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Franchini M, Focosi D. Towards the identification of the correct place for convalescent plasma among COVID-19 therapies. Infect Dis (Lond) 2024; 56:421-422. [PMID: 38549506 DOI: 10.1080/23744235.2024.2333977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/24/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Franchini
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Hematology, Carlo Poma Hospital, Mantova, Italy
| | - Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
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2
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Franchini M, Casadevall A, Cruciani M, Joyner MJ, Pirofski LA, Senefeld JW, Shoham S, Sullivan DJ, Focosi D. Convalescent plasma: An unexpected new therapeutic option for critically ill COVID-19 patients coming from the past. J Clin Anesth 2024; 94:111411. [PMID: 38335905 DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinane.2024.111411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Franchini
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Hematology, Carlo Poma Hospital, Mantova, Italy.
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mario Cruciani
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Hematology, Carlo Poma Hospital, Mantova, Italy
| | - Michael J Joyner
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Liise-Anne Pirofski
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Jonathon W Senefeld
- Department of Kinesiology and Community Healthy, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Shmuel Shoham
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - David J Sullivan
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, Italy
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3
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Focosi D, Franchini M, Senefeld JW, Joyner MJ, Sullivan DJ, Pekosz A, Maggi F, Casadevall A. Passive immunotherapies for the next influenza pandemic. Rev Med Virol 2024; 34:e2533. [PMID: 38635404 DOI: 10.1002/rmv.2533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Influenzavirus is among the most relevant candidates for a next pandemic. We review here the phylogeny of former influenza pandemics, and discuss candidate lineages. After briefly reviewing the other existing antiviral options, we discuss in detail the evidences supporting the efficacy of passive immunotherapies against influenzavirus, with a focus on convalescent plasma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | - Massimo Franchini
- Division of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, Mantua Hospital, Mantua, Italy
| | - Jonathon W Senefeld
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Michael J Joyner
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - David J Sullivan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Andrew Pekosz
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Fabrizio Maggi
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases "Lazzaro Spallanzani" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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4
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Valli MB, Schiavone ML, Rueca M, Berno G, Spezia PG, Gruber CEM, Forbici F, Fabeni L, Focosi D, Girardi E, Meledandri M, Maggi F. Partial N-gene target failure in the Seegene Allplex SARS-CoV-2 Master Assay as a proxy of SARS-CoV-2 BA.2.86. Microbiol Spectr 2024:e0017924. [PMID: 38647335 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00179-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Beatrice Valli
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases, Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Martina Rueca
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases, Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Berno
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases, Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Pietro Giorgio Spezia
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases, Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Federica Forbici
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases, Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Lavinia Fabeni
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases, Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | - Enrico Girardi
- Scientific Direction, National Institute for Infectious Diseases, Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Marcello Meledandri
- UOC Microbiology and Virology, San Filippo Neri Hospital, ASL Roma 1, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Maggi
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases, Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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5
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Franchini M, Focosi D, Pezzo MP, Mannucci PM. How we manage a high D-dimer. Haematologica 2024; 109:1035-1045. [PMID: 37881856 PMCID: PMC10985443 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2023.283966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
D-dimer, a soluble fibrin degradation product that originates from plasmin-induced degradation of cross-linked fibrin, is an important biomarker of coagulation activation and secondary fibrinolysis that is routinely used to rule out venous thromboembolism (VTE), and to evaluate the risk of VTE recurrence, as well as the optimal duration of anticoagulant therapy. Besides VTE, D-dimer may be high due to physiologic conditions, including aging, pregnancy, and strenuous physical activity. In addition, several disorders have been associated with increased D-dimer levels, ranging from disseminated intravascular coagulation to infectious diseases and cancers. Thus, it is far from unusual for hematologists to have to deal with ambulatory individuals with increased D-dimer without signs or symptoms of thrombus formation. This narrative review is dedicated to the management of these cases by the hematologist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Franchini
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Hematology, Carlo Poma Hospital, Mantova, Italy
| | - Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, Italy
| | | | - Pier Mannuccio Mannucci
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico and University of Milan, Angelo Bianchi Bonomi Hemophilia and Thrombosis Center, Milan, Italy.
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6
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Antonelli G, Focosi D, Turriziani O, Tuccori M, Brandi R, Fillo S, Ajassa C, Lista F, Mastroianni CM. Corrigendum to "Virological and clinical rebounds of COVID-19 soon after nirmatrelvir/ritonavir discontinuation" [Clin Microbiol Infect 28 (12) (2022 Dec) 1657-1658]. Clin Microbiol Infect 2024; 30:408. [PMID: 38103639 PMCID: PMC11021203 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2023.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Guido Antonelli
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Sapienza University Hospital "Policlinico Umberto I", Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Ombretta Turriziani
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Sapienza University Hospital "Policlinico Umberto I", Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Tuccori
- Unit of Pharmacology and Pharmacovigilance, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy, Unit of Adverse Drug Reactions Monitoring, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Silvia Fillo
- Scientific Department, Army Medical Center, Rome, Italy
| | - Camilla Ajassa
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University Hospital "Policlinico Umberto I", Rome, Italy
| | | | - Claudio M Mastroianni
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University Hospital "Policlinico Umberto I", Rome, Italy
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7
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Franchini M, Maggi F, Focosi D. ABO blood group-related mechanism of infection of SARS-CoV-2: an overview of systematic reviews. Clin Chem Lab Med 2024; 62:396-401. [PMID: 37727133 DOI: 10.1515/cclm-2023-0825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
Among the host genetic factors playing a role in the susceptibility to infectious diseases, the ABO blood group system is of utmost importance. Following the first reports in early 2020, the association between ABO blood groups and SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 severity has been thoroughly investigated. The aim of this narrative review is to provide an overview of systematic reviews regarding the link between ABO blood groups and such risks. The possible molecular mechanisms underlying these associations will also be discussed. ABO blood group has a robust association with susceptibility to infection but not with disease severity, and studies on long COVID anre still missing.Prov.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Franchini
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Hematology, Carlo Poma Hospital, Mantua, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Maggi
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases, Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
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8
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Franchini M, Focosi D. Innovative Therapies for Acquired Hemophilia A. Semin Thromb Hemost 2024. [PMID: 38395066 DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1779737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Acquired hemophilia A (AHA) is a rare autoimmune bleeding disorder which can be life-threatening. AHA is due to autoantibodies against coagulation factor VIII. Disease onset may be idiopathic (approximately half of the cases) or triggered by autoimmune disorders, cancers, drugs, infections, or pregnancy. Besides treating the underlying disorder, specific AHA treatments include management of bleeding and inhibitor eradication. Various first-line and second-line hemostatic and immunosuppressive agents are currently available for the management of AHA. Recently, the hemostatic drug emicizumab and the immunosuppressive drug rituximab have been the object of intense research from investigators as innovative promising therapies for AHA. This narrative review will be focused on the current status of the clinical use of these two off-label therapeutic agents in AHA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Franchini
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Hematology, Carlo Poma Hospital, Mantua, Italy
| | - Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
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9
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Franchini M, Focosi D, Mannucci PM. Tranexamic Acid: An Evergreen Hemostatic Agent. Semin Thromb Hemost 2024. [PMID: 38335995 DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1779632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Tranexamic acid (TXA) is an important antifibrinolytic agent, which inhibits plasminogen activation and fibrinolysis. Several controlled randomized trials have investigated the role of TXA in preventing or decreasing blood loss across different surgical interventions or medical conditions characterized by excessive bleeding, consistently documenting its effectiveness and safety. Although the first clinical use of TXA dates back to more than 60 years ago, TXA remains the focus of intense research. This narrative review summarizes the more recent results and indications on the clinical use of TXA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Franchini
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Hematology, Carlo Poma Hospital, Mantua, Italy
| | - Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, Italy
| | - Pier Mannuccio Mannucci
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico and University of Milan, Angelo Bianchi Bonomi Hemophilia and Thrombosis Center, Milan, Italy
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10
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Franchini M, Cruciani M, Casadevall A, Joyner MJ, Senefeld JW, Sullivan DJ, Zani M, Focosi D. Safety of COVID-19 convalescent plasma: A definitive systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Transfusion 2024; 64:388-399. [PMID: 38156374 DOI: 10.1111/trf.17701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Franchini
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Hematology, Carlo Poma Hospital, Mantova, Italy
| | - Mario Cruciani
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Hematology, Carlo Poma Hospital, Mantova, Italy
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Michael J Joyner
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Jonathon W Senefeld
- Department of Kinesiology and Community Healthy, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Illinois, USA
| | - David J Sullivan
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Matteo Zani
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Hematology, Carlo Poma Hospital, Mantova, Italy
| | - Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
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11
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Franchini M, Focosi D. Hyperimmune Plasma and Immunoglobulins against COVID-19: A Narrative Review. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:214. [PMID: 38398723 PMCID: PMC10890293 DOI: 10.3390/life14020214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Since late 2019, the new SARS-CoV-2 virus belonging to the Coronaviridae family has been responsible for COVID-19 pandemic, a severe acute respiratory syndrome. Several antiviral therapies, mostly derived from previous epidemics, were initially repurposed to fight this not rarely life-threatening respiratory illness. Among them, however, the only specific antibody-based therapy available against SARS-CoV-2 infection during the first year of the pandemic was represented by COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP). CCP, collected from recovered individuals, contains high levels of polyclonal antibodies of different subclasses able to neutralize SARS-CoV-2 infection. Tens of randomized controlled trials have been conducted during the last three years of the pandemic to evaluate the safety and the clinical efficacy of CCP in both hospitalized and ambulatory COVID-19 patients, whose main results will be summarized in this narrative review. In addition, we will present the current knowledge on the development of anti-SARS-CoV-2 hyperimmune polyclonal immunoglobulins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Franchini
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Hematology, Carlo Poma Hospital, 46100 Mantua, Italy
| | - Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
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12
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Focosi D, Spezia PG, Maggi F. Fixation and reversion of mutations in the receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2024; 108:116104. [PMID: 38048665 DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2023.116104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Pietro Giorgio Spezia
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases, Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Maggi
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases, Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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13
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Focosi D, Casadevall A, Franchini M, Maggi F. Sotrovimab: A Review of Its Efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 Variants. Viruses 2024; 16:217. [PMID: 38399991 PMCID: PMC10891757 DOI: 10.3390/v16020217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Among the anti-Spike monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), the S-309 derivative sotrovimab was the most successful in having the longest temporal window of clinical use, showing a high degree of resiliency to SARS-CoV-2 evolution interrupted only by the appearance of the BA.2.86* variant of interest (VOI). This success undoubtedly reflects rational selection to target a highly conserved epitope in coronavirus Spike proteins. We review here the efficacy of sotrovimab against different SARS-CoV-2 variants in outpatients and inpatients, discussing both randomized controlled trials and real-world evidence. Although it could not be anticipated at the time of its development and introduction, sotrovimab's use in immunocompromised individuals who harbor large populations of variant viruses created the conditions for its eventual demise, as antibody selection and viral evolution led to its eventual withdrawal due to inefficacy against later variant lineages. Despite this, based on observational and real-world data, some authorities have continued to promote the use of sotrovimab, but the lack of binding to newer variants strongly argues for the futility of continued use. The story of sotrovimab highlights the power of modern biomedical science to generate novel therapeutics while also providing a cautionary tale for the need to devise strategies to minimize the emergence of resistance to antibody-based therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, via Paradisa 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA;
| | - Massimo Franchini
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Hematology, Carlo Poma Hospital, 46100 Mantua, Italy;
| | - Fabrizio Maggi
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani” IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy;
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14
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Franchini M, Focosi D, Zaffanello M, Mannucci PM. Efficacy and safety of tranexamic acid in acute haemorrhage. BMJ 2024; 384:e075720. [PMID: 38176733 DOI: 10.1136/bmj-2023-075720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Franchini
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Hematology, Carlo Poma Hospital, Mantova, Italy
| | - Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, Italy
| | - Marco Zaffanello
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Dentistry, Gynecology and Pediatrics, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Pier Mannuccio Mannucci
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico and University of Milan, Angelo Bianchi Bonomi Hemophilia and Thrombosis Center, Milan, Italy
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15
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Focosi D, Spezia PG, Gueli F, Maggi F. The Era of the FLips: How Spike Mutations L455F and F456L (and A475V) Are Shaping SARS-CoV-2 Evolution. Viruses 2023; 16:3. [PMID: 38275938 PMCID: PMC10818967 DOI: 10.3390/v16010003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Convergent evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein has been mostly driven by immune escape, in particular by escape to the viral infection-neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) elicited by previous infections and/or vaccinations [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Pietro Giorgio Spezia
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani” IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy; (P.G.S.); (F.M.)
| | | | - Fabrizio Maggi
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani” IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy; (P.G.S.); (F.M.)
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Franchini M, Focosi D. The Role of Convalescent Plasma in COVID-19: A Conclusive Post-Pandemic Review. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:2322. [PMID: 38137923 PMCID: PMC10744384 DOI: 10.3390/life13122322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) has represented the frontline response to the COVID-19 pandemic, largely because of encouraging historical evidences in previous pandemics, biological plausibility, and the initial unavailability of targeted antivirals. Unfortunately, investigator-initiated randomized clinical trials in 2020, launched during a stressful pandemic peak, were designed mostly at addressing the main unmet need, i.e., treating critically ill hospitalized patients who were unlikely to benefit from any antiviral therapy. The failure of most of these drugs, in combination with the lack of any sponsor, led to the false belief that convalescent plasma was useless. With the relaxing pandemic stages, evidences have instead mounted that, when administered properly (i.e., within 5 days from onset of symptoms and at high titers of neutralizing antibodies), CCP is as effective as other antivirals at preventing disease progression in outpatients, and also reduces mortality in hospitalized patients. Recently, the focus of clinical use has been on immunosuppressed patients with persistent seronegativity and infection, where a randomized clinical trial has shown a reduction in mortality. Lessons learnt during the COVID-19 pandemic will be of utmost importance for future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Franchini
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Hematology, Carlo Poma Hospital, 46100 Mantua, Italy
| | - Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
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Focosi D, Maggi F, D'Abramo A, Nicastri E, Sullivan DJ. Antiviral combination therapies for persistent COVID-19 in immunocompromised patients. Int J Infect Dis 2023; 137:55-59. [PMID: 37778409 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2023.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES After the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, most of the severe COVID-19 burden falls upon immunocompromised patients who cannot mount an endogenous immune response after both vaccination and/or natural infection. They also experience persistent SARS-CoV-2 infection with high viral loads often unsuccessfully managed by the standard antiviral monotherapy regimen initially validated for treatment of COVID-19 immunocompetent patients, only. The off-label prescription of such monotherapy regimens in immunocompromised patients is likely to drive the emergence of treatment-related immune escape, relapses, excess morbidity, and mortality from both COVID-19 and delayed treatment of the underlying disorders. A possible treatment approach to mitigate such consequence is based on combined antiviral therapies. METHODS We searched PubMed for case reports, case series and clinical trials reporting the usage of combined antiviral therapies for COVID-19. RESULTS In this narrative review, we show that combinations of either small molecule antivirals or small molecule antiviral plus passive immunotherapies are safe and effective in small cohorts reported so far. CONCLUSION Considering the progressive loss of efficacy of all authorized anti-spike monoclonal antibodies, promising regimen options are reserved to combinations of small molecule antivirals and COVID-19 convalescent plasma from vaccinated donors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Fabrizio Maggi
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases "Lazzaro Spallanzani" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra D'Abramo
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases "Lazzaro Spallanzani" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Emanuele Nicastri
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases "Lazzaro Spallanzani" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - David J Sullivan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
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18
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Sullivan DJ, Focosi D, Hanley DF, Cruciani M, Franchini M, Ou J, Casadevall A, Paneth N. Outpatient randomized controlled trials to reduce COVID-19 hospitalization: Systematic review and meta-analysis. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e29310. [PMID: 38105461 PMCID: PMC10754263 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
This COVID-19 outpatient randomized controlled trials (RCTs) systematic review compares hospitalization outcomes amongst four treatment classes over pandemic period, geography, variants, and vaccine status. Outpatient RCTs with hospitalization endpoint were identified in Pubmed searches through May 2023, excluding RCTs <30 participants (PROSPERO-CRD42022369181). Risk of bias was extracted from COVID-19-NMA, with odds ratio utilized for pooled comparison. Searches identified 281 studies with 61 published RCTs for 33 diverse interventions analyzed. RCTs were largely unvaccinated cohorts with at least one COVID-19 hospitalization risk factor. Grouping by class, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) (OR = 0.31 [95% CI = 0.24-0.40]) had highest hospital reduction efficacy, followed by COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) (OR = 0.69 [95% CI = 0.53-0.90]), small molecule antivirals (OR = 0.78 [95% CI = 0.48-1.33]), and repurposed drugs (OR = 0.82 [95% CI: 0.72-0.93]). Earlier in disease onset interventions performed better than later. This meta-analysis allows approximate head-to-head comparisons of diverse outpatient interventions. Omicron sublineages (XBB and BQ.1.1) are resistant to mAbs Despite trial heterogeneity, this pooled comparison by intervention class indicated oral antivirals are the preferred outpatient treatment where available, but intravenous interventions from convalescent plasma to remdesivir are also effective and necessary in constrained medical resource settings or for acute and chronic COVID-19 in the immunocompromised.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Sullivan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | - Daniel F Hanley
- Department of Neurology, Brain Injury Outcomes Division, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Mario Cruciani
- Division of Hematology, Carlo Poma Hospital, Mantua, Italy
| | | | - Jiangda Ou
- Department of Neurology, Brain Injury Outcomes Division, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Nigel Paneth
- Departments of Epidemiology & Biostatistics and Pediatrics & Human Development, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
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19
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Franchini M, Casadevall A, Senefeld JW, Joyner MJ, Sullivan DJ, Focosi D. Recommendations on the use of COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma to Treat Immunocompromised Patients. Semin Thromb Hemost 2023. [PMID: 37984358 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1776876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Franchini
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Hematology, Carlo Poma Hospital, Mantova, Italy
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Jonathon W Senefeld
- Department of Kinesiology and Community Healthy, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Illinois
| | - Michael J Joyner
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - David J Sullivan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
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20
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Focosi D, Franchini M, Nicastri E, Sullivan DJ, Casadevall A. Convalescent Plasma Versus Hyperimmune Immunoglobulins. Clin Infect Dis 2023; 77:1356-1357. [PMID: 37399022 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciad406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | - Massimo Franchini
- Division of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, Carlo Poma Hospital, Mantua, Italy
| | - Emanuele Nicastri
- Division of Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Infectious Diseases "Lazzaro Spallanzani," Rome, Italy
| | - David J Sullivan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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21
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Focosi D, McConnell S, Sullivan DJ, Casadevall A. Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 mutations associated with resistance to therapeutic monoclonal antibodies that emerge after treatment. Drug Resist Updat 2023; 71:100991. [PMID: 37572569 DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2023.100991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
The mutation rate of the Omicron sublineage has led to baseline resistance against all previously authorized anti-Spike monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Nevertheless, in case more antiviral mAbs will be authorized in the future, it is relevant to understand how frequently treatment-emergent resistance has emerged so far, under different combinations and in different patient subgroups. We report the results of a systematic review of the medical literature for case reports and case series for treatment-emergent immune escape, which is defined as emergence of a resistance-driving mutation in at least 20% of sequences in a given host at a given timepoint. We identified 32 publications detailing 216 cases that included different variants of concern (VOC) and found that the incidence of treatment emergent-resistance ranged from 10% to 50%. Most of the treatment-emergent resistance events occurred in immunocompromised patients. Interestingly, resistance also emerged against cocktails of two mAbs, albeit at lower frequencies. The heterogenous therapeutic management of those cases doesn't allow inferences about the clinical outcome in patients with treatment-emergent resistance. Furthermore, we noted a temporal correlation between the introduction of mAb therapies and a subsequent increase in SARS-CoV-2 sequences across the globe carrying mutations conferring resistance to that mAb, raising concern as to whether these had originated in mAb-treated individuals. Our findings confirm that treatment-emergent immune escape to anti-Spike mAbs represents a frequent and concerning phenomenon and suggests that these are associated with mAb use in immunosuppressed hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, Italy.
| | - Scott McConnell
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - David J Sullivan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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22
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Minosse C, Matusali G, Meschi S, Grassi G, Francalancia M, D’Offizi G, Spezia PG, Garbuglia AR, Montalbano M, Focosi D, Girardi E, Vaia F, Ettorre GM, Maggi F. Torquetenovirus Loads in Peripheral Blood Predict Both the Humoral and Cell-Mediated Responses to SARS-CoV-2 Elicited by the mRNA Vaccine in Liver Transplant Recipients. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1656. [PMID: 38005988 PMCID: PMC10674741 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11111656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Three years into the COVID-19 pandemic, mass vaccination campaigns have largely controlled the disease burden but have not prevented virus circulation. Unfortunately, many immunocompromised patients have failed to mount protective immune responses after repeated vaccinations, and liver transplant recipients are no exception. Across different solid organ transplant populations, the plasma levels of Torquetenovirus (TTV), an orphan and ubiquitous human virus under control of the immune system, have been shown to predict the antibody response after COVID-19 vaccinations. We show here a single-institution experience with TTV viremia in 134 liver transplant recipients at their first or third dose. We found that TTV viremia before the first and third vaccine doses predicts serum anti-SARS-CoV-2 Spike receptor-binding domain (RBD) IgG levels measured 2-4 weeks after the second or third dose. Pre-vaccine TTV loads were also associated with peripheral blood anti-SARS-CoV-2 cell-mediated immunity but not with serum SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody titers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Minosse
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Via Portuense 292, 00149 Rome, Italy; (C.M.); (G.M.); (M.F.); (P.G.S.); (A.R.G.); (F.M.)
| | - Giulia Matusali
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Via Portuense 292, 00149 Rome, Italy; (C.M.); (G.M.); (M.F.); (P.G.S.); (A.R.G.); (F.M.)
| | - Silvia Meschi
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Via Portuense 292, 00149 Rome, Italy; (C.M.); (G.M.); (M.F.); (P.G.S.); (A.R.G.); (F.M.)
| | - Germana Grassi
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology and Pharmacology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Via Portuense 292, 00149 Rome, Italy;
| | - Massimo Francalancia
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Via Portuense 292, 00149 Rome, Italy; (C.M.); (G.M.); (M.F.); (P.G.S.); (A.R.G.); (F.M.)
| | - Gianpiero D’Offizi
- Department of Liver Transplantation POIT, Clinical and Research Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Via Portuense 292, 00149 Rome, Italy; (G.D.); (M.M.); (G.M.E.)
| | - Pietro Giorgio Spezia
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Via Portuense 292, 00149 Rome, Italy; (C.M.); (G.M.); (M.F.); (P.G.S.); (A.R.G.); (F.M.)
| | - Anna Rosa Garbuglia
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Via Portuense 292, 00149 Rome, Italy; (C.M.); (G.M.); (M.F.); (P.G.S.); (A.R.G.); (F.M.)
| | - Marzia Montalbano
- Department of Liver Transplantation POIT, Clinical and Research Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Via Portuense 292, 00149 Rome, Italy; (G.D.); (M.M.); (G.M.E.)
| | - Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Enrico Girardi
- Scientific Direction, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Via Portuense 292, 00149 Rome, Italy;
| | - Francesco Vaia
- General Direction, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Via Portuense 292, 00149 Rome, Italy;
| | - Giuseppe Maria Ettorre
- Department of Liver Transplantation POIT, Clinical and Research Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Via Portuense 292, 00149 Rome, Italy; (G.D.); (M.M.); (G.M.E.)
| | - Fabrizio Maggi
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Via Portuense 292, 00149 Rome, Italy; (C.M.); (G.M.); (M.F.); (P.G.S.); (A.R.G.); (F.M.)
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23
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Focosi D, Spezia PG, Maggi F. SARS-CoV-2 BA.2.86 ("Pirola"): Is it Pi or Just Another Omicron Sublineage? Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1634. [PMID: 38005966 PMCID: PMC10674951 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11111634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 sublineage BA [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Pietro Giorgio Spezia
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani” IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy; (P.G.S.); (F.M.)
| | - Fabrizio Maggi
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani” IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy; (P.G.S.); (F.M.)
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24
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Gruber CEM, Tucci FG, Rueca M, Mazzotta V, Gramigna G, Vergori A, Fabeni L, Berno G, Giombini E, Butera O, Focosi D, Prandi IG, Chillemi G, Nicastri E, Vaia F, Girardi E, Antinori A, Maggi F. Treatment-Emergent Cilgavimab Resistance Was Uncommon in Vaccinated Omicron BA.4/5 Outpatients. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1538. [PMID: 37892220 PMCID: PMC10605390 DOI: 10.3390/biom13101538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 Spike glycoprotein can affect monoclonal antibody efficacy. Recent findings report the occurrence of resistant mutations in immunocompromised patients after tixagevimab/cilgavimab treatment. More recently, the Food and Drug Agency revoked the authorization for tixagevimab/cilgavimab, while this monoclonal antibody cocktail is currently recommended by the European Medical Agency. We retrospectively reviewed 22 immunocompetent patients at high risk for disease progression who received intramuscular tixagevimab/cilgavimab as early COVID-19 treatment and presented a prolonged high viral load. Complete SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences were obtained for a deep investigation of mutation frequencies in Spike protein before and during treatment. At seven days, only one patient showed evidence of treatment-emergent cilgavimab resistance. Quasispecies analysis revealed two different deletions on the Spike protein (S:del138-144 or S:del141-145) in combination with the resistance S:K444N mutation. The structural and dynamic impact of the two quasispecies was characterized by using molecular dynamics simulations, showing the conservation of the principal functional movements in the mutated systems and their capabilities to alter the structure and dynamics of the RBD, responsible for the interaction with the ACE2 human receptor. Our study underlines the importance of prompting an early virological investigation to prevent drug resistance or clinical failures in immunocompetent patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cesare Ernesto Maria Gruber
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani” (IRCCS), 00149 Rome, Italy; (C.E.M.G.); (F.G.T.); (M.R.); (G.G.); (G.B.); (E.G.); (F.M.)
| | - Fabio Giovanni Tucci
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani” (IRCCS), 00149 Rome, Italy; (C.E.M.G.); (F.G.T.); (M.R.); (G.G.); (G.B.); (E.G.); (F.M.)
| | - Martina Rueca
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani” (IRCCS), 00149 Rome, Italy; (C.E.M.G.); (F.G.T.); (M.R.); (G.G.); (G.B.); (E.G.); (F.M.)
| | - Valentina Mazzotta
- Clinical and Research Infectious Diseases Department, National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani” (IRCCS), 00149 Rome, Italy; (V.M.); (A.V.); (E.N.); (A.A.)
| | - Giulia Gramigna
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani” (IRCCS), 00149 Rome, Italy; (C.E.M.G.); (F.G.T.); (M.R.); (G.G.); (G.B.); (E.G.); (F.M.)
| | - Alessandra Vergori
- Clinical and Research Infectious Diseases Department, National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani” (IRCCS), 00149 Rome, Italy; (V.M.); (A.V.); (E.N.); (A.A.)
| | - Lavinia Fabeni
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani” (IRCCS), 00149 Rome, Italy; (C.E.M.G.); (F.G.T.); (M.R.); (G.G.); (G.B.); (E.G.); (F.M.)
| | - Giulia Berno
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani” (IRCCS), 00149 Rome, Italy; (C.E.M.G.); (F.G.T.); (M.R.); (G.G.); (G.B.); (E.G.); (F.M.)
| | - Emanuela Giombini
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani” (IRCCS), 00149 Rome, Italy; (C.E.M.G.); (F.G.T.); (M.R.); (G.G.); (G.B.); (E.G.); (F.M.)
| | - Ornella Butera
- Laboratory of Microbiology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani” (IRCCS), 00149 Rome, Italy;
| | - Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Ingrid Guarnetti Prandi
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-Food and Forest Systems (DIBAF), University of Tuscia, Via S. Camillo de Lellis s.n.c, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (I.G.P.); (G.C.)
| | - Giovanni Chillemi
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-Food and Forest Systems (DIBAF), University of Tuscia, Via S. Camillo de Lellis s.n.c, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (I.G.P.); (G.C.)
| | - Emanuele Nicastri
- Clinical and Research Infectious Diseases Department, National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani” (IRCCS), 00149 Rome, Italy; (V.M.); (A.V.); (E.N.); (A.A.)
| | - Francesco Vaia
- General Direction, National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani” (IRCCS), 00149 Rome, Italy;
| | - Enrico Girardi
- Scientific Direction, National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani” (IRCCS), 00149 Rome, Italy;
| | - Andrea Antinori
- Clinical and Research Infectious Diseases Department, National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani” (IRCCS), 00149 Rome, Italy; (V.M.); (A.V.); (E.N.); (A.A.)
| | - Fabrizio Maggi
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani” (IRCCS), 00149 Rome, Italy; (C.E.M.G.); (F.G.T.); (M.R.); (G.G.); (G.B.); (E.G.); (F.M.)
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25
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Senefeld JW, Gorman EK, Johnson PW, Moir ME, Klassen SA, Carter RE, Paneth NS, Sullivan DJ, Morkeberg OH, Wright RS, Fairweather D, Bruno KA, Shoham S, Bloch EM, Focosi D, Henderson JP, Juskewitch JE, Pirofski LA, Grossman BJ, Tobian AA, Franchini M, Ganesh R, Hurt RT, Kay NE, Parikh SA, Baker SE, Buchholtz ZA, Buras MR, Clayburn AJ, Dennis JJ, Diaz Soto JC, Herasevich V, Klompas AM, Kunze KL, Larson KF, Mills JR, Regimbal RJ, Ripoll JG, Sexton MA, Shepherd JR, Stubbs JR, Theel ES, van Buskirk CM, van Helmond N, Vogt MN, Whelan ER, Wiggins CC, Winters JL, Casadevall A, Joyner MJ. Rates Among Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19 Treated With Convalescent Plasma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Mayo Clin Proc Innov Qual Outcomes 2023; 7:499-513. [PMID: 37859995 PMCID: PMC10582279 DOI: 10.1016/j.mayocpiqo.2023.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To examine the association of COVID-19 convalescent plasma transfusion with mortality and the differences between subgroups in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Patients and Methods On October 26, 2022, a systematic search was performed for clinical studies of COVID-19 convalescent plasma in the literature from January 1, 2020, to October 26, 2022. Randomized clinical trials and matched cohort studies investigating COVID-19 convalescent plasma transfusion compared with standard of care treatment or placebo among hospitalized patients with confirmed COVID-19 were included. The electronic search yielded 3841 unique records, of which 744 were considered for full-text screening. The selection process was performed independently by a panel of 5 reviewers. The study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Data were extracted by 5 independent reviewers in duplicate and pooled using an inverse-variance random effects model. The prespecified end point was all-cause mortality during hospitalization. Results Thirty-nine randomized clinical trials enrolling 21,529 participants and 70 matched cohort studies enrolling 50,160 participants were included in the systematic review. Separate meta-analyses reported that transfusion of COVID-19 convalescent plasma was associated with a decrease in mortality compared with the control cohort for both randomized clinical trials (odds ratio [OR], 0.87; 95% CI, 0.76-1.00) and matched cohort studies (OR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.66-0.88). The meta-analysis of subgroups revealed 2 important findings. First, treatment with convalescent plasma containing high antibody levels was associated with a decrease in mortality compared with convalescent plasma containing low antibody levels (OR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.73 to 0.99). Second, earlier treatment with COVID-19 convalescent plasma was associated with a decrease in mortality compared with the later treatment cohort (OR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.48 to 0.82). Conclusion During COVID-19 convalescent plasma use was associated with a 13% reduced risk of mortality, implying a mortality benefit for hospitalized patients with COVID-19, particularly those treated with convalescent plasma containing high antibody levels treated earlier in the disease course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathon W. Senefeld
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
- Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL
| | - Ellen K. Gorman
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Patrick W. Johnson
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL
| | - M. Erin Moir
- Department of Kinesiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison
| | - Stephen A. Klassen
- Department of Kinesiology, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rickey E. Carter
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL
| | - Nigel S. Paneth
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, Michigan State University, East Lansing
| | - David J. Sullivan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, ML
| | - Olaf H. Morkeberg
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - R. Scott Wright
- Human Research Protection Program, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | | | - Katelyn A. Bruno
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville
| | - Shmuel Shoham
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Evan M. Bloch
- Department of Pathology Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, ML
| | - Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, Italy
| | - Jeffrey P. Henderson
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, MO
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, MO
| | | | - Liise-Anne Pirofski
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY
| | - Brenda J. Grossman
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, MO
| | - Aaron A.R. Tobian
- Department of Pathology Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, ML
| | - Massimo Franchini
- Division of Transfusion Medicine, Carlo Poma Hospital, Mantua, Italy
| | - Ravindra Ganesh
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Ryan T. Hurt
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Neil E. Kay
- Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
- Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | | | - Sarah E. Baker
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Zachary A. Buchholtz
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Matthew R. Buras
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ
| | - Andrew J. Clayburn
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Joshua J. Dennis
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Juan C. Diaz Soto
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Vitaly Herasevich
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Allan M. Klompas
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Katie L. Kunze
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ
| | | | - John R. Mills
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Riley J. Regimbal
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Juan G. Ripoll
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Matthew A. Sexton
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - John R.A. Shepherd
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - James R. Stubbs
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Elitza S. Theel
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | | | - Noud van Helmond
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Matthew N.P. Vogt
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Emily R. Whelan
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL
| | - Chad C. Wiggins
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Jeffrey L. Winters
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, ML
| | - Michael J. Joyner
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
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Focosi D, Nicastri E. Effectiveness of Molnupiravir and Nirmatrelvir-Ritonavir in Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19. Ann Intern Med 2023; 176:eL230264. [PMID: 37844308 DOI: 10.7326/l23-0264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Banks, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | - Emanuele Nicastri
- "Lazzaro Spallanzani" National Institute for Infectious Disease IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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Franchini M, Focosi D. SARS-CoV-2 infection, vaccination and acquired hemophilia: Reply. Thromb Res 2023; 230:152. [PMID: 36740482 PMCID: PMC9891780 DOI: 10.1016/j.thromres.2023.01.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Franchini
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Hematology, Carlo Poma Hospital, Mantova, Italy.
| | - Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, Italy
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Focosi D, Meschi S, Coen S, Iorio MC, Franchini M, Lanza M, Maggi F. Serum anti-Spike immunoglobulin G levels in random blood donors in Italy: High-titre convalescent plasma is easier than ever to procure. Vox Sang 2023; 118:794-797. [PMID: 37489640 DOI: 10.1111/vox.13498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) has retained potency and clinical efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 and is currently of utmost value for seronegative immunocompromised patients. Since most of the effect is due to the vaccine boost of infection-elicited antibodies, there is a theoretical concern that the frequency of suitable donors is declining. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this single-institution serosurvey, we screened 599 consecutive donors attending our area in two different seasons (300 in November 2022 and 299 in February 2023) using the Abbott Alinity® anti-Spike immunoglobulin G assay. RESULTS More than 80% of random donors qualify according to the FDA criteria for high-titre CCP (>4350 AU/mL), with a stable trend. CONCLUSION Despite reduced anti-Spike vaccine boost deployment in the general population, we have shown here that high-titre CCP units are easier than ever to procure. This finding also has implications for the derivation of standard immunoglobulins, which are finally approaching the potency of hyperimmune serum and could soon represent an alternative to CCP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | - Silvia Meschi
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases, Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Sabrina Coen
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases, Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Carla Iorio
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Maria Lanza
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Maggi
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases, Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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Focosi D, Maggi F. Respiratory delivery of passive immunotherapies for SARS-CoV-2 prophylaxis and therapy. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2023; 19:2260040. [PMID: 37799070 PMCID: PMC10561570 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2023.2260040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Convalescent plasma has been extensively tested during the COVID-19 pandemic as a transfusion product. Similarly, monoclonal antibodies have been largely administered either intravenously or intramuscularly. Nevertheless, when used against a respiratory pathogen, respiratory delivery is preferable to maximize the amount of antibody that reaches the entry door in order to prevent sustained viral multiplication. In this narrative review, we review the different types of inhalation device and summarize evidence from animal models and early clinical trials supporting the respiratory delivery (for either prophylactic or therapeutic purposes) of convalescent plasma or monoclonal antibodies (either full antibodies, single-chain variable fragments, or camelid-derived monoclonal heavy-chain only antibodies). Preliminary evidences from animal models suggest similar safety and noninferior efficacy, but efficacy evaluation from clinical trials is still limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Maggi
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS”, Rome, Italy
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Focosi D, Franchini M. COVID-19 convalescent plasma retains value for immunocompromised patients. Leukemia 2023; 37:1762-1763. [PMID: 37349597 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-023-01939-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | - Massimo Franchini
- Division of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, Carlo Poma Hospital, Mantua, Italy.
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Focosi D, Franchini M. Convalescent plasma regulation: A message in a bottle to the societies and regulatory authorities outside the US. Transfus Apher Sci 2023; 62:103715. [PMID: 37121870 DOI: 10.1016/j.transci.2023.103715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
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Franchini M, Focosi D. Targeting von Willebrand disease: the current status and future directions of management therapies. Expert Rev Hematol 2023; 16:871-878. [PMID: 37800892 DOI: 10.1080/17474086.2023.2268282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION von Willebrand disease (VWD) is the commonest inherited bleeding disorder, and is typically caused by deficits in the quantity or quality of von Willebrand factor (VWF). AREAS COVERED This review describes the main clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects of VWD, with particular attention to its management. In addition, standard and avant-garde replacement therapies based on the use of VWF are discussed. EXPERT OPINION The goal of treatment for VWD is to reverse the double hemostatic defect resulting from the abnormal or reduced expression of VWF and the concomitant factor VIII (FVIII) deficiency. Treatment consists of managing any bleeds and both short-term prophylaxis (i.e. for surgery or invasive procedures) and long-term prophylaxis. While desmopressin is suitable for most patients with type 1 VWD, VWF/FVIII concentrates are the treatment of choice for the other types of VWD. Beside plasma-derived VWF/FVIII concentrates, whose safety and efficacy have been demonstrated by several clinical trials, products containing only VWF, obtained by plasma fractionation and recombinant DNA technology, have become available and marketed more recently. The clinical use of these VWF-only products is particularly attractive in the setting of surgery and long-term prophylaxis, such as the prevention of recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding in cases of angiodysplasia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Franchini
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Hematology, Carlo Poma Hospital, Mantova, Italy
| | - Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
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Sullivan DJ, Focosi D, Hanley DF, Cruciani M, Franchini M, Ou J, Casadevall A, Paneth N. Outpatient regimens to reduce COVID-19 hospitalisations: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. medRxiv 2023:2022.05.24.22275478. [PMID: 35665014 PMCID: PMC9164452 DOI: 10.1101/2022.05.24.22275478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Background During pandemics, early outpatient treatments reduce the health system burden. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in COVID-19 outpatients have tested therapeutic agents, but no RCT or systematic review has been conducted comparing the efficacy of the main outpatient treatment classes to each other. We aimed in this systematic review of outpatient RCTs in COVID-19 to compare hospitalisation rate reductions with four classes of treatment: convalescent plasma, monoclonal antibodies, small molecule antivirals and repurposed drugs. Methods We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of all COVID-19 outpatient RCTs that included the endpoint of progression to hospitalisation. We assembled, from multiple published and preprint databases, participant characteristics, hospitalisations, resolution of symptoms and mortality from January 2020 to May 21, 2023. The risk of bias from COVID-NMA was incorporated into the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system. We measured heterogeneity with I 2 . Meta-analysis by a random or fixed effect model dependent on significant heterogeneity (I 2 >50%) was performed. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO, CRD42022369181. Findings The search identified 281 studies of which 54 RCTs for 30 diverse interventions were included in the final analysis. These trials, performed largely in unvaccinated cohorts during pre-Omicron waves, focused on populations with at least one COVID-19 hospitalisation risk factor. Grouping by class, monoclonal antibodies (OR=0.31 [95% CI=0.24-0.40]) had highest efficacy, followed by COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) (OR=0.69 [95% CI=0.53 to 0.90]) and small molecule antivirals (OR=0.78 [95% CI=0.48-1.33]) for hospital reduction. Repurposed drugs (OR=0.82 [95% CI-0.72-0.93]) had lower efficacy. Interpretation Inasmuch as omicron sublineages (XBB and BQ.1.1) are now resistant to monoclonal antibodies, oral antivirals are the preferred treatment in outpatients where available, but intravenous interventions from convalescent plasma to remdesivir are also effective and necessary in constrained medical resource settings or for acute and chronic COVID-19 in the immunocompromised. Funding US Department of Defense and National Institute of Health. Research in context Evidence before this study: We systematically searched the published and preprint data bases for outpatient randomized clinical trials of treatment of COVID-19 disease with hospitalisation as an endpoint. Previous systematic reviews and meta-analyses have confined the reviews to specific classes such as convalescent plasma, monoclonal antibodies, small molecule antivirals or repurposed drugs. Few comparisons have been made between these therapeutic classes. The trials took place both in the pre-vaccination and the vaccination era, spanning periods with dominance of different COVID variants. We sought to compare efficacy between the four classes of treatments listed above when used in outpatient COVID-19 patients as shown in randomized, placebo-controlled trials. Added value of this study This systematic review and meta-analysis brings together trials that assessed hospitalisation rates in diverse COVID-19 outpatient populations varying in age and comorbidities, permitting us to assess the efficacy of interventions both within and across therapeutic classes. While heterogeneity exists within and between these intervention classes, the meta-analysis can be placed in context of trial diverse populations over variant time periods of the pandemic. At present most of the world population has either had COVID-19 or been vaccinated with a high seropositivity rate, indicating that future placebo-controlled trials will be limited because of the sample sizes required to document hospitalisation outcomes. Implications of all the available evidence Numerous diverse therapeutic tools need to be ready for a resilient response to changing SARS-CoV-2 variants in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised COVID-19 outpatient populations. To date few head-to-head randomized controlled trials (RCTs) has compared treatment options for COVID-19 outpatients, making comparisons and treatment choices difficult. This systematic review compares outcomes among RCTs of outpatient therapy for COVID-19, taking into account time between onset of symptoms and treatment administration. We found that small-chemical antivirals, convalescent plasma and monoclonal antibodies had comparable efficacy between classes and amongst interventions within the four classes. Monoclonals have lost efficacy with viral mutation, and chemical antivirals have contraindications and adverse events, while intravenous interventions like convalescent plasma or remdesivir remain resilient options for the immunocompromised, and, in the case of CCP, in resource constrained settings with limited availability of oral drugs.
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Bloch EM, Focosi D, Shoham S, Senefeld J, Tobian AAR, Baden LR, Tiberghien P, Sullivan DJ, Cohn C, Dioverti V, Henderson JP, So-Osman C, Juskewitch JE, Razonable RR, Franchini M, Goel R, Grossman BJ, Casadevall A, Joyner MJ, Avery RK, Pirofski LA, Gebo KA. Guidance on the Use of Convalescent Plasma to Treat Immunocompromised Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019. Clin Infect Dis 2023; 76:2018-2024. [PMID: 36740590 PMCID: PMC10249987 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciad066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) convalescent plasma (CCP) is a safe and effective treatment for COVID-19 in immunocompromised (IC) patients. IC patients have a higher risk of persistent infection, severe disease, and death from COVID-19. Despite the continued clinical use of CCP to treat IC patients, the optimal dose, frequency/schedule, and duration of CCP treatment has yet to be determined, and related best practices guidelines are lacking. A group of individuals with expertise spanning infectious diseases, virology and transfusion medicine was assembled to render an expert opinion statement pertaining to the use of CCP for IC patients. For optimal effect, CCP should be recently and locally collected to match circulating variant. CCP should be considered for the treatment of IC patients with acute and protracted COVID-19; dosage depends on clinical setting (acute vs protracted COVID-19). CCP containing high-titer severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies, retains activity against circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants, which have otherwise rendered monoclonal antibodies ineffective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan M Bloch
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | - Shmuel Shoham
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jonathon Senefeld
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Aaron A R Tobian
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Lindsey R Baden
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Pierre Tiberghien
- Etablissement Français du Sang, La Plaine-St-Denis and Université de Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
| | - David J Sullivan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Claudia Cohn
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Veronica Dioverti
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jeffrey P Henderson
- Departments of Internal Medicine (Division of Infectious Diseases) and Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Cynthia So-Osman
- Department Transfusion Medicine, Division Blood Bank, Sanquin Blood Supply Foundation, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department Haematology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Justin E Juskewitch
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester campus, Minnesota, USA
| | - Raymund R Razonable
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Massimo Franchini
- Department of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, Carlo Poma Hospital, Mantua, Italy
| | - Ruchika Goel
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Simmons Cancer Institute at SIU School of Medicine and Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center, Springfield, Illinois, USA
| | - Brenda J Grossman
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Michael J Joyner
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Robin K Avery
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Liise-anne Pirofski
- Department of Medicine, Infectious Diseases, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Kelly A Gebo
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Mazzetti P, Spezia PG, Capria AL, Freer G, Sidoti M, Costarelli S, Cara A, Rosellini A, Frateschi S, Moscato G, Franconi I, Curcio M, Vatteroni ML, Lai M, Quaranta P, Focosi D, Sani S, Pistello M. SARS-CoV-2 evolution during persistent infection in a CAR-T recipient shows an escape to both sotrovimab and T-cell responses. J Clin Virol Plus 2023; 3:100149. [PMID: 37128202 PMCID: PMC10121064 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcvp.2023.100149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Pietro Giorgio Spezia
- Retrovirus Center and Virology Section, Department Translational Research, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Giulia Freer
- Retrovirus Center and Virology Section, Department Translational Research, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria Sidoti
- Virology Unit, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
- Retrovirus Center and Virology Section, Department Translational Research, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Silvia Costarelli
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Leghorn Hospital, Azienda USL Toscana Nord-Ovest, Italy
| | - Alice Cara
- Virology Unit, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Michele Curcio
- Immunogenetic Unit, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Michele Lai
- Retrovirus Center and Virology Section, Department Translational Research, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Paola Quaranta
- Retrovirus Center and Virology Section, Department Translational Research, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | - Spartaco Sani
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Leghorn Hospital, Azienda USL Toscana Nord-Ovest, Italy
| | - Mauro Pistello
- Virology Unit, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
- Retrovirus Center and Virology Section, Department Translational Research, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Focosi D, Gueli F, Gruber C, Giombini E, Maggi F. Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 sublineages reported from local cases in mainland China (September 2022-January 2023) and surveillance of outbound passengers. J Clin Virol Plus 2023; 3:100153. [PMID: 37251687 PMCID: PMC10207861 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcvp.2023.100153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Cesare Gruber
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases "L. Spallanzani" - IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Emanuela Giombini
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases "L. Spallanzani" - IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Maggi
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases "L. Spallanzani" - IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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Casadevall A, Joyner MJ, Pirofski LA, Senefeld JW, Shoham S, Sullivan D, Paneth N, Focosi D. Convalescent plasma therapy in COVID-19: Unravelling the data using the principles of antibody therapy. Expert Rev Respir Med 2023:1-15. [PMID: 37129285 DOI: 10.1080/17476348.2023.2208349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION When the COVID-19 pandemic struck no specific therapies were available and many turned to COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP), a form of antibody therapy. The literature provides mixed evidence for CCP efficacy. AREAS COVERED PubMed was searched using the words COVID-19 and convalescent plasma and individual study designs were evaluated for adherence to the three principles of antibody therapy, i.e. that plasma 1) contain specific antibody; 2) have enough specific antibody to mediate a biological effect; and 3) be administered early in the course of disease. Using this approach, a diverse and seemingly contradictory collection of clinical findings was distilled into a consistent picture whereby CCP was effective when used according to the above principles of antibody therapy. In addition, CCP therapy in immunocompromised patients is useful at any time in the course of disease. EXPERT OPINION CCP is safe and effective when used appropriately. Today, most of humanity has some immunity to SARS-CoV-2 from vaccines and infection, which has lessened the need for CCP in the general population. However, COVID-19 in immunocompromised patients is a major therapeutic challenge, and with the deauthorization of all SARS-CoV-2-spike protein-directed monoclonal antibodies, CCP is the only antibody therapy available for this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arturo Casadevall
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Michael J Joyner
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Liise-Anne Pirofski
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Jonathon W Senefeld
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Shmuel Shoham
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - David Sullivan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Nigel Paneth
- Departments of Epidemiology & Biostatistics and Pediatrics & Human Development, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
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Sullivan DJ, Franchini M, Senefeld JW, Joyner MJ, Casadevall A, Focosi D. Plasma after both SARS-CoV-2 boosted vaccination and COVID-19 potently neutralizes BQ.1.1 and XBB.1. J Gen Virol 2023; 104:001854. [PMID: 37167085 PMCID: PMC10336427 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent 2022 SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants, have acquired resistance to most neutralizing anti-Spike monoclonal antibodies authorized, and the BQ.1.* sublineages are notably resistant to all authorized monoclonal antibodies. Polyclonal antibodies from individuals both vaccinated and recently recovered from Omicron COVID-19 (VaxCCP) could retain new Omicron neutralizing activity. Here we reviewed BQ.1.* virus neutralization data from 920 individual patient samples from 43 separate cohorts defined by boosted vaccinations (Vax) with or without recent Omicron COVID-19, as well as infection without vaccination (CCP) to determine level of BQ.1.* neutralizing antibodies and percent of plasma samples with neutralizing activity. More than 90 % of the plasma samples from individuals in the recently (within 6 months) boosted VaxCCP study cohorts neutralized BQ.1.1, and BF.7 with 100 % neutralization of WA-1, BA.4/5, BA.4.6 and BA.2.75. The geometric mean of the geometric mean 50 % neutralizing titres (GM (GMT50) were 314, 78 and 204 for BQ.1.1, XBB.1 and BF.7, respectively. Compared to VaxCCP, plasma sampled from COVID-19 naïve subjects who also recently (within 6 months) received at least a third vaccine dose had about half of the GM (GMT50) for all viral variants. Boosted VaxCCP characterized by either recent vaccine dose or infection event within 6 months represents a robust, variant-resilient, neutralizing antibody source against the new Omicron BQ.1.1, XBB.1 and BF.7 variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J. Sullivan
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Massimo Franchini
- Division of Transfusion Medicine, Carlo Poma Hospital, 46100 Mantua, Italy
| | - Jonathon W. Senefeld
- Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55902, USA
| | - Michael J. Joyner
- Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55902, USA
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, 56124 Pisa, Italy
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Focosi D, Maggi F. Second-Generation SARS-CoV-2 Recombinants: Lessons from Other Viruses. Viruses 2023; 15:v15051063. [PMID: 37243149 DOI: 10.3390/v15051063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA viruses have developed notable strategies to evolve and escape host immunity [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Maggi
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases "Lazzaro Spallanzani", 00149 Rome, Italy
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Focosi D. A Web Tool to Estimate Baseline Anti-Spike Monoclonal Antibody Efficacy Based on Regional Genomic Surveillance. Viruses 2023; 15:v15051048. [PMID: 37243134 DOI: 10.3390/v15051048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug appropriateness is a pillar of modern evidence-based medicine, but the turnaround times of genomic sequencing are not compatible with the urgent need to deliver treatments against microorganisms. Massive worldwide genomic surveillance has created an unprecedented landscape for exploiting viral sequencing for therapeutic purposes. When it comes to therapeutic antiviral antibodies, using IC50 against specific polymorphisms of the target antigen can be calculated in vitro, and a list of mutations leading to drug resistance (immune escape) can be compiled. The author encountered this type of knowledge (available from the Stanford University Coronavirus Antiviral Resistance Database,) in a publicly accessible repository of SARS-CoV-2 sequences. The author used a custom function of the CoV-Spectrum.org web portal to deliver up-to-date, regional prevalence estimates of baseline efficacy for each authorized anti-spike mAb across all co-circulating SARS-CoV-2 sublineages at a given time point. This publicly accessible tool can inform therapeutic choices that would otherwise be blind.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, 56124 Pisa, Italy
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41
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Sullivan DJ, Franchini M, Senefeld JW, Joyner MJ, Casadevall A, Focosi D. Outpatient Treatment of Confirmed COVID-19. Ann Intern Med 2023; 176:eL230099. [PMID: 37068278 DOI: 10.7326/l23-0099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/19/2023] Open
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Franchini M, Zaffanello M, Focosi D. Current factor IX replacement options for hemophilia B and the challenges ahead. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2023; 24:729-736. [PMID: 36963373 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2023.2196012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/26/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Therapy for hemophilia B is aimed at replacing the congenital deficiency of coagulation factor IX (FIX). For replacement therapy, several FIX concentrates derived from donated human plasma or engineered by recombinant DNA technology are currently commercially available. The use of these products is well established and permit patients a relatively normal life. To further improve treatment efficacy, recombinant FIX products with a prolonged half-life have been developed, allowing relaxed prophylactic dosing and reducing treatment burden. AREAS COVERED In this review, we explore the current FIX replacement options for hemophilia B patients by analyzing the outcomes of their main clinical trials. We cover advances in the FIX molecules with extended half-life (EHL). Published literature on products for replacement of hemophilia B was retrieved using PubMed with no temporal limits. EXPERT OPINION The recent introduction of recombinant EHL FIX products has represented a major advance in the therapeutic management of hemophilia B patients, permitting both a reduction of treatment burden and improving patients' compliance to prophylaxis and, ultimately, quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Franchini
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Hematology, Carlo Poma Hospital, Mantua, Italy
| | - Marco Zaffanello
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Dentistry, Gynecology and Pediatrics, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, Italy
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43
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Haupenthal F, Rahn J, Maggi F, Gelas F, Bourgeois P, Hugo C, Jilma B, Böhmig GA, Herkner H, Wolzt M, Doberer K, Vossen M, Focosi D, Neuwirt H, Banas M, Banas B, Budde K, Viklicky O, Malvezzi P, Rostaing L, Rotmans JI, Bakker SJL, Eller K, Cejka D, Pérez AM, Rodriguez-Arias D, König F, Bond G. A multicentre, patient- and assessor-blinded, non-inferiority, randomised and controlled phase II trial to compare standard and torque teno virus-guided immunosuppression in kidney transplant recipients in the first year after transplantation: TTVguideIT. Trials 2023; 24:213. [PMID: 36949445 PMCID: PMC10032258 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-023-07216-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immunosuppression after kidney transplantation is mainly guided via plasma tacrolimus trough level, which cannot sufficiently predict allograft rejection and infection. The plasma load of the non-pathogenic and highly prevalent torque teno virus (TTV) is associated with the immunosuppression of its host. Non-interventional studies suggest the use of TTV load to predict allograft rejection and infection. The primary objective of the current trial is to demonstrate the safety, tolerability and preliminary efficacy of TTV-guided immunosuppression. METHODS For this purpose, a randomised, controlled, interventional, two-arm, non-inferiority, patient- and assessor-blinded, investigator-driven phase II trial was designed. A total of 260 stable, low-immunological-risk adult recipients of a kidney graft with tacrolimus-based immunosuppression and TTV infection after month 3 post-transplantation will be recruited in 13 academic centres in six European countries. Subjects will be randomised in a 1:1 ratio (allocation concealment) to receive tacrolimus either guided by TTV load or according to the local centre standard for 9 months. The primary composite endpoint includes the occurrence of infections, biopsy-proven allograft rejection, graft loss, or death. The main secondary endpoints include estimated glomerular filtration rate, graft rejection detected by protocol biopsy at month 12 post-transplantation (including molecular microscopy), development of de novo donor-specific antibodies, health-related quality of life, and drug adherence. In parallel, a comprehensive biobank will be established including plasma, serum, urine and whole blood. The date of the first enrolment was August 2022 and the planned end is April 2025. DISCUSSION The assessment of individual kidney transplant recipient immune function might enable clinicians to personalise immunosuppression, thereby reducing infection and rejection. Moreover, the trial might act as a proof of principle for TTV-guided immunosuppression and thus pave the way for broader clinical applications, including as guidance for immune modulators or disease-modifying agents. TRIAL REGISTRATION EU CT-Number: 2022-500024-30-00.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederik Haupenthal
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jette Rahn
- Coordination Center for Clinical Trials, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Fabrizio Maggi
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases L. Spallanzani, Rome, Italy
| | - Fanny Gelas
- bioMérieux SA, Centre Christophe Merieux, Grenoble, France
| | | | - Christian Hugo
- Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus an der Technischen Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Bernd Jilma
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Georg A Böhmig
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Harald Herkner
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Wolzt
- Clinical Trials Coordination Centre, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Konstantin Doberer
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Matthias Vossen
- Division of Infectious diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Hannes Neuwirt
- Department of Internal Medicine IV, Nephrology and Hypertension, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Miriam Banas
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Bernhard Banas
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Klemens Budde
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ondrej Viklicky
- Transplant Center, Department of Nephrology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Paolo Malvezzi
- Department of Nephrology, Hemodialysis, Apheresis and Kidney Transplantation, CHU-Grenoble-Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Lionel Rostaing
- Department of Nephrology, Hemodialysis, Apheresis and Kidney Transplantation, CHU-Grenoble-Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Joris I Rotmans
- Department of Internal Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Stephan J L Bakker
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Kathrin Eller
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Daniel Cejka
- Ordensklinikum Linz GmbH Elisabethinen, Linz, Austria
| | - Alberto Molina Pérez
- Institute for Advanced Social Studies, Spanish National Research Council, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Franz König
- Center for Medical Statistics, Informatics and Intelligent Systems, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gregor Bond
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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Roberto G, Paoletti O, Ferraro S, Hyeraci G, Franchini M, Gini R, Focosi D, Tuccori M. Cases of acquired hemophilia A following COVID-19 vaccines: cogent safety signal or possible reporting/detection bias? Preliminary evidence from Tuscany, Italy. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf 2023; 32:694-699. [PMID: 36930740 DOI: 10.1002/pds.5615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Several case reports of acquired hemophilia A (AHA) following COVID19 vaccines were recently published. A possible increased incidence of AHA during the COVID19 vaccination campaign was also suggested. We aimed at generating evidence for the preliminary assessment of the association between AHA and COVID-19 vaccination through an ecological study in one Italian region, Tuscany. METHODS An ecological study was performed using the population-based administrative data source of Tuscany. Per each year between 2017 and 2021, we included patients aged 5+ and active into the database as of January 1st. Temporal patterns of annual incidence of possible AHA cases and AHA-tested patients were respectively observed. The rates of possible AHA cases per AHA-tested patients were calculated in 2021 and 2017-2019, respectively (calendar year 2020 was excluded because non-representative of the pre-pandemic era). Age-sex standardization was applied. Poisson's 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were estimated. Statically significant differences were defined as absence of 95%CI overlap. RESULTS In 2021, standardized incidence of both possible AHA cases (5.6/million subjects/year;95%CI=3.4-8.7) and AHA-tested patients (60.7/1000 subjects/year; 95%CI=60.4-60.9) showed the lowest point estimates, though only the latter was statistically different compared to previous calendar years. The standardized rate of possible AHA cases per AHA-tested patients was 9.2/100,000 (95%CI=5.6-14.3) in 2021 and 12.5/100,000 (95%CI=8.2-18.1) during 2017-2019. CONCLUSIONS These preliminary findings do not support the hypothesis of an increased incidence of AHA cases during the COVID-19 vaccination campaign. However, in 2021, the still ongoing healthcare access restrictions might have contributed to the low incidence of AHA and laboratory tests observed. Therefore, large-scale multi-database studies are warranted. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Olga Paoletti
- Agenzia regionale di sanità della Toscana, Florence, Italy
| | - Sara Ferraro
- University of Pisa, Department of Clinical and experimental medicines, Pharmacovigilance unit, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giulia Hyeraci
- Agenzia regionale di sanità della Toscana, Florence, Italy
| | - Massimo Franchini
- Division of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, Carlo Poma Hospital, Mantua, Italy
| | - Rosa Gini
- Agenzia regionale di sanità della Toscana, Florence, Italy
| | - Daniele Focosi
- University Hospital of Pisa, Blood Bank of Tuscany, North-West Local Health Unit, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marco Tuccori
- University of Pisa, Department of Clinical and experimental medicines, Pharmacovigilance unit, Pisa, Italy
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45
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Casadevall A, Focosi D. SARS-CoV-2 variants resistant to monoclonal antibodies in immunocompromised patients constitute a public health concern. J Clin Invest 2023; 133:e168603. [PMID: 36919696 PMCID: PMC10014096 DOI: 10.1172/jci168603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 in immunocompromised hosts has emerged as a difficult therapeutic management problem. Immunocompromised hosts mount weak responses to SARS-CoV-2 and manifest infection outcomes ranging from severe disease to persistent infection. Weakened immune systems mean greater viral loads and increased opportunities for viral evolution. Gupta, Konnova, et al. report the emergence of resistant SARS-CoV-2 variants in immunocompromised patients after monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy. mAbs target only a single determinant in the viral Spike protein, which is a weakness of such therapy when treating a mutagenic and variable virus. Hence, the emergence of mAb resistance could have been anticipated, but its documentation is important because it has major public health implications, since such resistant variants have the potential to spread and escape vaccine immunity. For immunocompromised patients, these findings suggest the need for combination therapy with antiviral drugs and the use of polyclonal antibody preparations such as convalescent plasma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arturo Casadevall
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
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46
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Focosi D, Maggi F. How SARS-CoV-2 Big Data Are Challenging Viral Taxonomy Rules. Viruses 2023; 15:v15030715. [PMID: 36992424 PMCID: PMC10057109 DOI: 10.3390/v15030715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequencing has peaked to unprecedented compared to other viruses [...]
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Fabrizio Maggi
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases “L. Spallanzani”-IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy
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47
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Focosi D, Spezia PG, Capria AL, Gueli F, McConnell S, Novazzi F, Pistello M. Rise of the BQ.1.1.37 SARS-CoV-2 Sublineage, Italy. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:diagnostics13051000. [PMID: 36900144 PMCID: PMC10001149 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13051000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BQ.1.1 has dominated the Europe and Americas COVID-19 wave across the 2022-2023 winter, and further viral evolution is expected to escape the consolidating immune responses. We report here the emergence of the BQ.1.1.37 variant in Italy, peaking in January 2022 before suffering competition by XBB.1.*. We attempted to correlate the potential fitness of BQ.1.1.37 with a unique two-amino acid insertion within the Spike protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, 56124 Pisa, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | | | - Anna-Lisa Capria
- Division of Virology, Pisa University Hospital, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Scott McConnell
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Federica Novazzi
- Laboratory of Microbiology, ASST Sette Laghi, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Mauro Pistello
- Division of Virology, Pisa University Hospital, 56124 Pisa, Italy
- Laboratory of Microbiology, ASST Sette Laghi, 21100 Varese, Italy
- Retrovirus Center and Virology Section, Department of Translational Research, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy
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48
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Mauro FR, Visentin A, Giannarelli D, Molinari MC, Proietti G, Petrella M, Angotzi F, Pepe S, Trentin L, Baroncelli S, Giombini E, Meschi S, Maggi F, Focosi D. Pre-exposure prophylaxis with tixagevimab/cilgavimab in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia treated with targeted agents. Br J Haematol 2023; 201:564-567. [PMID: 36810731 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.18701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca R Mauro
- Hematology, Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Visentin
- Hematology and Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
| | - Diana Giannarelli
- Design and Analysis of Clinical Trials Unit, Scientific Directorate, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria C Molinari
- Hematology, Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Proietti
- Hematology, Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Petrella
- Hematology and Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
| | - Francesco Angotzi
- Hematology and Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
| | - Sara Pepe
- Hematology, Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Livio Trentin
- Hematology and Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
| | - Silvia Baroncelli
- National Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Emanuela Giombini
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases 'Lazzaro Spallanzani' (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Meschi
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases 'Lazzaro Spallanzani' (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Maggi
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases 'Lazzaro Spallanzani' (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
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Focosi D, Joyner MJ, Casadevall A. Recent Hybrid Plasma Better Neutralizes Omicron Sublineages Than Old Hyperimmune Serum. Clin Infect Dis 2023; 76:554. [PMID: 36074894 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciac742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | - Michael J Joyner
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health and School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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50
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Focosi D, McConnell S, Shoham S, Casadevall A, Maggi F, Antonelli G. Nirmatrelvir and COVID-19: development, pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy, resistance, relapse, and pharmacoeconomics. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2023; 61:106708. [PMID: 36603694 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2022.106708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (N/R) is one of the most effective antiviral drugs against SARS-CoV-2. The preclinical development, pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of N/R are reviewed herein. Randomized clinical trials have been conducted exclusively with pre-Omicron variants of concern, but in vitro studies show that efficacy against all Omicron sublineages is preserved, as confirmed by post-marketing observational studies. Nevertheless, investigations of large viral genome repositories have shown that mutation in the main protease causing resistance to N/R are increasingly frequent. In addition, virological and clinical rebounds after N/R discontinuation have been reported in immunocompetent patients. This finding is of concern when translated to immunocompromised patients, in whom N/R efficacy has not been formally investigated in clinical trials. Economical sustainability and perspectives for this therapeutic arena are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Scott McConnell
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health and School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Shmuel Shoham
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health and School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health and School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Fabrizio Maggi
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases "Spallanzani", Rome, Italy
| | - Guido Antonelli
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, and Sapienza University Hospital "Policlinico Umberto I", Rome, Italy
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