Bone marrow aspirate

showing multiple myeloma

Researchers say they have created a microenvironment in a dish that can be used to anticipate a multiple myeloma (MM) patient’s response to treatment.

The team developed an assay that involves co-culturing MM cells with their surrounding nontumor cells, all from the same patient, in a microscale petri dish.

The researchers then treated the tumor cells with bortezomib, and, after 3 days, they could determine whether the drug was effective or not.

The team described this research in Integrative Biology.

They compared the results of their ex vivo tests with the success or failure rates of actual MM patients who received bortezomib, and 100% of the ex vivo test results matched the patients’ results.

The researchers therefore believe this assay could save many MM patients the psychological stress of having to try multiple drugs until they find the most effective one. The assay could reduce clinicians’ need for this trial-and-error approach while lowering the cost of treatment, the team said.

Study author Chorom Pak, PhD, of the University of Toronto in Ontario, Canada, has founded a service-based company called Lynx Biosciences based on these findings. Now, she and her colleagues are planning to conduct a prospective trial in which they will use the ex vivo tests to identify responsive and nonresponsive patients.

The researchers believe this work could have wide-ranging implications for the treatment of MM and other malignancies, but their work is far from over.

“This is only one type of cancer, one particular drug, and we’re a long way from implementing this and helping patients in a widespread way,” said study author David Beebe, PhD, of the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center in Madison.

“But it’s happening. This is an exciting time in this area, and we’re definitely going to see more of this.”

Bone marrow aspirate

showing multiple myeloma

Researchers say they have created a microenvironment in a dish that can be used to anticipate a multiple myeloma (MM) patient’s response to treatment.

The team developed an assay that involves co-culturing MM cells with their surrounding nontumor cells, all from the same patient, in a microscale petri dish.

The researchers then treated the tumor cells with bortezomib, and, after 3 days, they could determine whether the drug was effective or not.

The team described this research in Integrative Biology.

They compared the results of their ex vivo tests with the success or failure rates of actual MM patients who received bortezomib, and 100% of the ex vivo test results matched the patients’ results.

The researchers therefore believe this assay could save many MM patients the psychological stress of having to try multiple drugs until they find the most effective one. The assay could reduce clinicians’ need for this trial-and-error approach while lowering the cost of treatment, the team said.

Study author Chorom Pak, PhD, of the University of Toronto in Ontario, Canada, has founded a service-based company called Lynx Biosciences based on these findings. Now, she and her colleagues are planning to conduct a prospective trial in which they will use the ex vivo tests to identify responsive and nonresponsive patients.

The researchers believe this work could have wide-ranging implications for the treatment of MM and other malignancies, but their work is far from over.

“This is only one type of cancer, one particular drug, and we’re a long way from implementing this and helping patients in a widespread way,” said study author David Beebe, PhD, of the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center in Madison.

“But it’s happening. This is an exciting time in this area, and we’re definitely going to see more of this.”

Bone marrow aspirate

showing multiple myeloma

Researchers say they have created a microenvironment in a dish that can be used to anticipate a multiple myeloma (MM) patient’s response to treatment.

The team developed an assay that involves co-culturing MM cells with their surrounding nontumor cells, all from the same patient, in a microscale petri dish.

The researchers then treated the tumor cells with bortezomib, and, after 3 days, they could determine whether the drug was effective or not.

The team described this research in Integrative Biology.

They compared the results of their ex vivo tests with the success or failure rates of actual MM patients who received bortezomib, and 100% of the ex vivo test results matched the patients’ results.

The researchers therefore believe this assay could save many MM patients the psychological stress of having to try multiple drugs until they find the most effective one. The assay could reduce clinicians’ need for this trial-and-error approach while lowering the cost of treatment, the team said.

Study author Chorom Pak, PhD, of the University of Toronto in Ontario, Canada, has founded a service-based company called Lynx Biosciences based on these findings. Now, she and her colleagues are planning to conduct a prospective trial in which they will use the ex vivo tests to identify responsive and nonresponsive patients.

The researchers believe this work could have wide-ranging implications for the treatment of MM and other malignancies, but their work is far from over.

“This is only one type of cancer, one particular drug, and we’re a long way from implementing this and helping patients in a widespread way,” said study author David Beebe, PhD, of the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center in Madison.

“But it’s happening. This is an exciting time in this area, and we’re definitely going to see more of this.”

Preparing pills for a trial

Photo by Esther Dyson

New research suggests patient behavior can have a serious impact on the effectiveness of a treatment, and procedures used in double-blind randomized controlled trials (DBRCTs) may not allow researchers to assess the effects of behavior on treatment.

To solve this problem, a group of investigators has proposed a new trial design, called a two-by-two trial, that can account for behavior-treatment interactions.

They described this design in PLOS ONE.

Study rationale

The study authors pointed out that patient behaviors can directly relate to a trial. For example, a patient who believes in the drug might religiously stick to his or her treatment regimen, while someone more skeptical might skip a few doses.

Alternatively, patient behaviors may relate to how the person acts in general, such as preferences in diet, exercise, and social engagement. And in the design of today’s standard trials, these behaviors are not accounted for, said author Erik Snowberg, PhD, of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena.

He noted that DBRCTs typically assign patients to an experimental group that receives the new treatment and a control group that does not. As the trial is double-blinded, neither the subjects nor their doctors know who falls into which group.

However, patients do know their probability of getting the treatment, and that 50% likelihood of getting the new treatment might not be enough to encourage a patient to change behaviors that could influence the efficacy of the drug, Dr Snowberg said.

For example, if a subject wants to lose weight and knows he has a high probability—a 70% chance—of being in the experimental group for a new weight loss drug, he may be more likely to take the drug as directed and to make other healthy lifestyle choices that can contribute to weight loss. As a result, he might lose more weight, boosting the apparent effectiveness of the drug.

However, if the subject knows he only has a 30% chance of being in the experimental group, he might be less motivated to both take the drug as directed and to make those other changes. As a result, he might lose less weight—even if he is in the treatment group—and the same drug would seem less effective.

“Most medical research just wants to know if a drug will work or not,” Dr Snowberg said. “We wanted to go a step further, designing new trials that would take into account the way people behave. As social scientists, we naturally turned to the mathematical tools of formal social science to do this.”

New trial design

Dr Snowberg and his colleagues found that, with the two-by-two trial, they can tease out the effects of behavior and the interaction of behavior and treatment, as well as the effects of treatment alone. The new trial design, which still randomizes treatment, also randomizes the probability of treatment, which can change a patient’s behavior.

In a two-by-two trial, instead of patients first being assigned to either the experimental or control groups, they are randomly assigned to either a “high probability of treatment” group or a “low probability of treatment” group.

The patients in the high probability group are then randomized to either the treatment or the control group, giving them a 70% chance of receiving the treatment. Patients in the low probability group are also randomized to treatment or control, and their likelihood of receiving the treatment is 30%. The patients are then informed of their probability of treatment.

By randomizing both the treatment and the probability of treatment, researchers can quantify the effects of treatment, the effects of behavior, and the effects of the interaction between treatment and behavior, Dr Snowberg said. And determining each is essential for understanding the overall efficacy of treatment.

“It’s a very small change to the design of the trial, but it’s important,” he said. “The effect of a treatment has these two constituent parts: pure treatment effect and the treatment-behavior interaction. Standard blind trials just randomize the likelihood of treatment, so you can’t see this interaction. Although you can’t just tell someone to randomize their behavior, we found a way that you can randomize the probability that a patient will get something that will change their behavior.”

Testing the design

Because it is difficult to implement new trial design changes in active trials, Dr Snowberg and his colleagues wanted to first test their idea with a meta-analysis of data from previous clinical trials. They devised a new mathematical formula that can be used to analyze DBRCT data.

The formula teases out the health outcomes resulting from treatment alone as well as outcomes resulting from an interaction between treatment and behavior.

The investigators used the formula to analyze 6 DBRCTs evaluating the antidepressants imipramine (a tricyclic antidepressant also known as Tofranil) and paroxetine (a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor sold as Paxil).

First, the researchers wanted to see if there was evidence that patients behave differently when they have a high probability of treatment and when they have a low probability of treatment.

The trials recorded how many patients dropped out of the study, so this was the behavior Dr Snowberg and his colleagues analyzed. They found that, in trials where patients happened to have a relatively high probability of treatment—near 70%—the dropout rate was significantly lower than in trials where patients had a lower probability of treatment—around 50%.

Although the team did not have any specific behaviors to analyze, other than dropping out of the study, they also wanted to determine if behavior in general could have added to the effect of the treatments.

Using their statistical techniques, the investigators found that imipramine seemed to have a pure treatment effect but no effect from the interaction between treatment and behavior. That is, the drug seemed to work fine, regardless of any behavioral differences that may have been present.

The researchers also found that paroxetine seemed to have no effect from the treatment alone or behavior alone. However, an interaction between the treatment and behavior did effectively decrease depression.

Because this study was conducted in the past, the investigators could not determine which specific behavior was responsible for the interaction, but with the mathematical formula, they were able to tell that this behavior was necessary for the drug to be effective.

In their paper, Dr Snowberg and his colleagues speculate how a situation like this might come about.

“Maybe there is a drug, for instance, that makes people feel better in social situations, and if you’re in the high probability group, then maybe you’d be more willing to go out to parties to see if the drug helps you talk to people,” Dr Snowberg explained.

“Your behavior drives you to go to the party, and once you’re at the party, the drug helps you feel comfortable talking to people. That would be an example of an interaction effect. You couldn’t get that if people just took this drug alone at home.”

Although this specific example is just speculation, Dr Snowberg said the researchers’ actual results reveal that some behavior or set of behaviors interact with paroxetine to effectively treat depression. And, without this behavior, the drug appears to be ineffective.

“Normally, what you get when you run a standard blind trial is some sort of mishmash of the treatment effect and the treatment-behavior interaction effect,” Dr Snowberg said. “But knowing the full interaction effect is important.”

“Our work indicates that clinical trials underestimate the efficacy of a drug where behavior matters. It may be the case that 50% probability isn’t high enough for people to change any of their behaviors, especially if it’s a really uncertain new treatment. Then, it’s just going to look like the drug doesn’t work, and that isn’t the case.”

Because the meta-analysis supported the team’s hypothesis—that the interaction between treatment and behavior can have an effect on health outcomes—the next step is incorporating these new ideas into an active clinical trial.

Dr Snowberg said the best fit would be a drug trial for a condition, such as a mental health disorder or an addiction, that is known to be associated with behavior. At the very least, he hopes these results will lead the medical research community to a conversation about ways to improve the DBRCT.

Preparing pills for a trial

Photo by Esther Dyson

New research suggests patient behavior can have a serious impact on the effectiveness of a treatment, and procedures used in double-blind randomized controlled trials (DBRCTs) may not allow researchers to assess the effects of behavior on treatment.

To solve this problem, a group of investigators has proposed a new trial design, called a two-by-two trial, that can account for behavior-treatment interactions.

They described this design in PLOS ONE.

Study rationale

The study authors pointed out that patient behaviors can directly relate to a trial. For example, a patient who believes in the drug might religiously stick to his or her treatment regimen, while someone more skeptical might skip a few doses.

Alternatively, patient behaviors may relate to how the person acts in general, such as preferences in diet, exercise, and social engagement. And in the design of today’s standard trials, these behaviors are not accounted for, said author Erik Snowberg, PhD, of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena.

He noted that DBRCTs typically assign patients to an experimental group that receives the new treatment and a control group that does not. As the trial is double-blinded, neither the subjects nor their doctors know who falls into which group.

However, patients do know their probability of getting the treatment, and that 50% likelihood of getting the new treatment might not be enough to encourage a patient to change behaviors that could influence the efficacy of the drug, Dr Snowberg said.

For example, if a subject wants to lose weight and knows he has a high probability—a 70% chance—of being in the experimental group for a new weight loss drug, he may be more likely to take the drug as directed and to make other healthy lifestyle choices that can contribute to weight loss. As a result, he might lose more weight, boosting the apparent effectiveness of the drug.

However, if the subject knows he only has a 30% chance of being in the experimental group, he might be less motivated to both take the drug as directed and to make those other changes. As a result, he might lose less weight—even if he is in the treatment group—and the same drug would seem less effective.

“Most medical research just wants to know if a drug will work or not,” Dr Snowberg said. “We wanted to go a step further, designing new trials that would take into account the way people behave. As social scientists, we naturally turned to the mathematical tools of formal social science to do this.”

New trial design

Dr Snowberg and his colleagues found that, with the two-by-two trial, they can tease out the effects of behavior and the interaction of behavior and treatment, as well as the effects of treatment alone. The new trial design, which still randomizes treatment, also randomizes the probability of treatment, which can change a patient’s behavior.

In a two-by-two trial, instead of patients first being assigned to either the experimental or control groups, they are randomly assigned to either a “high probability of treatment” group or a “low probability of treatment” group.

The patients in the high probability group are then randomized to either the treatment or the control group, giving them a 70% chance of receiving the treatment. Patients in the low probability group are also randomized to treatment or control, and their likelihood of receiving the treatment is 30%. The patients are then informed of their probability of treatment.

By randomizing both the treatment and the probability of treatment, researchers can quantify the effects of treatment, the effects of behavior, and the effects of the interaction between treatment and behavior, Dr Snowberg said. And determining each is essential for understanding the overall efficacy of treatment.

“It’s a very small change to the design of the trial, but it’s important,” he said. “The effect of a treatment has these two constituent parts: pure treatment effect and the treatment-behavior interaction. Standard blind trials just randomize the likelihood of treatment, so you can’t see this interaction. Although you can’t just tell someone to randomize their behavior, we found a way that you can randomize the probability that a patient will get something that will change their behavior.”

Testing the design

Because it is difficult to implement new trial design changes in active trials, Dr Snowberg and his colleagues wanted to first test their idea with a meta-analysis of data from previous clinical trials. They devised a new mathematical formula that can be used to analyze DBRCT data.

The formula teases out the health outcomes resulting from treatment alone as well as outcomes resulting from an interaction between treatment and behavior.

The investigators used the formula to analyze 6 DBRCTs evaluating the antidepressants imipramine (a tricyclic antidepressant also known as Tofranil) and paroxetine (a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor sold as Paxil).

First, the researchers wanted to see if there was evidence that patients behave differently when they have a high probability of treatment and when they have a low probability of treatment.

The trials recorded how many patients dropped out of the study, so this was the behavior Dr Snowberg and his colleagues analyzed. They found that, in trials where patients happened to have a relatively high probability of treatment—near 70%—the dropout rate was significantly lower than in trials where patients had a lower probability of treatment—around 50%.

Although the team did not have any specific behaviors to analyze, other than dropping out of the study, they also wanted to determine if behavior in general could have added to the effect of the treatments.

Using their statistical techniques, the investigators found that imipramine seemed to have a pure treatment effect but no effect from the interaction between treatment and behavior. That is, the drug seemed to work fine, regardless of any behavioral differences that may have been present.

The researchers also found that paroxetine seemed to have no effect from the treatment alone or behavior alone. However, an interaction between the treatment and behavior did effectively decrease depression.

Because this study was conducted in the past, the investigators could not determine which specific behavior was responsible for the interaction, but with the mathematical formula, they were able to tell that this behavior was necessary for the drug to be effective.

In their paper, Dr Snowberg and his colleagues speculate how a situation like this might come about.

“Maybe there is a drug, for instance, that makes people feel better in social situations, and if you’re in the high probability group, then maybe you’d be more willing to go out to parties to see if the drug helps you talk to people,” Dr Snowberg explained.

“Your behavior drives you to go to the party, and once you’re at the party, the drug helps you feel comfortable talking to people. That would be an example of an interaction effect. You couldn’t get that if people just took this drug alone at home.”

Although this specific example is just speculation, Dr Snowberg said the researchers’ actual results reveal that some behavior or set of behaviors interact with paroxetine to effectively treat depression. And, without this behavior, the drug appears to be ineffective.

“Normally, what you get when you run a standard blind trial is some sort of mishmash of the treatment effect and the treatment-behavior interaction effect,” Dr Snowberg said. “But knowing the full interaction effect is important.”

“Our work indicates that clinical trials underestimate the efficacy of a drug where behavior matters. It may be the case that 50% probability isn’t high enough for people to change any of their behaviors, especially if it’s a really uncertain new treatment. Then, it’s just going to look like the drug doesn’t work, and that isn’t the case.”

Because the meta-analysis supported the team’s hypothesis—that the interaction between treatment and behavior can have an effect on health outcomes—the next step is incorporating these new ideas into an active clinical trial.

Dr Snowberg said the best fit would be a drug trial for a condition, such as a mental health disorder or an addiction, that is known to be associated with behavior. At the very least, he hopes these results will lead the medical research community to a conversation about ways to improve the DBRCT.

Preparing pills for a trial

Photo by Esther Dyson

New research suggests patient behavior can have a serious impact on the effectiveness of a treatment, and procedures used in double-blind randomized controlled trials (DBRCTs) may not allow researchers to assess the effects of behavior on treatment.

To solve this problem, a group of investigators has proposed a new trial design, called a two-by-two trial, that can account for behavior-treatment interactions.

They described this design in PLOS ONE.

Study rationale

The study authors pointed out that patient behaviors can directly relate to a trial. For example, a patient who believes in the drug might religiously stick to his or her treatment regimen, while someone more skeptical might skip a few doses.

Alternatively, patient behaviors may relate to how the person acts in general, such as preferences in diet, exercise, and social engagement. And in the design of today’s standard trials, these behaviors are not accounted for, said author Erik Snowberg, PhD, of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena.

He noted that DBRCTs typically assign patients to an experimental group that receives the new treatment and a control group that does not. As the trial is double-blinded, neither the subjects nor their doctors know who falls into which group.

However, patients do know their probability of getting the treatment, and that 50% likelihood of getting the new treatment might not be enough to encourage a patient to change behaviors that could influence the efficacy of the drug, Dr Snowberg said.

For example, if a subject wants to lose weight and knows he has a high probability—a 70% chance—of being in the experimental group for a new weight loss drug, he may be more likely to take the drug as directed and to make other healthy lifestyle choices that can contribute to weight loss. As a result, he might lose more weight, boosting the apparent effectiveness of the drug.

However, if the subject knows he only has a 30% chance of being in the experimental group, he might be less motivated to both take the drug as directed and to make those other changes. As a result, he might lose less weight—even if he is in the treatment group—and the same drug would seem less effective.

“Most medical research just wants to know if a drug will work or not,” Dr Snowberg said. “We wanted to go a step further, designing new trials that would take into account the way people behave. As social scientists, we naturally turned to the mathematical tools of formal social science to do this.”

New trial design

Dr Snowberg and his colleagues found that, with the two-by-two trial, they can tease out the effects of behavior and the interaction of behavior and treatment, as well as the effects of treatment alone. The new trial design, which still randomizes treatment, also randomizes the probability of treatment, which can change a patient’s behavior.

In a two-by-two trial, instead of patients first being assigned to either the experimental or control groups, they are randomly assigned to either a “high probability of treatment” group or a “low probability of treatment” group.

The patients in the high probability group are then randomized to either the treatment or the control group, giving them a 70% chance of receiving the treatment. Patients in the low probability group are also randomized to treatment or control, and their likelihood of receiving the treatment is 30%. The patients are then informed of their probability of treatment.

By randomizing both the treatment and the probability of treatment, researchers can quantify the effects of treatment, the effects of behavior, and the effects of the interaction between treatment and behavior, Dr Snowberg said. And determining each is essential for understanding the overall efficacy of treatment.

“It’s a very small change to the design of the trial, but it’s important,” he said. “The effect of a treatment has these two constituent parts: pure treatment effect and the treatment-behavior interaction. Standard blind trials just randomize the likelihood of treatment, so you can’t see this interaction. Although you can’t just tell someone to randomize their behavior, we found a way that you can randomize the probability that a patient will get something that will change their behavior.”

Testing the design

Because it is difficult to implement new trial design changes in active trials, Dr Snowberg and his colleagues wanted to first test their idea with a meta-analysis of data from previous clinical trials. They devised a new mathematical formula that can be used to analyze DBRCT data.

The formula teases out the health outcomes resulting from treatment alone as well as outcomes resulting from an interaction between treatment and behavior.

The investigators used the formula to analyze 6 DBRCTs evaluating the antidepressants imipramine (a tricyclic antidepressant also known as Tofranil) and paroxetine (a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor sold as Paxil).

First, the researchers wanted to see if there was evidence that patients behave differently when they have a high probability of treatment and when they have a low probability of treatment.

The trials recorded how many patients dropped out of the study, so this was the behavior Dr Snowberg and his colleagues analyzed. They found that, in trials where patients happened to have a relatively high probability of treatment—near 70%—the dropout rate was significantly lower than in trials where patients had a lower probability of treatment—around 50%.

Although the team did not have any specific behaviors to analyze, other than dropping out of the study, they also wanted to determine if behavior in general could have added to the effect of the treatments.

Using their statistical techniques, the investigators found that imipramine seemed to have a pure treatment effect but no effect from the interaction between treatment and behavior. That is, the drug seemed to work fine, regardless of any behavioral differences that may have been present.

The researchers also found that paroxetine seemed to have no effect from the treatment alone or behavior alone. However, an interaction between the treatment and behavior did effectively decrease depression.

Because this study was conducted in the past, the investigators could not determine which specific behavior was responsible for the interaction, but with the mathematical formula, they were able to tell that this behavior was necessary for the drug to be effective.

In their paper, Dr Snowberg and his colleagues speculate how a situation like this might come about.

“Maybe there is a drug, for instance, that makes people feel better in social situations, and if you’re in the high probability group, then maybe you’d be more willing to go out to parties to see if the drug helps you talk to people,” Dr Snowberg explained.

“Your behavior drives you to go to the party, and once you’re at the party, the drug helps you feel comfortable talking to people. That would be an example of an interaction effect. You couldn’t get that if people just took this drug alone at home.”

Although this specific example is just speculation, Dr Snowberg said the researchers’ actual results reveal that some behavior or set of behaviors interact with paroxetine to effectively treat depression. And, without this behavior, the drug appears to be ineffective.

“Normally, what you get when you run a standard blind trial is some sort of mishmash of the treatment effect and the treatment-behavior interaction effect,” Dr Snowberg said. “But knowing the full interaction effect is important.”

“Our work indicates that clinical trials underestimate the efficacy of a drug where behavior matters. It may be the case that 50% probability isn’t high enough for people to change any of their behaviors, especially if it’s a really uncertain new treatment. Then, it’s just going to look like the drug doesn’t work, and that isn’t the case.”

Because the meta-analysis supported the team’s hypothesis—that the interaction between treatment and behavior can have an effect on health outcomes—the next step is incorporating these new ideas into an active clinical trial.

Dr Snowberg said the best fit would be a drug trial for a condition, such as a mental health disorder or an addiction, that is known to be associated with behavior. At the very least, he hopes these results will lead the medical research community to a conversation about ways to improve the DBRCT.

Team performing surgery

Photo by Piotr Bodzek

Data  from a statewide quality collaborative helped the University of Michigan Trauma Service reduce its annual rate of venous thromboembolism (VTE), according to an article published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.

The data suggested that changing first-line VTE prophylaxis from unfractionated heparin to enoxaparin would decrease the incidence of VTE, and it did. The annual VTE incidence fell from about 36 cases to about 14.

Researchers said this study should not be interpreted as a head-to-head comparison of unfractionated heparin and enoxaparin as VTE prophylaxis in trauma patients. Instead, it should be seen as a model of how hospitals and physicians can use quality improvement data in a real-world setting.

Existing medical evidence has shown that both heparin and enoxaparin can be effective in preventing VTE, depending on factors such as how the agents are dosed and administered.

“Based on our data, the enoxaparin regimen was more effective than heparin,” said study author David A. Machado-Aranda, MD, of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

“Now, this result could be different in another institution, another collaborative, another geographical area, or another patient population based on the circumstances encountered.”

Dr Machado-Aranda and his colleagues participate in the Michigan Trauma Quality Improvement Program (MTQIP), a statewide program of 27 ACS Level 1 and 2 trauma centers.

The program showed the researchers that the rate of VTE was higher for the University of Michigan Trauma Service than the collaborative average.

A closer look at the data revealed that VTE rates among trauma patients who received unfractionated heparin were twice as high as rates for patients who received enoxaparin.

After the University of Michigan Trauma Service switched from using unfractionated heparin to enoxaparin as first-line VTE prophylaxis, the rate of VTE dropped from 6.2% to 2.6%.

“What we’ve done is to use the collaborative as our ‘mission control’ to see where we’re heading and what our trajectory is,” Dr Machado-Aranda said. “Once we saw ourselves deviating from a favorable trajectory, we used the data derived from the collaborative to investigate our problem.”

“We also accessed many different resources to review best practices, receive suggestions from other collaborative participants, and perform root-cause analysis. An action plan was formulated, approved, and implemented to get our trauma service off of an unfavorable trajectory for VTE complications.”

Dr Machado-Aranda noted that the trauma team encountered some challenges in changing the protocol for VTE prophylaxis. Hospital administration and other departments were concerned about the higher cost of enoxaparin.

In the end, “the increased costs of using enoxaparin were more than offset by savings generated by reducing the rate of venous thromboembolism complications,” he said.

The trauma surgeons also found they had to review the data with the neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons on staff to understand and alleviate their concerns about enoxaparin and potential higher rates of bleeding complications.

The neurosurgical group had previously published a study that showed higher rates of intracranial bleeding in patients undergoing brain tumor surgery who received enoxaparin rather than sequential compression devices alone.

“These results became extrapolated into the trauma setting, and it took us some time convincing our neurosurgeons to consider changing their practice for trauma patients,” Dr Machado-Aranda said.

Team performing surgery

Photo by Piotr Bodzek

Data  from a statewide quality collaborative helped the University of Michigan Trauma Service reduce its annual rate of venous thromboembolism (VTE), according to an article published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.

The data suggested that changing first-line VTE prophylaxis from unfractionated heparin to enoxaparin would decrease the incidence of VTE, and it did. The annual VTE incidence fell from about 36 cases to about 14.

Researchers said this study should not be interpreted as a head-to-head comparison of unfractionated heparin and enoxaparin as VTE prophylaxis in trauma patients. Instead, it should be seen as a model of how hospitals and physicians can use quality improvement data in a real-world setting.

Existing medical evidence has shown that both heparin and enoxaparin can be effective in preventing VTE, depending on factors such as how the agents are dosed and administered.

“Based on our data, the enoxaparin regimen was more effective than heparin,” said study author David A. Machado-Aranda, MD, of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

“Now, this result could be different in another institution, another collaborative, another geographical area, or another patient population based on the circumstances encountered.”

Dr Machado-Aranda and his colleagues participate in the Michigan Trauma Quality Improvement Program (MTQIP), a statewide program of 27 ACS Level 1 and 2 trauma centers.

The program showed the researchers that the rate of VTE was higher for the University of Michigan Trauma Service than the collaborative average.

A closer look at the data revealed that VTE rates among trauma patients who received unfractionated heparin were twice as high as rates for patients who received enoxaparin.

After the University of Michigan Trauma Service switched from using unfractionated heparin to enoxaparin as first-line VTE prophylaxis, the rate of VTE dropped from 6.2% to 2.6%.

“What we’ve done is to use the collaborative as our ‘mission control’ to see where we’re heading and what our trajectory is,” Dr Machado-Aranda said. “Once we saw ourselves deviating from a favorable trajectory, we used the data derived from the collaborative to investigate our problem.”

“We also accessed many different resources to review best practices, receive suggestions from other collaborative participants, and perform root-cause analysis. An action plan was formulated, approved, and implemented to get our trauma service off of an unfavorable trajectory for VTE complications.”

Dr Machado-Aranda noted that the trauma team encountered some challenges in changing the protocol for VTE prophylaxis. Hospital administration and other departments were concerned about the higher cost of enoxaparin.

In the end, “the increased costs of using enoxaparin were more than offset by savings generated by reducing the rate of venous thromboembolism complications,” he said.

The trauma surgeons also found they had to review the data with the neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons on staff to understand and alleviate their concerns about enoxaparin and potential higher rates of bleeding complications.

The neurosurgical group had previously published a study that showed higher rates of intracranial bleeding in patients undergoing brain tumor surgery who received enoxaparin rather than sequential compression devices alone.

“These results became extrapolated into the trauma setting, and it took us some time convincing our neurosurgeons to consider changing their practice for trauma patients,” Dr Machado-Aranda said.

Team performing surgery

Photo by Piotr Bodzek

Data  from a statewide quality collaborative helped the University of Michigan Trauma Service reduce its annual rate of venous thromboembolism (VTE), according to an article published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.

The data suggested that changing first-line VTE prophylaxis from unfractionated heparin to enoxaparin would decrease the incidence of VTE, and it did. The annual VTE incidence fell from about 36 cases to about 14.

Researchers said this study should not be interpreted as a head-to-head comparison of unfractionated heparin and enoxaparin as VTE prophylaxis in trauma patients. Instead, it should be seen as a model of how hospitals and physicians can use quality improvement data in a real-world setting.

Existing medical evidence has shown that both heparin and enoxaparin can be effective in preventing VTE, depending on factors such as how the agents are dosed and administered.

“Based on our data, the enoxaparin regimen was more effective than heparin,” said study author David A. Machado-Aranda, MD, of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

“Now, this result could be different in another institution, another collaborative, another geographical area, or another patient population based on the circumstances encountered.”

Dr Machado-Aranda and his colleagues participate in the Michigan Trauma Quality Improvement Program (MTQIP), a statewide program of 27 ACS Level 1 and 2 trauma centers.

The program showed the researchers that the rate of VTE was higher for the University of Michigan Trauma Service than the collaborative average.

A closer look at the data revealed that VTE rates among trauma patients who received unfractionated heparin were twice as high as rates for patients who received enoxaparin.

After the University of Michigan Trauma Service switched from using unfractionated heparin to enoxaparin as first-line VTE prophylaxis, the rate of VTE dropped from 6.2% to 2.6%.

“What we’ve done is to use the collaborative as our ‘mission control’ to see where we’re heading and what our trajectory is,” Dr Machado-Aranda said. “Once we saw ourselves deviating from a favorable trajectory, we used the data derived from the collaborative to investigate our problem.”

“We also accessed many different resources to review best practices, receive suggestions from other collaborative participants, and perform root-cause analysis. An action plan was formulated, approved, and implemented to get our trauma service off of an unfavorable trajectory for VTE complications.”

Dr Machado-Aranda noted that the trauma team encountered some challenges in changing the protocol for VTE prophylaxis. Hospital administration and other departments were concerned about the higher cost of enoxaparin.

In the end, “the increased costs of using enoxaparin were more than offset by savings generated by reducing the rate of venous thromboembolism complications,” he said.

The trauma surgeons also found they had to review the data with the neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons on staff to understand and alleviate their concerns about enoxaparin and potential higher rates of bleeding complications.

The neurosurgical group had previously published a study that showed higher rates of intracranial bleeding in patients undergoing brain tumor surgery who received enoxaparin rather than sequential compression devices alone.

“These results became extrapolated into the trauma setting, and it took us some time convincing our neurosurgeons to consider changing their practice for trauma patients,” Dr Machado-Aranda said.

BOSTON – Black people with new-onset atrial fibrillation have a 60% increased risk for stroke compared with white people who have incident atrial fibrillation when not maintained on an appropriate anticlotting regimen, according to prospectively collected data from more than 56,000 subjects at a U.S. center.

But in the subgroup of new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) patients who received appropriate treatment with aspirin or an anticoagulant, the stroke rates among white and blacks equalized. The analysis showed that 46% of the more than 3,000 people who developed AF during follow-up received aspirin if their CHA2DS2-VASc score was less than 2, or anticoagulation with warfarin or a new oral anticoagulant if their score was 2 or greater, Dr. Parin J. Patel said at the annual scientific sessions of the Heart Rhythm Society.

Mitchel L. Zoler/Frontline Medical News

The majority of the followed cohort with incident atrial fibrillation did not receive this treatment, and in the total group, the relative rate of stroke among blacks exceeded that of whites by a statistically significant 60% in an analysis that adjusted for several demographic and clinical features. The excess of strokes occurred at about the same rate in black women compared with white women, and in black men compared with white men, reported Dr. Patel, an electrophysiologist at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

The implication is that because their stroke risk is greater, blacks with AF should especially receive appropriate stroke prophylaxis and AF therapy, he said. The overall findings also highlight the substantial stroke risk faced by all AF patients.

The data came from the University of Pennsylvania Atrial Fibrillation-Free study of 91,274 people who underwent an ECG examination in the University of Pennsylvania health system during 2004-2009 along with an index clinical encounter within 30 days. Excluding patients with a prevalent AF or other arrhythmia, prevalent stroke, or incomplete data left 56,835 AF- and stroke-free people to follow for incident AF, which occurred in 3,891 patients. At the time of AF diagnosis, the average age of patients was 63 years; more than a third had hypertension; a fifth had diabetes; and a fifth had heart failure. One-third of the incident-AF group was black, 58% were white, and the remainder were from other demographic groups.

Dr. Patel and his associates defined an AF-related stroke as any that occurred within 6 months before AF diagnosis or anytime after, which occurred in 645 (17%) of the incident-AF patients. The more than 50,000 AF-free people followed in the study had a total of 3,001 strokes not related to AF during follow-up, which meant that 18% of all strokes in the entire cohort were AF related.

Among the 645 AF-related strokes, roughly half occurred during the 6 months before AF diagnosis, and the other half following AF diagnosis. An analysis that focused exclusively on strokes that occurred after AF diagnosis showed that this subset of AF-associated strokes also occurred significantly more often in blacks than in whites.

Dr. Patel had no disclosures.

[email protected]

On Twitter @mitchelzoler

BOSTON – Black people with new-onset atrial fibrillation have a 60% increased risk for stroke compared with white people who have incident atrial fibrillation when not maintained on an appropriate anticlotting regimen, according to prospectively collected data from more than 56,000 subjects at a U.S. center.

But in the subgroup of new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) patients who received appropriate treatment with aspirin or an anticoagulant, the stroke rates among white and blacks equalized. The analysis showed that 46% of the more than 3,000 people who developed AF during follow-up received aspirin if their CHA2DS2-VASc score was less than 2, or anticoagulation with warfarin or a new oral anticoagulant if their score was 2 or greater, Dr. Parin J. Patel said at the annual scientific sessions of the Heart Rhythm Society.

Mitchel L. Zoler/Frontline Medical News

The majority of the followed cohort with incident atrial fibrillation did not receive this treatment, and in the total group, the relative rate of stroke among blacks exceeded that of whites by a statistically significant 60% in an analysis that adjusted for several demographic and clinical features. The excess of strokes occurred at about the same rate in black women compared with white women, and in black men compared with white men, reported Dr. Patel, an electrophysiologist at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

The implication is that because their stroke risk is greater, blacks with AF should especially receive appropriate stroke prophylaxis and AF therapy, he said. The overall findings also highlight the substantial stroke risk faced by all AF patients.

The data came from the University of Pennsylvania Atrial Fibrillation-Free study of 91,274 people who underwent an ECG examination in the University of Pennsylvania health system during 2004-2009 along with an index clinical encounter within 30 days. Excluding patients with a prevalent AF or other arrhythmia, prevalent stroke, or incomplete data left 56,835 AF- and stroke-free people to follow for incident AF, which occurred in 3,891 patients. At the time of AF diagnosis, the average age of patients was 63 years; more than a third had hypertension; a fifth had diabetes; and a fifth had heart failure. One-third of the incident-AF group was black, 58% were white, and the remainder were from other demographic groups.

Dr. Patel and his associates defined an AF-related stroke as any that occurred within 6 months before AF diagnosis or anytime after, which occurred in 645 (17%) of the incident-AF patients. The more than 50,000 AF-free people followed in the study had a total of 3,001 strokes not related to AF during follow-up, which meant that 18% of all strokes in the entire cohort were AF related.

Among the 645 AF-related strokes, roughly half occurred during the 6 months before AF diagnosis, and the other half following AF diagnosis. An analysis that focused exclusively on strokes that occurred after AF diagnosis showed that this subset of AF-associated strokes also occurred significantly more often in blacks than in whites.

Dr. Patel had no disclosures.

[email protected]

On Twitter @mitchelzoler

BOSTON – Black people with new-onset atrial fibrillation have a 60% increased risk for stroke compared with white people who have incident atrial fibrillation when not maintained on an appropriate anticlotting regimen, according to prospectively collected data from more than 56,000 subjects at a U.S. center.

But in the subgroup of new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) patients who received appropriate treatment with aspirin or an anticoagulant, the stroke rates among white and blacks equalized. The analysis showed that 46% of the more than 3,000 people who developed AF during follow-up received aspirin if their CHA2DS2-VASc score was less than 2, or anticoagulation with warfarin or a new oral anticoagulant if their score was 2 or greater, Dr. Parin J. Patel said at the annual scientific sessions of the Heart Rhythm Society.

Mitchel L. Zoler/Frontline Medical News

The majority of the followed cohort with incident atrial fibrillation did not receive this treatment, and in the total group, the relative rate of stroke among blacks exceeded that of whites by a statistically significant 60% in an analysis that adjusted for several demographic and clinical features. The excess of strokes occurred at about the same rate in black women compared with white women, and in black men compared with white men, reported Dr. Patel, an electrophysiologist at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

The implication is that because their stroke risk is greater, blacks with AF should especially receive appropriate stroke prophylaxis and AF therapy, he said. The overall findings also highlight the substantial stroke risk faced by all AF patients.

The data came from the University of Pennsylvania Atrial Fibrillation-Free study of 91,274 people who underwent an ECG examination in the University of Pennsylvania health system during 2004-2009 along with an index clinical encounter within 30 days. Excluding patients with a prevalent AF or other arrhythmia, prevalent stroke, or incomplete data left 56,835 AF- and stroke-free people to follow for incident AF, which occurred in 3,891 patients. At the time of AF diagnosis, the average age of patients was 63 years; more than a third had hypertension; a fifth had diabetes; and a fifth had heart failure. One-third of the incident-AF group was black, 58% were white, and the remainder were from other demographic groups.

Dr. Patel and his associates defined an AF-related stroke as any that occurred within 6 months before AF diagnosis or anytime after, which occurred in 645 (17%) of the incident-AF patients. The more than 50,000 AF-free people followed in the study had a total of 3,001 strokes not related to AF during follow-up, which meant that 18% of all strokes in the entire cohort were AF related.

Among the 645 AF-related strokes, roughly half occurred during the 6 months before AF diagnosis, and the other half following AF diagnosis. An analysis that focused exclusively on strokes that occurred after AF diagnosis showed that this subset of AF-associated strokes also occurred significantly more often in blacks than in whites.

Dr. Patel had no disclosures.

[email protected]

On Twitter @mitchelzoler

Dr. Phuoc Le of the University of California at San Francisco and Dr. Bijay Achariya of Mass General Hospital in Boston, both practicing global hospitalists, share their perspectives on the US hospitalist movement, how it intersects with the global patient safety movement, and the opportunities presented for hospitalists with a global perspective to make a difference for patients everywhere.

Dr. Phuoc Le of the University of California at San Francisco and Dr. Bijay Achariya of Mass General Hospital in Boston, both practicing global hospitalists, share their perspectives on the US hospitalist movement, how it intersects with the global patient safety movement, and the opportunities presented for hospitalists with a global perspective to make a difference for patients everywhere.

Dr. Phuoc Le of the University of California at San Francisco and Dr. Bijay Achariya of Mass General Hospital in Boston, both practicing global hospitalists, share their perspectives on the US hospitalist movement, how it intersects with the global patient safety movement, and the opportunities presented for hospitalists with a global perspective to make a difference for patients everywhere.

On June 30, pharmaceutical and biological manufacturers will begin implementing the Food and Drug Administration’s revised rules for pregnancy and lactation drug labeling. The Pregnancy and Lactation Labeling Rule (PLLR) amends the Physician Labeling Rule (PLR, issued in 2006) and new labels aimed at providing clearer and more accurate information on drug risks will gradually roll out over the next 5 years.

The new rule – several years in the making – replaces pregnancy categories A, B, C, D, and X with short, integrated summaries that provide physicians with more information for discussing with patients the risks and benefits of a medication. The summaries will be brief and easy to read, and will contain evidence-based information that specifically addresses drug risks for women during pregnancy and lactation, as well as for men and women of reproductive potential. Under the PLLR, the pregnancy subsection of the risk summary will include for the first time information for any drug that has a pregnancy exposure registry.

Dr. John Whyte, director of Professional Affairs and Stakeholder Engagment (PASE) at the FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, answers questions about the new rule from Ob.Gyn. News journalists and our Drugs, Pregnancy & Lactation columnists.

Question: Instead of the traditional letter categories, prescribers will now have to read the pregnancy and lactation subsections of the labeling. What can the agency do to ensure prescribers are reading all of the new contextual information in the drug label?

Answer: The agency has initiated outreach efforts to help prescribers become familiar with the new information in labeling. The most important information is now under a new heading called Risk Summary. This narrative summary replaces the pregnancy letter categories with a summary of information that is known about a product. The new labeling rule explains, based on available information, the potential benefits and risks for the mother, the fetus, and the breastfeeding child. The decision to replace the pregnancy letter categories with the summary paragraph was reached after extensive consultation with experts and stakeholders who were concerned that the traditional letter categories were overly simplistic.

Q: PLLR praises the value of pregnancy exposure registries and mandates that if a registry exists for an approved product, then the label must include the registry’s website address. There is no requirement, however, that industry actually fund these registries. Why did the agency stop short of requiring companies to provide ongoing support for pregnancy exposure registries?

A: FDA has the authority to require the establishment of pregnancy registries when there is a safety concern that would benefit from the collection of data in a postapproval study, or when a particular product will be used by a large number of females of reproductive age. However, FDA does not have the authority to require companies to fund existing pregnancy exposure registries.

Q: How does the FDA plan to review all of the summary statements of available data regarding reproductive safety considering the breadth of drugs in various therapeutic areas that will need to be reviewed?

A: All labeling changes, including the changes required by the PLLR, must be submitted to the FDA for review and approval. Changes to the Pregnancy and Lactation subsections of labeling have been integrated into standard labeling review processes. In addition, the Division of Pediatric and Maternal Health, in the Office of New Drugs, works with the primary review divisions to help coordinate PLLR review processes.

Q: Are the manufacturers of generic drugs expected to “piggyback” the label for a branded molecule with respect to the pregnancy label?

A: Generic drug products (Abbreviated New Drug Applications) are required by regulation to have the “same” labeling as the reference drug listed. When the labeling is revised for the referenced drug, generic drug manufacturers also are required to update their labeling.

Q: In the new system, how will labeling stay up to date when important new data are published on a drug sometimes two to three times a year?

A: When new information becomes available that causes the labeling to be inaccurate, false, or misleading, drug manufacturers are required by regulation to update labeling.

Q: The rule is phased in over time. Drugs already on the market are given more time to switch to the new system. How long will physicians need to deal simultaneously with the old and the new formats?

A: There have been two labeling formats in use for some time as products approved prior to 2001 are not required to conform to either PLLR or PLR. The agency encourages manufacturers to voluntarily convert labeling of older products into PLR format. However, products approved prior to 2001 will be required to remove the pregnancy letter category by June 30, 2018, (3 years after the implementation of the PLLR).

Q: Does the FDA have any plans to address labeling for over-the-counter products in terms of their impact on pregnancy, lactation, and reproductive potential?

A: The PLLR does not apply to over-the-counter products. However, the agency is continually reviewing the safety of products used over the counter, including impacts on pregnancy, lactation, and reproductive potential.

Q: How does the FDA plan to assess over time the usefulness of the new labeling for prescribers and patients and make revisions?

A: The draft guidance was issued concurrently with PLLR. Based on the comments received from the public on the draft, as well as learning from the initial revisions of labeling, the guidance will be revised as needed. Guidance statements issued by FDA are regularly reviewed and revised as needed.

Dr. Whyte, a board-certified internist, is the director of Professional Affairs and Stakeholder Engagement at the FDA. Do you have other questions about the PLLR? Send them to [email protected].

On June 30, pharmaceutical and biological manufacturers will begin implementing the Food and Drug Administration’s revised rules for pregnancy and lactation drug labeling. The Pregnancy and Lactation Labeling Rule (PLLR) amends the Physician Labeling Rule (PLR, issued in 2006) and new labels aimed at providing clearer and more accurate information on drug risks will gradually roll out over the next 5 years.

The new rule – several years in the making – replaces pregnancy categories A, B, C, D, and X with short, integrated summaries that provide physicians with more information for discussing with patients the risks and benefits of a medication. The summaries will be brief and easy to read, and will contain evidence-based information that specifically addresses drug risks for women during pregnancy and lactation, as well as for men and women of reproductive potential. Under the PLLR, the pregnancy subsection of the risk summary will include for the first time information for any drug that has a pregnancy exposure registry.

Dr. John Whyte, director of Professional Affairs and Stakeholder Engagment (PASE) at the FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, answers questions about the new rule from Ob.Gyn. News journalists and our Drugs, Pregnancy & Lactation columnists.

Question: Instead of the traditional letter categories, prescribers will now have to read the pregnancy and lactation subsections of the labeling. What can the agency do to ensure prescribers are reading all of the new contextual information in the drug label?

Answer: The agency has initiated outreach efforts to help prescribers become familiar with the new information in labeling. The most important information is now under a new heading called Risk Summary. This narrative summary replaces the pregnancy letter categories with a summary of information that is known about a product. The new labeling rule explains, based on available information, the potential benefits and risks for the mother, the fetus, and the breastfeeding child. The decision to replace the pregnancy letter categories with the summary paragraph was reached after extensive consultation with experts and stakeholders who were concerned that the traditional letter categories were overly simplistic.

Q: PLLR praises the value of pregnancy exposure registries and mandates that if a registry exists for an approved product, then the label must include the registry’s website address. There is no requirement, however, that industry actually fund these registries. Why did the agency stop short of requiring companies to provide ongoing support for pregnancy exposure registries?

A: FDA has the authority to require the establishment of pregnancy registries when there is a safety concern that would benefit from the collection of data in a postapproval study, or when a particular product will be used by a large number of females of reproductive age. However, FDA does not have the authority to require companies to fund existing pregnancy exposure registries.

Q: How does the FDA plan to review all of the summary statements of available data regarding reproductive safety considering the breadth of drugs in various therapeutic areas that will need to be reviewed?

A: All labeling changes, including the changes required by the PLLR, must be submitted to the FDA for review and approval. Changes to the Pregnancy and Lactation subsections of labeling have been integrated into standard labeling review processes. In addition, the Division of Pediatric and Maternal Health, in the Office of New Drugs, works with the primary review divisions to help coordinate PLLR review processes.

Q: Are the manufacturers of generic drugs expected to “piggyback” the label for a branded molecule with respect to the pregnancy label?

A: Generic drug products (Abbreviated New Drug Applications) are required by regulation to have the “same” labeling as the reference drug listed. When the labeling is revised for the referenced drug, generic drug manufacturers also are required to update their labeling.

Q: In the new system, how will labeling stay up to date when important new data are published on a drug sometimes two to three times a year?

A: When new information becomes available that causes the labeling to be inaccurate, false, or misleading, drug manufacturers are required by regulation to update labeling.

Q: The rule is phased in over time. Drugs already on the market are given more time to switch to the new system. How long will physicians need to deal simultaneously with the old and the new formats?

A: There have been two labeling formats in use for some time as products approved prior to 2001 are not required to conform to either PLLR or PLR. The agency encourages manufacturers to voluntarily convert labeling of older products into PLR format. However, products approved prior to 2001 will be required to remove the pregnancy letter category by June 30, 2018, (3 years after the implementation of the PLLR).

Q: Does the FDA have any plans to address labeling for over-the-counter products in terms of their impact on pregnancy, lactation, and reproductive potential?

A: The PLLR does not apply to over-the-counter products. However, the agency is continually reviewing the safety of products used over the counter, including impacts on pregnancy, lactation, and reproductive potential.

Q: How does the FDA plan to assess over time the usefulness of the new labeling for prescribers and patients and make revisions?

A: The draft guidance was issued concurrently with PLLR. Based on the comments received from the public on the draft, as well as learning from the initial revisions of labeling, the guidance will be revised as needed. Guidance statements issued by FDA are regularly reviewed and revised as needed.

Dr. Whyte, a board-certified internist, is the director of Professional Affairs and Stakeholder Engagement at the FDA. Do you have other questions about the PLLR? Send them to [email protected].

On June 30, pharmaceutical and biological manufacturers will begin implementing the Food and Drug Administration’s revised rules for pregnancy and lactation drug labeling. The Pregnancy and Lactation Labeling Rule (PLLR) amends the Physician Labeling Rule (PLR, issued in 2006) and new labels aimed at providing clearer and more accurate information on drug risks will gradually roll out over the next 5 years.

The new rule – several years in the making – replaces pregnancy categories A, B, C, D, and X with short, integrated summaries that provide physicians with more information for discussing with patients the risks and benefits of a medication. The summaries will be brief and easy to read, and will contain evidence-based information that specifically addresses drug risks for women during pregnancy and lactation, as well as for men and women of reproductive potential. Under the PLLR, the pregnancy subsection of the risk summary will include for the first time information for any drug that has a pregnancy exposure registry.

Dr. John Whyte, director of Professional Affairs and Stakeholder Engagment (PASE) at the FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, answers questions about the new rule from Ob.Gyn. News journalists and our Drugs, Pregnancy & Lactation columnists.

Question: Instead of the traditional letter categories, prescribers will now have to read the pregnancy and lactation subsections of the labeling. What can the agency do to ensure prescribers are reading all of the new contextual information in the drug label?

Answer: The agency has initiated outreach efforts to help prescribers become familiar with the new information in labeling. The most important information is now under a new heading called Risk Summary. This narrative summary replaces the pregnancy letter categories with a summary of information that is known about a product. The new labeling rule explains, based on available information, the potential benefits and risks for the mother, the fetus, and the breastfeeding child. The decision to replace the pregnancy letter categories with the summary paragraph was reached after extensive consultation with experts and stakeholders who were concerned that the traditional letter categories were overly simplistic.

Q: PLLR praises the value of pregnancy exposure registries and mandates that if a registry exists for an approved product, then the label must include the registry’s website address. There is no requirement, however, that industry actually fund these registries. Why did the agency stop short of requiring companies to provide ongoing support for pregnancy exposure registries?

A: FDA has the authority to require the establishment of pregnancy registries when there is a safety concern that would benefit from the collection of data in a postapproval study, or when a particular product will be used by a large number of females of reproductive age. However, FDA does not have the authority to require companies to fund existing pregnancy exposure registries.

Q: How does the FDA plan to review all of the summary statements of available data regarding reproductive safety considering the breadth of drugs in various therapeutic areas that will need to be reviewed?

A: All labeling changes, including the changes required by the PLLR, must be submitted to the FDA for review and approval. Changes to the Pregnancy and Lactation subsections of labeling have been integrated into standard labeling review processes. In addition, the Division of Pediatric and Maternal Health, in the Office of New Drugs, works with the primary review divisions to help coordinate PLLR review processes.

Q: Are the manufacturers of generic drugs expected to “piggyback” the label for a branded molecule with respect to the pregnancy label?

A: Generic drug products (Abbreviated New Drug Applications) are required by regulation to have the “same” labeling as the reference drug listed. When the labeling is revised for the referenced drug, generic drug manufacturers also are required to update their labeling.

Q: In the new system, how will labeling stay up to date when important new data are published on a drug sometimes two to three times a year?

A: When new information becomes available that causes the labeling to be inaccurate, false, or misleading, drug manufacturers are required by regulation to update labeling.

Q: The rule is phased in over time. Drugs already on the market are given more time to switch to the new system. How long will physicians need to deal simultaneously with the old and the new formats?

A: There have been two labeling formats in use for some time as products approved prior to 2001 are not required to conform to either PLLR or PLR. The agency encourages manufacturers to voluntarily convert labeling of older products into PLR format. However, products approved prior to 2001 will be required to remove the pregnancy letter category by June 30, 2018, (3 years after the implementation of the PLLR).

Q: Does the FDA have any plans to address labeling for over-the-counter products in terms of their impact on pregnancy, lactation, and reproductive potential?

A: The PLLR does not apply to over-the-counter products. However, the agency is continually reviewing the safety of products used over the counter, including impacts on pregnancy, lactation, and reproductive potential.

Q: How does the FDA plan to assess over time the usefulness of the new labeling for prescribers and patients and make revisions?

A: The draft guidance was issued concurrently with PLLR. Based on the comments received from the public on the draft, as well as learning from the initial revisions of labeling, the guidance will be revised as needed. Guidance statements issued by FDA are regularly reviewed and revised as needed.

Dr. Whyte, a board-certified internist, is the director of Professional Affairs and Stakeholder Engagement at the FDA. Do you have other questions about the PLLR? Send them to [email protected].

Approximately 740,000 women are diagnosed with cancer every year in the United States, and because of improved screening, diagnosis, and treatment, women of reproductive age have an 80%-90% 5-year survival rate. The most common cancers in reproductive age women include breast, thyroid, melanoma, colorectal, and cervical cancers. Fertility intention is a critical topic to discuss with reproductive-age cancer patients. Women with cancer often have unmet contraception needs during and following cancer treatment. Providing women with a desired, effective form of contraception that is appropriate with regard to the cancer is critical.

Multiple studies have demonstrated that pregnancy prevention is not adequately addressed in cancer patients. On the one hand, many patients believe they are no longer fertile because of a combination of the illness and the cancer treatment, and on the other hand, many providers may not be adequately trained to offer their patients the full range of contraceptive options (Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 2009;201:191.e1-4). One study demonstrated that discussions around fecundity and contraception are occurring about 50% of the time (J. Natl. Cancer. Inst. Monogr. 2005:98-100).

In response, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine has issued guidelines regarding fertility planning in cancer patients (Fertil. Steril. 2005;83:1622-8). While every patient’s circumstance is unique, recommendations are for patients to avoid pregnancy for at least 1 year beyond the completion of medical and surgical treatment of cancer. For those cancers that are hormone mediated, recommendations are to wait 2-5 years before attempting to conceive (J. Obstet. Gynaecol. Can. 2002;24:164-80; J. Gen. Intern. Med. 2009; 24: S401-6).

Unless patients are educated about and offered the most effective forms of contraception, they are at risk of unintended pregnancy, which may result in severe consequences, as patients may be on teratogenic medications or dealing with comorbid conditions originating from cancer and cancer treatment (Contraception 2012;86:191-8).

Cancer treatments have variable impact on subsequent fertility (with the obvious exception of surgical removal of gynecologic organs resulting in sterilization). With all nonsurgical cancer treatments, the potential for subsequent fertility depends on the chemotherapeutic agents, the duration of treatment, or use of pelvic radiation. As in patients without cancer, age is inversely related to subsequent fertility. Reviews of the literature have shown that fecundability decreases by 10%-50% post chemotherapy.

Clinicians caring for these women may find it challenging to assess future fertility. Some chemotherapies induce amenorrhea, but spontaneous return of menstruation and ovarian function is possible in younger women. Traditional diagnostic tests to assess fertility, including serum FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and/or AMH (anti-Müllerian hormone), may help in predicting future fertility. These tests can be used both in patients who desire to pursue pregnancy and in those desiring to avoid pregnancy as menstrual status may not accurately predict fertility.

Contraception counseling should begin by informing women of the most effective forms of contraception (Obstet. Gynecol. 2011;118:184-96). It is important to consider the option of sterilization, especially when this desire predated the cancer diagnosis. In patients who are in a monogamous relationship with a male partner, vasectomy should be encouraged as a safe and effective alternative. When a woman is considering sterilization, she needs to be counseled as to the risk of regret, which is higher in younger women. Sterilization should not be performed if the consent or decision-making process is rushed by the cancer treatment.

As cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment continue to improve, more reproductive-age women will be living longer with a need for effective contraception. In the next edition of Gynecologic Oncology Consult, I will review the safety and efficacy of specific contraceptive methods in patients with cancer.

Dr. Zerden is a family planning fellow in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His research interests include postpartum contraception, methods of female sterilization, and family planning health services integration. He reported having no financial disclosures.

Approximately 740,000 women are diagnosed with cancer every year in the United States, and because of improved screening, diagnosis, and treatment, women of reproductive age have an 80%-90% 5-year survival rate. The most common cancers in reproductive age women include breast, thyroid, melanoma, colorectal, and cervical cancers. Fertility intention is a critical topic to discuss with reproductive-age cancer patients. Women with cancer often have unmet contraception needs during and following cancer treatment. Providing women with a desired, effective form of contraception that is appropriate with regard to the cancer is critical.

Multiple studies have demonstrated that pregnancy prevention is not adequately addressed in cancer patients. On the one hand, many patients believe they are no longer fertile because of a combination of the illness and the cancer treatment, and on the other hand, many providers may not be adequately trained to offer their patients the full range of contraceptive options (Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 2009;201:191.e1-4). One study demonstrated that discussions around fecundity and contraception are occurring about 50% of the time (J. Natl. Cancer. Inst. Monogr. 2005:98-100).

In response, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine has issued guidelines regarding fertility planning in cancer patients (Fertil. Steril. 2005;83:1622-8). While every patient’s circumstance is unique, recommendations are for patients to avoid pregnancy for at least 1 year beyond the completion of medical and surgical treatment of cancer. For those cancers that are hormone mediated, recommendations are to wait 2-5 years before attempting to conceive (J. Obstet. Gynaecol. Can. 2002;24:164-80; J. Gen. Intern. Med. 2009; 24: S401-6).

Unless patients are educated about and offered the most effective forms of contraception, they are at risk of unintended pregnancy, which may result in severe consequences, as patients may be on teratogenic medications or dealing with comorbid conditions originating from cancer and cancer treatment (Contraception 2012;86:191-8).

Cancer treatments have variable impact on subsequent fertility (with the obvious exception of surgical removal of gynecologic organs resulting in sterilization). With all nonsurgical cancer treatments, the potential for subsequent fertility depends on the chemotherapeutic agents, the duration of treatment, or use of pelvic radiation. As in patients without cancer, age is inversely related to subsequent fertility. Reviews of the literature have shown that fecundability decreases by 10%-50% post chemotherapy.

Clinicians caring for these women may find it challenging to assess future fertility. Some chemotherapies induce amenorrhea, but spontaneous return of menstruation and ovarian function is possible in younger women. Traditional diagnostic tests to assess fertility, including serum FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and/or AMH (anti-Müllerian hormone), may help in predicting future fertility. These tests can be used both in patients who desire to pursue pregnancy and in those desiring to avoid pregnancy as menstrual status may not accurately predict fertility.

Contraception counseling should begin by informing women of the most effective forms of contraception (Obstet. Gynecol. 2011;118:184-96). It is important to consider the option of sterilization, especially when this desire predated the cancer diagnosis. In patients who are in a monogamous relationship with a male partner, vasectomy should be encouraged as a safe and effective alternative. When a woman is considering sterilization, she needs to be counseled as to the risk of regret, which is higher in younger women. Sterilization should not be performed if the consent or decision-making process is rushed by the cancer treatment.

As cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment continue to improve, more reproductive-age women will be living longer with a need for effective contraception. In the next edition of Gynecologic Oncology Consult, I will review the safety and efficacy of specific contraceptive methods in patients with cancer.

Dr. Zerden is a family planning fellow in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His research interests include postpartum contraception, methods of female sterilization, and family planning health services integration. He reported having no financial disclosures.

Approximately 740,000 women are diagnosed with cancer every year in the United States, and because of improved screening, diagnosis, and treatment, women of reproductive age have an 80%-90% 5-year survival rate. The most common cancers in reproductive age women include breast, thyroid, melanoma, colorectal, and cervical cancers. Fertility intention is a critical topic to discuss with reproductive-age cancer patients. Women with cancer often have unmet contraception needs during and following cancer treatment. Providing women with a desired, effective form of contraception that is appropriate with regard to the cancer is critical.

Multiple studies have demonstrated that pregnancy prevention is not adequately addressed in cancer patients. On the one hand, many patients believe they are no longer fertile because of a combination of the illness and the cancer treatment, and on the other hand, many providers may not be adequately trained to offer their patients the full range of contraceptive options (Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 2009;201:191.e1-4). One study demonstrated that discussions around fecundity and contraception are occurring about 50% of the time (J. Natl. Cancer. Inst. Monogr. 2005:98-100).

In response, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine has issued guidelines regarding fertility planning in cancer patients (Fertil. Steril. 2005;83:1622-8). While every patient’s circumstance is unique, recommendations are for patients to avoid pregnancy for at least 1 year beyond the completion of medical and surgical treatment of cancer. For those cancers that are hormone mediated, recommendations are to wait 2-5 years before attempting to conceive (J. Obstet. Gynaecol. Can. 2002;24:164-80; J. Gen. Intern. Med. 2009; 24: S401-6).

Unless patients are educated about and offered the most effective forms of contraception, they are at risk of unintended pregnancy, which may result in severe consequences, as patients may be on teratogenic medications or dealing with comorbid conditions originating from cancer and cancer treatment (Contraception 2012;86:191-8).

Cancer treatments have variable impact on subsequent fertility (with the obvious exception of surgical removal of gynecologic organs resulting in sterilization). With all nonsurgical cancer treatments, the potential for subsequent fertility depends on the chemotherapeutic agents, the duration of treatment, or use of pelvic radiation. As in patients without cancer, age is inversely related to subsequent fertility. Reviews of the literature have shown that fecundability decreases by 10%-50% post chemotherapy.

Clinicians caring for these women may find it challenging to assess future fertility. Some chemotherapies induce amenorrhea, but spontaneous return of menstruation and ovarian function is possible in younger women. Traditional diagnostic tests to assess fertility, including serum FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and/or AMH (anti-Müllerian hormone), may help in predicting future fertility. These tests can be used both in patients who desire to pursue pregnancy and in those desiring to avoid pregnancy as menstrual status may not accurately predict fertility.

Contraception counseling should begin by informing women of the most effective forms of contraception (Obstet. Gynecol. 2011;118:184-96). It is important to consider the option of sterilization, especially when this desire predated the cancer diagnosis. In patients who are in a monogamous relationship with a male partner, vasectomy should be encouraged as a safe and effective alternative. When a woman is considering sterilization, she needs to be counseled as to the risk of regret, which is higher in younger women. Sterilization should not be performed if the consent or decision-making process is rushed by the cancer treatment.

As cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment continue to improve, more reproductive-age women will be living longer with a need for effective contraception. In the next edition of Gynecologic Oncology Consult, I will review the safety and efficacy of specific contraceptive methods in patients with cancer.

Dr. Zerden is a family planning fellow in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His research interests include postpartum contraception, methods of female sterilization, and family planning health services integration. He reported having no financial disclosures.

ROME – The Montreal Cognitive Assessment provides a quick and easy-to-use screening tool to identify patients with systemic lupus erythematosus with cognitive impairment, Dr. Zahi Touma reported in a poster at the European Congress of Rheumatology.

In a consecutive series of 78 patients screened with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), the free, single-page test, which can be administered in about 10 minutes, showed a sensitivity of 69% and specificity of 68%, compared with the current standard, the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised, said Dr. Touma, a rheumatologist at the University of Toronto.

Other easy-to-use and quick screening tools, such as the Mini-Mental State Examination, had substantially worse performance in the study. He and his associates found a sensitivity of 21% and specificity of 91% using the Mini-Mental State exam. For screening, higher sensitivity is desirable so that fewer patients with potential cognitive impairment are missed, he noted.

“Ease of use and time needed for assessment as well as appropriate psychometric properties make the MoCA the preferential screening test for cognitive impairment in patients with SLE,” Dr. Touma said in his poster.

Cognitive impairment is very common among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In this study, Dr Touma found a 47% prevalence using MoCA. Cognitive impairment, however, often goes unidentified in SLE patients, likely because of lack of awareness among rheumatologists as well as the absence of a quick and easily administered screening tool, he said in a video interview.

Dr. Touma said he hopes that the apparent efficacy of an easy-to-use screening tool like MoCA will help boost appreciation for the high prevalence of cognitive impairment in SLE patients. He suggested that clinicians screen for cognitive impairment as soon as SLE is diagnosed and that they perform follow-up screening during subsequent patient encounters with SLE patients who initially present without cognitive impairment.

Dr. Touma had no disclosures.

[email protected]

On Twitter @mitchelzoler

ROME – The Montreal Cognitive Assessment provides a quick and easy-to-use screening tool to identify patients with systemic lupus erythematosus with cognitive impairment, Dr. Zahi Touma reported in a poster at the European Congress of Rheumatology.

In a consecutive series of 78 patients screened with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), the free, single-page test, which can be administered in about 10 minutes, showed a sensitivity of 69% and specificity of 68%, compared with the current standard, the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised, said Dr. Touma, a rheumatologist at the University of Toronto.

Other easy-to-use and quick screening tools, such as the Mini-Mental State Examination, had substantially worse performance in the study. He and his associates found a sensitivity of 21% and specificity of 91% using the Mini-Mental State exam. For screening, higher sensitivity is desirable so that fewer patients with potential cognitive impairment are missed, he noted.

“Ease of use and time needed for assessment as well as appropriate psychometric properties make the MoCA the preferential screening test for cognitive impairment in patients with SLE,” Dr. Touma said in his poster.

Cognitive impairment is very common among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In this study, Dr Touma found a 47% prevalence using MoCA. Cognitive impairment, however, often goes unidentified in SLE patients, likely because of lack of awareness among rheumatologists as well as the absence of a quick and easily administered screening tool, he said in a video interview.

Dr. Touma said he hopes that the apparent efficacy of an easy-to-use screening tool like MoCA will help boost appreciation for the high prevalence of cognitive impairment in SLE patients. He suggested that clinicians screen for cognitive impairment as soon as SLE is diagnosed and that they perform follow-up screening during subsequent patient encounters with SLE patients who initially present without cognitive impairment.

Dr. Touma had no disclosures.

[email protected]

On Twitter @mitchelzoler

ROME – The Montreal Cognitive Assessment provides a quick and easy-to-use screening tool to identify patients with systemic lupus erythematosus with cognitive impairment, Dr. Zahi Touma reported in a poster at the European Congress of Rheumatology.

In a consecutive series of 78 patients screened with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), the free, single-page test, which can be administered in about 10 minutes, showed a sensitivity of 69% and specificity of 68%, compared with the current standard, the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised, said Dr. Touma, a rheumatologist at the University of Toronto.

Other easy-to-use and quick screening tools, such as the Mini-Mental State Examination, had substantially worse performance in the study. He and his associates found a sensitivity of 21% and specificity of 91% using the Mini-Mental State exam. For screening, higher sensitivity is desirable so that fewer patients with potential cognitive impairment are missed, he noted.

“Ease of use and time needed for assessment as well as appropriate psychometric properties make the MoCA the preferential screening test for cognitive impairment in patients with SLE,” Dr. Touma said in his poster.

Cognitive impairment is very common among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In this study, Dr Touma found a 47% prevalence using MoCA. Cognitive impairment, however, often goes unidentified in SLE patients, likely because of lack of awareness among rheumatologists as well as the absence of a quick and easily administered screening tool, he said in a video interview.

Dr. Touma said he hopes that the apparent efficacy of an easy-to-use screening tool like MoCA will help boost appreciation for the high prevalence of cognitive impairment in SLE patients. He suggested that clinicians screen for cognitive impairment as soon as SLE is diagnosed and that they perform follow-up screening during subsequent patient encounters with SLE patients who initially present without cognitive impairment.

Dr. Touma had no disclosures.

[email protected]

On Twitter @mitchelzoler

Intensive Eye Treatment

Niadyne, Incorporated, introduces the NIA24 Intensive Eye Treatment, a dual-phase, predosed, multiaction eye mask to reduce the look of fine lines, wrinkles, and dark circles. The treatment begins with the aesthetician combining the predosed treatment base with the activating powder just prior to use. Once combined, the activated components are applied around the eye area. The Intensive Eye Treatment contains Pro-Niacin to help stimulate skin barrier repair, improve cell turnover, and energize skin. Haloxyl tripeptide complex decreases the red and blue color of dark circles under the eyes and acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. Lumispheres skin brightener diminishes the appearance of fine lines. Other ingredients firm and tighten skin, while reducing undereye bags and puffiness. The Intensive Eye Treatment is a professional treatment that is available exclusively through physicians. For more information, visit www.nia24.com/professional-treatments/.

Kybella Injection

Kythera Biopharmaceuticals announces US Food and Drug Administration approval of Kybella (deoxycholic acid), also known as ATX-101, a nonsurgical treatment indicated for improvement in the appearance of moderate to severe convexity or fullness associated with submental fat in adults. Kybella is administered by injections into the fat under the chin, which causes destruction of fat cells. Once destroyed, those cells cannot store or accumulate fat. Each in-office treatment session is typically 15 to 20 minutes, and up to 6 treatments may be administered. Many patients experience visible results in 2 to 4 treatments. Once the aesthetic response is achieved, re-treatment is not expected. Kybella physician training programs will be initiated in late summer. For more information, visit www.mykybella.com.
 

Sun Shield Broad Spectrum Matte Sunscreen Lotion

Obagi Medical Products, Inc, a division of Valeant Pharmaceuticals North America LLC, introduces the Sun Shield Broad Spectrum Matte SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion. It combines UVB absorption and UVA protection with a completely sheer application. It contains 10.5% zinc oxide and 7.5% octinoxate. The Sun Shield Broad Spectrum Matte Sunscreen Lotion is ideal for use on all skin types and is physician dispensed. For more information, visit www.obagi.com.

If you would like your product included in Product News, please e-mail a press release to the Editorial Office at [email protected].

Intensive Eye Treatment

Niadyne, Incorporated, introduces the NIA24 Intensive Eye Treatment, a dual-phase, predosed, multiaction eye mask to reduce the look of fine lines, wrinkles, and dark circles. The treatment begins with the aesthetician combining the predosed treatment base with the activating powder just prior to use. Once combined, the activated components are applied around the eye area. The Intensive Eye Treatment contains Pro-Niacin to help stimulate skin barrier repair, improve cell turnover, and energize skin. Haloxyl tripeptide complex decreases the red and blue color of dark circles under the eyes and acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. Lumispheres skin brightener diminishes the appearance of fine lines. Other ingredients firm and tighten skin, while reducing undereye bags and puffiness. The Intensive Eye Treatment is a professional treatment that is available exclusively through physicians. For more information, visit www.nia24.com/professional-treatments/.

Kybella Injection

Kythera Biopharmaceuticals announces US Food and Drug Administration approval of Kybella (deoxycholic acid), also known as ATX-101, a nonsurgical treatment indicated for improvement in the appearance of moderate to severe convexity or fullness associated with submental fat in adults. Kybella is administered by injections into the fat under the chin, which causes destruction of fat cells. Once destroyed, those cells cannot store or accumulate fat. Each in-office treatment session is typically 15 to 20 minutes, and up to 6 treatments may be administered. Many patients experience visible results in 2 to 4 treatments. Once the aesthetic response is achieved, re-treatment is not expected. Kybella physician training programs will be initiated in late summer. For more information, visit www.mykybella.com.
 

Sun Shield Broad Spectrum Matte Sunscreen Lotion

Obagi Medical Products, Inc, a division of Valeant Pharmaceuticals North America LLC, introduces the Sun Shield Broad Spectrum Matte SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion. It combines UVB absorption and UVA protection with a completely sheer application. It contains 10.5% zinc oxide and 7.5% octinoxate. The Sun Shield Broad Spectrum Matte Sunscreen Lotion is ideal for use on all skin types and is physician dispensed. For more information, visit www.obagi.com.

If you would like your product included in Product News, please e-mail a press release to the Editorial Office at [email protected].

Intensive Eye Treatment

Niadyne, Incorporated, introduces the NIA24 Intensive Eye Treatment, a dual-phase, predosed, multiaction eye mask to reduce the look of fine lines, wrinkles, and dark circles. The treatment begins with the aesthetician combining the predosed treatment base with the activating powder just prior to use. Once combined, the activated components are applied around the eye area. The Intensive Eye Treatment contains Pro-Niacin to help stimulate skin barrier repair, improve cell turnover, and energize skin. Haloxyl tripeptide complex decreases the red and blue color of dark circles under the eyes and acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. Lumispheres skin brightener diminishes the appearance of fine lines. Other ingredients firm and tighten skin, while reducing undereye bags and puffiness. The Intensive Eye Treatment is a professional treatment that is available exclusively through physicians. For more information, visit www.nia24.com/professional-treatments/.

Kybella Injection

Kythera Biopharmaceuticals announces US Food and Drug Administration approval of Kybella (deoxycholic acid), also known as ATX-101, a nonsurgical treatment indicated for improvement in the appearance of moderate to severe convexity or fullness associated with submental fat in adults. Kybella is administered by injections into the fat under the chin, which causes destruction of fat cells. Once destroyed, those cells cannot store or accumulate fat. Each in-office treatment session is typically 15 to 20 minutes, and up to 6 treatments may be administered. Many patients experience visible results in 2 to 4 treatments. Once the aesthetic response is achieved, re-treatment is not expected. Kybella physician training programs will be initiated in late summer. For more information, visit www.mykybella.com.
 

Sun Shield Broad Spectrum Matte Sunscreen Lotion

Obagi Medical Products, Inc, a division of Valeant Pharmaceuticals North America LLC, introduces the Sun Shield Broad Spectrum Matte SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion. It combines UVB absorption and UVA protection with a completely sheer application. It contains 10.5% zinc oxide and 7.5% octinoxate. The Sun Shield Broad Spectrum Matte Sunscreen Lotion is ideal for use on all skin types and is physician dispensed. For more information, visit www.obagi.com.

If you would like your product included in Product News, please e-mail a press release to the Editorial Office at [email protected].

Diagnosis: Kaposi’s sarcoma

Kaposi's sarcoma is a vascular neoplasm with four principal clinical variants: HIV/AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma, classic Kaposi's sarcoma, African endemic Kaposi's sarcoma, and immunosuppression-associated Kaposi's sarcoma. The etiologic agent in all clinical variants is human herpes virus type 8 (HHV-8). HIV/AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma is primarily seen in men who have sex with men.

The four variants of Kaposi's sarcoma can have different clinical presentations. In HIV/AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma, patients may present with a single lesion or with symmetric widespread lesions. Clinically, the lesions can range from faint erythematous macules, to small violaceous papules, to large plaques or ulcerated nodules. The lesions are generally asymptomatic.

Any mucocutaneous surface can be involved. Common body locations include the face (especially the nose), hard palate, trunk, penis, lower legs, and soles. The most common areas of internal involvement are the gastrointestinal system and lymphatics. Histologically, atypical, angular vessels with an associated inflammatory infiltrate containing plasma cells appear in the upper dermis in macular lesions. Nodules and tumors reveal a spindle cell neoplasm pattern. Lesions stain positive for human herpes virus 8 (HHV-8).

Since the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), the incidence of Kaposi's sarcoma has greatly decreased. HAART is the most effective treatment method, and should be the initial therapy in most patients with mild to moderate disease.

However, some patients with HIV/AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma require further treatment - those who have well-controlled HIV and undetectable viral loads. Other treatments include local destruction (cryotherapy), topical alitretinoin (9-cis-retinoic acid), intralesional interferon or vinblastine, superficial radiotherapy, liposomal doxorubicin, daunorubicin, or paclitaxel.

Diagnosis: Kaposi’s sarcoma

Kaposi's sarcoma is a vascular neoplasm with four principal clinical variants: HIV/AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma, classic Kaposi's sarcoma, African endemic Kaposi's sarcoma, and immunosuppression-associated Kaposi's sarcoma. The etiologic agent in all clinical variants is human herpes virus type 8 (HHV-8). HIV/AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma is primarily seen in men who have sex with men.

The four variants of Kaposi's sarcoma can have different clinical presentations. In HIV/AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma, patients may present with a single lesion or with symmetric widespread lesions. Clinically, the lesions can range from faint erythematous macules, to small violaceous papules, to large plaques or ulcerated nodules. The lesions are generally asymptomatic.

Any mucocutaneous surface can be involved. Common body locations include the face (especially the nose), hard palate, trunk, penis, lower legs, and soles. The most common areas of internal involvement are the gastrointestinal system and lymphatics. Histologically, atypical, angular vessels with an associated inflammatory infiltrate containing plasma cells appear in the upper dermis in macular lesions. Nodules and tumors reveal a spindle cell neoplasm pattern. Lesions stain positive for human herpes virus 8 (HHV-8).

Since the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), the incidence of Kaposi's sarcoma has greatly decreased. HAART is the most effective treatment method, and should be the initial therapy in most patients with mild to moderate disease.

However, some patients with HIV/AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma require further treatment - those who have well-controlled HIV and undetectable viral loads. Other treatments include local destruction (cryotherapy), topical alitretinoin (9-cis-retinoic acid), intralesional interferon or vinblastine, superficial radiotherapy, liposomal doxorubicin, daunorubicin, or paclitaxel.

Diagnosis: Kaposi’s sarcoma

Kaposi's sarcoma is a vascular neoplasm with four principal clinical variants: HIV/AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma, classic Kaposi's sarcoma, African endemic Kaposi's sarcoma, and immunosuppression-associated Kaposi's sarcoma. The etiologic agent in all clinical variants is human herpes virus type 8 (HHV-8). HIV/AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma is primarily seen in men who have sex with men.

The four variants of Kaposi's sarcoma can have different clinical presentations. In HIV/AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma, patients may present with a single lesion or with symmetric widespread lesions. Clinically, the lesions can range from faint erythematous macules, to small violaceous papules, to large plaques or ulcerated nodules. The lesions are generally asymptomatic.

Any mucocutaneous surface can be involved. Common body locations include the face (especially the nose), hard palate, trunk, penis, lower legs, and soles. The most common areas of internal involvement are the gastrointestinal system and lymphatics. Histologically, atypical, angular vessels with an associated inflammatory infiltrate containing plasma cells appear in the upper dermis in macular lesions. Nodules and tumors reveal a spindle cell neoplasm pattern. Lesions stain positive for human herpes virus 8 (HHV-8).

Since the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), the incidence of Kaposi's sarcoma has greatly decreased. HAART is the most effective treatment method, and should be the initial therapy in most patients with mild to moderate disease.

However, some patients with HIV/AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma require further treatment - those who have well-controlled HIV and undetectable viral loads. Other treatments include local destruction (cryotherapy), topical alitretinoin (9-cis-retinoic acid), intralesional interferon or vinblastine, superficial radiotherapy, liposomal doxorubicin, daunorubicin, or paclitaxel.