Long-term prevention of hereditary angioedema attacks with lanadelumab: The HELP OLE Study

Background

The aim was to evaluate long‐term effectiveness and safety of lanadelumab in patients ≥12 y old with hereditary angioedema (HAE) 1/2 (NCT02741596).

Methods

Rollover patients completing the HELP Study and continuing into HELP OLE received one lanadelumab 300 mg dose until first attack (dose‐and‐wait period), then 300 mg q2wks (regular dosing stage). Nonrollovers (newly enrolled) received lanadelumab 300 mg q2wks from day 0. Baseline attack rate for rollovers: ≥1 attack/4 weeks (based on run‐in period attack rate during HELP Study); for nonrollovers: historical attack rate ≥1 attack/12 weeks. The planned treatment period was 33 months.

Results

212 patients participated (109 rollovers, 103 nonrollovers); 81.6% completed ≥30 months on study (mean [SD], 29.6 [8.2] months). Lanadelumab markedly reduced mean HAE attack rate (reduction vs baseline: 87.4% overall). Patients were attack free for a mean of 97.7% of days during treatment; 81.8% and 68.9% of patients were attack free for ≥6 and ≥12 months, respectively. Angioedema Quality‐of‐Life total and domain scores improved from day 0 to end of study. Treatment‐emergent adverse events (TEAEs) (excluding HAE attacks) were reported by 97.2% of patients; most commonly injection site pain (47.2%) and viral upper respiratory tract infection (42.0%). Treatment‐related TEAEs were reported by 54.7% of patients. Most injection site reactions resolved within 1 hour (70.2%) or 1 day (92.6%). Six (2.8%) patients discontinued due to TEAEs. No treatment‐related serious TEAEs or deaths were reported. Eleven treatment‐related TEAEs of special interest were reported by seven (3.3%) patients.

Conclusion

Lanadelumab demonstrated sustained efficacy and acceptable tolerability with long‐term use in HAE patients.

Impact of lanadelumab on health-related quality of life in patients with hereditary angioedema in the HELP study

Background

An objective of the phase 3 HELP Study was to investigate the effect of lanadelumab on health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with hereditary angioedema (HAE).

Methods

Patients with HAE‐1/2 received either lanadelumab 150 mg every 4 weeks (q4wks; n = 28), 300 mg q4wks (n = 29), 300 mg every 2 weeks (q2wks; n = 27), or placebo (n = 41) for 26 weeks (days 0–182). The Angioedema Quality of Life Questionnaire (AE‐QoL) was administered monthly, consisting of four domain (functioning, fatigue/mood, fears/shame, nutrition) and total scores. The generic EQ‐5D‐5L questionnaire was administered on days 0, 98, and 182. Comparisons were made between placebo and (a) all lanadelumab‐treated patients and (b) individual lanadelumab groups for changes in scores (day 0–182) and proportions achieving the minimal clinically important difference (MCID, −6) in AE‐QoL total score.

Results

Compared with the placebo group, the lanadelumab total group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in AE‐QoL total and domain scores (mean change, −13.0 to −29.3; p < 0.05 for all); the largest improvement was in functioning. A significantly greater proportion of the lanadelumab total group achieved the MCID (70% vs 37%; p = 0.001). The lanadelumab 300 mg q2wks group had the highest proportion (81%; p = 0.001) and was 7.2 times more likely to achieve the MCID than the placebo group. Mean EQ‐5D‐5L scores at day 0 were high in all groups, indicating low impairment, with no significant changes at day 182.

Conclusion

Patients with HAE‐1/2 experienced significant and clinically meaningful improvements in HRQoL measured by AE‐QoL following lanadelumab treatment in the HELP Study.

Lanadelumab demonstrates rapid and sustained prevention of hereditary angioedema attacks

Background

Lanadelumab demonstrated efficacy in preventing hereditary angioedema (HAE) attacks in the phase 3 HELP Study.

Objective

To assess time to onset of effect and long‐term efficacy of lanadelumab, based on exploratory findings from the HELP Study.

Methods

Eligible patients with HAE type I/II received lanadelumab 150 mg every 4 weeks (q4wks), 300 mg q4wks, 300 mg q2wks, or placebo. Ad hoc analyses evaluated day 0‐69 findings using a Poisson regression model accounting for overdispersion. Least‐squares mean monthly HAE attack rate for lanadelumab was compared with placebo. Intrapatient comparisons for days 0‐69 versus steady state (days 70‐182) used a paired t test for continuous endpoints or Kappa statistics for categorical endpoints.

Results

One hundred twenty‐five patients were randomized and treated. During days 0‐69, mean monthly attack rate was significantly lower with lanadelumab (0.41‐0.76) vs placebo (2.04), including attacks requiring acute treatment (0.33‐0.61 vs 1.66) and moderate/severe attacks (0.31‐0.48 vs 1.33, all P ≤ .001). More patients receiving lanadelumab vs placebo were attack free (37.9%‐48.1% vs 7.3%) and responders (85.7%‐100% vs 26.8%). During steady state, the efficacy of lanadelumab vs placebo was similar or improved vs days 0‐69. Intrapatient differences were significant with lanadelumab 300 mg q4wks for select outcomes. Lanadelumab efficacy was durable—HAE attack rate was consistently lower vs placebo, from the first 2 weeks of treatment through study end. Treatment emergent adverse events were comparable during days 0‐69 and 70‐182.

Conclusion

Protection with lanadelumab started from the first dose and continued throughout the entire study period.

The state of hepatitis B and C in the Mediterranean and Balkan countries: report from a summit conference

The burden of disease due to chronic viral hepatitis constitutes a global threat. In many Balkan and Mediterranean countries, the disease burden due to viral hepatitis remains largely unrecognized, including in high-risk groups and migrants, because of a lack of reliable epidemiological data, suggesting the need for better and targeted surveillance for public health gains. In many countries, the burden of chronic liver disease due to hepatitis B and C is increasing due to ageing of unvaccinated populations and migration, and a probable increase in drug injecting. Targeted vaccination strategies for hepatitis B virus (HBV) among risk groups and harm reduction interventions at adequate scale and coverage for injecting drug users are needed. Transmission of HBV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in healthcare settings and a higher prevalence of HBV and HCV among recipients of blood and blood products in the Balkan and North African countries highlight the need to implement and monitor universal precautions in these settings and use voluntary, nonremunerated, repeat donors. Progress in drug discovery has improved outcomes of treatment for both HBV and HCV, although access is limited by the high costs of these drugs and resources available for health care. Egypt, with the highest burden of hepatitis C in the world, provides treatment through its National Control Strategy. Addressing the burden of viral hepatitis in the Balkan and Mediterranean regions will require national commitments in the form of strategic plans, financial and human resources, normative guidance and technical support from regional agencies and research.

Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography in patients with upper abdominal pain: a prospective study

BACKGROUND/AIMS

To determine the role of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatogram with conventional abdominal magnetic resonance examination in patients presenting clinically with upper abdominal pain and abnormal liver function tests and to compare the findings with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram results.

METHODOLOGY

Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatogram and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram were done in 77 patients. Conventional magnetic resonance examination of the liver and upper abdomen was done first followed by magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatogram using a half fourrier single shot turbo spin echo sequence. Conventional endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram was done by direct intraductal injection of radiographic contrast material through a duodenoscope under fluoroscopy control.

RESULTS

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram failed in 7 patients (9%) and Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatogram images were inadequate in 3 patients (4%). The findings of adequate magnetic resonance exams in 74 patients were: choledocholithiasis in 24 patients (32%), bile duct stricture in 19 patients (26%), normal biliary ducts in 29 patients (39%) and dilated biliary ducts with no definite cause in 2 patients (3%). The findings of successful endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatograms in 67 patients after exclusion of inadequate magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatograms were: choledocholithiasis in 25 patients (37%), bile duct stricture in 18 patients (27%), normal biliary ducts in 21 patients (31%) and dilated biliary ducts with no evident cause in 2 patients (3%) and hemobilia in 1 patient (2%).

CONCLUSIONS

Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatogram is a non-invasive technique, its accuracy is increased if it is combined with conventional abdominal magnetic resonance exam and it can replace the endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram.

Selective use of perioperative ERCP in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Management of common bile duct stones in the era of laparoscopic surgery is still controversial. The purpose of this study is to investigate the safety, feasibility, success rate and short-term results of the selective use of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

METHODOLOGY

A prospective study comprising 300 consecutive patients with either symptomatic or complicated gallbladder stones was performed between January 1994 and November 1996. Depending on clinical, laboratory and ultrasonographic criteria, 73 patients (24.3%) underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with or without endoscopic sphincterotomy. The procedure was successful in 71 patients (97%) either preoperatively in 62 patients (21%) or postoperatively in 9 patients (3%).

RESULTS

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was positive in 37 cases (52%), endoscopic sphincterotomy and stone extraction was performed in 35 cases and endoscopic sphincterotomy alone was performed in 2 cases for benign papillary stenosis. The overall predictive value for the presence of common bile duct stone was 52%, the predictive value for patients with jaundice, dilated common bile duct together with elevated liver enzymes was 73.3%. Complications of perioperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography were encountered in 4 patients (5.5%) with no mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that the combination of perioperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a useful approach for the management of choledochocholelithiasis.

Nosocomial infections in the intensive care units at a university hospital in a developing country: comparison with National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance intensive care unit rates

OBJECTIVE

As a measure of the quality of care provided to patients in the intensive care unit, comparison of nosocomial infection rates with those of the National Nosocomial Infection surveillance was completed during a 3-year observation period.

DESIGN

The study design was a prospective study during 3 years between 1993 and 1995. During that period, patients at the medical/surgical and neurosurgical intensive care units and the high-risk nursery were surveyed for nosocomial infections. Device use, bloodstream infection, urinary tract infection, and ventilator-associated pneumonia nosocomial infection rates were calculated and compared with the National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance published rates for the same period.

SETTING

The study setting was the medical/surgical intensive care unit, the neurosurgical intensive care unit, and the high-risk nursery at the Jordan University Hospital.

RESULTS

Overall infection rates were 17.2 per 100 patients in the medical/surgical intensive care unit, 14.2 to 18.5 per 100 patients in the neurosurgical intensive care unit, and 13.4 to 73.5 per 100 patients in the high-risk nursery. When compared with the weight of the infants, these rates were 61.9 to 94 per 100 in infants weighing <1500 g, 26 to 30.8 per 100 patients in infants weighing >1500 g to 2500 g, and 11.7 to 14.4 per 100 in infants weighing >2500 g. Whereas device use was moderate, bloodstream infection and ventilator-associated pneumonia rates were >90th percentile for National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance in the high-risk nursery, and urinary tract infection was >90th percentile in the medical/surgical and neurosurgical intensive care units. Nosocomial infections at the intensive care units in developing countries need further investigation and control.