholesterol overload may cause hepatic damage; however, little is known about the effects of an acute hypercholesterolemic diet on the gallbladder. The aim of this manuscript was to evaluate the impact of a cholesterol-rich diet on the gallbladder.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included ten eight-week-old C57BL6 male mice, which were divided into two study groups and fed different diets for 48 h: a hypercholesterolemic diet and a balanced Chow diet. After 48 h, the mice were analyzed by US with a Siemens Acuson Antares equipment. Mice were subsequently sacrificed to carry out a cholesterol analysis with a Refloton System (Roche), a crystal analysis with a Carl Zeiss microscope with polarized light, and a histological analysis with Hematoxylin-eosin staining.

RESULTS

The hypercholesterolemic diet induced an increase in gallbladder size and total cholesterol content in the bile, along with important histological changes.

CONCLUSION

Cholesterol overloads not only trigger hepatic damage, but also affect the gallbladder significantly.

Ultrasound of sacroiliac joints in spondyloarthritis: a systematic review

Ultrasound (US) is an accessible imaging technique with a possible role to diagnose active sacroiliitis, so this technique is projected as a promising diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of SpA. We analyse the available evidence about the use of US as a diagnostic tool in sacroiliitis in patients with SpA, by a systemic review of the literature fulfilling OMERACT criteria. A systematic literature search for original articles was carried out using four databases (Medline, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science). Data from studies were included only if participants had SpA and a US examination of sacroiliac joint (SIJ) was performed. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using QUADAS-2 tool. Thirteen studies were included. All studies were observational, prospective and cross-sectional. In most articles (76.9%), the main US finding compatible with sacroiliitis evaluated was the presence of vascularisation (Doppler signals) with measurements of the resistive index (RI). The sensitivity and specificity analysis were performed in seven studies (58.8%) and were good, with a median of 90 and 89.2%, respectively. The studies showed a positive to moderate a strong correlation between the US and the gold standard but this was optimal only in four studies. In general, the agreement was good in all studies (≥ 0.80). The methods of evaluation of sacroiliitis vary between the studies included. To date, there is not enough evidence to support the use of ultrasound as a diagnostic method for sacroiliitis but it has potential to identify structural lesions at SIJ's level.

Identification of calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (CPPD) by ultrasound: reliability of the OMERACT definitions in an extended set of joints-an international multiobserver study by the OMERACT Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition Disease Ultrasound Subtask Force

OBJECTIVES

To assess the reliability of the OMERACT ultrasound (US) definitions for the identification of calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (CPPD) at the metacarpal-phalangeal, triangular fibrocartilage of the wrist (TFC), acromioclavicular (AC) and hip joints.

METHODS

A web-based exercise and subsequent patient-based exercise were carried out. A panel of 30 OMERACT members, participated at the web-based exercise by evaluating twice a set of US images for the presence/absence of CPPD. Afterwards, 19 members of the panel met in Siena, Italy, for the patient-based exercise. During the exercise, all sonographers examined twice eight patients for the presence/absence of CPPD at the same joints. Intraoberserver and interobserver kappa values were calculated for both exercises.

RESULTS

The web-based exercise yielded high kappa values both in intraobserver and interobserver evaluation for all sites, while in the patient-based exercise, inter-reader agreement was acceptable for the TFC and the AC. TFC reached high interobserver and intraobserver k values in both exercises, ranging from 0.75 to 0.87 (good to excellent agreement). AC reached moderate kappa values, from 0.51 to 0.85 (moderate to excellent agreement) and can readily be used for US CPPD identification.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the results of our exercise, the OMERACT US definitions for the identification of CPPD demonstrated to be reliable when applied to the TFC and AC. Other sites reached good kappa values in the web-based exercise but failed to achieve good reproducibility at the patient-based exercise, meaning the scanning method must be further refined.

Disability in Mexico: a comparative analysis between descriptive models and historical periods using a timeline

Some interpretations frequently argue that three Disability Models (DM) (Charity, Medical/Rehabilitation, and Social) correspond to historical periods in terms of chronological succession. These views permeate a priori within major official documents on the subject in Mexico. This paper intends to test whether this association is plausible by applying a timeline method. A document search was made with inclusion and exclusion criteria in databases to select representative studies with which to depict milestones in the timelines for each period. The following is demonstrated: 1) models should be considered as categories of analysis and not as historical periods, in that the prevalence of elements of the three models is present to date, and 2) the association between disability models and historical periods results in teleological interpretations of the history of disability in Mexico.

Vitamin D receptor expression in canine mammary gland and relationship with clinicopathological parameters and progesterone/oestrogen receptors

The vitamin D receptor (VDR) belongs to the nuclear class II receptor family. VDR is a ligand transcription factor and mediates the actions of calcitriol, the active product of vitamin D synthesis. Nowadays, it is known that the biological actions of calcitriol include the capacity to modulate cancer features, such as proliferation and differentiation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis. VDR expression has been demonstrated in human breast cancer and vitamin D has emerged as a promising targeted therapy. We analyse the VDR expression in normal and neoplastic canine mammary tissue samples and its relationship with clinicopathological parameters and progesterone/oestrogens receptors (PR/ER). Expression of VDR, Ki67 (to evaluate the proliferation index, PI), PR and ER was assessed in 50 mammary gland tissue samples from 41 female dogs by immunohistochemistry. VDR-positive staining was found in the nuclei of both myoepithelial and luminal epithelial cell layers. VDR expression was higher in normal mammary tissue (37/37 cases, 100%) then followed by benign tumours (6/15 cases, 40%) and malignant tumours (9/34 cases, 26.5%) (P = .001). Female dogs aged ≥10 years had lower VDR expression compared with dogs younger (P = .017). Relationship between VDR and breed, number of tumours, tumour size, histologic subtype, histologic grade of malignancy, PI and PR and ER expression was not observed. Studies with more samples are necessary to further evaluate the possible role of VDR in the biological behaviour of canine mammary tumours, and to corroborate the possibility to use the dog as model for human breast cancer.

Hyperlipidemic microenvironment conditionates damage mechanisms in human chondrocytes by oxidative stress

Background

Currently, two pathogenic pathways describe the role of obesity in osteoarthritis (OA); one through biomechanical stress, and the other by the contribution of systemic inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of free fatty acids (FFA) in human chondrocytes (HC) expression of proinflammatory factors and reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Methods

HC were exposed to two different concentrations of FFA in order to evaluate the secretion of adipokines through cytokines immunoassays panel, quantify the protein secretion of FFA-treated chondrocytes, and fluorescent cytometry assays were performed to evaluate the reactive oxygen species (ROS) production.

Results

HC injury was observed at 48 h of treatment with FFA. In the FFA-treated HC the production of reactive oxygen species such as superoxide radical, hydrogen peroxide_, and the reactive nitrogen species increased significantly in a at the two-dose tested (250 and 500 μM). In addition, we found an increase in the cytokine secretion of IL-6 and chemokine IL-8 in FFA-treated HC in comparison to the untreated HC.

Conclusion

In our in vitro model of HC, a hyperlipidemia microenvironment induces an oxidative stress state that enhances the inflammatory process mediated by adipokines secretion in HC.

Definition and Reliability Assessment of Elementary Ultrasonographic Findings in Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition Disease: A Study by the OMERACT Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition Disease Ultrasound Subtask Force

OBJECTIVE

To define the ultrasonographic characteristics of calcium pyrophosphate crystal (CPP) deposits in joints and periarticular tissues and to evaluate the intra- and interobserver reliability of expert ultrasonographers in the assessment of CPP deposition disease (CPPD) according to the new definitions.

METHODS

After a systematic literature review, a Delphi survey was circulated among a group of expert ultrasonographers, who were members of the CPPD Ultrasound (US) Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) subtask force, to obtain definitions of the US characteristics of CPPD at the level of fibrocartilage (FC), hyaline cartilage (HC), tendon, and synovial fluid (SF). Subsequently, the reliability of US in assessing CPPD at knee and wrist levels according to the agreed definitions was tested in static images and in patients with CPPD. Cohen's κ was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

HC and FC of the knee yielded the highest interobserver κ values among all the structures examined, in both the Web-based (0.73 for HC and 0.58 for FC) and patient-based exercises (0.55 for the HC and 0.64 for the FC). Kappa values for the other structures were lower, ranging from 0.28 in tendons to 0.50 in SF in the static exercise and from 0.09 (proximal patellar tendon) to 0.27 (triangular FC of the wrist) in the patient-based exercise.

CONCLUSION

The new OMERACT definitions for the US identification of CPPD proved to be reliable at the level of the HC and FC of the knee. Further studies are needed to better define the US characteristics of CPPD and optimize the scanning technique in other anatomical sites.

The OMERACT Ultrasound Group: A Report from the OMERACT 2016 Meeting and Perspectives

Objective.

To provide an update from the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) Ultrasound Working Group on the progress for defining ultrasound (US) minimal disease activity threshold at joint level in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and for standardization of US application in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

Methods.

For minimal disease activity, healthy controls (HC) and patients with early arthritis (EA) who were naive to disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs were recruited from 2 centers. US was performed of the hands and feet, and scored semiquantitatively (0–3) for synovial hypertrophy (SH) and power Doppler (PD). Synovial effusion (SE) was scored a binary variable. For JIA, a Delphi approach and subsequent validation in static images and patient-based exercises were used to developed preliminary definitions for synovitis and a scoring system.

Results.

For minimal disease activity, 7% HC had at least 1 joint abnormality versus 30% in the EA group. In HC, the findings of SH and PD were predominantly grade 1 whereas all grades were seen in the EA cohort, but SE was rare. In JIA, synovitis can be diagnosed based on B-mode findings alone because of the presence of physiological vascularization. A semiquantitative scoring system (0–3) for synovitis for both B-mode and Doppler were developed in which the cutoff between Doppler grade 2 and grade 3 was 30%.

Conclusion.

The first step has been taken to define the threshold for minimal disease activity in RA by US and to define and develop a scoring system for synovitis in JIA. Further steps are planned for the continuous validation of US in these areas.

Assessing the Immunogenicity of Biopharmaceuticals

Biopharmaceuticals have the potential to raise an immunogenic response in treated individuals, which may impact the efficacy and safety profile of these drugs. As a result, it is essential to evaluate immunogenicity throughout the different phases of the clinical development of a biopharmaceutical, including post-marketing surveillance. Although rigorous evaluation of biopharmaceutical immunogenicity is required by regulatory authorities, there is a lack of uniform standards for the type, quantity, and quality of evidence, and for guidance on experimental design for immunogenicity assays or criteria to compare immunogenicity of biopharmaceuticals. Moreover, substantial technological advances in methods to assess immune responses have yielded higher immunogenicity rates with modern assays, and limit comparison of immunogenicity of biopharmaceuticals outside of head-to-head clinical trials. Accordingly, research programs, regulatory agencies, and clinicians need to keep pace with continuously evolving analyses of immunogenicity. Here, we review factors associated with immunogenicity of biopharmaceuticals, potential clinical ramifications, and current regulatory guidance for evaluating immunogenicity, and discuss methods to assess immunogenicity in non-clinical and clinical studies. We also describe special considerations for evaluating the immunogenicity of biosimilar candidates.

Prevención Cuaternaria: Ética Médica, Evaluación y Eficiencia en los Sistemas de Salud

La prevención Cuaternaria consiste en desarrollar cuidados de salud y de ejercer la medicina, priorizando los cuidados centrados en la persona. Su marco conceptual se sustenta en aspectos éticos y filosóficos centrales en el ejercicio de la medicina, en aspectos epistemológicos y de carácter social. Su objeto es proteger fundamentalmente a los pacientes, pero también a los integrantes del equipo de salud, de los excesos de la medicalización y de los excesos o prácticas innecesarias o dañinas. El presente artículo es el resultado de la síntesis de los documentos de trabajo, discusión y propuestas llevadas adelante por un amplio grupo de comprometidos profesionales de CIMF, con interés particular sobre la Prevención Cuaternaria. Los materiales se produjeron en forma colaborativa por medio de un largo y complejo proceso de trabajo a distancia, realizado durante los foros preparatorios de la VI Cumbre Iberoamericana de Medicina Familiar y Comunitaria. A estos materiales se sumaron los documentos de trabajo elaborados durante la misma cumbre en San José de Costa Rica, en el mes de abril de 2016. El cometido de este artículo es difundir el estado de desarrollo y de compromiso actual con este enfoque y el destacado impulso que ha tenido en Iberoamérica en los últimos cinco años. Por su relevancia, se pretende estimular una mayor difusión del concepto: la implementación de contenidos relacionados con él en la formación y en el nivel académico. A nivel político promover su consideración en la toma de decisión, en políticas de salud pública. Difundir a nivel poblacional y promover la elaboración de contenidos de calidad. Ofrecer pistas de reflexión y herramientas concretas para su aplicación.