Publications by authors named "J I Damsker"
Pembrolizumab-induced Myasthenia Gravis and Myocarditis.
J Community Hosp Intern Med Perspect
May 2024
As the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICPi) such as pembrolizumab is rapidly expanding in the field of immuno-oncology, it is crucial for healthcare providers to be aware of their immune-related adverse events (irAE) which are thought to be driven by augmented immune response of T-cells. While neurologic irAE are underrepresented in literature, their consequences could lead to fatal outcomes. In this report, we describe the case of a patient with excellent performance status prior to pembrolizumab therapy who subsequently suffered myasthenic crisis eventually requiring tracheostomy and long-term mechanical ventilation.
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- * Vamorolone, a drug for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, is metabolized by specific enzymes (CYP3A4, CYP3A5, UGT1A1), and this study looks at its pharmacokinetics in young boys with DMD.
- * Analysis found that the pharmacokinetics of vamorolone were consistent across subjects, and genetic variations in the enzymes studied did not significantly affect how the drug was processed in their bodies.
Article Synopsis
- Vamorolone, a glucocorticoid receptor agonist, was tested to assess its effectiveness and safety over 48 weeks compared to prednisone in children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).
- A double-blind clinical trial involved 121 participants aged 4 to under 7 years, receiving varying doses of vamorolone and prednisone, with improvements monitored in motor skills and growth.
- Results indicated that vamorolone (6 mg/kg/day) maintained motor skill improvements over 48 weeks, with significant growth benefits seen after participants switched from prednisone to vamorolone.
Article Synopsis
- Long-term use of corticosteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can negatively impact patient quality of life, highlighting the need for safer alternatives.
- The study tested vamorolone, a new type of dissociative steroid, for its effectiveness and safety in boys aged 4 to under 7 with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) over a 24-week period.
- Results showed that vamorolone (6 mg/kg) significantly improved motor function compared to placebo, while the safety profile was potentially better than traditional corticosteroids.
Article Synopsis
- Vamorolone is a synthetic steroid that shows strong anti-inflammatory effects, and earlier studies indicated it improved motor function in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) after 6 months of high-dose treatment.
- This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of 30 months of ongoing vamorolone treatment in DMD patients, conducted by the Cooperative International Neuromuscular Research Group across multiple locations.
- Results indicated that while the mean time-to-stand velocity of participants on higher doses of vamorolone showed a slight decrease over the treatment period, this change was not statistically significant, suggesting the need for further research.