A systematic review of in-hospital worsening heart failure as an endpoint in clinical investigations of therapy for acute heart failure.

Background: In-hospital worsening heart failure (WHF) occurs frequently in patients hospitalized for acute heart failure (AHF) and has strongly negative prognostic associations. It may be a useful endpoint in studies of AHF management but important questions remain regarding optimization of its definition and variability in its incidence.

Methods: Our objective was to survey the full extent of clinical interest in WHF and assess the impact of baseline variables and trial design on outcomes.

A randomized, phase II study of the anti-insulin-like growth factor receptor type 1 (IGF-1R) monoclonal antibody robatumumab (SCH 717454) in patients with advanced colorectal cancer.

Overexpression of insulin-like growth factor receptor type 1 (IGF-1R) may promote tumor development and progression in some cancer patients. Our objective was to assess tumor uptake of fluorodeoxyglucose by positron-emission tomography in patients with chemotherapy-refractory colorectal cancer treated with an anti-insulin-like growth factor receptor type 1 (anti-IGF-1R) monoclonal antibody, robatumumab. This was a randomized, open-label study with two periods (P1 and P2).

Lack of a clinically relevant effect of sugammadex on anti-Xa activity or activated partial thromboplastin time following pretreatment with either unfractionated or low-molecular-weight heparin in healthy subjects.

Objective: To investigate the potential effect of sugammadex on anti-Xa anticoagulantactivity of enoxaparin and the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) of unfractionated heparin (UFH).

Methods: This two-part, randomized, double-blind, placebocontrolled, four-period cross-over study was performed in healthy males (18 - 45 years). In each period, subjects received 40 mg enoxaparin (in part 1), 5,000 units UFH (in part 2), or placebo followed by 4 or 16 mg/kg sugammadex, or placebo.

Effects of sugammadex on activated partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time in healthy subjects.

Objectives: To assess the impact of sugammadex on activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and international normalized ratio for prothrombin time (PT(INR)) in healthy subjects and characterize the concentration-dependency of sugammadex effects on APTT and prothrombin time (PT) in normal human plasma in vitro.

Methods: Eight healthy subjects (18 - 45 years of age) were administered intravenous doses of 4 mg/kg sugammadex, 16 mg/kg sugammadex, or placebo in a randomized, placebo-controlled, three period cross-over trial. The primary endpoint was area under the curve from 2 to 60 minutes post-dose (AUC2-60min) for APTT and PT(INR).

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibition in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with saxagliptin, sitagliptin, or vildagliptin.

Introduction: Saxagliptin, sitagliptin, and vildagliptin are dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors widely approved for use in patients with type 2 diabetes. Using a crossover design, the present study compared trough levels of DPP-4 inhibition provided by these agents in a single cohort of patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: This was a randomized, placebo-controlled, open-label, five-period crossover study.

Humoral immunity and delayed-type hypersensitivity in healthy subjects treated for 30 days with MK-7123, a selective CXCR2 antagonist.

Antagonism of the chemokine receptor CXCR2 inhibits neutrophil trafficking and may thus be therapeutic in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other lung disorders in which there is substantial infiltration by neutrophils. Here, we report the findings from a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial of the small-molecule CXCR2 antagonist MK-7123 (formerly SCH 527123) that evaluated potential downstream effects of CXCR2 antagonism on immunogenic competency (B cell antibody response) in the adaptive immune system and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) in healthy subjects (ages 34-65 years) dosed once daily for 30 days either with 30 mg MK-7123 (n=24) or placebo (n=7). Eligible subjects were seronegative for anti-hepatitis A virus (HAV) immunoglobulin G (IgG) and positive for DTH response to intradermal injection of Candida albicans antigen at screening.

Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic studies of the 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 inhibitor MK-0916 in healthy subjects.

Aims: To characterize pharmacokinetic parameters of MK-0916 and its safety and tolerability in lean, healthy male subjects following single and multiple oral doses. To assess (by stable-isotope labelling) the in vivo inhibition of cortisone-to-cortisol conversion following oral MK-0916.

Methods: Data are presented from two randomized, controlled, double-blind, rising-dose phase I studies.

Anti-diabetic efficacy and impact on amino acid metabolism of GRA1, a novel small-molecule glucagon receptor antagonist.

Hyperglucagonemia is implicated in the pathophysiology of hyperglycemia. Antagonism of the glucagon receptor (GCGR) thus represents a potential approach to diabetes treatment. Herein we report the characterization of GRA1, a novel small-molecule GCGR antagonist that blocks glucagon binding to the human GCGR (hGCGR) and antagonizes glucagon-induced intracellular accumulation of cAMP with nanomolar potency.

Efficacy and safety of sitagliptin added to ongoing metformin and rosiglitazone combination therapy in a randomized placebo-controlled 54-week trial in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Background: New therapeutic approaches are needed to improve glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), a progressive disorder that often requires combination therapy. The present study assessed the efficacy and safety of sitagliptin as add-on therapy to metformin and rosiglitazone in patients with T2D.

Methods: The present study was a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled parallel-group 54-week study conducted at 41 sites across North and South America, Europe, and Asia in 278 patients with HbA1c ranging from ≥7.

Pharmacokinetics of the novel PAR-1 antagonist vorapaxar in patients with hepatic impairment.

Purpose: To determine whether hepatic impairment has an effect on the pharmacokinetics (PK) of vorapaxar or M20, its main pharmacologically active metabolite.

Methods: This was an open-label study in which a single 40-mg oral dose of vorapaxar was administered to patients with mild (n = 6), moderate (n = 6), and severe (n = 4) hepatic impairment and healthy controls (n = 16) matched for age, gender, weight, and height. Blood samples for vorapaxar and M20 assay were collected predose and at frequent intervals up to 8 weeks postdose.

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the novel PAR-1 antagonist vorapaxar in patients with end-stage renal disease.

Purpose: To determine whether impaired renal function alters the pharmacokinetics (PK) of vorapaxar or its ability to inhibit thrombin receptor agonist peptide (TRAP)-induced platelet aggregation.

Methods: This was an open-label study in which 8 patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on hemodialysis and 7 matched (based on age, gender, weight, and height) healthy controls were administered a single 10-mg oral dose of vorapaxar. Blood samples for vorapaxar PK and pharmacodynamic analysis were collected predose and at frequent intervals up to 6 weeks postdose.

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of the glucokinase activator MK-0941 in rodent models of type 2 diabetes and healthy dogs.

Glucokinase activators (GKAs) are small-molecule agents that enhance glucose sensing by pancreatic β cells and glucose metabolism by hepatocytes. There is strong interest in these agents as potential therapies for type 2 diabetes. Here, we report key pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic findings from preclinical studies of the GKA 3-[[6-(ethylsulfonyl)-3-pyridinyl]oxy]-5-[(1S)-2-hydroxy-1-methylethoxy]-N-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)benzamide (MK-0941).

A phase I pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic study of dalotuzumab (MK-0646), an anti-insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor monoclonal antibody, in patients with advanced solid tumors.

Purpose: Insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) mediates cellular processes in cancer and has been proposed as a therapeutic target. Dalotuzumab (MK-0646) is a humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody that binds to IGF-1R preventing receptor activation. This study was designed to evaluate the safety and tolerability of dalotuzumab, determine the pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) profiles, and identify a recommended phase II dose.

Effects of peripherally administered neuromedin U on energy and glucose homeostasis.

Neuromedin U (NMU) is a highly conserved peptide reported to modulate energy homeostasis. Pharmacological studies have shown that centrally administered NMU inhibits food intake, reduces body weight, and increases energy expenditure. NMU-deficient mice develop obesity, whereas transgenic mice overexpressing NMU become lean and hypophagic.

Efficacy and tolerability of sitagliptin monotherapy in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Objective: Type 2 diabetes in the elderly is an important and insufficiently studied public health problem. This study evaluated sitagliptin monotherapy in patients with type 2 diabetes aged ≥ 65 years.

Research Design And Methods: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study conducted at 52 sites in the United States.

Efficacy and safety of the selective 11β-HSD-1 inhibitors MK-0736 and MK-0916 in overweight and obese patients with hypertension.

11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) may be involved in several abnormalities associated with the metabolic syndrome. This study evaluated the antihypertensive efficacy and safety of two 11β-HSD1 inhibitors, MK-0736 and MK-0916, in overweight-to-obese hypertensive patients. Patients aged 18-75 years with sitting diastolic blood pressure (SiDBP) 90-104 mm Hg, systolic BP <160 mm Hg (after washout of prior antihypertensive medications), and BMI ≥27 to <41 kg/m(2) were randomized to receive 2 or 7 mg/d MK-0736, 6 mg/d MK-0916, or placebo for 12 weeks (n = 51-54/group).

Evaluation of pharmacokinetic parameters and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibition following single doses of sitagliptin in healthy, young Japanese males.

Aims: Sitagliptin is a selective inhibitor of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) used to treat type 2 diabetes. The present aim was to evaluate pharmacokinetic (PK), pharmacodynamic (PD) and safety characteristics of sitagliptin following single doses in healthy, young Japanese males.

Methods: In this alternating two-panel, randomized, controlled double-blind study, six healthy Japanese male subjects (aged 20-46 years) in each panel received single oral doses of 5-400mg sitagliptin and two received placebo.

A small-molecule glucokinase activator lowers blood glucose in the sulfonylurea-desensitized rat.

Glucokinase activators increase insulin release from pancreatic beta-cells and hepatic glucose utilization by modifying the activity of glucokinase, a key enzyme in glucose-sensing and glycemic regulation. Sulfonylureas are antihyperglycemic agents that stimulate insulin secretion via a glucose-independent mechanism that is vulnerable to secondary failure through beta-cell desensitization. The present study determined whether glucokinase activator treatment retains its glucose-lowering efficacy in male, adult, non-diabetic Sprague-Dawley rats desensitized to sulfonylurea treatment and whether glucose-lowering during chronic glucokinase activator treatment is subject to secondary failure.

Efficacy and safety of sitagliptin in the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes in China, India, and Korea.

The efficacy and safety of sitagliptin as monotherapy were evaluated in Chinese, Indian, and Korean patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled by diet and exercise. In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, 18-week trial, 530 patients with HbA(1c) >or=7.5% and View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Efficacy and safety of sitagliptin added to ongoing metformin therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of sitagliptin as an add-on to metformin therapy in patients with moderately severe (hemoglobin A(1c) >or= 8.0% and View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Single-dose montelukast or salmeterol as protection against exercise-induced bronchoconstriction.

Background And Objective: It has been previously established that montelukast provides protection against exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) after a single dose. The present objective was to assess the onset and duration of this protective action in a trial that included both positive and negative controls.

Methods: A randomized, active-controlled and placebo-controlled, double-blind, double-dummy, three-way crossover study was conducted in 47 patients (age range, 15 to 44 years) in whom there was a 20 to 40% fall in FEV(1) following exercise (DeltaFEV(1)).

Montelukast in the treatment of allergic rhinitis: an evidence-based review.

Cysteinyl-leukotrienes (CysLTs) are endogenous mediators of inflammation and play an important role in allergic airway disease by stimulating bronchoconstriction, mucus production, mucosal oedema and inflammation, airway infiltration by eosinophils, and dendritic cell maturation that prepares for future allergic response. Montelukast inhibits these actions by blocking type 1 CysLT receptors found on immunocytes, smooth muscle and endothelium in the respiratory mucosa. Initially developed as a treatment for asthma, montelukast has more recently found use in the treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR).