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Pirchio R, Auriemma RS, Montini ME, Vergura A, Pivonello R, Colao A. Control of acromegaly in more than 90% of patients after 10 years of pegvisomant therapy: an European referral centre real-life experience. J Endocrinol Invest 2023; 46:1027-1038. [PMID: 36892739 PMCID: PMC10105681 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-022-01980-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 03/10/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Pegvisomant (PEG) efficaciously controls IGF-I excess in acromegaly and possesses a positive impact on glucose metabolism. Data on very prolonged PEG treatment are still limited, therefore, we investigated the effects of 10-years PEG on disease control, maximal tumour diameter (MTD), and metabolic profile in consecutive patients resistant to somatostatin analogues (SRLs) followed in an European referral centre for acromegaly. METHODS Since the 2000s, we collected data on anthropometric, hormonal and metabolic parameters, and MTD of patients receiving PEG. In the current study, we included 45 patients (19 men, 26 women, 46.8 ± 11 years) treated for at least 5 years with PEG mono or combined therapy, analyzing data before, after 5- and 10-years PEG. RESULTS After10 years, 91% of patients showed full disease control and in 37% a significant decrease in MTD was found. Diabetes prevalence was slightly increased, whereas HbA1c remained stable over the decade. Transaminases remained stable and no case of cutaneous lipohypertrophy was recorded. A different metabolic impact between mono- or combined therapy was found. Patients in monotherapy showed significantly lower fasting glucose (p = 0.01), fasting insulin (p = 0.008), HbA1c (p = 0.007), HOMA-IR (p = 0.001), and significantly higher ISI0 (p = 0.002), whereas patients under combined therapy showed significantly lower total (p = 0.03), and LDL cholesterol (p = 0.007). Acromegaly duration before PEG was inversely related to ΔFG (r = - 0.46, p = 0.03) and ΔFI (r = - 0.54, p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS PEG is effective and safe in long term. In patients resistant to SRLs, early beginning of PEG allows a wider gluco-insulinemic improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Pirchio
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Università "Federico II" di Napoli, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - R S Auriemma
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Università "Federico II" di Napoli, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - M E Montini
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Università "Federico II" di Napoli, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - A Vergura
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Università "Federico II" di Napoli, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - R Pivonello
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Università "Federico II" di Napoli, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
- Unesco Chair for Health Education and Sustainable Development, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy
| | - A Colao
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Università "Federico II" di Napoli, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy.
- Unesco Chair for Health Education and Sustainable Development, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy.
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2
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Grottoli S, Bianchi A, Bogazzi F, Bona C, Carlsson MO, Colao A, Dassie F, Giampietro A, Gomez R, Granato S, Maffei P, Pivonello R, Prencipe N, Ragonese M, Urbani C, Cannavò S. Are there country-specific differences in the use of pegvisomant for acromegaly in clinical practice? An analysis from ACROSTUDY. J Endocrinol Invest 2022; 45:1535-1545. [PMID: 35359232 PMCID: PMC9270309 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-022-01789-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE A comprehensive picture of pegvisomant use for treating acromegaly in routine clinical practice in different countries is lacking. We aimed, therefore, to document country-specific behaviors in real-life pegvisomant use, and the main safety and effectiveness outcomes in the ACROSTUDY. DESIGN ACROSTUDY is an open-label, non-interventional, post-marketing safety surveillance study. METHODS A descriptive analysis was performed using data from the six top-recruiter ACROSTUDY countries, i.e., Germany (n = 548 patients), Italy (n = 466), France (n = 312), USA (n = 207), Spain (n = 200) and the Netherlands (n = 175). These nations accounted for > 85% of the ACROSTUDY cases. RESULTS The mean pegvisomant dose at treatment start was lowest in the Netherlands (9.4 mg/day), whereas it ranged between 10.9 and 12.6 mg/day in the other countries. At year 5, the mean pegvisomant dose was around 15 mg/day in all countries, except France (18.1 mg/day). At starting pegvisomant, patients treated with monotherapy ranged between 15% in the Netherlands and 72% in Spain. Monotherapy remained lowest over time in the Netherlands. In all countries, the percentage of patients with normal IGF-1 increased steeply from < 20% at baseline to 43-58% at month 6 and 51-67% at year 1. After that, we observed minor changes in the rate of acromegaly control in all countries. The Netherlands peaked in disease control at year 2 (72%). The proportion of patients reporting changes in pituitary tumor size was generally low. Serious treatment-related adverse events were < 5% in all countries. CONCLUSIONS Our study provided a detailed summary of real-life use of pegvisomant in the six top-recruiter ACROSTUDY nations.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Grottoli
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, Department of Medical Science, University of Turin, Corso Dogliotti 14, 10126, Turin, Italy.
| | - A Bianchi
- Pituitary Unit, Department of Endocrinology, Fondazione A Gemelli, IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - F Bogazzi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - C Bona
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, Department of Medical Science, University of Turin, Corso Dogliotti 14, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - M O Carlsson
- Global Medical Affairs, Pfizer Rare Disease, Brussels, Belgium
| | - A Colao
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Università Federico II di Napoli, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - F Dassie
- Department of Medicine, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - A Giampietro
- Pituitary Unit, Department of Endocrinology, Fondazione A Gemelli, IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - R Gomez
- Global Medical Affairs, Pfizer Rare Disease, Brussels, Belgium
| | - S Granato
- Medical Department, Pfizer Italia, Rome, Italy
| | - P Maffei
- Department of Medicine, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - R Pivonello
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Università Federico II di Napoli, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - N Prencipe
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, Department of Medical Science, University of Turin, Corso Dogliotti 14, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - M Ragonese
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - C Urbani
- Endocrinology II Unit, Department of Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - S Cannavò
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
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3
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Fleseriu M, Führer-Sakel D, van der Lely AJ, De Marinis L, Brue T, van der Lans-Bussemaker J, Hey-Hadavi J, Camacho-Hubner C, Wajnrajch MP, Valluri SR, Palladino AA, Gomez R, Salvatori R. More than a decade of real-world experience of pegvisomant for acromegaly: ACROSTUDY. Eur J Endocrinol 2021; 185:525-538. [PMID: 34342594 PMCID: PMC8428076 DOI: 10.1530/eje-21-0239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To report the final long-term safety and efficacy analyses of patients with acromegaly treated with pegvisomant from the ACROSTUDY. DESIGN Global (15 countries), multicentre, non-interventional study (2004-2017). METHODS The complete ACROSTUDY cohort comprised patients with acromegaly, who were being treated with pegvisomant (PEGV) prior to the study or at enrolment. The main endpoints were long-term safety (comorbidities, adverse events (AEs), pituitary tumour volumes, liver tests) and efficacy (IGF1 changes). RESULTS Patients (n = 2221) were treated with PEGV for a median of 9.3 years (range, 0-20.8 years) and followed up for a median of 7.4 years (range, 0-13.9 years). Before PEGV, 96.3% had received other acromegaly treatments (surgery/radiotherapy/medications). Before PEGV treatment, 87.2% of patients reported comorbidities. During ACROSTUDY, 5567 AEs were reported in 56.5% of patients and of these 613 were considered treatment-related (in 16.5% of patients) and led to drug withdrawal in 1.3%. Pituitary imaging showed a tumour size increase in 7.1% of patients; the majority (71.1%) reported no changes. Abnormal AST or ALT liver tests occurred in 3.2% of patients. IGF1 normalization rate improved over time, increasing from 11.4% at PEGV start to 53.7% at year 1, and reaching 75.4% at year 10 with the use of ≥30 mg PEGV/day in an increasing proportion of patients. CONCLUSION This comprehensive review of the complete cohort in ACROSTUDY confirmed the overall favourable benefit-to-risk profile and high efficacy of PEGV as mono- and combination therapy in patients with an aggressive course/uncontrolled/active acromegaly requiring long-term medical therapy for control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Fleseriu
- Pituitary CenterDivision of Endocrinology, Diabetes, & Clinical Nutrition, Department of Medicine
- Pituitary Center, Department of Neurological Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
- Correspondence should be addressed to M Fleseriu Email
| | - Dagmar Führer-Sakel
- Department of Endocrinology Diabetology and Metabolism, Endocrine Tumour Center at West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Aart J van der Lely
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Laura De Marinis
- Pituitary Unit, Department of Endocrinology, Fondazione A Gemelli, IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Thierry Brue
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille, Hopital de la Conception, and Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille Medical Genetics, Marseille, France
| | | | | | | | - Michael P Wajnrajch
- Pfizer, New York, New York, USA
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | | | | | | | - Roberto Salvatori
- Division of Endocrinology and Pituitary Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Cámara R, Venegas E, García-Arnés JA, Cordido F, Aller J, Samaniego ML, Mir N, Sánchez-Cenizo L. Treatment adherence to pegvisomant in patients with acromegaly in Spain: PEGASO study. Pituitary 2019; 22:137-145. [PMID: 30756345 DOI: 10.1007/s11102-019-00943-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The burden of chronic daily subcutaneous administration of pegvisomant on adherence has not been previously studied. This study was aimed to determine the adherence to pegvisomant treatment in acromegaly patients in the real-world clinical practice setting in Spain. METHODS Multicenter, observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study in patients with acromegaly treated with pegvisomant for at least 12 months. Patient adherence was indirectly determined by Batalla and Haynes-Sackett questionnaires and directly by prescription record review. Additionally, treatment satisfaction was assessed by the Treatment Satisfaction with Medicines Questionnaire (SATMED-Q) and treatment convenience by an ad-hoc Pegvisomant questionnaire. Errors in reconstitution and administration process were determined by direct observation. RESULTS 108 patients were included in the analysis. Rates of adherence varied from 60.7 to 92.1% and did not correlate with disease control. Older patient age and alternative schedules other than daily pegvisomant dosing were associated with lower adherence. Treatment satisfaction and convenience was high, with a mean (SD) total SATMED-Q score of 74.6 ± 15.4 over 100 and a total ad-hoc Pegvisomant questionnaire score of 71.2 ± 15.2 over 100. 34.3% of patients made mistakes during the reconstitution /administration process. CONCLUSIONS Patient adherence to pegvisomant was high (60.7-92.1%), but more than a third of the patients in the study made mistakes during the administration process, with a potential impact on disease control. Besides dosing compliance, correct administration of medication should be carefully assessed in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Cámara
- Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Avenida de Fernando Abril Martorell, 106, 46026, Valencia, Spain
| | - Eva Venegas
- Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Avenida Manuel Siurot, s/n, 41013, Sevilla, Spain
| | | | - Fernando Cordido
- Complejo Hospitalario Universitario A Coruña, As Xubias, 84, 15006, La Coruña, Spain
| | - Javier Aller
- Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda, Calle Manuel de Falla, 1, 28222, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - M Luz Samaniego
- TFS Statistical Services, Avda. Europa, 20B. Parque Empresarial La Moraleja, 28108, Alcobendas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Nuria Mir
- Pfizer S.L.U, Avda. Europa, 20B. Parque Empresarial La Moraleja, 28108, Alcobendas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Sánchez-Cenizo
- Pfizer S.L.U, Avda. Europa, 20B. Parque Empresarial La Moraleja, 28108, Alcobendas, Madrid, Spain.
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Lu M, Flanagan JU, Langley RJ, Hay MP, Perry JK. Targeting growth hormone function: strategies and therapeutic applications. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2019; 4:3. [PMID: 30775002 PMCID: PMC6367471 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-019-0036-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2018] [Revised: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Human growth hormone (GH) is a classical pituitary endocrine hormone that is essential for normal postnatal growth and has pleiotropic effects across multiple physiological systems. GH is also expressed in extrapituitary tissues and has localized autocrine/paracrine effects at these sites. In adults, hypersecretion of GH causes acromegaly, and strategies that block the release of GH or that inhibit GH receptor (GHR) activation are the primary forms of medical therapy for this disease. Overproduction of GH has also been linked to cancer and the microvascular complications that are associated with diabetes. However, studies to investigate the therapeutic potential of GHR antagonism in these diseases have been limited, most likely due to difficulty in accessing therapeutic tools to study the pharmacology of the receptor in vivo. This review will discuss current and emerging strategies for antagonizing GH function and the potential disease indications. Emerging therapies are offering an expanded toolkit for combatting the effects of human growth hormone overproduction. Human growth hormone (GH) is a major driver of postnatal growth; however, systemic or localized overproduction is implicated in the aberrant growth disease acromegaly, cancer, and diabetes. In this review, researchers led by Jo Perry, from the University of Auckland, New Zealand, discuss strategies that either inhibit GH production, block its systemic receptor, or interrupt its downstream signaling pathways. The only licensed GH receptor blocker is pegvisomant, but therapies are in development that include long-acting protein and antibody-based blockers, and nucleotide complexes that degrade GHR production have also shown promise. Studies investigating GHR antagonism are limited, partly due to difficulty in accessing therapeutic tools which block GHR function, but overcoming these obstacles may yield advances in alleviating chronic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Lu
- 1Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jack U Flanagan
- 2Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,3Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Ries J Langley
- 3Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand.,4Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Michael P Hay
- 2Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,3Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jo K Perry
- 1Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,3Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand
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Leonart LP, Tonin FS, Ferreira VL, Fernandez-Llimos F, Pontarolo R. Effectiveness and safety of pegvisomant: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational longitudinal studies. Endocrine 2019; 63:18-26. [PMID: 30145746 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-018-1729-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Acromegaly is a rare disease that often requires drug treatment to achieve control, with pegvisomant being one of the most widely used therapies. In the present paper, we aimed to obtain evidence regarding the effectiveness and safety of pegvisomant by reviewing real-world observational longitudinal studies. METHODS A systematic review was performed with a meta-analysis of event rates (95% confidence interval (CI)) using a random effects model. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses were performed (comprehensive meta-analysis 2.0). The systematic review was performed in accordance to preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses, meta-analysis of observational studies in epidemiology, and Cochrane recommendations (PROSPERO register CRD 42017059880). PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and SciELO were used to search for literature. Observational studies in patients using pegvisomant for the treatment of acromegaly were included. RESULTS Initially, 552 papers were retrieved from the databases; and 31 articles were included in the qualitative analysis and 14 in the quantitative analysis. Eight primary meta-analyses were performed. The overall rate of patients with disease control was of 60.9% (51.8-69.3%; 95% CI). When considering patients under monotherapy, the control rate was 71.7% (64.0-78.4%; 95% CI). Tumor growth was estimated in 7.3% (4.7-11.1%; 95% CI) and elevation of transaminases in 3.0% (1.7-5.2%; 95% CI). CONCLUSIONS The real-world data showed that the effectiveness of pegvisomant is not as high as reported in interventional studies. Acromegaly appears to be better controlled when pegvisomant is used as a monotherapy. No serious adverse events were associated with the use of pegvisomant; however, given the high cost of this drug, further studies are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letícia P Leonart
- Universidade Federal do Paraná, Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Fernanda S Tonin
- Universidade Federal do Paraná, Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Vinicius L Ferreira
- Universidade Federal do Paraná, Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Fernando Fernandez-Llimos
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Department of Social Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Roberto Pontarolo
- Universidade Federal do Paraná, Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.
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Ramos-Leví AM, Marazuela M. Bringing Cardiovascular Comorbidities in Acromegaly to an Update. How Should We Diagnose and Manage Them? Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2019; 10:120. [PMID: 30930848 PMCID: PMC6423916 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with acromegaly frequently develop cardiovascular comorbidities, which significantly affect their morbidity and contribute to an increased all-cause mortality. In this regard, the most frequent complications that these patients may encounter include hypertension, cardiomyopathy, heart valve disease, arrhythmias, atherosclerosis, and coronary artery disease. The specific underlying mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of these comorbidities are not always fully understood, but uncontrolled GH/IGF-I excess, age, prolonged disease duration, and coexistence of other cardio-vascular risk factors have been identified as significant influencing predisposing factors. It is important that clinicians bear in mind the potential development of cardiovascular comorbidities in acromegalic patients, in order to promptly tackle them, and avoid the progression of cardiac abnormalities. In many cases, this approach may be performed using straightforward screening tools, which will guide us for further diagnosis and management of cardiovascular complications. This article focuses on those cardiovascular comorbidities that are most frequently encountered in acromegalic patients, describes their pathophysiology, and suggests some recommendations for an early and optimal diagnosis, management and treatment.
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Duncan R. Polymer therapeutics at a crossroads? Finding the path for improved translation in the twenty-first century. J Drug Target 2017; 25:759-780. [PMID: 28783978 DOI: 10.1080/1061186x.2017.1358729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Despite the relatively small early investment, first generation 'polymer therapeutics' have been remarkably successful with more than 25 products licenced for human use as polymeric drugs, sequestrants, conjugates, and as an imaging agent. Many exhibit both clinical and commercial success with new concepts already in clinical trials. Nevertheless after four decades of evolution, this field is arriving at an important crossroads. Over the last decade, the landscape has changed rapidly. There are an increasing number of failed clinical trials, the number of 'copy' and 'generic' products is growing (danger of ignoring the biological rationale for design and suppression of innovation), potential drawbacks of PEG are becoming more evident, and the 'nanomedicine' boom has brought danger of loss of scientific focus/hype. Grasping opportunities provided by advances in understanding of the patho-physiology and molecular basis of diseases, new polymer/conjugate synthetic and analytical methods, as well as the large database of clinical experience will surely ensure a successful future for innovative polymer therapeutics. Progress will, however, be in jeopardy if polymer safety is overlooked in respect of the specific route of administration/clinical use, poorly characterised materials/formulations are used to define biological or early clinical properties, and if clinical trial protocols fail to select patients most likely to benefit from these macromolecular therapeutics. Opportunities to improve clinical trial design for polymer-anticancer drug conjugates are discussed. This short personal perspective summarises some of the important challenges facing polymer therapeutics in R&D today, and future opportunities to improve successful translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Duncan
- a Polymer Therapeutics Laboratory , Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe , Valencia , Spain.,b Intracellular Delivery Solutions Laboratory, Faculty of Engineering and Science , University of Greenwich , Kent , UK
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9
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Ramos-Leví AM, Marazuela M. Cardiovascular comorbidities in acromegaly: an update on their diagnosis and management. Endocrine 2017; 55:346-359. [PMID: 28042644 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-016-1191-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2016] [Accepted: 11/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Comorbidities related to the cardiovascular system are one of the most prevalent in patients with acromegaly, and contribute to an increased risk of morbidity and all-cause mortality. Specifically, hypertension, cardiomyopathy, heart valve disease, arrhythmias, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and cardiac dysfunction may be frequent findings. Although the underlying physiopathology for each comorbidity may not be fully elucidated, uncontrolled growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor 1 excess, age, prolonged disease duration, and coexistence of other cardio-vascular risk factors are significant influencing variables. A simple diagnostic approach to screen for the presence of these comorbidities may allow prompt treatment and arrest the progression of cardiac abnormalities. In this article, we revise the most prevalent cardiovascular comorbidities and their pathophysiology in acromegalic patients, and we address some recommendations for their prompt diagnosis, management and treatment. Strengths and pitfalls of different diagnostic techniques that are currently being used and how different treatments can affect these complications will be further discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana M Ramos-Leví
- Department of Endocrinology, Hospital Universitario La Princesa, Instituto de Investigación Princesa, Universidad Autónoma, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mónica Marazuela
- Department of Endocrinology, Hospital Universitario La Princesa, Instituto de Investigación Princesa, Universidad Autónoma, Madrid, Spain.
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