Treatment success prediction in patients with methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci infections, using vancomycin AUC24/MIC ratio: a multicentre retrospective cohort study.

Background: Although vancomycin is commonly used to treat methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci (MRCoNS) infections, there are no clear guidelines for the optimal 24 h AUC24/MIC ratio. This study aimed to determine the target AUC24/MIC ratio associated with vancomycin-treated MRCoNS infection outcomes.

Methods: This multicentre retrospective cohort study included adult patients who received vancomycin for ≥5 days for bloodstream infections caused by MRCoNS between January 2018 and December 2023.

Simulated achievement rate of β-lactams/nacubactam treatment in humans using instantaneous MIC-based PK/PD analysis.

Background: Nacubactam (NAC), a new diazabicyclooctane β-lactamase inhibitor, is being developed for use together with aztreonam (AZT) and cefepime (CFPM). However, the effective clinical dosages of AZT/NAC and CFPM/NAC have not yet been established. We have previously shown that free time above instantaneous MIC (fT > MICi) is a valuable pharmacokinetic (PK)/pharmacodynamic parameter for β-lactam (BL)/NAC in a mouse thigh infection model.

Exploring the factors associated with difficulties in extracting tablets or capsules from press-through-package sheets.

Exploring factors related to difficulties in extracting tablets or capsules from press-through-packages is essential for optimizing the dosage form. To achieve this, the involvement of patient insight is important. In the present study, the preferences of patients regarding drugs that are difficult to extract from their packaging were collected using an electronic medication notebook ('harmo®') based on dispensing data.

Circulating serum miRNAs predict response to platinum chemotherapy in high-grade serous ovarian cancer.

Background: Platinum chemotherapy is the cornerstone of treatment for high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC); however, validated biomarkers that can accurately predict platinum response are lacking. Based on their roles in the underlying pathophysiology, circulating microRNAs are potential, noninvasive biomarkers in cancer. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the circulating miRNA profiles of patients with HGSOC and to assess their potential utility as biomarkers to predict platinum response.

Post-marketing surveillance of anticancer drugs using natural language processing of electronic medical records.

This study demonstrates that adverse events (AEs) extracted using natural language processing (NLP) from clinical texts reflect the known frequencies of AEs associated with anticancer drugs. Using data from 44,502 cancer patients at a single hospital, we identified cases prescribed anticancer drugs (platinum, PLT; taxane, TAX; pyrimidine, PYA) and compared them to non-treatment (NTx) group using propensity score matching. Over 365 days, AEs (peripheral neuropathy, PN; oral mucositis, OM; taste abnormality, TA; appetite loss, AL) were extracted from clinical text using an NLP tool.

Intentional non-adherence to antipsychotic medication in patients with schizophrenia.

Background: Although adherence to antipsychotic medication is critical in the treatment of schizophrenia, prior studies have not adequately distinguished between intentional and unintentional non-adherence.

Methods: This study included outpatients with schizophrenia. Self-reported intentional non-adherence was assessed cross-sectionally using the Japanese version of the Intentional Non-Adherence Scale (INAS-J).

Data-Driven Clinical Pharmacy Research: Utilizing Machine Learning and Medical Big Data.

To conduct clinical pharmacy research, we often face the limitations of conventional statistical methods and single-center observational study. To overcome these issues, we have conducted data-driven research using machine learning methods and medical big data. Decision tree analysis, one of the typical machine learning methods, has a flowchart-like structure that allows users to easily and quantitatively evaluate the occurrence percentage of events due to the combination of multiple factors by answering related questions with Yes or No.

Real-world Efficacy of Erenumab on Migraine-associated Symptoms and Patient-reported Satisfaction Levels: A Retrospective Study in Japan.

Objective In randomized clinical trials and real-world studies, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), including erenumab, have demonstrated efficacy for migraine prevention. However, there have been no real-world studies focusing on erenumab in East Asia that investigated its efficacy on migraine-associated symptoms and patient-reported satisfaction levels. Methods This single-center, observational, retrospective, real-world study examined patients who received at least three doses of erenumab at Keio University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan, between December 2021 and March 2023 as their first CGRP mAb treatment in a real-world setting.

SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine-related myocarditis and pericarditis: An analysis of the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report database.

Background: The association between severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mRNA vaccines and myocarditis/pericarditis in the Japanese population has not been systematically investigated. This study was aimed at clarifying the association between SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines (BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273) and myocarditis/pericarditis as well as influencing factors by using the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report database.

Methods: Reporting odds ratios (RORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CIs) for the association between the vaccines and myocarditis/pericarditis were calculated using data from the database (April 2004-December 2023).

Trend analysis of pharmacist involvement in cancer care in Japan from 2015 to 2020: A nationwide survey study on hospital pharmacy practice.

Introduction: Pharmacists are needed as members of oncology teams. The Japanese Society of Hospital Pharmacists (JSHP) conducts a nationwide survey annually to analyze the actual situation and generate fundamental information about hospital pharmacy practice in Japan. Using data from this large-scale survey, we described pharmacists' involvement in cancer chemotherapy.

Aberrant regulation of serine metabolism drives extracellular vesicle release and cancer progression.

Cancer cells secrete extracellular vesicles (EVs) to regulate cells in the tumor microenvironment to benefit their own growth and survive in the patient's body. Although emerging evidence has demonstrated the molecular mechanisms of EV release, regulating cancer-specific EV secretion remains challenging. In this study, we applied a microRNA library to reveal the universal mechanisms of EV secretion from cancer cells.

Optimal Teicoplanin Trough Concentration With Therapeutic Drug Monitoring in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Teicoplanin is used to treat serious Gram-positive bacterial infections. However, the optimal trough concentrations for pediatric patients remain unclear owing to the lack of monitoring guidelines. This study aimed to determine the optimal teicoplanin trough concentration for treating Gram-positive bacterial infections in children.

External Validation and Update of the Risk Prediction Model for Denosumab-Induced Hypocalcemia Developed From a Hospital-Based Administrative Database.

Purpose: Denosumab is used to treat patients with bone metastasis from solid tumors, but sometimes causes severe hypocalcemia, so careful clinical management is important. This study aims to externally validate our previously developed risk prediction model for denosumab-induced hypocalcemia by using data from two facilities with different characteristics in Japan and to develop an updated model with improved performance and generalizability.

Methods: In the external validation, retrospective data of Kameda General Hospital (KGH) and Miyagi Cancer Center (MCC) between June 2013 and June 2022 were used and receiver operating characteristic (ROC)-AUC was mainly evaluated.