Publications by authors named "Stan Bukofzer"

Unlabelled: Treatment for complications associated with the hemodynamic consequences of decompensated cirrhosis remains suboptimal. Terlipressin, the latest pharmacological management of hepatorenal syndrome-acute kidney injury (HRS-AKI), targets the vasopressin system but has serious side effects. OCE-205 is a novel peptide designed to target the vasopressin receptor system as a mixed V1a agonist/antagonist, resulting in effective partial agonism without V2 agonism.

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Background: OCE-205, a novel, selective vasopressin V1a receptor mixed agonist/antagonist with no V2 receptor activity, may treat the portal hypertension-related complications of end-stage liver disease with an improved therapeutic profile over currently utilized nonselective full-agonist vasopressin analogs.

Objectives: This Phase 1, double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-dose-group randomized trial investigated the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic profiles of OCE-205 in healthy adults.

Methods: Subjects received a single intravenous dose of OCE-205 0.

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Purpose: Management of decompensated cirrhosis may include the use of vasoconstrictors that can lead to serious adverse events. OCE-205 was designed as a highly selective V1a receptor partial agonist, intended to have a wider therapeutic window than full vasopressin agonists.

Methods: We aimed to characterize the activity of OCE-205 treatment in two rat models of portal hypertension (PHT).

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The vasopressin system has emerged as a therapeutic focus for lowering portal hypertension and reducing splanchnic vasodilation in patients with refractory ascites. Clinically available vasopressin agonists are limited by preferential selectivity for V1 receptors that also have steep concentration-response curves with potential risks of excess vasoconstriction and/or complete antidiuretic effects. OCE-205 is a novel, selective, partial V1a receptor agonist with mixed agonist/antagonist activity and no V2 receptor activation at therapeutic doses.

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Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a serious neurocognitive complication of liver dysfunction, often associated with elevated plasma ammonia. Ornithine phenylacetate (OP), a potent ammonia scavenger, is being evaluated for the treatment of acute/overt HE. The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of OP in patients with HE were characterized in this phase IIb study (NCT01966419).

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Background & Aims: Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and health care resource use. In this phase 2b study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of ornithine phenylacetate (OP), an ammonia scavenger, in hospitalized patients with cirrhosis, increased levels of ammonia at screening, and acute or overt HE.

Methods: We conducted a double-blind study of 231 patients with cirrhosis and HE at multiple sites in North America, Europe, Israel, and Australia from January 7, 2014, through December 29, 2016.

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Unlabelled: Cerebral edema remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with acute liver failure (ALF) and has been linked to elevated blood ammonia levels. l-ornithine phenylacetate (OPA) may decrease ammonia by promoting its renal excretion as phenylacetylglutamine (PAGN), decreasing the risk of cerebral edema. We evaluated the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of OPA in patients with ALF and acute liver injury (ALI), including those with renal failure.

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A multicenter, double-blind, randomized study was conducted to assess the effect of caffeine on regadenoson stress myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI). Subjects with a high likelihood of coronary artery disease underwent a rest single-photon emission computed tomography MPI on day 1 (MPI-1) and a stress MPI with regadenoson on day 3 (MPI-2). Individuals with ≥1 segment with a reversible defect received double-blind caffeine tablets (200 or 400 mg) or placebo 90 min before a repeat regadenoson stress MPI (MPI-3) on day 5.

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Aims: To identify combinations of variables among overactive bladder (OAB) clinical trial subjects that allow prediction of those who are more--or less--likely to respond strongly to placebo, or to medication.

Methods: Data from two Phase IIIb clinical trials of solifenacin in OAB were combined. Predictive models for placebo and treatment responses were constructed using baseline variables including individual items from the OAB questionnaire.

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Background: Adenosine receptor stress agents for myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) may cause A(2B) and/or A(3) receptor-mediated bronchoconstriction, of particular concern to physicians testing patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods: A Phase 4, randomized, double-blind study (NCT00862641) assessed the safety of the selective A(2A) receptor agonist, regadenoson, compared with placebo in subjects with asthma or COPD who represented likely candidates for MPI.

Results: Overall, 356 and 176 subjects with asthma and 316 and 151 subjects with COPD received regadenoson and placebo, respectively.

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Background: The safety and tolerability of regadenoson, a pharmacologic stress agent that is excreted primarily by the kidneys, were examined in subjects with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods: This multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study involved men and women, ≥18 years of age, with stage 3 or 4 [estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 30-59 mL/minute/1.73 m(2) and 15-29 mL/minute/1.

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