William B. White

Regularized regression predicts 24-month cardiovascular events best, reaching an AUC of 0.69.

Regularized regression should be prioritized for CV risk prediction in T2D post-ACS; extends evidence favoring simpler, generalizable models over complex ML in RCT data.

APR 2011WhiteJournal of the American College of Cardiology

Average Daily Blood Pressure, Not Office Blood Pressure, Determines the Progression of Cerebrovascular Disease and Functional Decline in Older Persons

SEP 2025SomersHypertension

Abstract FR498: Impact of Switching From High- to Low-Sodium Oxybate on Ambulatory and Office Blood Pressure in Subgroups of People With Narcolepsy From the XYLO Study

Open-label trial demonstrates reduced blood pressure in narcolepsy patients after switching sodium oxybate, suggesting better management of hypertension.

Increased Risk of New-Onset Hypertension in Patients With Narcolepsy Initiating Sodium Oxybate: A Real-World Study

To compare intermediate-term risk of new-onset hypertension between normotensive patients with narcolepsy initiating sodium oxybate (SXB cohort) and those not initiating sodium oxybate (control cohort).

Risk of new-onset hypertension in patients (pts) with newly diagnosed chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) treated with Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors (BTKi): A real-world data study using the Symphony Health Solution database.

e19014 Background: BTKis provide an important therapeutic option for pts diagnosed with CLL. Concerns have arisen about a potential association with the risk of cardiovascular events with BTKi. Using the Symphony Health Solutions database, this study describes the risk of new-onset hypertension in CLL pts treated with and without BTKis. Methods: Newly diagnosed CLL pts who started ibrutinib or acalabrutinib and those not treated with an approved BTKi between 2019 and 2022 were included in the analysis. The prevalence of hypertension prior to and risk of new-onset hypertension after treatment initiation were defined by use of antihypertensive medication. Pt demographics and comorbidities were described. Multivariate regression and inverse probability treatment weight based on propensity score were used to account for bias due to differences in pt characteristics between groups. Results: In CLL pts treated with (n=7,114) and without BTKis (n=34,571), demographics and clinical characteristics included age at the index date (mean: 70.2 yrs, BTKi; 69.0 yrs, without BTKi), sex (male: 59.8%, BTKi; 55.7%, without BTKi), and Charlson comorbidity scores (mean: 3.3, BTKi; 3.1, without BTKi). At baseline, the prevalence of hypertension defined by the use of antihypertensive medication was 67.8% with BTKi and 67.6% without BTKi. Among pts without any antihypertensive medication use at baseline, the rates of new-onset hypertension within 1 yr after treatment initiation were greater in pts with BTKis than without BTKis (Table). Conclusions: In this real-world analysis, CLL pts treated with BTKis had a higher burden of comorbidities, and use of antihypertensive medication was common. The risk of new-onset hypertension was higher in pts initiated on BTKis than those on non-BTKi treatments. These data suggest that development of hypertension is an important consideration in the long-term management of CLL pts undergoing BTKi treatment. [Table: see text]

Risk of hypertension in patients with CLL/SLL who participated in ALPINE: A post hoc analysis.

e19016 Background: Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors are an important therapeutic option for patients with CLL/SLL. The first-generation BTK inhibitor, ibrutinib (ibru), is associated with an increased risk of hypertension. Zanubrutinib (zanu) is a next-generation BTK inhibitor designed to maximize BTK occupancy and minimize toxicity with fewer off-target effects. This analysis evaluated the risk of developing hypertension based on initiation of antihypertensives (anti-HTN) in ALPINE (NCT03734016). Methods: Anti-HTN use in the zanu (n=324) and ibru (n=324) treatment arms was assessed. The definition of anti-HTN was based on Standardized Drug Grouping; concomitant anti-HTN were adjudicated by an independent hypertension specialist blinded to BTK inhibitor assignment. Time to initiating new anti-HTN and time to adding a new class of anti-HTN were assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Comparisons of time-to-onset endpoints were analyzed based on the log-rank test. Results: At baseline, patient characteristics were generally balanced between zanu and ibru arms (median age, 66.7 vs 67.1 y; male, 65.1% vs 71.4%; history of hypertension, 50.9% vs 50.0%; type 2 diabetes mellitus, 10.1% vs 8.9%). Among patients not on anti-HTN at baseline, 20.7% (n=35/169) of zanu- and 28.7% (n=51/178) of ibru-treated patients initiated anti-HTN during the study. Among all patients, fewer patients in the zanu arm initiated new anti-HTN (28.4% [n=92/324] vs 32.4% [n=105/324]) and the anti-HTN were initiated later (hazard ratio [HR], 0.77; P-value=.071). Additionally, statistically fewer patients in the zanu arm compared with the ibru arm started anti-HTN in a new class (24.1% [n=78/324] vs 29.3% [n=95/324]) and the anti-HTN were started later (HR, 0.72; P-value=.034). The event rates for initiation of new anti-HTN or a new class of anti-HTN were consistently lower in the zanu vs ibru arm at each timepoint (Table). Conclusions: In ALPINE, initiation of new anti-HTN or a new class of anti-HTN occurred less frequently in the zanu arm vs the ibru arm in patients with CLL/SLL. Adoption of anti-HTN occurred sooner with ibru than zanu. These findings should be considered when initiating BTK inhibitor therapy in patients with CLL/SLL who have an elevated cardiovascular risk. Clinical trial information: NCT03734016 . [Table: see text]

APR 2024WhiteSLEEP

0632 Design Elements for a Switch Study from High- to Low-Sodium Oxybate Evaluating Blood Pressure in Narcolepsy (XYLO)

Introduction High sodium intake can increase blood pressure (BP) and future cardiovascular risk. Individuals with narcolepsy have an elevated cardiovascular comorbidity burden before considering medication-specific risks. Low-sodium oxybate (LXB; Xywav®) is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat excessive daytime sleepiness or cataplexy in patients ≥7 years of age with narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia in adults. LXB has the same active moiety as high-sodium oxybates (sodium oxybate [SXB, Xyrem®] and fixed-dose SXB [Lumryz™]) but contains 92% less sodium. The objective of XYLO is to measure ambulatory and in-clinic systolic BP (SBP) changes after switching to LXB from a high-sodium oxybate in participants with narcolepsy (NCT05869773). Methods This 6-week, open-label, multicenter, switch study is enrolling participants 18–70 years of age with narcolepsy (type 1 or 2) taking 6–9 g/night of high-sodium oxybate for ≥6 weeks. Hybrid enrollment supports both on-site and decentralized (monitored at the participant’s home by mobile health professionals) participation, and may broaden the pool of eligible participants. After ≥2 weeks on stable high-sodium oxybate dose/regimens (screening period), participants switch to the same dose/regimen of LXB for 6 weeks (intervention period). The primary endpoint is the change in 24-hour SBP from baseline (the most recent screening measurement prior to switching) to the end-of-treatment visit (approximately 6 weeks after switching) measured via 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM). Secondary endpoints evaluate change from baseline to end-of-treatment visit in-clinic SBP, as well as daytime average SBP and nighttime average SBP measured via 24-hour ABPM. Results Recruitment began in June 2023. This study uses a group sequential design with an adaptive sample size target of 57–77 participants completing the 6-week intervention period. This design provides 90% power to detect a mean difference of 3.5 mmHg (a clinically relevant change) in 24-hour SBP (assuming a standard deviation of the differences in 24-hour SBP of 8 mmHg). Conclusion XYLO will enable the assessment of 24-hour BP changes following transition from a high-sodium oxybate to LXB. Planned hybrid enrollment with a decentralized option may increase study access leading to a more diverse clinical trial population. Support (if any)

Persons with steeper BMI increases had faster declines in FEV1 (r = -0.16) and FVC (r = -0.26) and slower declines in FEV1:FVC ratio (r = 0.11) (all P < 0.0001).

May link faster BMI gain to accelerated lung function loss; leaves open causal effects on FEV1 in observational data.

Proof of concept for quantitative adverse outcome pathway modeling of chronic toxicity in repeated exposure

Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) is a useful tool to glean mode of action (MOE) of a chemical. However, in order to use it for the purpose of risk assessment, an AOP needs to be quantified using in vitro or in vivo data. Majority of quantitative AOPs developed so far, were for single exposure to progressively higher doses. Limited attempts were made to include time in the modeling. Here as a proof-of concept, we developed a hypothetical AOP, and quantified it using a virtual dataset for six repeated exposures using a Bayesian Network Analysis (BN) framework. The virtual data was generated using realistic assumptions. Effects of each exposure were analyzed separately using a static BN model and analyzed in combination using a dynamic BN (DBN) model. Our work shows that the DBN model can be used to calculate the probability of adverse outcome when other upstream KEs were observed earlier. These probabilities can help in identification of early indicators of AO. In addition, we also developed a data driven AOP pruning technique using a lasso-based subset selection, and show that the causal structure of AOP is itself dynamic and changes over time. This proof-of-concept study revealed the possibility for expanding the applicability of the AOP framework to incorporate biological dynamism in toxicity appearance by repeated insults.

Six-variable ensemble model predicts AF recurrence after catheter ablation with ~74% accuracy.

May aid post-ablation risk stratification; leaves open need for prospective validation before clinical use.

Non-viral precision T cell receptor replacement for personalized cell therapy

. Here we developed a clinical-grade approach based on CRISPR-Cas9 non-viral precision genome-editing to simultaneously knockout the two endogenous TCR genes TRAC (which encodes TCRα) and TRBC (which encodes TCRβ). We also inserted into the TRAC locus two chains of a neoantigen-specific TCR (neoTCR) isolated from circulating T cells of patients. The neoTCRs were isolated using a personalized library of soluble predicted neoantigen-HLA capture reagents. Sixteen patients with different refractory solid cancers received up to three distinct neoTCR transgenic cell products. Each product expressed a patient-specific neoTCR and was administered in a cell-dose-escalation, first-in-human phase I clinical trial ( NCT03970382 ). One patient had grade 1 cytokine release syndrome and one patient had grade 3 encephalitis. All participants had the expected side effects from the lymphodepleting chemotherapy. Five patients had stable disease and the other eleven had disease progression as the best response on the therapy. neoTCR transgenic T cells were detected in tumour biopsy samples after infusion at frequencies higher than the native TCRs before infusion. This study demonstrates the feasibility of isolating and cloning multiple TCRs that recognize mutational neoantigens. Moreover, simultaneous knockout of the endogenous TCR and knock-in of neoTCRs using single-step, non-viral precision genome-editing are achieved. The manufacture of neoTCR engineered T cells at clinical grade, the safety of infusing up to three gene-edited neoTCR T cell products and the ability of the transgenic T cells to traffic to the tumours of patients are also demonstrated.

OCT 2022WhiteAndrogens Clinical Research and Therapeutics

Effects of Oral Testosterone Undecanoate (Kyzatrex) Versus Testosterone Gel (Androgel) on Long-Term (to 12 Months) Blood Pressure Levels

Purpose: Oral and injectable testosterone replacement therapies have been reported to increase blood pressure (BP) in hypogonadal men. Less is known about the effects of topical testosterone formulations on BP. Materials and Methods: We studied the effects of a new oral testosterone undecanoate (TU) (Kyzatrex™) and a topical testosterone gel (Androgel™) on BP and heart rate, in a 2:1 randomized trial of men with hypogonadism. Digital BPs and clinical assessments were obtained at baseline and at 90, 180 and 365 days. Results: There were 314 men randomized (mean age 49.7 years, 82% white, and 35% with treated hypertension). The mean changes from baseline in systolic BP were 2.2 mmHg (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.6–3.7) on the oral TU and 3.1 mmHg (95% CI 1.0–5.1) on the topical testosterone at 90 days. Similar findings were seen after 180 and 365 days. Heart rate increased by 4.3 and 2.7 beats/min at 90 days on oral and topical testosterone, respectively. For those men with treated hypertension, changes in systolic BP in the oral TU group were higher compared with those without hypertension, whereas those on topical testosterone had similar increases in systolic BP regardless of hypertension status. Outlier analyses for systolic BP at 90 days demonstrated a higher proportions of subjects with increases of 5 and 10 mmHg postbaseline on topical testosterone gel versus this oral TU. Conclusions: These data demonstrate that the overall effects of the oral TU on BP were comparable with a topical testosterone. In men without hypertension, the oral TU induced smaller changes in BP compared with topical testosterone. Clinical Trial Registration ( https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ ) : NCT04467697.

Adding NT-proBNP to the TRS-HF DM score improves HF prediction in post-ACS T2D patients to C-index 0.82.

May refine HF risk stratification in T2D post-ACS; hypothesis-generating and requires prospective validation before practice change.

Sustained glucocorticoid tapering in the phase 3 trials of anifrolumab: apost hocanalysis of the TULIP-1 and TULIP-2 trials

OBJECTIVES: Glucocorticoid sparing is a key priority for SLE management. We evaluated the effects of sustained glucocorticoid tapering in patients with SLE. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a post hoc analysis of the randomized, placebo-controlled, 52-week phase 3 Treatment of Uncontrolled Lupus via the Interferon Pathway (TULIP)-1 and TULIP-2 trials of anifrolumab (300 mg i.v. once every 4 weeks for 48 weeks) plus standard therapy in patients with moderate to severe SLE. In a cohort of patients receiving glucocorticoids (prednisone or equivalent) 10 mg or more per day at baseline, we assessed changes in glucocorticoid dosage, patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and safety. Outcome measures were compared between sustained glucocorticoid taper responders (7.5 mg or less per day by week 40 sustained through week 52) and non-responders, regardless of treatment group, and between patients receiving anifrolumab or placebo. RESULTS: Among the 726 patients in the TULIP trials, 375 patients received glucocorticoids 10 mg or more per day at baseline, and of these, 155 (41%) patients were sustained glucocorticoid taper responders. Compared with non-responders (n = 220), sustained glucocorticoid taper responders reduced their mean cumulative glucocorticoid dose by 32%, improved PRO scores, reduced blood pressure and experienced fewer serious adverse events. Sustained glucocorticoid tapering was achieved by 51% (96/190) of patients receiving anifrolumab vs 32% (59/185) receiving placebo. Compared with placebo, more anifrolumab-treated patients achieved both sustained glucocorticoid taper and reduced overall disease activity [38% (72/190) vs 23% (43/185)]. CONCLUSIONS: Sustained glucocorticoid tapering is associated with clinical benefits. Anifrolumab treatment has potential to reduce disease activity and glucocorticoid exposure, a key goal of SLE management. STUDY REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02446912 and NCT02446899.

The ensemble model predicted atrial fibrillation recurrence with an accuracy of 74.34 ± 3.99%.

May aid post-ablation risk stratification; leaves open need for prospective validation before clinical adoption.

Evaluation of the Relationship Between Serum Urate Levels, Clinical Manifestations of Gout, and Death From Cardiovascular Causes in Patients Receiving Febuxostat or Allopurinol in an Outcomes Trial

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether serum urate levels, number of gout flares, and tophi burden are related to death from cardiovascular (CV) causes after treatment with febuxostat or allopurinol in patients with gout from the Cardiovascular Safety of Febuxostat or Allopurinol in Patients With Gout and Cardiovascular Comorbidities (CARES) trial. METHODS: Patients were randomly assigned to receive febuxostat (40 mg or 80 mg once daily, according to serum urate levels at week 2) or allopurinol titrated in 100-mg increments from 200-400 mg or 300-600 mg (with dose determined according to kidney function). Changes from baseline in serum urate level, gout flares, and tophus resolution were key exploratory efficacy parameters in the overall population and in subgroups of patients who died and those who did not die from a CV-related cause. The latter subgroup included patients who died due to non-CV causes and those who did not die due to any cause. RESULTS: Patients received treatment with febuxostat (n = 3,098) or allopurinol (n = 3,092) for a median follow-up period of 32 months (for a maximum of 85 months). In the overall population, mean serum urate levels were lower in those receiving febuxostat compared with those receiving allopurinol at most study visits. There were no associations between serum urate levels and death from CV causes with febuxostat. The number of gout flares requiring treatment was higher within 1 year of treatment with febuxostat compared with allopurinol (mean incidence of gout flares per patient-years of exposure 1.33 versus 1.20), but was comparable thereafter and decreased overall throughout the study period (mean incidence of gout flares per patient-years of exposure 0.35 versus 0.34 after 1 year of treatment; overall mean incidence 0.68 versus 0.63) irrespective of whether the patient died from a CV-related cause. Overall, 20.8% of patients had ≥1 tophus at baseline; tophus resolution rates were similar between treatment groups, with cumulative resolution rates of >50%. CONCLUSION: In the CARES trial, febuxostat and allopurinol (≤600 mg doses) had comparable efficacy in patients with gout and CV disease, and there was no evidence of a relationship between death from CV causes and serum urate levels, number of gout flares, or tophus resolution among the patients receiving febuxostat.

Effectiveness of nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists in patients with diabetic kidney disease

Nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) are a new class of drugs developed to address the medical need for effective and safer treatment to protect the kidney and the heart in patients with diabetic kidney disease (DKD). There are several drugs within this class at varying stages of clinical development. Finerenone is the first nonsteroidal MRA approved in the US for treating patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D). In clinical studies, finerenone slowed CKD progression without inducing marked antihypertensive effects. Esaxerenone is a nonsteroidal MRA with proven blood pressure-lowering efficacy that is currently licensed in Japan for treating hypertension. There are also three other nonsteroidal MRAs in mid-to-late stages of clinical development. Here we overview evidence addressing pharmacological and clinical differences between the nonsteroidal MRAs and the steroidal MRAs spironolactone and eplerenone. First, we describe a framework that highlights the role of aldosterone-mediated pathological overactivation of the mineralocorticoid receptor and inflammation as important drivers of CKD progression. Second, we discuss the benefits and adverse events profile of steroidal MRAs, the latter of which are often a limiting factor to their use in routine clinical practice. Finally, we show that nonsteroidal MRAs differ from steroidal MRAs based on pharmacology and clinical effects, giving the potential to expand the therapeutic options for patients with DKD. In the recently completed DKD outcome program comprising two randomized clinical trials - FIDELIO-DKD and FIGARO-DKD - and the FIDELITY analysis of both trials evaluating more than 13,000 patients, the nonsteroidal MRA finerenone demonstrated beneficial effects on the kidney and the heart across a broad spectrum of patients with CKD and T2D. The long-term efficacy of finerenone on cardiac and renal morbidity and mortality endpoints, along with the anti-hypertensive efficacy of esaxerenone, widens the scope of available therapies for patients with DKD.