Drug-induced gynecomastia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

Treatment Patterns, Adverse Events, and Clinical Outcomes with Steroidal Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists: A Retrospective Analysis of Administrative Claims Data (RELICS)

Purpose

This study aimed to describe the characteristics, treatment patterns, adverse events (AEs), and clinical outcomes of patients starting steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (sMRAs) in real-world settings.

Methods

The RELICS study, complementing the survey-based RELICS-PS study, was a retrospective cohort study conducted using the Healthcare Integrated Research Database (HIRD®), a single-payer healthcare database with medical and pharmacy claims from health insurance plans across the United States. A cohort of adults initiating sMRAs from January 2016 to June 2021 was divided into six subgroups: three mutually exclusive heart failure (HF) subgroups, two mutually exclusive chronic kidney disease (CKD) subgroups, and "all other patients" subgroup, which included those without documented HF or CKD. Outcomes assessed from the first sMRA fill until death, health-plan disenrollment, or June 2022 (whichever came first) included analysis of treatment patterns, AEs, and clinical outcomes. Factors associated with sMRA discontinuation were evaluated with multivariate logistic regression.

Results

Of the 224,100 sMRA initiators identified, 76.4% did not have documented HF or CKD (ie, "all other patients" subgroup). This subgroup was younger and primarily female. Across all initiators, 72.3% were nonadherent, and 73.0% discontinued treatment within a median of 90 days of initiation. Of these discontinuers, 44.2% restarted treatment within a median of 91 days of discontinuation. Factors decreasing odds of discontinuation across most subgroups included a higher comorbidity burden, use of other cardiovascular medications, and cardiologist prescribing. These findings were consistent across subgroups. AEs and clinical outcomes varied across subgroups in line with baseline comorbidity profiles. Patients with a higher comorbidity burden, such as those with both CKD and T2D rather than CKD alone, experienced worse outcomes.

Conclusion

High rates of treatment discontinuation and subsequent restart were observed across all subgroups, implying fluctuating sMRA use. However, heightened cardiovascular risk may decrease the odds of discontinuation.

Endocrine Hormones and Their Impact on Pubertal Gynecomastia

Pubertal gynecomastia (PG) is a common condition characterized by the abnormal development and hyperplasia of unilateral or bilateral breast tissue in adolescent males, affecting up to 50% of appropriately aged adolescents and exhibiting rising prevalence over recent years. The etiology of PG is multifaceted, encompassing physiological, pharmacological, and pathological factors. This narrative review synthesizes evidence from a comprehensive selection of peer-reviewed literature, including observational studies, clinical trials, systematic reviews, and case reports, to explore the pivotal role of endocrine hormones in the pathogenesis of PG. Specifically, it examines the effects of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), progesterone (P), prolactin (PRL), growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), thyroid hormones (T3, T4), parathyroid hormone (PTH), anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and leptin. By synthesizing current insights, this review underscores the intricate hormonal dynamics underlying PG and their implications for diagnosis and treatment. Conclusively, the findings advocate for a personalized approach in the clinical management of PG, with particular emphasis on the hormonal milieu as a cornerstone of therapeutic strategy.

Gynecomastia in a Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patient After Switching from Imatinib to Flumatinib

Gynecomastia refers to the abnormal enlargement of the male breast caused by the proliferation of the glandular component of the breast, typically due to sexual hormone disturbance. Multiple medications have been linked to the development of gynecomastia with varying incidences. This adverse event has also been associated with TKIs such as imatinib, dasatinib, and rarely nilotinib. However, it is poorly described and regarded as a rare event. Herein, we present the first case of a CML patient who developed gynecomastia after switching from imatinib to flumatinib. The patient is an 82-year-old male. He was diagnosed with CML and initially treated with imatinib. However, the treatment response milestone after three months of imatinib was not achieved. Hence, flumatinib was used to replace imatinib. Unexpectedly, two weeks later, he developed gynecomastia. Gynecomastia usually causes distress to patients, and there are currently no clear mechanisms or management strategies for this condition. Inspired by this case and through a review of the literature, we propose possible mechanisms and management strategies for this rare adverse event associated with TKIs, along with future perspectives. This may assist others in dealing with this issue and stimulate research on it.

Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists in Diabetic Kidney Disease: Clinical Evidence and Potential Adverse Events

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) globally and is associated with an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). DKD management requires a multipronged approach to decrease the progression of CKD and CVD. Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) added to renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockade and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor therapy reduce the incidence of cardiovascular outcomes and progression of CKD. This review examines the cardiorenal benefits of MRAs and summarizes evidence on potential risks for acute kidney injury, hyperkalemia, and sexual dysfunction for steroidal and nonsteroidal MRAs.

Drug-Induced Gynecomastia: Data Mining and Analysis of the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System Database

Purpose

Drug-induced gynecomastia significantly affects patient health and quality of life. This study aimed to perform an exploratory analysis of gynecomastia reports and the most commonly associated medications within the FAERS database.

Patients and Methods

A comprehensive analysis of the FAERS from January 2004 to December 2023 was conducted. Disproportionality analysis and subsequent sensitivity analysis were performed to identify drugs potentially associated with gynecomastia, utilizing the reported odds ratio (ROR). Logistic regression analysis was employed to assess potential risk factors. The Weibull shape parameter (WSP) test was used to assess the time-to-onset characteristics of the top drugs associated with gynecomastia.

Results

The study identified 30,265 cases of gynecomastia, primarily associated with nervous system drugs, accounting for 85.50% of cases. Notably, risperidone accounted for 80.81% of the total cases. Among the 165 agents with ≥ 5 cases of gynecomastia, the strongest signals were exhibited by risperidone (ROR 602.38, 95% CI 585.07-620.20), dutasteride (ROR 17.18, 95% CI 15.55-18.89), spironolactone (ROR 15.8, 95% CI 13.99-17.83), and paliperidone (ROR 7.16, 95% CI 6.55-7.84). In the sensitivity analysis of disproportionality, unexpected associations were observed, such as montelukast (n = 21, ROR 1.94, 95% CI 1.26-2.98). The logistic regression analysis indicated that the risk of risperidone-induced gynecomastia was significantly lower in adults compared to pediatric patients (OR 0.12, 95% CI 0.09-0.15) and in patients with higher body weight than in those with lower body weight (OR 5.24, 95% CI 3.62-7.76). The WSP test showed that gynecomastia induced by most of the top 10 common agents tends to occur in an early failure mode.

Conclusion

The rankings and signal strengths of drugs associated with gynecomastia were extracted from the FAERS. The age distribution and time-to-onset distribution of the top 10 drugs linked to gynecomastia were investigated, which can facilitate accurate clinical recognition of drug-induced gynecomastia.

Efficacy and Safety of Esaxerenone in Hypertensive Patients with Left Ventricular Hypertrophy (ESES-LVH) Study: A Multicenter, Open-Label, Prospective, Interventional Study

INTRODUCTION

In contrast to the antihypertensive effect of esaxerenone, there is little evidence of its cardioprotective effect. We investigated the efficacy and safety of esaxerenone in patients with uncontrolled hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy taking a renin-angiotensin system inhibitor (RASi) or calcium-channel blocker (CCB).

METHODS

This was a multicenter, open-label, exploratory study with a 24-week treatment period. Esaxerenone was orally administered at an initial dose of 2.5 mg/day (maximum dose: 5 mg/day). The primary endpoints were the change in morning home systolic blood pressure (BP)/diastolic BP and change and percentage change in left ventricular mass index (LVMI) from baseline to end of treatment (EOT). Key secondary endpoints included change from baseline in bedtime home and office BP, achievement rate of target BP, and safety.

RESULTS

In total, 60 patients were enrolled. Morning home systolic/diastolic BP was significantly decreased from baseline to EOT in the total population (- 11.5/ - 4.7 mmHg, p < 0.001) and in both the RASi and CCB subcohorts (all p < 0.01). Significant reductions in bedtime home and office BP were shown in the total population and both subcohorts. LVMI was also significantly decreased from baseline to EOT in the total population (- 9.9 g/m2, - 8.5%, both p < 0.001) and both subcohorts (all p < 0.05). The incidences of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and drug-related TEAEs were 35.0% and 3.3%, respectively; most were mild or moderate. No new safety concerns were identified.

CONCLUSION

Esaxerenone showed favorable antihypertensive and cardioprotective effects and safety in hypertensive patients with cardiac hypertrophy.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (jRCTs071190043).

The Pharmacological Treatment of Chronic Pain: From Guidelines to Daily Clinical Practice

In agreement with the International Association for the Study of Pain, chronic pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage. To date, there are several types of pain: nociceptive, neuropathic, and nociplastic. In the present narrative review, we evaluated the characteristics of the drugs used for each type of pain, according to guidelines, and their effects in people with comorbidity to reduce the development of severe adverse events.