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Baxter C, Crary I, Coler B, Marcell L, Huebner EM, Rutz S, Adams Waldorf KM. Addressing a broken drug pipeline for preterm birth: why early preterm birth is an orphan disease. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2023; 229:647-655. [PMID: 37516401 PMCID: PMC10818026 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2023.07.042] [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: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
Preterm birth remains one of the most urgent unresolved medical problems in obstetrics, yet only 2 therapeutics for preventing preterm birth have ever been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration, and neither remains on the market. The recent withdrawal of 17-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17-OHPC, Makena) marks a new but familiar era for obstetrics with no Food and Drug Administration-approved pharmaceuticals to address preterm birth. The lack of pharmaceuticals reflects a broad and ineffective pipeline hindered by extensive regulatory hurdles, soaring costs of performing drug research, and concerns regarding adverse effects among a particularly vulnerable population. The pharmaceutical industry has historically limited investments in research for diseases with similarly small markets, such as cystic fibrosis, given their rarity and diminished projected financial return. The Orphan Drug Act, however, incentivizes drug development for "orphan diseases", defined as affecting <200,000 people in the United States annually. Although the total number of preterm births in the United States exceeds this threshold annually, the early subset of preterm birth (<34 weeks' gestation) would qualify, which is predominantly caused by inflammation and infection. The scientific rationale for classifying preterm birth into early and late subsets is strong given that their etiologies differ, and therapeutics that may be efficacious for one subset may not work for the other. For example, antiinflammatory therapeutics would be expected to be highly effective for early but not late preterm birth. A robust therapeutic pipeline of antiinflammatory drugs already exists, which could be used to target spontaneous early preterm birth, in combination with antibiotics shown to sterilize the amniotic cavity. New applications for therapeutics targeting spontaneous early preterm birth could categorize as orphan disease drugs, which could revitalize the preterm birth therapeutic pipeline. Herein, we describe why drugs targeting early preterm birth should qualify for orphan status, which may increase pharmaceutical interest for this vitally important obstetrical condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carly Baxter
- School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Isabelle Crary
- School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Brahm Coler
- Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University, Spokane, WA
| | - Lauren Marcell
- School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | | | - Sara Rutz
- School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Kristina M Adams Waldorf
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA.
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Marcell L, Dokania E, Navia I, Baxter C, Crary I, Rutz S, Soto Monteverde MJ, Simlai S, Hernandez C, Huebner EM, Sanchez M, Cox E, Stonehill A, Koltai K, Adams Waldorf KM. One Vax Two Lives: a social media campaign and research program to address COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in pregnancy. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2022; 227:685-695.e2. [PMID: 35752303 PMCID: PMC9221742 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2022.06.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected pregnant people by increasing health risks of maternal morbidity and mortality, stillbirth, and preterm birth. Although numerous studies have supported the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy in preventing or mitigating the risk for these adverse outcomes, many pregnant people remain hesitant. Approximately half of US adults regularly consume news from social media platforms, which are a fertile ground for the spread of vaccine disinformation. The lack of information regarding COVID-19 vaccine safety early in the pandemic fueled vaccine myths targeting the fears of pregnant people about vaccination risks. Saddened by the spike in maternal deaths of unvaccinated individuals during the COVID-19 Delta variant surge in the fall of 2021, we created a social media campaign to promote scientific communication regarding the risks of COVID-19 disease in pregnancy and the benefits of vaccination. We called the campaign "One Vax Two Lives," which refers to the ability of 1 maternal vaccine to benefit the health and lives of both the pregnant individual and their fetus. We present a blueprint of how we leveraged a large, interdisciplinary student workforce to create a social media campaign and research program studying vaccine hesitancy, which can be replicated by other groups. Community engagement and partnerships with key stakeholders, such as the Washington State Department of Health, were essential for amplifying the campaign and providing our team with feedback on content and approach. We present the analytics of our social media advertisements, web articles, and video content that helped inform the iterative design process of the multimedia content. Moving forward, we are launching collaborative research programs to study vaccine hesitancy and inform the development of new social media content designed for pregnant individuals who are: (1) Spanish-speaking Hispanic/Latina/x, (2) Black or Afro-Latinx, and (3) residents of rural communities in the State of Washington. Data from these mixed methods studies will inform new communication campaigns to reach vaccine-hesitant individuals. Finally, we discuss lessons learned and how the most impactful elements of the campaign can be translated to related areas of maternal public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Marcell
- School of Medicine and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Ekta Dokania
- Department of Communication, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Ikram Navia
- Department of Communication, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Carly Baxter
- School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Isabelle Crary
- School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Sara Rutz
- School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | | | - Samriddhi Simlai
- Department of Communication, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | | | | | - Magali Sanchez
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Elizabeth Cox
- School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Alex Stonehill
- Department of Communication, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Kolina Koltai
- Center for an Informed Public, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Kristina M Adams Waldorf
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA.
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Furuta A, Brokaw A, Manuel G, Dacanay M, Marcell L, Seepersaud R, Rajagopal L, Adams Waldorf K. Bacterial and Host Determinants of Group B Streptococcal Infection of the Neonate and Infant. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:820365. [PMID: 35265059 PMCID: PMC8899651 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.820365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Group B streptococci (GBS) are Gram-positive β-hemolytic bacteria that can cause serious and life-threatening infections in neonates manifesting as sepsis, pneumonia, meningitis, osteomyelitis, and/or septic arthritis. Invasive GBS infections in neonates in the first week of life are referred to as early-onset disease (EOD) and thought to be acquired by the fetus through exposure to GBS in utero or to vaginal fluids during birth. Late-onset disease (LOD) refers to invasive GBS infections between 7 and 89 days of life. LOD transmission routes are incompletely understood, but may include breast milk, household contacts, nosocomial, or community sources. Invasive GBS infections and particularly meningitis may result in significant neurodevelopmental injury and long-term disability that persists into childhood and adulthood. Globally, EOD and LOD occur in more than 300,000 neonates and infants annually, resulting in 90,000 infant deaths and leaving more than 10,000 infants with a lifelong disability. In this review, we discuss the clinical impact of invasive GBS neonatal infections and then summarize virulence and host factors that allow the bacteria to exploit the developing neonatal immune system and target organs. Specifically, we consider the mechanisms known to enable GBS invasion into the neonatal lung, blood vessels and brain. Understanding mechanisms of GBS invasion and pathogenesis relevant to infections in the neonate and infant may inform the development of therapeutics to prevent or mitigate injury, as well as improve risk stratification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Furuta
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States.,Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Alyssa Brokaw
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States.,Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Gygeria Manuel
- Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Matthew Dacanay
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Lauren Marcell
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Ravin Seepersaud
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Lakshmi Rajagopal
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States.,Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Kristina Adams Waldorf
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.,Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Abstract
Chronic hepatitis C (HCV) is a common infection affecting 185 million people worldwide. The most common manifestation of chronic HCV is progressive liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, several systemic manifestations of HCV have been recognized and reported in the literature. The purpose of this review is to assimilate published literature based on evidence to categorize these extrahepatic manifestations with the likelihood of a causal association with HCV. Exciting recent developments have resulted in simple all oral interferon-free highly effective therapy for HCV. However, this treatment is also expensive and less accessible to most affected individuals as treatment recommendations are based on stage of liver fibrosis. Expanding the scope of HCV therapy to those with extrahepatic manifestations beyond what is currently recommended will significantly reduce the morbidity and mortality in this aging population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia Tang
- Division of Clinical Care and Research, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 725 W Lombard St, Room S222, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Lauren Marcell
- Division of Clinical Care and Research, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 725 W Lombard St, Room S222, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Shyam Kottilil
- Division of Clinical Care and Research, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 725 W Lombard St, Room S222, Baltimore, MD USA
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Mattia JG, Vandy MJ, Chang JC, Platt DE, Dierberg K, Bausch DG, Brooks T, Conteh S, Crozier I, Fowler RA, Kamara AP, Kang C, Mahadevan S, Mansaray Y, Marcell L, McKay G, O'Dempsey T, Parris V, Pinto R, Rangel A, Salam AP, Shantha J, Wolfman V, Yeh S, Chan AK, Mishra S. Early clinical sequelae of Ebola virus disease in Sierra Leone: a cross-sectional study. Lancet Infect Dis 2015; 16:331-8. [PMID: 26725449 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(15)00489-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2015] [Revised: 11/19/2015] [Accepted: 11/25/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Limited data are available on the prevalence and predictors of clinical sequelae in survivors of Ebola virus disease (EVD). The EVD Survivor Clinic in Port Loko, Sierra Leone, has provided clinical care for 603 of 661 survivors living in the district. We did a cross-sectional study to describe the prevalence, nature, and predictors of three key EVD sequelae (ocular, auditory, and articular) in this cohort of EVD survivors. METHODS We reviewed available clinical and laboratory records of consecutive patients assessed in the clinic between March 7, 2015, and April 24, 2015. We used univariate and multiple logistic regression to examine clinical and laboratory features of acute EVD with the following outcomes in convalescence: new ocular symptoms, uveitis, auditory symptoms, and arthralgias. FINDINGS Among 277 survivors (59% female), median age was 29 years (IQR 20-36) and median time from discharge from an EVD treatment facility to first survivor clinic visit was 121 days (82-151). Clinical sequelae were common, including arthralgias (n=210, 76%), new ocular symptoms (n=167, 60%), uveitis (n=50, 18%), and auditory symptoms (n=67, 24%). Higher Ebola viral load at acute EVD presentation (as shown by lower cycle thresholds on real-time RT-PCR testing) was independently associated with uveitis (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 3·33, 95% CI 1·87-5·91, for every five-point decrease in cycle threshold) and with new ocular symptoms or ocular diagnoses (aOR 3·04, 95% CI 1·87-4·94). INTERPRETATION Clinical sequelae during early EVD convalescence are common and sometimes sight threatening. These findings underscore the need for early clinical follow-up of survivors of EVD and urgent provision of ocular care as part of health systems strengthening in EVD-affected west African countries. FUNDING Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
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Affiliation(s)
- John G Mattia
- National Eye Health Program, Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone; Christian Blind Mission, Baptist Eye Hospital Lunsar and Lowell and Ruth Gess UMC Eye Hospital, Kissy, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Mathew J Vandy
- National Eye Health Program, Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | | | | | | | | | - Tim Brooks
- Public Health England Port Loko Laboratory, Port Loko, Sierra Leone
| | | | - Ian Crozier
- World Health Organization, Sierra Leone Ebola Response Team, Freetown, Sierra Leone; Infectious Diseases Institute, Mulago Hospital Complex, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Robert A Fowler
- World Health Organization, Sierra Leone Ebola Response Team, Freetown, Sierra Leone; Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Amadu P Kamara
- National Eye Health Program, Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone; Christian Blind Mission, Baptist Eye Hospital Lunsar and Lowell and Ruth Gess UMC Eye Hospital, Kissy, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Cindy Kang
- Partners in Health, Port Loko, Sierra Leone
| | | | - Yealie Mansaray
- National Eye Health Program, Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone; Christian Blind Mission, Baptist Eye Hospital Lunsar and Lowell and Ruth Gess UMC Eye Hospital, Kissy, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | | | | | - Tim O'Dempsey
- World Health Organization, Sierra Leone Ebola Response Team, Freetown, Sierra Leone; Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | | | - Ruxandra Pinto
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada
| | - Audrey Rangel
- International Medical Corps, Port Loko, Sierra Leone
| | | | - Jessica Shantha
- Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, USA
| | | | - Steven Yeh
- Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, USA
| | - Adrienne K Chan
- World Health Organization, Sierra Leone Ebola Response Team, Freetown, Sierra Leone; Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Dignitas International, Toronto, Canada
| | - Sharmistha Mishra
- World Health Organization, Sierra Leone Ebola Response Team, Freetown, Sierra Leone; Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
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