Effect of Epinastine Hydrochloride, a Second-generation Histamine H1-receptor Antagonist, on Sensory Neurons in vitro

Background: Epinastine hydrochloride (epinastine) is a second-generation histamine Hi-receptor antagonist widely used as an anti-allergic and anti-pruritic. To explore possible new aspects of the anti-pruritic mechanism of epinastine, in particular any effects on the peripheral nervous system, we examined epinastine's effects on sensory neurons using cultured murine dorsal root ganglion (DRG). Methods: We performed a quantitative assessment of neurite growth and substance P (SP) release from isolated DRG in the presence versus the absence of epinastine. Mechanism(s) of epinastine’s effects on sensory neurons were detected by examining its neurotoxicity, inhibitory action on nerve growth factor (NGF), and modulatory function on NGFreceptors. Results: The percentage of DRG with outgrowing neurites, total number of neurites, and average extension length of neurites were decreased by epinastine in a concentration-dependent manner. Epinastine did not exhibit any evidence of neurotoxicity on sensory neurons, degradation and inactivation ability on NGF, or effects on expression of NGF receptors. Also, no effects on neural progenitor cells of the central nervous system in culture were observed. Epinastine suppressed capsaicin-induced SP release from DRG neurons in a dosedependent fashion. Conclusions: The results demonstrate that epinastine has inhibitory effects on sensory neuronal growth, which may explain its clinical effects including potent anti-pruritic activity

Correlation Analysis of Clinician- and Patient-Reported Outcomes Among Japanese Adults with Atopic Dermatitis

Abstract Introduction Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic relapsing condition with high disease burden and impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Correlations between clinician- and patient-reported outcomes tend to be poor, and limited data in Asian patients are available. Methods ADDRESS-J was a prospective, non-interventional, longitudinal study that evaluated the real-world effectiveness and safety of AD treatment in Japanese adults (aged 20–59 years) with moderate-to-severe AD. Three clinician-reported AD severity outcomes (Investigator’s Global Assessment, Eczema Area and Severity Index, and body surface area affected), three dermatological patient-reported outcomes (Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure, Dermatology Life Quality Index, and Worst Itch Numerical Rating Scale), and two general HRQoL patient-reported outcomes (5-dimension EuroQoL questionnaire and EuroQol Visual Analog Scale) were collected at baseline and every 3 months throughout the 24-month observation period. Four biomarkers were also analyzed when available (thymus and activation-regulated chemokine [TARC], lactate dehydrogenase [LDH], total immunoglobulin E [IgE], and peripheral blood eosinophil counts [PB EOS]). Spearman’s correlation coefficients were calculated using all available pooled data from baseline through 24 months. Results Correlations between the three clinician-reported outcomes were high/very high (Spearman’s correlation coefficients 0.76–0.92); those between the three dermatological patient-reported outcomes were moderate (0.53–0.64), and those between the clinician-reported and dermatological patient-reported outcomes were low/moderate (0.37–0.51). Correlations between the general HRQoL patient-reported outcomes and the clinician-reported and dermatological patient-reported outcomes were negligible–moderate (0.26–0.60). Biomarker correlations with the clinician-reported and dermatological patient-reported outcomes were low/moderate for TARC and LDH (0.44–0.63), but negligible/low for PB EOS and total IgE (0.01–0.41). Conclusions These results show that clinician- and patient-reported outcomes do not necessarily correlate well in Japanese adults with AD. This highlights the importance of including patient-reported outcomes when assessing disease severity/impact, planning treatment, and assessing response to treatment. Trial Registration UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR) Identifier UMIN000022623

Nemolizumab in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis: Randomized, phase II, long-term extension study

Background: Nemolizumab, an anti–IL-31 receptor A mAb, improved pruritus, dermatitis, and sleep in adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis that was inadequately controlled by topical treatments in a phase II, 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study (part A; NCT01986933). Objective: We sought to assess the long-term efficacy and safety of nemolizumab injected subcutaneously every 4 weeks (Q4W) or every 8 weeks (Q8W) in a 52-week, double-blind extension (part B). Methods: During part B, patients continued the previous nemolizumab dose (0.1, 0.5, or 2.0 mg/kg Q4W or 2.0 mg/kg Q8W). Part B end points included percentage improvement from baseline in pruritus visual analog scale and dermatitis scores (including the Eczema Area and Severity Index). Results: Overall, 216 of 264 patients completed part A, and 191 entered part B; 131 completed part B. In 153 patients randomized to nemolizumab in part A, improvement from baseline in pruritus visual analog scale score was maintained/increased from weeks 12 to 64, with greatest improvement in the 0.5-mg/kg Q4W group (percentage change from baseline at week 64: −73.0, −89.6, −74.7, and −79.1 in the 0.1-, 0.5-, and 2.0-mg/kg Q4W and 2.0-mg/kg Q8W groups, respectively). Improvement from baseline in dermatitis scores was also maintained/increased to week 64 (percentage change in Eczema Area and Severity Index score: −68.5, −75.8, −78.9, and −69.3 in the 0.1-, 0.5-, and 2.0-mg/kg Q4W and 2.0-mg/kg Q8W groups, respectively). Over 64 weeks, 83% to 89% had 1 or more adverse events, with no new safety concerns identified. Conclusion: Nemolizumab for up to 64 weeks was efficacious and overall well tolerated in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis inadequately controlled by topical therapy

Correlation Analysis of Clinician- and Patient-Reported Outcomes Among Japanese Adults with Atopic Dermatitis

   Article full text  The article associated with this page has been accepted for online publication and is in the final stages of production. The link to the full text will be made available on this page in the next few days.  The above infographic represents the opinions of the authors. For a full list of declarations, including funding and author disclosure statements, and copyright information, please see the full text online. (see “read the peer-reviewed publication” opposite). </p

A Simple Method of Optical Evaluation of the Distribution of Muscle Extracellular Matrix by Immunofluorescence and Image Analysis using Fluorescent Semiconductor Nanocrystals (quantum dot)

A simple method using optically stable quantum dots (Qdots) for immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis was tested to investigate their signal localization and stability in extracellular matrix (ECM) components of bovine longissimus thoracis muscles in fattened Japanese black steers. Detection of primary antibodies of each ECM component in IHC was based on fluorescence from streptavidin-linked inorganic crystals of cadmium selenide in Qdots with a fluorescence microscope (FM). We could observe each ECM component by IHC using Qdots in a FM for a long time. Each ECM component was detected clearly in the perimysium and endomysium in skeletal muscle. Using computer image analysis software, each ECM component was reconstructed in detail: structures were clear, with the distribution of each component of the ECM shown after 3D conversion based on the strength of fluorescenece. It is possible and useful to apply a simple method of IHC using Qdots under FM to the detailed investigation of ECM components in skeletal muscle