Expert review of clinical pharmacology
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Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol · Jan 2016
ReviewEndocrinopathies induced by immune-checkpoint inhibitors in advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
The advent of immunotherapy has recently expanded the therapeutic options in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In these patients, the recent efficacy demonstration of antibodies against immune checkpoints: the anti-programmed death-1 (PD-1) and anti-programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1), has led to approval of nivolumab and pembrolizumab (anti-PD-1) in the treatment of advanced NSCLC. ⋯ Among these, a spectrum of endocrine disorders has been also reported. This manuscript focuses particularly on endocrine disorders induced by immuno-checkpoint inhibitors employed in NSCLC, in order to suggest the strategies for their diagnosis and effective management.
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Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol · Jan 2016
ReviewPanobinostat for the treatment of relapsed or relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma: pharmacology and clinical outcomes.
Recently, outcomes for patients with multiple myeloma have improved dramatically due to improved and innovative therapies. However, most patients will either relapse or become refractory to current therapy. ⋯ In a phase 3 trial of panobinostat with bortezomib and dexamethasone, addition of panobinostat significantly prolonged the median progression-free survival of patients with relapsed or relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma. This review focuses on clinical development of panobinostat, with particular emphasis on pharmacokinetics and adverse event management.
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Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol · Jan 2016
ReviewBuprenorphine - the unique opioid adjuvant in regional anesthesia.
Regional anesthesia techniques are commonly used for many surgical procedures alone or as an addition to general anesthesia, because they offer many advantages over general anesthesia. Unfortunately these techniques are partially limited by the time of action of local anesthetics. ⋯ Among many adjuvants to local anesthetic drugs tested so far one seems to be particularly interesting--buprenorphine. The aim of this paper is to present pharmacological background for using buprenorphine for regional anesthesia and to review clinical trials of using buprenorphine for all regional anesthesia techniques: spinal and epidural anesthesia, peripheral nerves blocks, local anesthesia and intravenous regional anesthesia.
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Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol · Jan 2016
ReviewEmerging therapies in systemic lupus erythematous: from clinical trial to the real life.
Systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterised by multisystem involvement and a relapsing remitting course. SLE is a highly heterogeneous condition, with wide variations in both the presentation and severity of disease and the biological markers identified. ⋯ Nevertheless, in recent years, elucidation of some aspects of SLE pathogenesis have allowed the development of therapies targeted at molecular mediators of SLE. This review provides an update of biological available therapies and those currently under development.
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Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol · Jan 2016
ReviewAllergen extracts for immunotherapy: to mix or not to mix?
Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is established as a curative treatment for allergic rhinitis, asthma, as well as insect venom allergy. AIT is based on the administration of natural allergen extracts via the subcutaneous or sublingual routes to reorient the immune system towards tolerogenic mechanisms. ⋯ Herein, we discuss the advantages and drawbacks of mixing homologous (i.e., related) or heterogeneous (i.e., unrelated) allergen extracts. We provide evidence for incompatibilities between mixes of grass pollen and house dust mite extracts containing bodies and feces, and summarize critical points to consider when mixing allergen extracts for AIT.