Article

The recent ORAL Surveillance trial has raised concerns about the safety of tofacitinib (and potentially other JAK inhibitors) in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.¹ JAK inhibitors are known to increase cholesterol levels; however, this was not previously known to increase cardiovascular risk. The ORAL Surveillance trial was an open-label randomized non-inferiority trial comparing 5mg or 10 mg tofacitinib twice daily with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor use. Both adverse cardiac events and cancer were increased in the tofacitinib groups (with hazard ratios of 1.33 and 1.48, respectively). The study did not include a control group and so the impact of RA itself on cardiac events and cancer is not known. However, the apparent risk was greatest in patients over the age of 65, suggesting caution should be used in treating older patients with RA with JAK inhibitors. Interestingly, the STAR-RA study, an observational cohort study, looked at claims data from several sources to try to replicate trial results as well as provide real-world evidence on the topic of cardiovascular risk associated with tofacitinib use.² The authors were able to replicate the inclusion/exclusion criteria from the ORAL Surveillance trial and found that the results were similar. However, on “relaxing” inclusion and exclusion criteria, ie, the “real-world evidence” cohort, there was no difference in incidence of cardiovascular outcomes between tofacitinib and TNF-inhibitor groups. Specifically, patients in the real-world cohort who had no cardiovascular risk factors or prior events were not found to have an increased cardiovascular risk with tofacitinib use, a reassuring finding supporting careful attention to cardiovascular risk in patients with RA when evaluating treatment options.

One consideration in the use of rituximab for treatment of RA is the possibility of changing or lowering subsequent or maintenance doses. Past studies have suggested that halving the dose of rituximab to a single 1000 mg infusion was tolerated by RA patients. The REDO trial, published in 2019, looked at even lower doses: 500 mg and 200 mg. The study did not establish non-inferiority of lower doses at 6 months in a per-protocol analysis, only in intention-to-treat. An extension study of REDO presented at the ACR Convergence in 2021 looked at a subset of those patients for up to 4 years and did find non-inferiority in terms of disease activity. Wientjes et al³ present further analysis of the REDO trial with 140 RA patients at 6 months, looking at the association of rituximab dosage with B cell counts as well as the predictive value of different patient characteristics in terms of response to lower dosages. Interestingly, serum drug levels and B cell counts at 3 and 6 months did not predict response to rituximab, nor did patient characteristics, such as age, smoking, disease, duration, or seropositivity for RF and CCP. Though the authors suggest that this implies even lower doses may be effective, it is not clear, and a similar analysis of the extension trial would be of interest. 

Use of methotrexate as a first-line DMARD for RA is cost-effective but often limited by patient fears or intolerance due to adverse events (AE). This observational cohort study by Sherbini et al⁴ evaluates not only the prevalence of AE, but also baseline factors that may predict the development of AE. Over 1,000 patients with early RA initiating methotrexate were included in analysis. More than 75% reported at least one AE in 12 months, with gastrointestinal AE, such as nausea, being most prevalent (42%); 18% developed elevated liver enzyme tests (defined as a single reading above the upper limit of normal). Few strong predictors of AE were identified, though women were overall more likely than men to report AE. Reassuringly, combination conventional synthetic DMARD therapy did not generally lead to more reported AE. Given the few predictive findings from this study, analysis of a comparator group or comparison of AE at different starting and maintenance doses of methotrexate would be of interest.

References

1.  Ytterberg SR et al. Cardiovascular and cancer risk with tofacitinib in rheumatoid arthritis. N Engl J Med. 2022;386:316-326 (Jan 27).
2. Khosrow-Khavar F et al. Tofacitinib and risk of cardiovascular outcomes: results from the Safety of TofAcitinib in Routine care patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (STAR-RA) study. Ann Rheum Dis. 2022 (Jan 13).
3. Wientjes MHM et al. Drug levels, anti-drug antibodies and B-cell counts were not predictive of response in rheumatoid arthritis patients on (ultra-)low-dose rituximab. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2022 (Jan 12).
4. Sherbini AA et al. Rates and predictors of methotrexate-related adverse events in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis: results from a nationwide UK study. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2022 (Jan 25).

The recent ORAL Surveillance trial has raised concerns about the safety of tofacitinib (and potentially other JAK inhibitors) in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.¹ JAK inhibitors are known to increase cholesterol levels; however, this was not previously known to increase cardiovascular risk. The ORAL Surveillance trial was an open-label randomized non-inferiority trial comparing 5mg or 10 mg tofacitinib twice daily with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor use. Both adverse cardiac events and cancer were increased in the tofacitinib groups (with hazard ratios of 1.33 and 1.48, respectively). The study did not include a control group and so the impact of RA itself on cardiac events and cancer is not known. However, the apparent risk was greatest in patients over the age of 65, suggesting caution should be used in treating older patients with RA with JAK inhibitors. Interestingly, the STAR-RA study, an observational cohort study, looked at claims data from several sources to try to replicate trial results as well as provide real-world evidence on the topic of cardiovascular risk associated with tofacitinib use.² The authors were able to replicate the inclusion/exclusion criteria from the ORAL Surveillance trial and found that the results were similar. However, on “relaxing” inclusion and exclusion criteria, ie, the “real-world evidence” cohort, there was no difference in incidence of cardiovascular outcomes between tofacitinib and TNF-inhibitor groups. Specifically, patients in the real-world cohort who had no cardiovascular risk factors or prior events were not found to have an increased cardiovascular risk with tofacitinib use, a reassuring finding supporting careful attention to cardiovascular risk in patients with RA when evaluating treatment options.

One consideration in the use of rituximab for treatment of RA is the possibility of changing or lowering subsequent or maintenance doses. Past studies have suggested that halving the dose of rituximab to a single 1000 mg infusion was tolerated by RA patients. The REDO trial, published in 2019, looked at even lower doses: 500 mg and 200 mg. The study did not establish non-inferiority of lower doses at 6 months in a per-protocol analysis, only in intention-to-treat. An extension study of REDO presented at the ACR Convergence in 2021 looked at a subset of those patients for up to 4 years and did find non-inferiority in terms of disease activity. Wientjes et al³ present further analysis of the REDO trial with 140 RA patients at 6 months, looking at the association of rituximab dosage with B cell counts as well as the predictive value of different patient characteristics in terms of response to lower dosages. Interestingly, serum drug levels and B cell counts at 3 and 6 months did not predict response to rituximab, nor did patient characteristics, such as age, smoking, disease, duration, or seropositivity for RF and CCP. Though the authors suggest that this implies even lower doses may be effective, it is not clear, and a similar analysis of the extension trial would be of interest. 

Use of methotrexate as a first-line DMARD for RA is cost-effective but often limited by patient fears or intolerance due to adverse events (AE). This observational cohort study by Sherbini et al⁴ evaluates not only the prevalence of AE, but also baseline factors that may predict the development of AE. Over 1,000 patients with early RA initiating methotrexate were included in analysis. More than 75% reported at least one AE in 12 months, with gastrointestinal AE, such as nausea, being most prevalent (42%); 18% developed elevated liver enzyme tests (defined as a single reading above the upper limit of normal). Few strong predictors of AE were identified, though women were overall more likely than men to report AE. Reassuringly, combination conventional synthetic DMARD therapy did not generally lead to more reported AE. Given the few predictive findings from this study, analysis of a comparator group or comparison of AE at different starting and maintenance doses of methotrexate would be of interest.

References

1.  Ytterberg SR et al. Cardiovascular and cancer risk with tofacitinib in rheumatoid arthritis. N Engl J Med. 2022;386:316-326 (Jan 27).
2. Khosrow-Khavar F et al. Tofacitinib and risk of cardiovascular outcomes: results from the Safety of TofAcitinib in Routine care patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (STAR-RA) study. Ann Rheum Dis. 2022 (Jan 13).
3. Wientjes MHM et al. Drug levels, anti-drug antibodies and B-cell counts were not predictive of response in rheumatoid arthritis patients on (ultra-)low-dose rituximab. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2022 (Jan 12).
4. Sherbini AA et al. Rates and predictors of methotrexate-related adverse events in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis: results from a nationwide UK study. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2022 (Jan 25).

The recent ORAL Surveillance trial has raised concerns about the safety of tofacitinib (and potentially other JAK inhibitors) in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.¹ JAK inhibitors are known to increase cholesterol levels; however, this was not previously known to increase cardiovascular risk. The ORAL Surveillance trial was an open-label randomized non-inferiority trial comparing 5mg or 10 mg tofacitinib twice daily with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor use. Both adverse cardiac events and cancer were increased in the tofacitinib groups (with hazard ratios of 1.33 and 1.48, respectively). The study did not include a control group and so the impact of RA itself on cardiac events and cancer is not known. However, the apparent risk was greatest in patients over the age of 65, suggesting caution should be used in treating older patients with RA with JAK inhibitors. Interestingly, the STAR-RA study, an observational cohort study, looked at claims data from several sources to try to replicate trial results as well as provide real-world evidence on the topic of cardiovascular risk associated with tofacitinib use.² The authors were able to replicate the inclusion/exclusion criteria from the ORAL Surveillance trial and found that the results were similar. However, on “relaxing” inclusion and exclusion criteria, ie, the “real-world evidence” cohort, there was no difference in incidence of cardiovascular outcomes between tofacitinib and TNF-inhibitor groups. Specifically, patients in the real-world cohort who had no cardiovascular risk factors or prior events were not found to have an increased cardiovascular risk with tofacitinib use, a reassuring finding supporting careful attention to cardiovascular risk in patients with RA when evaluating treatment options.

One consideration in the use of rituximab for treatment of RA is the possibility of changing or lowering subsequent or maintenance doses. Past studies have suggested that halving the dose of rituximab to a single 1000 mg infusion was tolerated by RA patients. The REDO trial, published in 2019, looked at even lower doses: 500 mg and 200 mg. The study did not establish non-inferiority of lower doses at 6 months in a per-protocol analysis, only in intention-to-treat. An extension study of REDO presented at the ACR Convergence in 2021 looked at a subset of those patients for up to 4 years and did find non-inferiority in terms of disease activity. Wientjes et al³ present further analysis of the REDO trial with 140 RA patients at 6 months, looking at the association of rituximab dosage with B cell counts as well as the predictive value of different patient characteristics in terms of response to lower dosages. Interestingly, serum drug levels and B cell counts at 3 and 6 months did not predict response to rituximab, nor did patient characteristics, such as age, smoking, disease, duration, or seropositivity for RF and CCP. Though the authors suggest that this implies even lower doses may be effective, it is not clear, and a similar analysis of the extension trial would be of interest. 

Use of methotrexate as a first-line DMARD for RA is cost-effective but often limited by patient fears or intolerance due to adverse events (AE). This observational cohort study by Sherbini et al⁴ evaluates not only the prevalence of AE, but also baseline factors that may predict the development of AE. Over 1,000 patients with early RA initiating methotrexate were included in analysis. More than 75% reported at least one AE in 12 months, with gastrointestinal AE, such as nausea, being most prevalent (42%); 18% developed elevated liver enzyme tests (defined as a single reading above the upper limit of normal). Few strong predictors of AE were identified, though women were overall more likely than men to report AE. Reassuringly, combination conventional synthetic DMARD therapy did not generally lead to more reported AE. Given the few predictive findings from this study, analysis of a comparator group or comparison of AE at different starting and maintenance doses of methotrexate would be of interest.

References

1.  Ytterberg SR et al. Cardiovascular and cancer risk with tofacitinib in rheumatoid arthritis. N Engl J Med. 2022;386:316-326 (Jan 27).
2. Khosrow-Khavar F et al. Tofacitinib and risk of cardiovascular outcomes: results from the Safety of TofAcitinib in Routine care patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (STAR-RA) study. Ann Rheum Dis. 2022 (Jan 13).
3. Wientjes MHM et al. Drug levels, anti-drug antibodies and B-cell counts were not predictive of response in rheumatoid arthritis patients on (ultra-)low-dose rituximab. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2022 (Jan 12).
4. Sherbini AA et al. Rates and predictors of methotrexate-related adverse events in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis: results from a nationwide UK study. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2022 (Jan 25).

The predilection for brain metastases in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer has historically presented a therapeutic challenge, and agents with enhanced central nervous system (CNS) penetrance are certainly desired. Pyrotinib is a small molecule irreversible tyrosine kinase inhibitor against epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), HER2, and HER4. Yan et al investigated the activity and safety of pyrotinib + capecitabine in the single-arm, two-cohort, phase 2 PERMEATE study among 78 patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC) with brain metastases. The intracranial objective response rate was 74.6% in radiotherapy-naive patients and 42.1% in those progressing after prior radiotherapy. The combination showed good tolerability with the most common grade 3 treatment-related adverse events of diarrhea and neutropenia. Additional studies have shown impressive CNS activity with other HER2-targeted therapies including tucatinib + capecitabine + trastuzumab combination, as well as trastuzumab deruxtecan (HER2CLIMB and DESTINY-Breast03 trials, respectively). The evolution of these agents in both the metastatic and early settings will continue to transform the treatment algorithm for HER2-positive breast cancer. A particularly interesting concept is whether earlier use of drugs with better CNS efficacy can reduce risk or prevent development of brain metastases.

Endocrine therapy in early-stage hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer leads to significant reductions in recurrence and breast cancer mortality. A meta-analysis was performed by Early Breast Cancer Trialists' Collaborative Group including four trials (ABCSG XII, SOFT, TEXT and HOBOE), 7030 premenopausal patients with early-stage ER+ breast cancer, who received an aromatase inhibitor or tamoxifen for 3-5 years with ovarian suppression. Rates of breast cancer recurrence were lower with an aromatase inhibitor vs tamoxifen, with the main benefit seen during years 0-4 (relative risk [RR] 0.68, P < .0001) and an absolute reduction in 5-year recurrence risk of 3.2% (6.9% vs 10.1%). Aromatase inhibitor use was associated with decreased distant recurrence risk (RR 0.83), but there was no significant difference for breast cancer or all-cause mortality. The favored endocrine therapy approach for an individual patient is often complex and based on overall risk, comorbidities and toxicity concerns, as well as patient preference. Longer follow-up of trials with endocrine therapy and ovarian suppression will provide further insight on mortality impact.

Aromatase inhibitor (AI)-associated musculoskeletal symptoms are not infrequent and can contribute to treatment discontinuation. Current management practices include use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), weight loss and exercise, trial of alternative AI or tamoxifen, use of serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI) (duloxetine) and acupuncture. Martinez et al reported on outcomes of the non-selective NSAID, sulindac (150mg twice daily for 12 months), in a phase 2 study among postmenopausal women with early HR+ breast cancer who were stable on AI therapy for at least 3 months. At 12 months, patients receiving sulindac (n = 43) reported improvements (decreases) in Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) Index (-5.85, P = .003), pain (-5.40, P = .043), stiffness (-9.53, P < .001) and physical function (-5.61, P = .006); those in the observation group (n = 40) did not experience improvements in these variables. The most significant improvement with sulindac was seen in those with a higher degree of baseline symptoms and in overweight/obese patients. These findings support further investigation into abbreviated NSAID use and strategies focused on exercise and healthy body weight maintenance for breast cancer patients.

The treatment landscape for early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) continues to evolve with integration of new drugs into our armamentarium, and use of pathologic complete response (pCR) as a surrogate for outcome and for tailoring adjuvant therapy. Geyer et al reported on event-free survival outcomes with a 4.5 year follow-up of the phase 3 BrighTNess trial, which included 634 patients with stage II-III TNBC. Significant improvement in event-free survival (EFS) was seen in the carboplatin + veliparib + paclitaxel arm vs. paclitaxel alone (HR 0.63, P = .02), but no difference in EFS in carboplatin + veliparib + paclitaxel vs. carboplatin + paclitaxel (HR 1.12, P = .62). The EFS rates at 4 years were 78% (carboplatin + veliparib + paclitaxel), 79% (carboplatin + paclitaxel) and 69% (paclitaxel alone). The phase 3 KEYNOTE-522 trial demonstrated improvement in EFS with the addition of neoadjuvant pembrolizumab to chemotherapy (carboplatin/paclitaxel followed by AC) followed by adjuvant pembrolizumab compared to chemotherapy alone in patients with stage II-III TNBC. The emergence of new therapies for early TNBC, including immunotherapy and  poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors (the latter for patients with germline BRCA mutations), has created more treatment options for patients along with questions regarding combinations and sequencing.  

Recommended Additional Reading:

Lin N et al. Updated results of tucatinib vs placebo added to trastuzumab and capecitabine for patients with previously treated HER2+ metastatic breast cancer with brain metastases (HER2CLIMB). Presented at: 2021 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; December 7-10, 2021;Spotlight Poster Session, PD4-04 Abstract 858. https://www.abstractsonline.com/pp8/#!/10462/presentation/482

Hurvitz S et al. Trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) versus trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) in patients with HER2+ metastatic breast cancer: subgroup analyses from the randomized phase 3 study DESTINY-Breast03. Presented at: 2021 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; December 7-10, 2021;General Session, GS3-01. https://www.abstractsonline.com/pp8/#!/10462/presentation/649

Rosati MS, Di Seri M, Baciarello G, et al. Etoricoxib and anastrozole in adjuvant early breast cancer: ETAN trial (phase III). J Clin Oncol. 2011;29:suppl.533. https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/jco.2011.29.15_suppl.533

Schmid P et al for the KEYNOTE-522 Investigators. Event-free survival with pembrolizumab in early triple-negative breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 2022;386(6):556-567. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2112651

The predilection for brain metastases in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer has historically presented a therapeutic challenge, and agents with enhanced central nervous system (CNS) penetrance are certainly desired. Pyrotinib is a small molecule irreversible tyrosine kinase inhibitor against epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), HER2, and HER4. Yan et al investigated the activity and safety of pyrotinib + capecitabine in the single-arm, two-cohort, phase 2 PERMEATE study among 78 patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC) with brain metastases. The intracranial objective response rate was 74.6% in radiotherapy-naive patients and 42.1% in those progressing after prior radiotherapy. The combination showed good tolerability with the most common grade 3 treatment-related adverse events of diarrhea and neutropenia. Additional studies have shown impressive CNS activity with other HER2-targeted therapies including tucatinib + capecitabine + trastuzumab combination, as well as trastuzumab deruxtecan (HER2CLIMB and DESTINY-Breast03 trials, respectively). The evolution of these agents in both the metastatic and early settings will continue to transform the treatment algorithm for HER2-positive breast cancer. A particularly interesting concept is whether earlier use of drugs with better CNS efficacy can reduce risk or prevent development of brain metastases.

Endocrine therapy in early-stage hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer leads to significant reductions in recurrence and breast cancer mortality. A meta-analysis was performed by Early Breast Cancer Trialists' Collaborative Group including four trials (ABCSG XII, SOFT, TEXT and HOBOE), 7030 premenopausal patients with early-stage ER+ breast cancer, who received an aromatase inhibitor or tamoxifen for 3-5 years with ovarian suppression. Rates of breast cancer recurrence were lower with an aromatase inhibitor vs tamoxifen, with the main benefit seen during years 0-4 (relative risk [RR] 0.68, P < .0001) and an absolute reduction in 5-year recurrence risk of 3.2% (6.9% vs 10.1%). Aromatase inhibitor use was associated with decreased distant recurrence risk (RR 0.83), but there was no significant difference for breast cancer or all-cause mortality. The favored endocrine therapy approach for an individual patient is often complex and based on overall risk, comorbidities and toxicity concerns, as well as patient preference. Longer follow-up of trials with endocrine therapy and ovarian suppression will provide further insight on mortality impact.

Aromatase inhibitor (AI)-associated musculoskeletal symptoms are not infrequent and can contribute to treatment discontinuation. Current management practices include use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), weight loss and exercise, trial of alternative AI or tamoxifen, use of serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI) (duloxetine) and acupuncture. Martinez et al reported on outcomes of the non-selective NSAID, sulindac (150mg twice daily for 12 months), in a phase 2 study among postmenopausal women with early HR+ breast cancer who were stable on AI therapy for at least 3 months. At 12 months, patients receiving sulindac (n = 43) reported improvements (decreases) in Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) Index (-5.85, P = .003), pain (-5.40, P = .043), stiffness (-9.53, P < .001) and physical function (-5.61, P = .006); those in the observation group (n = 40) did not experience improvements in these variables. The most significant improvement with sulindac was seen in those with a higher degree of baseline symptoms and in overweight/obese patients. These findings support further investigation into abbreviated NSAID use and strategies focused on exercise and healthy body weight maintenance for breast cancer patients.

The treatment landscape for early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) continues to evolve with integration of new drugs into our armamentarium, and use of pathologic complete response (pCR) as a surrogate for outcome and for tailoring adjuvant therapy. Geyer et al reported on event-free survival outcomes with a 4.5 year follow-up of the phase 3 BrighTNess trial, which included 634 patients with stage II-III TNBC. Significant improvement in event-free survival (EFS) was seen in the carboplatin + veliparib + paclitaxel arm vs. paclitaxel alone (HR 0.63, P = .02), but no difference in EFS in carboplatin + veliparib + paclitaxel vs. carboplatin + paclitaxel (HR 1.12, P = .62). The EFS rates at 4 years were 78% (carboplatin + veliparib + paclitaxel), 79% (carboplatin + paclitaxel) and 69% (paclitaxel alone). The phase 3 KEYNOTE-522 trial demonstrated improvement in EFS with the addition of neoadjuvant pembrolizumab to chemotherapy (carboplatin/paclitaxel followed by AC) followed by adjuvant pembrolizumab compared to chemotherapy alone in patients with stage II-III TNBC. The emergence of new therapies for early TNBC, including immunotherapy and  poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors (the latter for patients with germline BRCA mutations), has created more treatment options for patients along with questions regarding combinations and sequencing.  

Recommended Additional Reading:

Lin N et al. Updated results of tucatinib vs placebo added to trastuzumab and capecitabine for patients with previously treated HER2+ metastatic breast cancer with brain metastases (HER2CLIMB). Presented at: 2021 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; December 7-10, 2021;Spotlight Poster Session, PD4-04 Abstract 858. https://www.abstractsonline.com/pp8/#!/10462/presentation/482

Hurvitz S et al. Trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) versus trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) in patients with HER2+ metastatic breast cancer: subgroup analyses from the randomized phase 3 study DESTINY-Breast03. Presented at: 2021 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; December 7-10, 2021;General Session, GS3-01. https://www.abstractsonline.com/pp8/#!/10462/presentation/649

Rosati MS, Di Seri M, Baciarello G, et al. Etoricoxib and anastrozole in adjuvant early breast cancer: ETAN trial (phase III). J Clin Oncol. 2011;29:suppl.533. https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/jco.2011.29.15_suppl.533

Schmid P et al for the KEYNOTE-522 Investigators. Event-free survival with pembrolizumab in early triple-negative breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 2022;386(6):556-567. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2112651

The predilection for brain metastases in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer has historically presented a therapeutic challenge, and agents with enhanced central nervous system (CNS) penetrance are certainly desired. Pyrotinib is a small molecule irreversible tyrosine kinase inhibitor against epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), HER2, and HER4. Yan et al investigated the activity and safety of pyrotinib + capecitabine in the single-arm, two-cohort, phase 2 PERMEATE study among 78 patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC) with brain metastases. The intracranial objective response rate was 74.6% in radiotherapy-naive patients and 42.1% in those progressing after prior radiotherapy. The combination showed good tolerability with the most common grade 3 treatment-related adverse events of diarrhea and neutropenia. Additional studies have shown impressive CNS activity with other HER2-targeted therapies including tucatinib + capecitabine + trastuzumab combination, as well as trastuzumab deruxtecan (HER2CLIMB and DESTINY-Breast03 trials, respectively). The evolution of these agents in both the metastatic and early settings will continue to transform the treatment algorithm for HER2-positive breast cancer. A particularly interesting concept is whether earlier use of drugs with better CNS efficacy can reduce risk or prevent development of brain metastases.

Endocrine therapy in early-stage hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer leads to significant reductions in recurrence and breast cancer mortality. A meta-analysis was performed by Early Breast Cancer Trialists' Collaborative Group including four trials (ABCSG XII, SOFT, TEXT and HOBOE), 7030 premenopausal patients with early-stage ER+ breast cancer, who received an aromatase inhibitor or tamoxifen for 3-5 years with ovarian suppression. Rates of breast cancer recurrence were lower with an aromatase inhibitor vs tamoxifen, with the main benefit seen during years 0-4 (relative risk [RR] 0.68, P < .0001) and an absolute reduction in 5-year recurrence risk of 3.2% (6.9% vs 10.1%). Aromatase inhibitor use was associated with decreased distant recurrence risk (RR 0.83), but there was no significant difference for breast cancer or all-cause mortality. The favored endocrine therapy approach for an individual patient is often complex and based on overall risk, comorbidities and toxicity concerns, as well as patient preference. Longer follow-up of trials with endocrine therapy and ovarian suppression will provide further insight on mortality impact.

Aromatase inhibitor (AI)-associated musculoskeletal symptoms are not infrequent and can contribute to treatment discontinuation. Current management practices include use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), weight loss and exercise, trial of alternative AI or tamoxifen, use of serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI) (duloxetine) and acupuncture. Martinez et al reported on outcomes of the non-selective NSAID, sulindac (150mg twice daily for 12 months), in a phase 2 study among postmenopausal women with early HR+ breast cancer who were stable on AI therapy for at least 3 months. At 12 months, patients receiving sulindac (n = 43) reported improvements (decreases) in Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) Index (-5.85, P = .003), pain (-5.40, P = .043), stiffness (-9.53, P < .001) and physical function (-5.61, P = .006); those in the observation group (n = 40) did not experience improvements in these variables. The most significant improvement with sulindac was seen in those with a higher degree of baseline symptoms and in overweight/obese patients. These findings support further investigation into abbreviated NSAID use and strategies focused on exercise and healthy body weight maintenance for breast cancer patients.

The treatment landscape for early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) continues to evolve with integration of new drugs into our armamentarium, and use of pathologic complete response (pCR) as a surrogate for outcome and for tailoring adjuvant therapy. Geyer et al reported on event-free survival outcomes with a 4.5 year follow-up of the phase 3 BrighTNess trial, which included 634 patients with stage II-III TNBC. Significant improvement in event-free survival (EFS) was seen in the carboplatin + veliparib + paclitaxel arm vs. paclitaxel alone (HR 0.63, P = .02), but no difference in EFS in carboplatin + veliparib + paclitaxel vs. carboplatin + paclitaxel (HR 1.12, P = .62). The EFS rates at 4 years were 78% (carboplatin + veliparib + paclitaxel), 79% (carboplatin + paclitaxel) and 69% (paclitaxel alone). The phase 3 KEYNOTE-522 trial demonstrated improvement in EFS with the addition of neoadjuvant pembrolizumab to chemotherapy (carboplatin/paclitaxel followed by AC) followed by adjuvant pembrolizumab compared to chemotherapy alone in patients with stage II-III TNBC. The emergence of new therapies for early TNBC, including immunotherapy and  poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors (the latter for patients with germline BRCA mutations), has created more treatment options for patients along with questions regarding combinations and sequencing.  

Recommended Additional Reading:

Lin N et al. Updated results of tucatinib vs placebo added to trastuzumab and capecitabine for patients with previously treated HER2+ metastatic breast cancer with brain metastases (HER2CLIMB). Presented at: 2021 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; December 7-10, 2021;Spotlight Poster Session, PD4-04 Abstract 858. https://www.abstractsonline.com/pp8/#!/10462/presentation/482

Hurvitz S et al. Trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) versus trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) in patients with HER2+ metastatic breast cancer: subgroup analyses from the randomized phase 3 study DESTINY-Breast03. Presented at: 2021 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; December 7-10, 2021;General Session, GS3-01. https://www.abstractsonline.com/pp8/#!/10462/presentation/649

Rosati MS, Di Seri M, Baciarello G, et al. Etoricoxib and anastrozole in adjuvant early breast cancer: ETAN trial (phase III). J Clin Oncol. 2011;29:suppl.533. https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/jco.2011.29.15_suppl.533

Schmid P et al for the KEYNOTE-522 Investigators. Event-free survival with pembrolizumab in early triple-negative breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 2022;386(6):556-567. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2112651

Key clinical point: Atogepant shows a favorable safety and efficacy profile in the prophylactic treatment of episodic migraine.

Major finding: Atogepant (10 mg, 30 mg, and 60 mg) vs. placebo caused a significant reduction in mean monthly migraine (P < .00001, P < .00001, and P = .007; respectively), headache (P < .00001, P < .00001, and P = .001; respectively), and medication use (all P < .00001) days; an increase in the ≥50% responder rate (P = .0008, P = .02, and P = .04; respectively); and a nonsignificant difference in the outcomes of adverse events (P = .57, P = .64, and P = .68; respectively).

Study details: Findings are from a meta-analysis of 3 randomized controlled trials including 2,466 adult patients with episodic migraine who received atogepant (10 mg, 30 mg, or 60 mg once daily) or placebo.

Disclosures: The study was supported by the Suzhou Health Talents Training Project. None of the authors declared any conflicts of interest.

Source: Tao X et al. J Headache Pain. 2022;23:19 (Jan 29). Doi: 10.1186/s10194-022-01391-2

Key clinical point: Atogepant shows a favorable safety and efficacy profile in the prophylactic treatment of episodic migraine.

Major finding: Atogepant (10 mg, 30 mg, and 60 mg) vs. placebo caused a significant reduction in mean monthly migraine (P < .00001, P < .00001, and P = .007; respectively), headache (P < .00001, P < .00001, and P = .001; respectively), and medication use (all P < .00001) days; an increase in the ≥50% responder rate (P = .0008, P = .02, and P = .04; respectively); and a nonsignificant difference in the outcomes of adverse events (P = .57, P = .64, and P = .68; respectively).

Study details: Findings are from a meta-analysis of 3 randomized controlled trials including 2,466 adult patients with episodic migraine who received atogepant (10 mg, 30 mg, or 60 mg once daily) or placebo.

Disclosures: The study was supported by the Suzhou Health Talents Training Project. None of the authors declared any conflicts of interest.

Source: Tao X et al. J Headache Pain. 2022;23:19 (Jan 29). Doi: 10.1186/s10194-022-01391-2

Key clinical point: Atogepant shows a favorable safety and efficacy profile in the prophylactic treatment of episodic migraine.

Major finding: Atogepant (10 mg, 30 mg, and 60 mg) vs. placebo caused a significant reduction in mean monthly migraine (P < .00001, P < .00001, and P = .007; respectively), headache (P < .00001, P < .00001, and P = .001; respectively), and medication use (all P < .00001) days; an increase in the ≥50% responder rate (P = .0008, P = .02, and P = .04; respectively); and a nonsignificant difference in the outcomes of adverse events (P = .57, P = .64, and P = .68; respectively).

Study details: Findings are from a meta-analysis of 3 randomized controlled trials including 2,466 adult patients with episodic migraine who received atogepant (10 mg, 30 mg, or 60 mg once daily) or placebo.

Disclosures: The study was supported by the Suzhou Health Talents Training Project. None of the authors declared any conflicts of interest.

Source: Tao X et al. J Headache Pain. 2022;23:19 (Jan 29). Doi: 10.1186/s10194-022-01391-2

Key clinical point: Discontinuation of anticalcitonin gene-related protein (CGRP) monoclonal antibodies (mAb) leads to a progressive increase in monthly migraine days (MMD) and analgesic use from the first month, which, on reinitiation, revert to values comparable with those in the last month of treatment.

Main finding: At months 2 and 3 after discontinuation, a significant increase in MMD (P = .003 and P < .001, respectively) and analgesic use (both P < .001) was observed compared with month 12 of treatment. In the reinitiation month, the MMD (P = .40), days with ≥1 analgesic used (P = .83), and number of analgesics used (P = .74) were similar to the treatment month 12 values.

Study details: Findings are from a single-center, prospective, observational study involving 44 patients >18 years of age with treatment-resistant chronic migraine who received erenumab or galcanezumab for 12 months before a 3-month treatment discontinuation phase and 1 month of reinitiation.

Disclosures: The study received no specific funding. Some authors reported receiving personal fees or grants from various sources.

Source: Iannone LF et al. Eur J Neurol. 2022 (Jan 31). Doi: 10.1111/ene.15260

Key clinical point: Discontinuation of anticalcitonin gene-related protein (CGRP) monoclonal antibodies (mAb) leads to a progressive increase in monthly migraine days (MMD) and analgesic use from the first month, which, on reinitiation, revert to values comparable with those in the last month of treatment.

Main finding: At months 2 and 3 after discontinuation, a significant increase in MMD (P = .003 and P < .001, respectively) and analgesic use (both P < .001) was observed compared with month 12 of treatment. In the reinitiation month, the MMD (P = .40), days with ≥1 analgesic used (P = .83), and number of analgesics used (P = .74) were similar to the treatment month 12 values.

Study details: Findings are from a single-center, prospective, observational study involving 44 patients >18 years of age with treatment-resistant chronic migraine who received erenumab or galcanezumab for 12 months before a 3-month treatment discontinuation phase and 1 month of reinitiation.

Disclosures: The study received no specific funding. Some authors reported receiving personal fees or grants from various sources.

Source: Iannone LF et al. Eur J Neurol. 2022 (Jan 31). Doi: 10.1111/ene.15260

Key clinical point: Discontinuation of anticalcitonin gene-related protein (CGRP) monoclonal antibodies (mAb) leads to a progressive increase in monthly migraine days (MMD) and analgesic use from the first month, which, on reinitiation, revert to values comparable with those in the last month of treatment.

Main finding: At months 2 and 3 after discontinuation, a significant increase in MMD (P = .003 and P < .001, respectively) and analgesic use (both P < .001) was observed compared with month 12 of treatment. In the reinitiation month, the MMD (P = .40), days with ≥1 analgesic used (P = .83), and number of analgesics used (P = .74) were similar to the treatment month 12 values.

Study details: Findings are from a single-center, prospective, observational study involving 44 patients >18 years of age with treatment-resistant chronic migraine who received erenumab or galcanezumab for 12 months before a 3-month treatment discontinuation phase and 1 month of reinitiation.

Disclosures: The study received no specific funding. Some authors reported receiving personal fees or grants from various sources.

Source: Iannone LF et al. Eur J Neurol. 2022 (Jan 31). Doi: 10.1111/ene.15260

Key clinical point: The efficacy and safety of eptinezumab in preventing migraine realized in the PROMISE-1 and PROMISE-2 trials remain unperturbed by the intrinsic baseline characteristics of the study participants, including sex, age, and body mass index (BMI).

Main finding: The ≥50% migraine responder rate (MRR) was ≥10% higher with eptinezumab relative to placebo for most demographic factors, except in the case of obesity; although patients with a BMI of 30-35 kg/m² receiving eptinezumab vs. placebo showed improved ≥50% MRR, the separation was <10%. Eptinezumab was generally safe, and no new treatment-emergent adverse events were identified.

Study details: This was a post hoc subgroup analysis of adult patients with episodic or chronic migraine from the phase 3 PROMISE-1 and PROMISE-2 trials, respectively, which included a total of 1,960 patients in the safety analysis and 1,737 patients (99.8%) in the efficacy analysis.

Disclosures: The study received financial support from H. Lundbeck A/S. The authors disclosed having no conflicts of interest.

Source: Martin V et al. Clin Ther. 2022 (Feb 9). Doi: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2022.01.006

Key clinical point: The efficacy and safety of eptinezumab in preventing migraine realized in the PROMISE-1 and PROMISE-2 trials remain unperturbed by the intrinsic baseline characteristics of the study participants, including sex, age, and body mass index (BMI).

Main finding: The ≥50% migraine responder rate (MRR) was ≥10% higher with eptinezumab relative to placebo for most demographic factors, except in the case of obesity; although patients with a BMI of 30-35 kg/m² receiving eptinezumab vs. placebo showed improved ≥50% MRR, the separation was <10%. Eptinezumab was generally safe, and no new treatment-emergent adverse events were identified.

Study details: This was a post hoc subgroup analysis of adult patients with episodic or chronic migraine from the phase 3 PROMISE-1 and PROMISE-2 trials, respectively, which included a total of 1,960 patients in the safety analysis and 1,737 patients (99.8%) in the efficacy analysis.

Disclosures: The study received financial support from H. Lundbeck A/S. The authors disclosed having no conflicts of interest.

Source: Martin V et al. Clin Ther. 2022 (Feb 9). Doi: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2022.01.006

Key clinical point: The efficacy and safety of eptinezumab in preventing migraine realized in the PROMISE-1 and PROMISE-2 trials remain unperturbed by the intrinsic baseline characteristics of the study participants, including sex, age, and body mass index (BMI).

Main finding: The ≥50% migraine responder rate (MRR) was ≥10% higher with eptinezumab relative to placebo for most demographic factors, except in the case of obesity; although patients with a BMI of 30-35 kg/m² receiving eptinezumab vs. placebo showed improved ≥50% MRR, the separation was <10%. Eptinezumab was generally safe, and no new treatment-emergent adverse events were identified.

Study details: This was a post hoc subgroup analysis of adult patients with episodic or chronic migraine from the phase 3 PROMISE-1 and PROMISE-2 trials, respectively, which included a total of 1,960 patients in the safety analysis and 1,737 patients (99.8%) in the efficacy analysis.

Disclosures: The study received financial support from H. Lundbeck A/S. The authors disclosed having no conflicts of interest.

Source: Martin V et al. Clin Ther. 2022 (Feb 9). Doi: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2022.01.006

Key clinical point: Patients with migraine present with a 20% higher risk of developing neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) compared with individuals without migraine.

Main finding: A significantly higher proportion of patients with neovascular AMD vs. control individuals had migraine before the index date (6.1% vs. 4.9%; P < .001), with an adjusted (for age, sex, monthly income, geographic location, urbanization, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, coronary heart disease, hypertension, and cataract surgery) odds ratio of 1.201 (P < .001).

Study details: This nationwide, population-based study included 20,333 patients aged 40 years or older diagnosed with neovascular AMD in at least 2 claims, with the first diagnosis date defined as the index date. They were propensity score-matched (1:4) with 81,332 nonneovascular AMD control individuals.

Disclosures: No source of funding was declared. None of the authors identified any conflicts of interest.

Source: Kuang TM et al. Sci Rep. 2022;12:1792 (Feb 2). Doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-05638-5

Key clinical point: Patients with migraine present with a 20% higher risk of developing neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) compared with individuals without migraine.

Main finding: A significantly higher proportion of patients with neovascular AMD vs. control individuals had migraine before the index date (6.1% vs. 4.9%; P < .001), with an adjusted (for age, sex, monthly income, geographic location, urbanization, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, coronary heart disease, hypertension, and cataract surgery) odds ratio of 1.201 (P < .001).

Study details: This nationwide, population-based study included 20,333 patients aged 40 years or older diagnosed with neovascular AMD in at least 2 claims, with the first diagnosis date defined as the index date. They were propensity score-matched (1:4) with 81,332 nonneovascular AMD control individuals.

Disclosures: No source of funding was declared. None of the authors identified any conflicts of interest.

Source: Kuang TM et al. Sci Rep. 2022;12:1792 (Feb 2). Doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-05638-5

Key clinical point: Patients with migraine present with a 20% higher risk of developing neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) compared with individuals without migraine.

Main finding: A significantly higher proportion of patients with neovascular AMD vs. control individuals had migraine before the index date (6.1% vs. 4.9%; P < .001), with an adjusted (for age, sex, monthly income, geographic location, urbanization, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, coronary heart disease, hypertension, and cataract surgery) odds ratio of 1.201 (P < .001).

Study details: This nationwide, population-based study included 20,333 patients aged 40 years or older diagnosed with neovascular AMD in at least 2 claims, with the first diagnosis date defined as the index date. They were propensity score-matched (1:4) with 81,332 nonneovascular AMD control individuals.

Disclosures: No source of funding was declared. None of the authors identified any conflicts of interest.

Source: Kuang TM et al. Sci Rep. 2022;12:1792 (Feb 2). Doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-05638-5

Key clinical point: Clinical management of pain intensity and disability in patients with migraine would benefit from closely monitoring their dietary nutrient patterns.

Main finding: After adjusting for all confounders, higher consumption of vitamins B1 (thiamine), B3 (niacin), and B9 (folic acid). and carbohydrate, protein, and total fiber was positively associated with pain intensity as assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (regression coefficient [β] 0.37; P < .001), whereas that of vitamins A, K, C, B6, B2 (riboflavin), and calcium and magnesium was negatively associated with migraine-related disability measured by Migraine Disability Assessment (β −3.14; P = .01).

Study details: Findings are from a cross-sectional study involving 266 adult women with migraine and no chronic disease.

Disclosures: The study was sponsored by the Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran. The authors reported having no conflicts of interest.

Source: Bahrampour N et al. Br J Nutr. 2022 (Jan 17). Doi: 10.1017/S0007114522000046

Key clinical point: Clinical management of pain intensity and disability in patients with migraine would benefit from closely monitoring their dietary nutrient patterns.

Main finding: After adjusting for all confounders, higher consumption of vitamins B1 (thiamine), B3 (niacin), and B9 (folic acid). and carbohydrate, protein, and total fiber was positively associated with pain intensity as assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (regression coefficient [β] 0.37; P < .001), whereas that of vitamins A, K, C, B6, B2 (riboflavin), and calcium and magnesium was negatively associated with migraine-related disability measured by Migraine Disability Assessment (β −3.14; P = .01).

Study details: Findings are from a cross-sectional study involving 266 adult women with migraine and no chronic disease.

Disclosures: The study was sponsored by the Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran. The authors reported having no conflicts of interest.

Source: Bahrampour N et al. Br J Nutr. 2022 (Jan 17). Doi: 10.1017/S0007114522000046

Key clinical point: Clinical management of pain intensity and disability in patients with migraine would benefit from closely monitoring their dietary nutrient patterns.

Main finding: After adjusting for all confounders, higher consumption of vitamins B1 (thiamine), B3 (niacin), and B9 (folic acid). and carbohydrate, protein, and total fiber was positively associated with pain intensity as assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (regression coefficient [β] 0.37; P < .001), whereas that of vitamins A, K, C, B6, B2 (riboflavin), and calcium and magnesium was negatively associated with migraine-related disability measured by Migraine Disability Assessment (β −3.14; P = .01).

Study details: Findings are from a cross-sectional study involving 266 adult women with migraine and no chronic disease.

Disclosures: The study was sponsored by the Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran. The authors reported having no conflicts of interest.

Source: Bahrampour N et al. Br J Nutr. 2022 (Jan 17). Doi: 10.1017/S0007114522000046

Key clinical point: Migraine, migraine with aura (MWA), and migraine without aura (MWoA) are negatively associated with large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) in young patients with ischemic stroke, irrespective of traditional vascular risk factors.

Major finding: LAA of any grade was significantly less frequent in patients with migraine (P < .001), MWA (P < .001), and MWoA (P = .005) vs. those without migraine. Migraine (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.44; P = .005), MWoA (aOR 0.42; P = .020), and MWA (aOR 0.47; P = .037) vs. no migraine showed a negative association with LAA of any grade.

Study details: Findings are from a cross-sectional study including 415 patients aged 18-54 years with first-ever acute ischemic stroke, of which 144 had migraine (MWA, n = 76; MWoA, n = 68).

Disclosures: No funding was received for this study. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Gollion C et al. Headache. 2022;62(2):191-7 (Feb 5). Doi: 10.1111/head.14265

Key clinical point: Migraine, migraine with aura (MWA), and migraine without aura (MWoA) are negatively associated with large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) in young patients with ischemic stroke, irrespective of traditional vascular risk factors.

Major finding: LAA of any grade was significantly less frequent in patients with migraine (P < .001), MWA (P < .001), and MWoA (P = .005) vs. those without migraine. Migraine (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.44; P = .005), MWoA (aOR 0.42; P = .020), and MWA (aOR 0.47; P = .037) vs. no migraine showed a negative association with LAA of any grade.

Study details: Findings are from a cross-sectional study including 415 patients aged 18-54 years with first-ever acute ischemic stroke, of which 144 had migraine (MWA, n = 76; MWoA, n = 68).

Disclosures: No funding was received for this study. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Gollion C et al. Headache. 2022;62(2):191-7 (Feb 5). Doi: 10.1111/head.14265

Key clinical point: Migraine, migraine with aura (MWA), and migraine without aura (MWoA) are negatively associated with large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) in young patients with ischemic stroke, irrespective of traditional vascular risk factors.

Major finding: LAA of any grade was significantly less frequent in patients with migraine (P < .001), MWA (P < .001), and MWoA (P = .005) vs. those without migraine. Migraine (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.44; P = .005), MWoA (aOR 0.42; P = .020), and MWA (aOR 0.47; P = .037) vs. no migraine showed a negative association with LAA of any grade.

Study details: Findings are from a cross-sectional study including 415 patients aged 18-54 years with first-ever acute ischemic stroke, of which 144 had migraine (MWA, n = 76; MWoA, n = 68).

Disclosures: No funding was received for this study. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Gollion C et al. Headache. 2022;62(2):191-7 (Feb 5). Doi: 10.1111/head.14265

Key clinical point: Chronic caffeine use is associated with a reduced cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) in the posterior circulation of patients with episodic migraine, whereas caffeine cessation is associated with a significantly improved CVR.

Major finding: The breath-holding index (BHI) of the posterior cerebral arteries (PCA) was lower in caffeine users vs. nonusers (median 1.1 vs. 1.3; P = .03), with caffeine cessation being associated with a significant improvement in PCA-BHI (median 1.1 at baseline vs. 1.3 at 3 months of follow-up; P = .03) and independently associated with changes in PCA-BHI (adjusted unstandardized β 0.27; P = .04).

Study details: Findings are from a prospective, longitudinal, observational study of 84 adult patients with episodic migraine and no vascular risk factors, of whom 56 were caffeine users and were instructed to discontinue caffeine use.

Disclosures: The study was supported by the Dong-A ST and National Research Foundation of Korea grant funded by the Korean government. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Gil Y-E et al. Headache. 2022;62(2):169-75 (Feb 3). Doi: 10.1111/head.14263

Key clinical point: Chronic caffeine use is associated with a reduced cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) in the posterior circulation of patients with episodic migraine, whereas caffeine cessation is associated with a significantly improved CVR.

Major finding: The breath-holding index (BHI) of the posterior cerebral arteries (PCA) was lower in caffeine users vs. nonusers (median 1.1 vs. 1.3; P = .03), with caffeine cessation being associated with a significant improvement in PCA-BHI (median 1.1 at baseline vs. 1.3 at 3 months of follow-up; P = .03) and independently associated with changes in PCA-BHI (adjusted unstandardized β 0.27; P = .04).

Study details: Findings are from a prospective, longitudinal, observational study of 84 adult patients with episodic migraine and no vascular risk factors, of whom 56 were caffeine users and were instructed to discontinue caffeine use.

Disclosures: The study was supported by the Dong-A ST and National Research Foundation of Korea grant funded by the Korean government. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Gil Y-E et al. Headache. 2022;62(2):169-75 (Feb 3). Doi: 10.1111/head.14263

Key clinical point: Chronic caffeine use is associated with a reduced cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) in the posterior circulation of patients with episodic migraine, whereas caffeine cessation is associated with a significantly improved CVR.

Major finding: The breath-holding index (BHI) of the posterior cerebral arteries (PCA) was lower in caffeine users vs. nonusers (median 1.1 vs. 1.3; P = .03), with caffeine cessation being associated with a significant improvement in PCA-BHI (median 1.1 at baseline vs. 1.3 at 3 months of follow-up; P = .03) and independently associated with changes in PCA-BHI (adjusted unstandardized β 0.27; P = .04).

Study details: Findings are from a prospective, longitudinal, observational study of 84 adult patients with episodic migraine and no vascular risk factors, of whom 56 were caffeine users and were instructed to discontinue caffeine use.

Disclosures: The study was supported by the Dong-A ST and National Research Foundation of Korea grant funded by the Korean government. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Gil Y-E et al. Headache. 2022;62(2):169-75 (Feb 3). Doi: 10.1111/head.14263

Key clinical point: Compared with nortriptyline alone, its combination with atorvastatin significantly reduces the frequency of headache and improves the quality of life (QOL) in patients with migraine; however, the effect on migraine intensity is nonsignificant.

Major finding: Atorvastatin plus nortriptyline vs. nortriptyline alone led to a significantly lower headache frequency (P = .004) at week 24 in addition to a significant improvement in the QOL at weeks 14 and 24 (both P = .001); however, no significant difference was observed in the headache intensity over 24 weeks.

Study details: This prospective, triple-blind, randomized controlled trial included 68 adult patients with migraine who were randomly assigned to receive atorvastatin plus nortriptyline (n = 34) or placebo plus nortriptyline (n = 34) for 24 weeks.

Disclosures: The study was supported by a grant from the Research and Technology Department of Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran. The authors reported having no conflicts of interest.

Source: Sherafat M et al. Neurol Res. 2022 (Jan 17). Doi: 10.1080/01616412.2021

Key clinical point: Compared with nortriptyline alone, its combination with atorvastatin significantly reduces the frequency of headache and improves the quality of life (QOL) in patients with migraine; however, the effect on migraine intensity is nonsignificant.

Major finding: Atorvastatin plus nortriptyline vs. nortriptyline alone led to a significantly lower headache frequency (P = .004) at week 24 in addition to a significant improvement in the QOL at weeks 14 and 24 (both P = .001); however, no significant difference was observed in the headache intensity over 24 weeks.

Study details: This prospective, triple-blind, randomized controlled trial included 68 adult patients with migraine who were randomly assigned to receive atorvastatin plus nortriptyline (n = 34) or placebo plus nortriptyline (n = 34) for 24 weeks.

Disclosures: The study was supported by a grant from the Research and Technology Department of Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran. The authors reported having no conflicts of interest.

Source: Sherafat M et al. Neurol Res. 2022 (Jan 17). Doi: 10.1080/01616412.2021

Key clinical point: Compared with nortriptyline alone, its combination with atorvastatin significantly reduces the frequency of headache and improves the quality of life (QOL) in patients with migraine; however, the effect on migraine intensity is nonsignificant.

Major finding: Atorvastatin plus nortriptyline vs. nortriptyline alone led to a significantly lower headache frequency (P = .004) at week 24 in addition to a significant improvement in the QOL at weeks 14 and 24 (both P = .001); however, no significant difference was observed in the headache intensity over 24 weeks.

Study details: This prospective, triple-blind, randomized controlled trial included 68 adult patients with migraine who were randomly assigned to receive atorvastatin plus nortriptyline (n = 34) or placebo plus nortriptyline (n = 34) for 24 weeks.

Disclosures: The study was supported by a grant from the Research and Technology Department of Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran. The authors reported having no conflicts of interest.

Source: Sherafat M et al. Neurol Res. 2022 (Jan 17). Doi: 10.1080/01616412.2021