Real-world effectiveness of monoclonal antibody inhibitors of PCSK9 in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia: A retrospective cohort study.

Background: Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) is a genetic condition that is associated with a high risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) due to elevated lipid levels. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) monoclonal antibody inhibitors have been shown to reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) substantially. This study aimed to assess the real-world effectiveness of PCSK9 inhibitor therapy among patients with HeFH.

Clinical pharmacokinetic monitoring of itraconazole is warranted in only a subset of patients.

Itraconazole is a synthetic triazole antifungal agent that is commonly used in the prophylaxis and treatment of fungal infection. A role for itraconazole drug monitoring has been suggested previously; however, the advent of new formulations and increased clinical evidence may aid in further defining this role. Consequently, we have used a previously published decision-making algorithm to determine whether clinical pharmacokinetic monitoring of itraconazole is warranted.

Industry sponsorship and authorship of clinical trials over 20 years.

Background: The pharmaceutical industry has become a major source of funding for biomedical research. Our general observation is that pharmaceutical industry employees are appearing with increasing frequency as coauthors of clinical trial publications.

Objective: To characterize clinical trial funding, reporting, and sources; investigate author-industry affiliation; and describe clinical outcome trends over time.

Antibody conjugation methods for active targeting of liposomes.

Liposomes are useful drug delivery vehicles since they may protect encapsulated drugs from enzymatic degradation and rapid clearance in vivo, or alter biodistribution, potentially leading to reduced toxicities (1,2). A major limitation to the development of many specialized applications is the problem of directing liposomes to tissues where they would not normally accumulate. Consequently, a great deal of effort has been made over the years to develop liposomes that have targeting vectors attached to the bilayer surface.

3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionic acid hydrazide as a cross-linker in the formation of liposome-antibody conjugates.

Liposome antibody conjugates are potentially useful as a means of targeting drugs to specific tissues. A new protocol for the conjugation of IgG to maleimide-containing liposomes was developed using 3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionic acid hydrazide (PDPH) as a cross-linker. Periodate-oxidized antibody was treated with PDPH to yield a hydrazone derivative.