For a group of clinicians in Australia, the diagnosis of meningococcal arthritis was “straightforward” except for abnormal serum total protein, anemia, and immunoglobulin results, which suggested their patient might have a hematological disorder such as myeloma.

The patient came to the hospital after 4 days of worsening knee and arm pain so severe he could not stand. His knees and both wrists showed swelling but no palpable lymphadenopathy or hepatosplenomegaly. The patient’s medical history showed he was taking no regular medications.

Joint aspiration grew Neisseria meningitidis. The patient’s blood tests showed hemoglobin 126 g/dL, white blood cell count 15.3 x 10⁹/L, an unusually high total protein level (100 g/L), and an IgM kappa paraprotein band of 45 g/L on protein electrophoresis. A computed tomography scan showed widespread lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, and multilevel thoracic vertebral collapse. A bone marrow biopsy showed evidence of a lymphocytic infiltrate, with lymphoplasmacytoid differentiation.

The histology best fitted a diagnosis of nodal marginal zone lymphoma with plasmacytic differentiation, the clinicians say. Having ruled out other possibilities, they settled on non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Initially, the suspicion was that the patient had septic arthritis due to Staphylococcus aureus (the most common organism isolated in septic arthritis), and he was given piperacillin/tazobactam. That was changed to flucloxacillin and then to ceftriaxone after the result of N meningitidis. The patient also was treated with rituximab and bendamustine for the lymphoma with a complete remission.

Meningococcal infection presenting as septic arthritis in the case of invasive meningococcemia is rare, the clinicians say, but primary meningococcal arthritis is even rarer. The case highlights the important aspect that “diagnosis of one condition can lead to diagnosis of another”—in this case, the lymphoma-weakened immune system led to the symptoms of polyarthropathy and the diagnosis of primary meningococcal arthritis. The clinicians also cited a case of a patient who presented with meningococcal meningitis and arthritis who was found to have an underlying Waldenström disease, and a patient whose HIV was diagnosed again after the patient presented with meningococcal arthritis symptoms.

The clinicans say such cases underscore the importance of screening for an underlying impaired immune response in patients presenting with rare conditions such as meningococcal arthritis.

For a group of clinicians in Australia, the diagnosis of meningococcal arthritis was “straightforward” except for abnormal serum total protein, anemia, and immunoglobulin results, which suggested their patient might have a hematological disorder such as myeloma.

The patient came to the hospital after 4 days of worsening knee and arm pain so severe he could not stand. His knees and both wrists showed swelling but no palpable lymphadenopathy or hepatosplenomegaly. The patient’s medical history showed he was taking no regular medications.

Joint aspiration grew Neisseria meningitidis. The patient’s blood tests showed hemoglobin 126 g/dL, white blood cell count 15.3 x 10⁹/L, an unusually high total protein level (100 g/L), and an IgM kappa paraprotein band of 45 g/L on protein electrophoresis. A computed tomography scan showed widespread lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, and multilevel thoracic vertebral collapse. A bone marrow biopsy showed evidence of a lymphocytic infiltrate, with lymphoplasmacytoid differentiation.

The histology best fitted a diagnosis of nodal marginal zone lymphoma with plasmacytic differentiation, the clinicians say. Having ruled out other possibilities, they settled on non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Initially, the suspicion was that the patient had septic arthritis due to Staphylococcus aureus (the most common organism isolated in septic arthritis), and he was given piperacillin/tazobactam. That was changed to flucloxacillin and then to ceftriaxone after the result of N meningitidis. The patient also was treated with rituximab and bendamustine for the lymphoma with a complete remission.

Meningococcal infection presenting as septic arthritis in the case of invasive meningococcemia is rare, the clinicians say, but primary meningococcal arthritis is even rarer. The case highlights the important aspect that “diagnosis of one condition can lead to diagnosis of another”—in this case, the lymphoma-weakened immune system led to the symptoms of polyarthropathy and the diagnosis of primary meningococcal arthritis. The clinicians also cited a case of a patient who presented with meningococcal meningitis and arthritis who was found to have an underlying Waldenström disease, and a patient whose HIV was diagnosed again after the patient presented with meningococcal arthritis symptoms.

The clinicans say such cases underscore the importance of screening for an underlying impaired immune response in patients presenting with rare conditions such as meningococcal arthritis.

For a group of clinicians in Australia, the diagnosis of meningococcal arthritis was “straightforward” except for abnormal serum total protein, anemia, and immunoglobulin results, which suggested their patient might have a hematological disorder such as myeloma.

The patient came to the hospital after 4 days of worsening knee and arm pain so severe he could not stand. His knees and both wrists showed swelling but no palpable lymphadenopathy or hepatosplenomegaly. The patient’s medical history showed he was taking no regular medications.

Joint aspiration grew Neisseria meningitidis. The patient’s blood tests showed hemoglobin 126 g/dL, white blood cell count 15.3 x 10⁹/L, an unusually high total protein level (100 g/L), and an IgM kappa paraprotein band of 45 g/L on protein electrophoresis. A computed tomography scan showed widespread lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, and multilevel thoracic vertebral collapse. A bone marrow biopsy showed evidence of a lymphocytic infiltrate, with lymphoplasmacytoid differentiation.

The histology best fitted a diagnosis of nodal marginal zone lymphoma with plasmacytic differentiation, the clinicians say. Having ruled out other possibilities, they settled on non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Initially, the suspicion was that the patient had septic arthritis due to Staphylococcus aureus (the most common organism isolated in septic arthritis), and he was given piperacillin/tazobactam. That was changed to flucloxacillin and then to ceftriaxone after the result of N meningitidis. The patient also was treated with rituximab and bendamustine for the lymphoma with a complete remission.

Meningococcal infection presenting as septic arthritis in the case of invasive meningococcemia is rare, the clinicians say, but primary meningococcal arthritis is even rarer. The case highlights the important aspect that “diagnosis of one condition can lead to diagnosis of another”—in this case, the lymphoma-weakened immune system led to the symptoms of polyarthropathy and the diagnosis of primary meningococcal arthritis. The clinicians also cited a case of a patient who presented with meningococcal meningitis and arthritis who was found to have an underlying Waldenström disease, and a patient whose HIV was diagnosed again after the patient presented with meningococcal arthritis symptoms.

The clinicans say such cases underscore the importance of screening for an underlying impaired immune response in patients presenting with rare conditions such as meningococcal arthritis.

Why do some people need more—or less—sleep than others do? Scientists from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute say they have identified a group of genes that might help answer that question.

Using 13 generations of fruit flies bred to be long sleepers (18 hours a day) or short sleepers (3 hours a day), the researchers compared genetic data and identified 126 differences among 80 genes that seem to be associated with sleep duration. According to the researchers, the genetic differences were tied to several important developmental and cell signaling pathways, and some had known functions in brain development, learning, and memory.

The lifespans of the 2 groups of long and short sleepers did not differ from those of the flies with normal sleeping patterns. That suggests, the researchers say, that there are few physiologic consequences of being an extremely long or short sleeper.

The study is “an important step toward solving one of the biggest mysteries in biology: the need to sleep,” says study leader Susan Harbison, PhD. “The involvement of highly diverse biologic processes in sleep duration may help explain why the purpose of sleep has been so elusive.”

Why do some people need more—or less—sleep than others do? Scientists from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute say they have identified a group of genes that might help answer that question.

Using 13 generations of fruit flies bred to be long sleepers (18 hours a day) or short sleepers (3 hours a day), the researchers compared genetic data and identified 126 differences among 80 genes that seem to be associated with sleep duration. According to the researchers, the genetic differences were tied to several important developmental and cell signaling pathways, and some had known functions in brain development, learning, and memory.

The lifespans of the 2 groups of long and short sleepers did not differ from those of the flies with normal sleeping patterns. That suggests, the researchers say, that there are few physiologic consequences of being an extremely long or short sleeper.

The study is “an important step toward solving one of the biggest mysteries in biology: the need to sleep,” says study leader Susan Harbison, PhD. “The involvement of highly diverse biologic processes in sleep duration may help explain why the purpose of sleep has been so elusive.”

Why do some people need more—or less—sleep than others do? Scientists from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute say they have identified a group of genes that might help answer that question.

Using 13 generations of fruit flies bred to be long sleepers (18 hours a day) or short sleepers (3 hours a day), the researchers compared genetic data and identified 126 differences among 80 genes that seem to be associated with sleep duration. According to the researchers, the genetic differences were tied to several important developmental and cell signaling pathways, and some had known functions in brain development, learning, and memory.

The lifespans of the 2 groups of long and short sleepers did not differ from those of the flies with normal sleeping patterns. That suggests, the researchers say, that there are few physiologic consequences of being an extremely long or short sleeper.

The study is “an important step toward solving one of the biggest mysteries in biology: the need to sleep,” says study leader Susan Harbison, PhD. “The involvement of highly diverse biologic processes in sleep duration may help explain why the purpose of sleep has been so elusive.”

Photo by Larry Young

LA JOLLA, CA—Results of a phase 2 study suggest chidamide can produce durable responses in patients with relapsed/refractory natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (NKTCL).

The overall response rate was 57.2% in these patients, and the complete response (CR) rate was 28.6%.

Seven of 14 evaluable patients were still receiving chidamide and still in response at last follow-up. For one patient, this was 50 weeks from initiating treatment with chidamide.

“The response is quite promising and encouraging,” said study investigator Huiqiang Huang, MD, PhD, of Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center in Guangzhou, China.

“In terms of safety, the toxicity is mild to moderate.”

Dr Huang presented these results at the 10th Annual T-cell Lymphoma Forum.

This investigator-sponsored trial enrolled patients with relapsed/refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma, but Dr Huang presented results in NKTCL patients only.

There were 15 NKTCL patients, most of whom were male (n=12). Their median age was 41 (range, 17-65). All 15 had an ECOG status of 0 or 1, 9 had stage I/II disease, and 6 had B symptoms.

Nine patients had Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA levels of at least 1000 copy/mL at baseline, and 5 patients had lactate dehydrogenase levels of at least 245 U/L.

The patients had a median of 2 prior systemic therapies (range, 1-3), and 2 patients had undergone a transplant.

Efficacy

Patients received chidamide at 2 doses—10 mg daily or 30 mg twice a week. Dr Huang said both doses were effective against the lymphoma types studied, but the 30 mg twice-weekly dose appeared to be more effective for patients with NKTCL.

Fourteen NKTCL patients were evaluable for efficacy, and the median follow-up was 17.6 weeks (range, 2.6-50).

The overall response rate was 68.2% (6/14), and the CR rate was 28.6% (4/14). The disease control rate was 71.4%, meaning 10 of 14 patients had a CR, partial response (PR), or stable disease (SD).

Dr Huang noted that response was associated with elevated H3 acetylation level.

The median time to response was 5.25 weeks (range, 1.1-6.6).

As for duration of response, the 4 complete responders were still on treatment and in CR at last follow-up, which was 22.7 weeks, 38.1 weeks, 41.3 weeks, and 50 weeks, respectively, from treatment initiation.

Three of the 4 partial responders were still on treatment and in PR at 14.1 weeks, 26.9 weeks, and 32 weeks, respectively. Two patients with SD were still on treatment and in SD at 15.3 weeks and 15.9 weeks, respectively.

Three patients progressed while on treatment and died. A fourth patient died 2.6 weeks after treatment initiation.

Safety

Dr Huang noted that adverse events (AEs) were similar with the 2 dose groups. However, patients who received 30 mg biweekly had a higher incidence of gastrointestinal AEs.

Overall, the most common AEs were hematologic—anemia, thrombocytopenia, etc.—but dose reductions allowed for quick resolution of these AEs, according to Dr Huang.

AEs included:

• Lymphopenia—10 grade 1/2 and 1 grade 3/4
• Anemia—9 grade 1/2 and 3 grade 3/4
• Thrombocytopenia—7 grade 1/2 and grade 3/4
• Leukopenia—7 grade 1/2 and 6 grade 3/4
• Increased alanine aminotransferase—7 grade 1/2
• Neutropenia—6 grade 1/2 and 7 grade 3/4
• Increased aspartate aminotransferase—5 grade 1/2
• Hypoalbuminemia—4 grade 1/2
• Nausea—4 grade 1/2 and 1 grade 3/4
• Vomiting—3 grade 1/2
• Mucositis—2 grade 1/2
• Fatigue—2 grade 1/2
• Epistaxis—2 grade 1/2
• Abdominal distension—1 grade 1/2
• Loss of appetite—1 grade 1/2
• Diarrhea—1 grade 1/2
• Hyperbilirubinemia—1 grade 1/2
• Fever—1 grade 1/2 and grade 3/4
• Pain—1 grade 1/2
• Cough—1 grade 1/2
• Constipation—1 grade 1/2.

Dr Huang said EBV reactivation was not confirmed in this study. An elevated EBV DNA load was only observed in 2 patients with progressive disease.

Photo by Larry Young

LA JOLLA, CA—Results of a phase 2 study suggest chidamide can produce durable responses in patients with relapsed/refractory natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (NKTCL).

The overall response rate was 57.2% in these patients, and the complete response (CR) rate was 28.6%.

Seven of 14 evaluable patients were still receiving chidamide and still in response at last follow-up. For one patient, this was 50 weeks from initiating treatment with chidamide.

“The response is quite promising and encouraging,” said study investigator Huiqiang Huang, MD, PhD, of Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center in Guangzhou, China.

“In terms of safety, the toxicity is mild to moderate.”

Dr Huang presented these results at the 10th Annual T-cell Lymphoma Forum.

This investigator-sponsored trial enrolled patients with relapsed/refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma, but Dr Huang presented results in NKTCL patients only.

There were 15 NKTCL patients, most of whom were male (n=12). Their median age was 41 (range, 17-65). All 15 had an ECOG status of 0 or 1, 9 had stage I/II disease, and 6 had B symptoms.

Nine patients had Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA levels of at least 1000 copy/mL at baseline, and 5 patients had lactate dehydrogenase levels of at least 245 U/L.

The patients had a median of 2 prior systemic therapies (range, 1-3), and 2 patients had undergone a transplant.

Efficacy

Patients received chidamide at 2 doses—10 mg daily or 30 mg twice a week. Dr Huang said both doses were effective against the lymphoma types studied, but the 30 mg twice-weekly dose appeared to be more effective for patients with NKTCL.

Fourteen NKTCL patients were evaluable for efficacy, and the median follow-up was 17.6 weeks (range, 2.6-50).

The overall response rate was 68.2% (6/14), and the CR rate was 28.6% (4/14). The disease control rate was 71.4%, meaning 10 of 14 patients had a CR, partial response (PR), or stable disease (SD).

Dr Huang noted that response was associated with elevated H3 acetylation level.

The median time to response was 5.25 weeks (range, 1.1-6.6).

As for duration of response, the 4 complete responders were still on treatment and in CR at last follow-up, which was 22.7 weeks, 38.1 weeks, 41.3 weeks, and 50 weeks, respectively, from treatment initiation.

Three of the 4 partial responders were still on treatment and in PR at 14.1 weeks, 26.9 weeks, and 32 weeks, respectively. Two patients with SD were still on treatment and in SD at 15.3 weeks and 15.9 weeks, respectively.

Three patients progressed while on treatment and died. A fourth patient died 2.6 weeks after treatment initiation.

Safety

Dr Huang noted that adverse events (AEs) were similar with the 2 dose groups. However, patients who received 30 mg biweekly had a higher incidence of gastrointestinal AEs.

Overall, the most common AEs were hematologic—anemia, thrombocytopenia, etc.—but dose reductions allowed for quick resolution of these AEs, according to Dr Huang.

AEs included:

• Lymphopenia—10 grade 1/2 and 1 grade 3/4
• Anemia—9 grade 1/2 and 3 grade 3/4
• Thrombocytopenia—7 grade 1/2 and grade 3/4
• Leukopenia—7 grade 1/2 and 6 grade 3/4
• Increased alanine aminotransferase—7 grade 1/2
• Neutropenia—6 grade 1/2 and 7 grade 3/4
• Increased aspartate aminotransferase—5 grade 1/2
• Hypoalbuminemia—4 grade 1/2
• Nausea—4 grade 1/2 and 1 grade 3/4
• Vomiting—3 grade 1/2
• Mucositis—2 grade 1/2
• Fatigue—2 grade 1/2
• Epistaxis—2 grade 1/2
• Abdominal distension—1 grade 1/2
• Loss of appetite—1 grade 1/2
• Diarrhea—1 grade 1/2
• Hyperbilirubinemia—1 grade 1/2
• Fever—1 grade 1/2 and grade 3/4
• Pain—1 grade 1/2
• Cough—1 grade 1/2
• Constipation—1 grade 1/2.

Dr Huang said EBV reactivation was not confirmed in this study. An elevated EBV DNA load was only observed in 2 patients with progressive disease.

Photo by Larry Young

LA JOLLA, CA—Results of a phase 2 study suggest chidamide can produce durable responses in patients with relapsed/refractory natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (NKTCL).

The overall response rate was 57.2% in these patients, and the complete response (CR) rate was 28.6%.

Seven of 14 evaluable patients were still receiving chidamide and still in response at last follow-up. For one patient, this was 50 weeks from initiating treatment with chidamide.

“The response is quite promising and encouraging,” said study investigator Huiqiang Huang, MD, PhD, of Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center in Guangzhou, China.

“In terms of safety, the toxicity is mild to moderate.”

Dr Huang presented these results at the 10th Annual T-cell Lymphoma Forum.

This investigator-sponsored trial enrolled patients with relapsed/refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma, but Dr Huang presented results in NKTCL patients only.

There were 15 NKTCL patients, most of whom were male (n=12). Their median age was 41 (range, 17-65). All 15 had an ECOG status of 0 or 1, 9 had stage I/II disease, and 6 had B symptoms.

Nine patients had Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA levels of at least 1000 copy/mL at baseline, and 5 patients had lactate dehydrogenase levels of at least 245 U/L.

The patients had a median of 2 prior systemic therapies (range, 1-3), and 2 patients had undergone a transplant.

Efficacy

Patients received chidamide at 2 doses—10 mg daily or 30 mg twice a week. Dr Huang said both doses were effective against the lymphoma types studied, but the 30 mg twice-weekly dose appeared to be more effective for patients with NKTCL.

Fourteen NKTCL patients were evaluable for efficacy, and the median follow-up was 17.6 weeks (range, 2.6-50).

The overall response rate was 68.2% (6/14), and the CR rate was 28.6% (4/14). The disease control rate was 71.4%, meaning 10 of 14 patients had a CR, partial response (PR), or stable disease (SD).

Dr Huang noted that response was associated with elevated H3 acetylation level.

The median time to response was 5.25 weeks (range, 1.1-6.6).

As for duration of response, the 4 complete responders were still on treatment and in CR at last follow-up, which was 22.7 weeks, 38.1 weeks, 41.3 weeks, and 50 weeks, respectively, from treatment initiation.

Three of the 4 partial responders were still on treatment and in PR at 14.1 weeks, 26.9 weeks, and 32 weeks, respectively. Two patients with SD were still on treatment and in SD at 15.3 weeks and 15.9 weeks, respectively.

Three patients progressed while on treatment and died. A fourth patient died 2.6 weeks after treatment initiation.

Safety

Dr Huang noted that adverse events (AEs) were similar with the 2 dose groups. However, patients who received 30 mg biweekly had a higher incidence of gastrointestinal AEs.

Overall, the most common AEs were hematologic—anemia, thrombocytopenia, etc.—but dose reductions allowed for quick resolution of these AEs, according to Dr Huang.

AEs included:

• Lymphopenia—10 grade 1/2 and 1 grade 3/4
• Anemia—9 grade 1/2 and 3 grade 3/4
• Thrombocytopenia—7 grade 1/2 and grade 3/4
• Leukopenia—7 grade 1/2 and 6 grade 3/4
• Increased alanine aminotransferase—7 grade 1/2
• Neutropenia—6 grade 1/2 and 7 grade 3/4
• Increased aspartate aminotransferase—5 grade 1/2
• Hypoalbuminemia—4 grade 1/2
• Nausea—4 grade 1/2 and 1 grade 3/4
• Vomiting—3 grade 1/2
• Mucositis—2 grade 1/2
• Fatigue—2 grade 1/2
• Epistaxis—2 grade 1/2
• Abdominal distension—1 grade 1/2
• Loss of appetite—1 grade 1/2
• Diarrhea—1 grade 1/2
• Hyperbilirubinemia—1 grade 1/2
• Fever—1 grade 1/2 and grade 3/4
• Pain—1 grade 1/2
• Cough—1 grade 1/2
• Constipation—1 grade 1/2.

Dr Huang said EBV reactivation was not confirmed in this study. An elevated EBV DNA load was only observed in 2 patients with progressive disease.

Cancer Center

Adults with relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have better outcomes if they have a low disease burden when receiving chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, according to research published in NEJM.

The final analysis of a phase 1 trial showed that patients with a low disease burden at baseline had superior event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) after therapy, compared to patients with a high disease burden.

Patients with a low disease burden also had a lower rate of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurotoxic events.

“This is the longest follow-up study of people with ALL treated with CAR therapy,” said study author Jae Park, MD, of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, New York.

“With the long follow-up, we were able to demonstrate, for the first time, that patients with a lower disease burden benefited the most from CAR therapy, with significantly improved survival and reduced toxicity.”

The study included 53 adults with ALL who had a median age of 44 (range, 23-74).

They were heavily pretreated, with 68% receiving CAR T-cell therapy as a third or later salvage treatment. Thirty-six percent of patients had received an allogeneic transplant, and 23% had primary refractory disease.

In this trial, patients received a single infusion of 19-28z CAR T cells after conditioning chemotherapy. The maximum follow-up time was 5.5 years, with a median follow-up of 29 months.

In all, 83% of patients achieved a complete response. The median EFS was 6.1 months, and the median OS was 12.9 months.

The median EFS was significantly longer for patients with a low disease burden (<5% bone marrow blasts) compared to a high disease burden (≥5% bone marrow blasts or extramedullary disease)—10.6 months and 5.6 months, respectively (P=0.01).

The same was true for the median OS, which was 20.1 months in patients with a low disease burden and 12.4 months in those with a high disease burden (P=0.02).

For the entire study population, the rate of CRS was 85%, and 26% of patients had severe CRS. One patient died of severe CRS and multi-organ failure before the researchers began modifying the dose of CAR T cells according to the pretreatment disease burden.

Severe CRS occurred in 41% of patients with a high disease burden and 5% of those with a low disease burden.

In the entire study population, 2% of patients had grade 2 neurotoxic effects, 36% had grade 3, 6% had grade 4, and none had grade 5. The rate of severe neurotoxicity was 42%.

Neurotoxic effects occurred in 59% of patients with a high disease burden and 14% of those with a low disease burden.

“Among all of the clinical and disease factors we examined, pretreatment disease burden was the strongest predictor of long-term outcome after CAR therapy,” Dr Park said. “Our data supports the incorporation of CAR therapy in an earlier treatment setting in ALL, when the disease volume is small, so as to achieve the greatest long-term efficacy and lowest toxicity.”

This work was supported by Juno Therapeutics, the National Institutes of Health, the Carson Family Charitable Trust, the Emerald Foundation, the Mr. and Mrs. Goodwyn Commonwealth Fund, the Terry Fox Run for Cancer Research organized by the Canadian Association of New York, Kate’s Team, William Laurence and Blanche Hughes Foundation, the Center for Experimental Therapeutics at Memorial Sloan Kettering, and the Lake Road Foundation.

Cancer Center

Adults with relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have better outcomes if they have a low disease burden when receiving chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, according to research published in NEJM.

The final analysis of a phase 1 trial showed that patients with a low disease burden at baseline had superior event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) after therapy, compared to patients with a high disease burden.

Patients with a low disease burden also had a lower rate of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurotoxic events.

“This is the longest follow-up study of people with ALL treated with CAR therapy,” said study author Jae Park, MD, of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, New York.

“With the long follow-up, we were able to demonstrate, for the first time, that patients with a lower disease burden benefited the most from CAR therapy, with significantly improved survival and reduced toxicity.”

The study included 53 adults with ALL who had a median age of 44 (range, 23-74).

They were heavily pretreated, with 68% receiving CAR T-cell therapy as a third or later salvage treatment. Thirty-six percent of patients had received an allogeneic transplant, and 23% had primary refractory disease.

In this trial, patients received a single infusion of 19-28z CAR T cells after conditioning chemotherapy. The maximum follow-up time was 5.5 years, with a median follow-up of 29 months.

In all, 83% of patients achieved a complete response. The median EFS was 6.1 months, and the median OS was 12.9 months.

The median EFS was significantly longer for patients with a low disease burden (<5% bone marrow blasts) compared to a high disease burden (≥5% bone marrow blasts or extramedullary disease)—10.6 months and 5.6 months, respectively (P=0.01).

The same was true for the median OS, which was 20.1 months in patients with a low disease burden and 12.4 months in those with a high disease burden (P=0.02).

For the entire study population, the rate of CRS was 85%, and 26% of patients had severe CRS. One patient died of severe CRS and multi-organ failure before the researchers began modifying the dose of CAR T cells according to the pretreatment disease burden.

Severe CRS occurred in 41% of patients with a high disease burden and 5% of those with a low disease burden.

In the entire study population, 2% of patients had grade 2 neurotoxic effects, 36% had grade 3, 6% had grade 4, and none had grade 5. The rate of severe neurotoxicity was 42%.

Neurotoxic effects occurred in 59% of patients with a high disease burden and 14% of those with a low disease burden.

“Among all of the clinical and disease factors we examined, pretreatment disease burden was the strongest predictor of long-term outcome after CAR therapy,” Dr Park said. “Our data supports the incorporation of CAR therapy in an earlier treatment setting in ALL, when the disease volume is small, so as to achieve the greatest long-term efficacy and lowest toxicity.”

This work was supported by Juno Therapeutics, the National Institutes of Health, the Carson Family Charitable Trust, the Emerald Foundation, the Mr. and Mrs. Goodwyn Commonwealth Fund, the Terry Fox Run for Cancer Research organized by the Canadian Association of New York, Kate’s Team, William Laurence and Blanche Hughes Foundation, the Center for Experimental Therapeutics at Memorial Sloan Kettering, and the Lake Road Foundation.

Cancer Center

Adults with relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have better outcomes if they have a low disease burden when receiving chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, according to research published in NEJM.

The final analysis of a phase 1 trial showed that patients with a low disease burden at baseline had superior event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) after therapy, compared to patients with a high disease burden.

Patients with a low disease burden also had a lower rate of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurotoxic events.

“This is the longest follow-up study of people with ALL treated with CAR therapy,” said study author Jae Park, MD, of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, New York.

“With the long follow-up, we were able to demonstrate, for the first time, that patients with a lower disease burden benefited the most from CAR therapy, with significantly improved survival and reduced toxicity.”

The study included 53 adults with ALL who had a median age of 44 (range, 23-74).

They were heavily pretreated, with 68% receiving CAR T-cell therapy as a third or later salvage treatment. Thirty-six percent of patients had received an allogeneic transplant, and 23% had primary refractory disease.

In this trial, patients received a single infusion of 19-28z CAR T cells after conditioning chemotherapy. The maximum follow-up time was 5.5 years, with a median follow-up of 29 months.

In all, 83% of patients achieved a complete response. The median EFS was 6.1 months, and the median OS was 12.9 months.

The median EFS was significantly longer for patients with a low disease burden (<5% bone marrow blasts) compared to a high disease burden (≥5% bone marrow blasts or extramedullary disease)—10.6 months and 5.6 months, respectively (P=0.01).

The same was true for the median OS, which was 20.1 months in patients with a low disease burden and 12.4 months in those with a high disease burden (P=0.02).

For the entire study population, the rate of CRS was 85%, and 26% of patients had severe CRS. One patient died of severe CRS and multi-organ failure before the researchers began modifying the dose of CAR T cells according to the pretreatment disease burden.

Severe CRS occurred in 41% of patients with a high disease burden and 5% of those with a low disease burden.

In the entire study population, 2% of patients had grade 2 neurotoxic effects, 36% had grade 3, 6% had grade 4, and none had grade 5. The rate of severe neurotoxicity was 42%.

Neurotoxic effects occurred in 59% of patients with a high disease burden and 14% of those with a low disease burden.

“Among all of the clinical and disease factors we examined, pretreatment disease burden was the strongest predictor of long-term outcome after CAR therapy,” Dr Park said. “Our data supports the incorporation of CAR therapy in an earlier treatment setting in ALL, when the disease volume is small, so as to achieve the greatest long-term efficacy and lowest toxicity.”

This work was supported by Juno Therapeutics, the National Institutes of Health, the Carson Family Charitable Trust, the Emerald Foundation, the Mr. and Mrs. Goodwyn Commonwealth Fund, the Terry Fox Run for Cancer Research organized by the Canadian Association of New York, Kate’s Team, William Laurence and Blanche Hughes Foundation, the Center for Experimental Therapeutics at Memorial Sloan Kettering, and the Lake Road Foundation.

Photo courtesy of NIH

Researchers have recommended changes to international guidelines used in the development of clinical trials.

The group’s goal is to improve the use of patient-reported outcomes (PROs)—feedback from patients about how the clinical trial has affected their overall health and quality of life.

“Patient-reported outcome data from clinical trials can provide valuable evidence to inform shared-decision making, pharmaceutical labeling claims, clinical guidelines, and health policy,” said Melanie Calvert, PhD, of the University of Birmingham in Edgbaston, Birmingham, England.

“However, clinical trial protocols often lack important information regarding the collection of quality of life and symptom data. Working in collaboration with international stakeholders, we have developed consensus-based, PRO-specific protocol guidance to help ensure high-quality data to inform patient-centered care.”

Dr Calvert and her colleagues published the guidance in JAMA.

The guidance is known as the SPIRIT-PRO Extension. The SPIRIT (Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials) statement, which was published in 2013, was intended to improve trial protocols by providing evidence-based recommendations for the minimum set of items to be addressed.

To add a PRO component to SPIRIT, Dr Calvert and her colleagues conducted a systematic review of existing PRO-specific protocol guidance. A taskforce used this data to compile a list of potential PRO-specific protocol items.

The review revealed 162 PRO-specific protocol recommendations, and the task force reduced this to 56. After 138 international stakeholders and 99 Delphi panelists weighed in, the final recommendations were agreed upon by 29 participants at a consensus meeting.

The final recommendations include 11 extensions and 5 elaborations to the SPIRIT checklist. The recommendations focus on PRO-specific issues relating to objectives, eligibility criteria, data collection, monitoring, and other aspects of trials.

“While this guidance has been developed for trials where PROs are a primary or key secondary outcome, we are actively encouraging protocol writers to consider use of this guidance in all trials or clinical research studies where PROs are collected,” Dr Calvert said.

“The guidance does not aim to be prescriptive, but instead to encourage and facilitate careful planning of PRO components of trials and thereby improve PRO trial design, which we hope will help staff and patients understand the rationale for PRO assessment, improve PRO data completeness and quality, facilitate high-quality analysis and reporting, and ultimately improve the quality of the global PRO evidence base.”

Photo courtesy of NIH

Researchers have recommended changes to international guidelines used in the development of clinical trials.

The group’s goal is to improve the use of patient-reported outcomes (PROs)—feedback from patients about how the clinical trial has affected their overall health and quality of life.

“Patient-reported outcome data from clinical trials can provide valuable evidence to inform shared-decision making, pharmaceutical labeling claims, clinical guidelines, and health policy,” said Melanie Calvert, PhD, of the University of Birmingham in Edgbaston, Birmingham, England.

“However, clinical trial protocols often lack important information regarding the collection of quality of life and symptom data. Working in collaboration with international stakeholders, we have developed consensus-based, PRO-specific protocol guidance to help ensure high-quality data to inform patient-centered care.”

Dr Calvert and her colleagues published the guidance in JAMA.

The guidance is known as the SPIRIT-PRO Extension. The SPIRIT (Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials) statement, which was published in 2013, was intended to improve trial protocols by providing evidence-based recommendations for the minimum set of items to be addressed.

To add a PRO component to SPIRIT, Dr Calvert and her colleagues conducted a systematic review of existing PRO-specific protocol guidance. A taskforce used this data to compile a list of potential PRO-specific protocol items.

The review revealed 162 PRO-specific protocol recommendations, and the task force reduced this to 56. After 138 international stakeholders and 99 Delphi panelists weighed in, the final recommendations were agreed upon by 29 participants at a consensus meeting.

The final recommendations include 11 extensions and 5 elaborations to the SPIRIT checklist. The recommendations focus on PRO-specific issues relating to objectives, eligibility criteria, data collection, monitoring, and other aspects of trials.

“While this guidance has been developed for trials where PROs are a primary or key secondary outcome, we are actively encouraging protocol writers to consider use of this guidance in all trials or clinical research studies where PROs are collected,” Dr Calvert said.

“The guidance does not aim to be prescriptive, but instead to encourage and facilitate careful planning of PRO components of trials and thereby improve PRO trial design, which we hope will help staff and patients understand the rationale for PRO assessment, improve PRO data completeness and quality, facilitate high-quality analysis and reporting, and ultimately improve the quality of the global PRO evidence base.”

Photo courtesy of NIH

Researchers have recommended changes to international guidelines used in the development of clinical trials.

The group’s goal is to improve the use of patient-reported outcomes (PROs)—feedback from patients about how the clinical trial has affected their overall health and quality of life.

“Patient-reported outcome data from clinical trials can provide valuable evidence to inform shared-decision making, pharmaceutical labeling claims, clinical guidelines, and health policy,” said Melanie Calvert, PhD, of the University of Birmingham in Edgbaston, Birmingham, England.

“However, clinical trial protocols often lack important information regarding the collection of quality of life and symptom data. Working in collaboration with international stakeholders, we have developed consensus-based, PRO-specific protocol guidance to help ensure high-quality data to inform patient-centered care.”

Dr Calvert and her colleagues published the guidance in JAMA.

The guidance is known as the SPIRIT-PRO Extension. The SPIRIT (Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials) statement, which was published in 2013, was intended to improve trial protocols by providing evidence-based recommendations for the minimum set of items to be addressed.

To add a PRO component to SPIRIT, Dr Calvert and her colleagues conducted a systematic review of existing PRO-specific protocol guidance. A taskforce used this data to compile a list of potential PRO-specific protocol items.

The review revealed 162 PRO-specific protocol recommendations, and the task force reduced this to 56. After 138 international stakeholders and 99 Delphi panelists weighed in, the final recommendations were agreed upon by 29 participants at a consensus meeting.

The final recommendations include 11 extensions and 5 elaborations to the SPIRIT checklist. The recommendations focus on PRO-specific issues relating to objectives, eligibility criteria, data collection, monitoring, and other aspects of trials.

“While this guidance has been developed for trials where PROs are a primary or key secondary outcome, we are actively encouraging protocol writers to consider use of this guidance in all trials or clinical research studies where PROs are collected,” Dr Calvert said.

“The guidance does not aim to be prescriptive, but instead to encourage and facilitate careful planning of PRO components of trials and thereby improve PRO trial design, which we hope will help staff and patients understand the rationale for PRO assessment, improve PRO data completeness and quality, facilitate high-quality analysis and reporting, and ultimately improve the quality of the global PRO evidence base.”

The biopsy results indicated that the lesion was a dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP)—a malignant fibrotic tumor of the skin and subcutaneous tissues. Note that the shiny surface and multilobular appearance can be characteristic of DFSP, but not all DFSPs present this way. Some may just present as a growing, firm, subcutaneous painful tumor.

DFSPs resemble a large irregular dermatofibroma, but a dermatofibroma is not a precursor to this. A DFSP is a separate malignant tumor, and not the result of a dermatofibroma that is growing out of control. While DFSPs typically do not metastasize, they can be locally aggressive, with a high recurrence rate after standard surgery. Because of this, the FP referred the patient to a Mohs surgeon to perform the excision. Mohs surgery allowed the surgeon to look at all margins of the lesion under a microscope to get the highest possible cure rate.

Two years later, this patient had no signs of regrowth. The most important lesson with this case was that one should not rely on incomplete biopsy sampling, especially when there is continued growth and symptoms that suggest an undiagnosed malignancy.

Photos and text for Photo Rounds Friday courtesy of Richard P. Usatine, MD. This case was adapted from: Smith M. Usatine R. Dermatofibroma. In: Usatine R, Smith M, Mayeaux EJ, et al, eds. Color Atlas of Family Medicine. 2nd ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2013: 935-939.

To learn more about the Color Atlas of Family Medicine, see: www.amazon.com/Color-Family-Medicine-Richard-Usatine/dp/0071769641/

You can now get the second edition of the Color Atlas of Family Medicine as an app by clicking on this link: usatinemedia.com

The biopsy results indicated that the lesion was a dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP)—a malignant fibrotic tumor of the skin and subcutaneous tissues. Note that the shiny surface and multilobular appearance can be characteristic of DFSP, but not all DFSPs present this way. Some may just present as a growing, firm, subcutaneous painful tumor.

DFSPs resemble a large irregular dermatofibroma, but a dermatofibroma is not a precursor to this. A DFSP is a separate malignant tumor, and not the result of a dermatofibroma that is growing out of control. While DFSPs typically do not metastasize, they can be locally aggressive, with a high recurrence rate after standard surgery. Because of this, the FP referred the patient to a Mohs surgeon to perform the excision. Mohs surgery allowed the surgeon to look at all margins of the lesion under a microscope to get the highest possible cure rate.

Two years later, this patient had no signs of regrowth. The most important lesson with this case was that one should not rely on incomplete biopsy sampling, especially when there is continued growth and symptoms that suggest an undiagnosed malignancy.

Photos and text for Photo Rounds Friday courtesy of Richard P. Usatine, MD. This case was adapted from: Smith M. Usatine R. Dermatofibroma. In: Usatine R, Smith M, Mayeaux EJ, et al, eds. Color Atlas of Family Medicine. 2nd ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2013: 935-939.

To learn more about the Color Atlas of Family Medicine, see: www.amazon.com/Color-Family-Medicine-Richard-Usatine/dp/0071769641/

You can now get the second edition of the Color Atlas of Family Medicine as an app by clicking on this link: usatinemedia.com

The biopsy results indicated that the lesion was a dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP)—a malignant fibrotic tumor of the skin and subcutaneous tissues. Note that the shiny surface and multilobular appearance can be characteristic of DFSP, but not all DFSPs present this way. Some may just present as a growing, firm, subcutaneous painful tumor.

DFSPs resemble a large irregular dermatofibroma, but a dermatofibroma is not a precursor to this. A DFSP is a separate malignant tumor, and not the result of a dermatofibroma that is growing out of control. While DFSPs typically do not metastasize, they can be locally aggressive, with a high recurrence rate after standard surgery. Because of this, the FP referred the patient to a Mohs surgeon to perform the excision. Mohs surgery allowed the surgeon to look at all margins of the lesion under a microscope to get the highest possible cure rate.

Two years later, this patient had no signs of regrowth. The most important lesson with this case was that one should not rely on incomplete biopsy sampling, especially when there is continued growth and symptoms that suggest an undiagnosed malignancy.

Photos and text for Photo Rounds Friday courtesy of Richard P. Usatine, MD. This case was adapted from: Smith M. Usatine R. Dermatofibroma. In: Usatine R, Smith M, Mayeaux EJ, et al, eds. Color Atlas of Family Medicine. 2nd ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2013: 935-939.

To learn more about the Color Atlas of Family Medicine, see: www.amazon.com/Color-Family-Medicine-Richard-Usatine/dp/0071769641/

You can now get the second edition of the Color Atlas of Family Medicine as an app by clicking on this link: usatinemedia.com

ANSWER

The correct diagnosis is blue nevus (BN; choice “d”).

Some BNs can mimic melanomas (choice “a”), and vice versa. These cases often have to be sent to consultants, and sometimes even they can’t agree. For this reason, there is a low threshold for removal if there’s any question of change or family history of melanoma—which were missing in this case.

Kaposi sarcoma (KS; choice “b”) is a type of cancer caused by human herpesvirus-8 that affects the inner lining of blood vessels and manifests with dark macules or nodules. But outside the context of HIV/AIDS, KS is quite rare.

This lesion could have been an angioma (choice “c”), but its history and dark blue color made that diagnosis unlikely. In younger patients, angiomas are typically bright red. Only later, in the sixth and seventh decades of life, do they take on a dark appearance.

DISCUSSION

BNs are benign melanocytic nevi that typically appear on the trunk or upper extremities during the second or third decade of life. There are several varieties, the most common of which (and the type seen in this case) is Jadassohn-Tieche. The steel-blue color and planar surface of this patient’s lesion are typical.

Histologically, BNs are composed mostly of pigmented melanocytes that cong­regate deep in the dermis (unlike normal melanocytes, which typically line the dermo-epidermal junction). While these melanocytes are usually brown, they take on a bluish hue when they develop on a deeper level of skin—a phenomenon known as the Tyndall effect.

It can be challenging to differentiate a BN from a melanoma, even with a microscope. Sometimes the answer is to treat the lesion as though it were a melanoma by excising it with wide margins.

In this case, given the benign appearance and history, the decision was made to leave it alone unless it changes. Excision might have been a good option, but the patient’s type IV skin and the lesion’s location made scarring a likely possibility.

ANSWER

The correct diagnosis is blue nevus (BN; choice “d”).

Some BNs can mimic melanomas (choice “a”), and vice versa. These cases often have to be sent to consultants, and sometimes even they can’t agree. For this reason, there is a low threshold for removal if there’s any question of change or family history of melanoma—which were missing in this case.

Kaposi sarcoma (KS; choice “b”) is a type of cancer caused by human herpesvirus-8 that affects the inner lining of blood vessels and manifests with dark macules or nodules. But outside the context of HIV/AIDS, KS is quite rare.

This lesion could have been an angioma (choice “c”), but its history and dark blue color made that diagnosis unlikely. In younger patients, angiomas are typically bright red. Only later, in the sixth and seventh decades of life, do they take on a dark appearance.

DISCUSSION

BNs are benign melanocytic nevi that typically appear on the trunk or upper extremities during the second or third decade of life. There are several varieties, the most common of which (and the type seen in this case) is Jadassohn-Tieche. The steel-blue color and planar surface of this patient’s lesion are typical.

Histologically, BNs are composed mostly of pigmented melanocytes that cong­regate deep in the dermis (unlike normal melanocytes, which typically line the dermo-epidermal junction). While these melanocytes are usually brown, they take on a bluish hue when they develop on a deeper level of skin—a phenomenon known as the Tyndall effect.

It can be challenging to differentiate a BN from a melanoma, even with a microscope. Sometimes the answer is to treat the lesion as though it were a melanoma by excising it with wide margins.

In this case, given the benign appearance and history, the decision was made to leave it alone unless it changes. Excision might have been a good option, but the patient’s type IV skin and the lesion’s location made scarring a likely possibility.

ANSWER

The correct diagnosis is blue nevus (BN; choice “d”).

Some BNs can mimic melanomas (choice “a”), and vice versa. These cases often have to be sent to consultants, and sometimes even they can’t agree. For this reason, there is a low threshold for removal if there’s any question of change or family history of melanoma—which were missing in this case.

Kaposi sarcoma (KS; choice “b”) is a type of cancer caused by human herpesvirus-8 that affects the inner lining of blood vessels and manifests with dark macules or nodules. But outside the context of HIV/AIDS, KS is quite rare.

This lesion could have been an angioma (choice “c”), but its history and dark blue color made that diagnosis unlikely. In younger patients, angiomas are typically bright red. Only later, in the sixth and seventh decades of life, do they take on a dark appearance.

DISCUSSION

BNs are benign melanocytic nevi that typically appear on the trunk or upper extremities during the second or third decade of life. There are several varieties, the most common of which (and the type seen in this case) is Jadassohn-Tieche. The steel-blue color and planar surface of this patient’s lesion are typical.

Histologically, BNs are composed mostly of pigmented melanocytes that cong­regate deep in the dermis (unlike normal melanocytes, which typically line the dermo-epidermal junction). While these melanocytes are usually brown, they take on a bluish hue when they develop on a deeper level of skin—a phenomenon known as the Tyndall effect.

It can be challenging to differentiate a BN from a melanoma, even with a microscope. Sometimes the answer is to treat the lesion as though it were a melanoma by excising it with wide margins.

In this case, given the benign appearance and history, the decision was made to leave it alone unless it changes. Excision might have been a good option, but the patient’s type IV skin and the lesion’s location made scarring a likely possibility.

LOS ANGELES – A large survey of Asian Americans suggests that the group experiences more severe ischemic strokes and is less likely to receive intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) than do white patients, among other discrepancies. The research found that whites had declining stroke severity between 2004 and 2016, but there was no change in Asian Americans.

The research encompasses all self-identified Asian Americans in the Get-with-the-Guidelines stroke database, which is a voluntary stroke quality improvement program begun by the American Heart Association in 2003. The analysis included 64,337 Asian Americans and 1,707,962 white Americans at 2,171 hospitals nationwide that participated in the program during 2004-2016.

Jim Kling/Frontline Medical News

[email protected]

SOURCE: Song S et al. ISC 2018, Abstract TMP75.

LOS ANGELES – A large survey of Asian Americans suggests that the group experiences more severe ischemic strokes and is less likely to receive intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) than do white patients, among other discrepancies. The research found that whites had declining stroke severity between 2004 and 2016, but there was no change in Asian Americans.

The research encompasses all self-identified Asian Americans in the Get-with-the-Guidelines stroke database, which is a voluntary stroke quality improvement program begun by the American Heart Association in 2003. The analysis included 64,337 Asian Americans and 1,707,962 white Americans at 2,171 hospitals nationwide that participated in the program during 2004-2016.

Jim Kling/Frontline Medical News

[email protected]

SOURCE: Song S et al. ISC 2018, Abstract TMP75.

LOS ANGELES – A large survey of Asian Americans suggests that the group experiences more severe ischemic strokes and is less likely to receive intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) than do white patients, among other discrepancies. The research found that whites had declining stroke severity between 2004 and 2016, but there was no change in Asian Americans.

The research encompasses all self-identified Asian Americans in the Get-with-the-Guidelines stroke database, which is a voluntary stroke quality improvement program begun by the American Heart Association in 2003. The analysis included 64,337 Asian Americans and 1,707,962 white Americans at 2,171 hospitals nationwide that participated in the program during 2004-2016.

Jim Kling/Frontline Medical News

[email protected]

SOURCE: Song S et al. ISC 2018, Abstract TMP75.

Pentax has issued a voluntary recall for Pentax ED-3490TK duodenoscopes because of infections associated with reprocessed duodenoscopes, and the Food and Drug Administration has cleared the 510(k) to improve the device. The new design will, it is hoped, improve cleaning and disinfection for these devices.

“Reducing infections associated with duodenoscopes remains a top priority for the FDA, and we believe the new design changes to the Pentax duodenoscope will make these devices easier to clean and high-level disinfect to help enhance their safety,” said Suzanne Schwartz, MD, associate director for science and strategic partnerships at the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health. “We will continue to encourage new innovations for these devices to protect public health while enabling patients to have continued access to minimally invasive, life-saving endoscopy procedures.”

[email protected]

Pentax has issued a voluntary recall for Pentax ED-3490TK duodenoscopes because of infections associated with reprocessed duodenoscopes, and the Food and Drug Administration has cleared the 510(k) to improve the device. The new design will, it is hoped, improve cleaning and disinfection for these devices.

“Reducing infections associated with duodenoscopes remains a top priority for the FDA, and we believe the new design changes to the Pentax duodenoscope will make these devices easier to clean and high-level disinfect to help enhance their safety,” said Suzanne Schwartz, MD, associate director for science and strategic partnerships at the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health. “We will continue to encourage new innovations for these devices to protect public health while enabling patients to have continued access to minimally invasive, life-saving endoscopy procedures.”

[email protected]

Pentax has issued a voluntary recall for Pentax ED-3490TK duodenoscopes because of infections associated with reprocessed duodenoscopes, and the Food and Drug Administration has cleared the 510(k) to improve the device. The new design will, it is hoped, improve cleaning and disinfection for these devices.

“Reducing infections associated with duodenoscopes remains a top priority for the FDA, and we believe the new design changes to the Pentax duodenoscope will make these devices easier to clean and high-level disinfect to help enhance their safety,” said Suzanne Schwartz, MD, associate director for science and strategic partnerships at the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health. “We will continue to encourage new innovations for these devices to protect public health while enabling patients to have continued access to minimally invasive, life-saving endoscopy procedures.”

[email protected]

The Food and Drug Administration announced that it has approved Symfi Lo tablets, a fixed-dose combination product containing efavirenz (400 mg), lamivudine (300 mg), and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (300 mg, equivalent to 245 mg of tenofovir disoproxil). The tablets are indicated as a complete regimen for treating HIV-1 in adults and in pediatric patients weighing at least 35 kg.

The recommended dose is one tablet taken daily by mouth on an empty stomach, preferably at bedtime, as that may improve the tolerability of nervous system symptoms, according to an email release by the FDA Office of Health and Constituent Affairs.

[email protected]

SOURCE: FDA email release and full label with prescribing information.

The Food and Drug Administration announced that it has approved Symfi Lo tablets, a fixed-dose combination product containing efavirenz (400 mg), lamivudine (300 mg), and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (300 mg, equivalent to 245 mg of tenofovir disoproxil). The tablets are indicated as a complete regimen for treating HIV-1 in adults and in pediatric patients weighing at least 35 kg.

The recommended dose is one tablet taken daily by mouth on an empty stomach, preferably at bedtime, as that may improve the tolerability of nervous system symptoms, according to an email release by the FDA Office of Health and Constituent Affairs.

[email protected]

SOURCE: FDA email release and full label with prescribing information.

The Food and Drug Administration announced that it has approved Symfi Lo tablets, a fixed-dose combination product containing efavirenz (400 mg), lamivudine (300 mg), and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (300 mg, equivalent to 245 mg of tenofovir disoproxil). The tablets are indicated as a complete regimen for treating HIV-1 in adults and in pediatric patients weighing at least 35 kg.

The recommended dose is one tablet taken daily by mouth on an empty stomach, preferably at bedtime, as that may improve the tolerability of nervous system symptoms, according to an email release by the FDA Office of Health and Constituent Affairs.

[email protected]

SOURCE: FDA email release and full label with prescribing information.