Background Tibolone has estrogenic, progestogenic, and androgenic effects. Although tibolone prevents bone loss, its effects on fractures, breast cancer, and cardiovascular disease are uncertain. Methods In this randomized study, we assigned 4538 women, who were between the ages of 60 and 85 years and had a bone mineral density T score of −2.5 or less at the hip or spine or a T score of −2.0 or less and radiologic evidence of a vertebral fracture, to receive once-daily tibolone (at a dose of 1.25 mg) or placebo. Annual spine radiographs were used to assess for vertebral fracture. Rates of cardiovascular events and breast cancer were adjudicated by expert panels. Results During a median of 34 months of treatment, the tibolone group, as compared wit h the placebo group, had a decreased risk of vertebral fracture, with 70 cases versus 126 cases per 1000 person-years (relative hazard, 0.55; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.41 to 0.74; P<0.001), and a decreased risk of nonvertebral fracture, with 122 cases versus 166 cases per 1000 person-years (relative hazard, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.58 to 0.93; P = 0.01). The tibolone group also had a decreased risk of invasive breast cancer (relative hazard, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.13 to 0.80; P = 0.02) and colon cancer (relative hazard, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.10 to 0.96; P=0.04). However, the tibolone group had an increased risk of stroke (relative hazard, 2.19; 95% CI, 1.14 to 4.23; P = 0.02), for which the study was stopped in February 2006 at the recommendation of the data and safety monitoring board. There were no significant differences in the risk of either coronary heart disease or venous thromboembolism between the two groups. Conclusions Tibolone reduced the risk of fracture and breast cancer and possibly colon cancer but increased the risk of stroke in older women with osteoporosis. (ClinicalTrials. gov number, NCT00519857.)

Background: An international, multicenter extension study evaluated recombinant fusion protein linking recombinant coagulation factor IX (FIX) with recombinant human albumin (rIX-FP) in hemophilia B (FIX ≤ 2%) patients previously enrolled in a phase III study or who initiated rIX-FP prophylaxis following surgery.Objectives: To investigate the long-term safety and efficacy of rIX-FP prophylaxis in adult previously treated patients (PTPs) with hemophilia B.Methods: Male PTPs were treated with a 7-(35-50 IU/kg), 10-or 14-day regimen (50-75 IU/kg). Patients ≥18 years who were well-controlled on a 14-day regimen for ≥6 months could switch to a 21-day regimen (100 IU/kg). Results:A total of 59 patients (aged 13-63 years) participated in the study. Following a single dose of 100 IU/kg rIX-FP, in patients eligible for the 21-day regimen, the mean terminal half-life was 143.2 hours. Mean steady-state FIX trough activity levels ranged from 22% with the 7-day regimen to 7.6% with the 21-day regimen. Median (Q1, Q3) annualized spontaneous bleeding rates were 0.00 (0.00, 1.67), 0.28 (0.00, 1.10), 0.37 (0.00, 1.68), and 0.00 (0.00, 0.45) for the 7-, 10-, 14-, and 21-day regimens, respectively. Comparable efficacy was demonstrated for both the 14-and 21-day regimens compared to the 7-day regimen. Overall, 96.5% of bleeding episodes were treated successfully with 1 to 2 rIX-FP infusions. No patients developed an inhibitor and treatment was well tolerated.Conclusions: rIX-FP extended interval prophylaxis provides dosing flexibility and, in selected patients, a 21-day regimen may provide an alternative option to minimize treatment burden and individualize treatment.

Systemic and superficial fungal infections are a major problem among immunocompromised patients with hematological malignancy. A double-blind, double-placebo, randomized, multicenter trial was performed to compare the efficacy and safety of itraconazole oral solution (2.5 mg/kg of body weight twice a day) with amphotericin B capsules (500 mg orally four times a day) for prophylaxis of systemic and superficial fungal infection. Prophylactic treatment was initiated on the first day of chemotherapy and was continued until the end of the neutropenic period (>0.5 ؋ 10 9 neutrophils/liter) or up to a maximum of 3 days following the end of neutropenia, unless a systemic fungal infection was documented or suspected. The maximum treatment duration was 56 days. In the intent-to-treat population, invasive aspergillosis was noted in 5 (1.8%) of the 281 patients assigned to itraconazole oral solution and in 9 (3.3%) of the 276 patients assigned to oral amphotericin B; of these, 1 and 4 patients died, respectively. Adequate plasma itraconazole levels were achieved in about 80% of the patients from 1 week after the start of treatment. In both groups, the trial medication was safe and well tolerated. Prophylactic administration of itraconazole oral solution significantly reduces superficial fungal infection in patients with hematological malignancies and neutropenia. The incidence of proven systemic fungal infections, the number of deaths due to deep fungal infections, and the use of systemic antifungals tended to be lower in the itraconazole-treated group than in the amphotericin B-treated group, without statistical significance. Itraconazole oral solution is a broad-spectrum systemic antifungal agent with prophylactic activity in neutropenic patients, especially for those at high risk of prolonged neutropenia.

Introduction A phase 3b extension study evaluated the long-term safety and efficacy of a recombinant fusion protein-linking coagulation factor IX (FIX) with albumin (rIX-FP) for the routine prophylaxis and on-demand treatment of bleeding in pediatric hemophilia B patients. Methods Previously treated patients aged <12 years with moderate to severe hemophilia B enrolled in a 3-year extension study following a phase 3 pivotal study in which they received weekly rIX-FP prophylaxis. In the extension study, they could maintain or extend their prophylaxis interval to every 10 or 14 days if they were well controlled on the 7-day regimen. Results Compared with their initial regimen, by the end of the study, dosing intervals were the same, extended, and shortened in 16, 4, and 4 patients, respectively. Very low annualized spontaneous bleeding rates (AsBRs) were observed; median AsBR was 0.0 for the 7- and 10-day regimens, and 1.1 for the 14-day regimen. The 7- and 14-day regimens were comparable in preventing spontaneous bleeds; mean (95% confidence interval) difference in AsBR of −1.2 (−2.6 to 0.3) bleeding episodes/year/subject. Overall, 96% of bleeding episodes were successfully treated with one or two injections of rIX-FP. Patients on a 14-day regimen maintained a mean steady-state trough FIX level of >7.2 IU/dL. No patient developed an inhibitor. Conclusion This extension study demonstrated the long-term safety and efficacy of weekly rIX-FP in pediatric patients. Additionally, it showed that adequate bleed protection can be achieved with 10- or 14-day rIX-FP regimens in selected pediatric patients while maintaining safety.

The pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety of intravenous (iv) itraconazole (2 days at 400 mg/day, 12 days at 200 mg/day), followed by 12 weeks of oral capsules (400 mg/day) were studied in 31 immunocompromised patients with pulmonary invasive aspergillosis. All patients received iv itraconazole (median duration, 14 days), and 26 then received oral itraconazole (median duration, 78.5 days). After receiving iv itraconazole, concentrations increased rapidly, with trough plasma levels > or =250 ng/mL in 91% of patients and in all patients by day 7. Concentrations > or =500 ng/mL were observed in 64% of patients by day 2. Mean trough concentrations after 2 and 14 days were 670 and 850 ng/mL, respectively. Therapeutic levels were maintained after switching to oral capsules. A complete or partial response was seen at the last on-treatment assessment in 15 (48%) of 31 patients, with 6 (19%) showing stable disease. Itraconazole was well tolerated, with no unexpected effects. Overall iv/oral itraconazole was safe and effective in invasive aspergillosis.