The novel herpes zoster subunit vaccine (HZ/su) is more effective and less expensive than the currently used live attenuated virus (ZVL), according to a study from the Center for Value-Based Research.

Phuc Le, PhD, of the Cleveland Clinic and her colleague Michael Rothberg, MD, conducted an economic analysis of vaccine strategies from the societal perspective. This included the direct medical costs and productivity losses associated with HZ disease and complications.

Elsevier 2004. Habif: Clinical Dermatology 4E

ilacy@frontlinemedcom.com

SOURCE: Phuc L et al. JAMA Intern Med. 2018 Jan 2. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2017.7431. Najafzadeh M. JAMA Intern Med. 2018. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2017.7442.

The novel herpes zoster subunit vaccine (HZ/su) is more effective and less expensive than the currently used live attenuated virus (ZVL), according to a study from the Center for Value-Based Research.

Phuc Le, PhD, of the Cleveland Clinic and her colleague Michael Rothberg, MD, conducted an economic analysis of vaccine strategies from the societal perspective. This included the direct medical costs and productivity losses associated with HZ disease and complications.

Elsevier 2004. Habif: Clinical Dermatology 4E

ilacy@frontlinemedcom.com

SOURCE: Phuc L et al. JAMA Intern Med. 2018 Jan 2. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2017.7431. Najafzadeh M. JAMA Intern Med. 2018. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2017.7442.

The novel herpes zoster subunit vaccine (HZ/su) is more effective and less expensive than the currently used live attenuated virus (ZVL), according to a study from the Center for Value-Based Research.

Phuc Le, PhD, of the Cleveland Clinic and her colleague Michael Rothberg, MD, conducted an economic analysis of vaccine strategies from the societal perspective. This included the direct medical costs and productivity losses associated with HZ disease and complications.

Elsevier 2004. Habif: Clinical Dermatology 4E

ilacy@frontlinemedcom.com

SOURCE: Phuc L et al. JAMA Intern Med. 2018 Jan 2. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2017.7431. Najafzadeh M. JAMA Intern Med. 2018. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2017.7442.

NATIONAL HARBOR, MD. – Pegylated human interleukin-10 in combination with anti–PD-1 therapy is well tolerated and shows promise for the treatment of both renal cell carcinoma and non–small cell lung cancer, according to findings from a phase 1 study.

The IL-10 product, AM0010 (pegilodecakin), was shown to be well tolerated as monotherapy, and was evaluated in combination with anti–PD-1 therapy in the two expansion cohorts included in the current analysis, Martin Oft, MD, said at the annual meeting of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer.

Of 34 evaluable renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients included in one expansion cohort, 15 (44%) had an objective response at a median follow-up of 27 months, and two of those had a complete response (CR), Dr. Oft of ARMO BioSciences, Redwood City, Calif. reported.

In contrast, only 4 of 16 evaluable patients who received AM0010 monotherapy (25%) had an objective response, he said.

In eight patients who received AM0010 + pembrolizumab (Keytruda), the objective response rate was 50%, and both patients who had a complete response were in that group. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 16.7 months. In 26 who received AM0010 + nivolumab (Opdivo), 11 had an objective response, but neither the complete response nor PFS rates had been reached in patients in that group, he noted.

The responses were durable.

“In fact, we had one patient who stopped treatment after a year in [complete remission] and is now 1 year in total remission without any further treatment,” he said.

Patients with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) also experienced some benefit from the combination therapy. Objective responses were observed in 11 of 27 evaluable NSCLC patients (41%) who were treated with AM0010 and an anti–PD-1(9 of 22 [41%] who received AM0010 and nivolumab, and 2 of 5 [40%] who received AM0010 and pembrolizumab).

Progression-free survival was not reached in this cohort.

An analysis by PD-L1 status showed that 33% of NSCLC patients with PD-L1 levels less than 1% achieved a response, 67% of those with PD-L1 levels of 1%-49% achieved a response, and 80% of those with PD-L1 levels of 50% or greater achieved a response, he said, adding that the responses were very durable in all three groups.

Of note, NSCLC patients with liver metastasis have been shown in prior trials to have a lower overall response rate to immune checkpoint inhibition, but in this trial, 7 of 9 patients with NSCLC metastasis to the liver had a partial response (PR), Dr. Oft said.

The RCC and NSCLC patients had a median of 1 and 2 prior therapies, respectively.

AM0010 was given subcutaneously at a dose of 10 or 20 mcg/kg daily, pembrolizumab was given intravenously at 2mg/kg every 3 weeks, and nivolumab was given intravenously at a dose of 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks.

Treatment-related adverse events included anemia, thrombocytopenia, and fatigue, and all were reversible and transient, Dr. Oft said, noting that grade 3 or 4 adverse events were mostly absent in patients receiving the lower dose; thus the recommended phase 2 dose is 10 mcg/kg.

“It’s important to note that three of those six patients [receiving the lower dose] in fact had a PR or CR so this lower dose did not come at the expense of efficacy,” he added.

The mechanistic rationale for combining AM0010 and anti-PD1 for the treatment of cancer patients lies in the fact that IL‐10 has anti‐inflammatory functions and stimulates the cytotoxicity and proliferation of antigen-activated CD8+ T cells. T cell receptor–mediated activation of CD8+ T cells elevates IL‐10 receptors and PD‐1, Dr. Oft explained.

The robust efficacy data and the observed CD8+ T cell activation seen in these expansion cohorts is promising and encourages the continued study of AM0010 in combination with PD-1 inhibition, he concluded, noting that larger studies are planned for the coming year.

Dr. Oft is a founder and employee of ARMO BioSciences, which sponsored this study.

sworcester@frontlinemedcom.com

SOURCE: Naing A et al. SITC Abstract 012.

NATIONAL HARBOR, MD. – Pegylated human interleukin-10 in combination with anti–PD-1 therapy is well tolerated and shows promise for the treatment of both renal cell carcinoma and non–small cell lung cancer, according to findings from a phase 1 study.

The IL-10 product, AM0010 (pegilodecakin), was shown to be well tolerated as monotherapy, and was evaluated in combination with anti–PD-1 therapy in the two expansion cohorts included in the current analysis, Martin Oft, MD, said at the annual meeting of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer.

Of 34 evaluable renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients included in one expansion cohort, 15 (44%) had an objective response at a median follow-up of 27 months, and two of those had a complete response (CR), Dr. Oft of ARMO BioSciences, Redwood City, Calif. reported.

In contrast, only 4 of 16 evaluable patients who received AM0010 monotherapy (25%) had an objective response, he said.

In eight patients who received AM0010 + pembrolizumab (Keytruda), the objective response rate was 50%, and both patients who had a complete response were in that group. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 16.7 months. In 26 who received AM0010 + nivolumab (Opdivo), 11 had an objective response, but neither the complete response nor PFS rates had been reached in patients in that group, he noted.

The responses were durable.

“In fact, we had one patient who stopped treatment after a year in [complete remission] and is now 1 year in total remission without any further treatment,” he said.

Patients with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) also experienced some benefit from the combination therapy. Objective responses were observed in 11 of 27 evaluable NSCLC patients (41%) who were treated with AM0010 and an anti–PD-1(9 of 22 [41%] who received AM0010 and nivolumab, and 2 of 5 [40%] who received AM0010 and pembrolizumab).

Progression-free survival was not reached in this cohort.

An analysis by PD-L1 status showed that 33% of NSCLC patients with PD-L1 levels less than 1% achieved a response, 67% of those with PD-L1 levels of 1%-49% achieved a response, and 80% of those with PD-L1 levels of 50% or greater achieved a response, he said, adding that the responses were very durable in all three groups.

Of note, NSCLC patients with liver metastasis have been shown in prior trials to have a lower overall response rate to immune checkpoint inhibition, but in this trial, 7 of 9 patients with NSCLC metastasis to the liver had a partial response (PR), Dr. Oft said.

The RCC and NSCLC patients had a median of 1 and 2 prior therapies, respectively.

AM0010 was given subcutaneously at a dose of 10 or 20 mcg/kg daily, pembrolizumab was given intravenously at 2mg/kg every 3 weeks, and nivolumab was given intravenously at a dose of 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks.

Treatment-related adverse events included anemia, thrombocytopenia, and fatigue, and all were reversible and transient, Dr. Oft said, noting that grade 3 or 4 adverse events were mostly absent in patients receiving the lower dose; thus the recommended phase 2 dose is 10 mcg/kg.

“It’s important to note that three of those six patients [receiving the lower dose] in fact had a PR or CR so this lower dose did not come at the expense of efficacy,” he added.

The mechanistic rationale for combining AM0010 and anti-PD1 for the treatment of cancer patients lies in the fact that IL‐10 has anti‐inflammatory functions and stimulates the cytotoxicity and proliferation of antigen-activated CD8+ T cells. T cell receptor–mediated activation of CD8+ T cells elevates IL‐10 receptors and PD‐1, Dr. Oft explained.

The robust efficacy data and the observed CD8+ T cell activation seen in these expansion cohorts is promising and encourages the continued study of AM0010 in combination with PD-1 inhibition, he concluded, noting that larger studies are planned for the coming year.

Dr. Oft is a founder and employee of ARMO BioSciences, which sponsored this study.

sworcester@frontlinemedcom.com

SOURCE: Naing A et al. SITC Abstract 012.

NATIONAL HARBOR, MD. – Pegylated human interleukin-10 in combination with anti–PD-1 therapy is well tolerated and shows promise for the treatment of both renal cell carcinoma and non–small cell lung cancer, according to findings from a phase 1 study.

The IL-10 product, AM0010 (pegilodecakin), was shown to be well tolerated as monotherapy, and was evaluated in combination with anti–PD-1 therapy in the two expansion cohorts included in the current analysis, Martin Oft, MD, said at the annual meeting of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer.

Of 34 evaluable renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients included in one expansion cohort, 15 (44%) had an objective response at a median follow-up of 27 months, and two of those had a complete response (CR), Dr. Oft of ARMO BioSciences, Redwood City, Calif. reported.

In contrast, only 4 of 16 evaluable patients who received AM0010 monotherapy (25%) had an objective response, he said.

In eight patients who received AM0010 + pembrolizumab (Keytruda), the objective response rate was 50%, and both patients who had a complete response were in that group. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 16.7 months. In 26 who received AM0010 + nivolumab (Opdivo), 11 had an objective response, but neither the complete response nor PFS rates had been reached in patients in that group, he noted.

The responses were durable.

“In fact, we had one patient who stopped treatment after a year in [complete remission] and is now 1 year in total remission without any further treatment,” he said.

Patients with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) also experienced some benefit from the combination therapy. Objective responses were observed in 11 of 27 evaluable NSCLC patients (41%) who were treated with AM0010 and an anti–PD-1(9 of 22 [41%] who received AM0010 and nivolumab, and 2 of 5 [40%] who received AM0010 and pembrolizumab).

Progression-free survival was not reached in this cohort.

An analysis by PD-L1 status showed that 33% of NSCLC patients with PD-L1 levels less than 1% achieved a response, 67% of those with PD-L1 levels of 1%-49% achieved a response, and 80% of those with PD-L1 levels of 50% or greater achieved a response, he said, adding that the responses were very durable in all three groups.

Of note, NSCLC patients with liver metastasis have been shown in prior trials to have a lower overall response rate to immune checkpoint inhibition, but in this trial, 7 of 9 patients with NSCLC metastasis to the liver had a partial response (PR), Dr. Oft said.

The RCC and NSCLC patients had a median of 1 and 2 prior therapies, respectively.

AM0010 was given subcutaneously at a dose of 10 or 20 mcg/kg daily, pembrolizumab was given intravenously at 2mg/kg every 3 weeks, and nivolumab was given intravenously at a dose of 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks.

Treatment-related adverse events included anemia, thrombocytopenia, and fatigue, and all were reversible and transient, Dr. Oft said, noting that grade 3 or 4 adverse events were mostly absent in patients receiving the lower dose; thus the recommended phase 2 dose is 10 mcg/kg.

“It’s important to note that three of those six patients [receiving the lower dose] in fact had a PR or CR so this lower dose did not come at the expense of efficacy,” he added.

The mechanistic rationale for combining AM0010 and anti-PD1 for the treatment of cancer patients lies in the fact that IL‐10 has anti‐inflammatory functions and stimulates the cytotoxicity and proliferation of antigen-activated CD8+ T cells. T cell receptor–mediated activation of CD8+ T cells elevates IL‐10 receptors and PD‐1, Dr. Oft explained.

The robust efficacy data and the observed CD8+ T cell activation seen in these expansion cohorts is promising and encourages the continued study of AM0010 in combination with PD-1 inhibition, he concluded, noting that larger studies are planned for the coming year.

Dr. Oft is a founder and employee of ARMO BioSciences, which sponsored this study.

sworcester@frontlinemedcom.com

SOURCE: Naing A et al. SITC Abstract 012.

Chronic problems were the most common reason for office visits to physicians in 2014, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.

That year, chronic problems were the major reason for 40% of all office-based physician visits, making them significantly more common than the other four broad categories of visit types: new problem (26%), preventive care (19%), injury (9%), and pre- or postsurgery care (6%), the NCHS said in a recent Data Brief.

rfranki@frontlinemedcom.com

SOURCE: Ashman JJ et al. NCHS Data Brief. 2017;(292):1-8e.

Chronic problems were the most common reason for office visits to physicians in 2014, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.

That year, chronic problems were the major reason for 40% of all office-based physician visits, making them significantly more common than the other four broad categories of visit types: new problem (26%), preventive care (19%), injury (9%), and pre- or postsurgery care (6%), the NCHS said in a recent Data Brief.

rfranki@frontlinemedcom.com

SOURCE: Ashman JJ et al. NCHS Data Brief. 2017;(292):1-8e.

Chronic problems were the most common reason for office visits to physicians in 2014, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.

That year, chronic problems were the major reason for 40% of all office-based physician visits, making them significantly more common than the other four broad categories of visit types: new problem (26%), preventive care (19%), injury (9%), and pre- or postsurgery care (6%), the NCHS said in a recent Data Brief.

rfranki@frontlinemedcom.com

SOURCE: Ashman JJ et al. NCHS Data Brief. 2017;(292):1-8e.

Waiving coinsurance for Medicare beneficiaries who have a screening colonoscopy when it results in a polyp removal or follows a positive fecal screening test would likely have a favorable balance of health and cost impact.

Currently, Medicare covers colorectal screening at no charge to the patient, but if a polyp is removed upon discovery during the procedure, the patient would then be subject to Medicare’s coinsurance payments for both the colonoscopy and the removal.

utah778/Thinkstock

SOURCE: Peterse EFP et al. Health Affairs. 2017 Dec;36(12):2151-9.

Waiving coinsurance for Medicare beneficiaries who have a screening colonoscopy when it results in a polyp removal or follows a positive fecal screening test would likely have a favorable balance of health and cost impact.

Currently, Medicare covers colorectal screening at no charge to the patient, but if a polyp is removed upon discovery during the procedure, the patient would then be subject to Medicare’s coinsurance payments for both the colonoscopy and the removal.

utah778/Thinkstock

SOURCE: Peterse EFP et al. Health Affairs. 2017 Dec;36(12):2151-9.

Waiving coinsurance for Medicare beneficiaries who have a screening colonoscopy when it results in a polyp removal or follows a positive fecal screening test would likely have a favorable balance of health and cost impact.

Currently, Medicare covers colorectal screening at no charge to the patient, but if a polyp is removed upon discovery during the procedure, the patient would then be subject to Medicare’s coinsurance payments for both the colonoscopy and the removal.

utah778/Thinkstock

SOURCE: Peterse EFP et al. Health Affairs. 2017 Dec;36(12):2151-9.

To the Editor:

A 53-year-old woman was referred by her oncologist to our dermatology office with lesions on the face and body that presented 8 days after starting vemurafenib 960 mg twice daily for metastatic melanoma. The patient denied any symptoms from the lesions but was concerned they would spread to cover her entire face and body.

The patient's medical history included a diagnosis of metastatic melanoma 6 years prior to presentation. She stated that the primary cutaneous melanoma site was unknown. The patient had endured numerous surgeries to excise lymph node tumors, with some lesions up to 3 cm. The patient recently started vemurafenib, a treatment for BRAF V600E mutation-positive metastatic melanoma. The patient's personal history was notable for hepatitis A, B, and C, and her family history revealed her mother had metastatic lung cancer.

Physical examination revealed numerous 2- to 3-mm, round-oval, flesh-colored to light-brown papules on the cheeks, chest, abdomen (Figure 1), back, and both arms and legs. Some papules were inflamed and some had a stuck-on appearance. Lesions on the chest between the breasts and inframammary region were slightly inflamed. Two skin biopsies were performed. Biopsy of the lesion on the right lateral back revealed solar lentigo, early macular seborrheic keratosis, and a focus of inflamed mild solar keratosis. The dermis showed a mild superficial perivascular and interstitial inflammatory infiltrate composed mostly of lymphocytes, histiocytes, and eosinophils. There were occasional melanophages present (Figure 2). Biopsy of the lesion between the breasts revealed inflamed verrucous seborrheic keratosis (Figure 3).

We treated the lesion on the right lateral back with cycles of cryotherapy and explained to the patient that the lesion between the breasts was benign. We also reiterated to the patient the importance of wearing sun-protective clothing and UVA/UVB sunblock with a sun protection factor of 30 or higher.

Our patient was diagnosed with pneumonia and subsequently had to discontinue vemurafenib. During the period of nontreatment, the keratotic lesions cleared with postinflammatory hyperpigmentation and no epidermal changes, which showed a possible inference of a direct relationship between the vemurafenib and the appearance of the nonmalignant cutaneous lesions. Although this report only represents 1 patient, other patients possibly can benefit from a modified dose of vemurafenib, which either would resolve or lessen the quantity of these lesions.

Vemurafenib is the first US Food and Drug Administration-approved treatment for nonresectable metastatic melanoma with the BRAF V600E mutation as detected by a US Food and Drug Administration-approved test.^1,2 Mutated BRAF is present in approximately 60% of cutaneous melanomas.³ Vemurafenib targets the oncogenic BRAF V600E making the protein inactive, thus inhibiting cell proliferation and leading to apoptosis and shrinkage of the metastatic tumors.^3-5 Vemurafenib has a response rate of more than 50% and is associated with rapid improvement in quality of life.³

Cutaneous side effects include increased incidence of squamous cell carcinoma and keratoacanthomas, appearing approximately 7 to 8 weeks after starting vemurafenib.⁴ The incidence of these lesions increases in patients 65 years and older and in patients with prior skin cancer and chronic sun exposure. The paradoxical activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway by mutant BRAF-selective inhibitors provides an explanation of the induction of squamous cell carcinomas.⁴ Prior to the initiation of vemurafenib, all patients should receive a total-body skin examination and every 2 months thereafter while on treatment. After discontinuation of the medicine, the patient should continue to receive total-body skin evaluations every 6 months indefinitely.

Patients should be aware of the potential for mild to severe photosensitivity reactions. They should be advised to limit their sun exposure time and to wear sun-protective clothing when outdoors. The use of broad-spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen and lip protectant with a sun protection factor of 30 or higher also should be stressed.^6,7 Patients should be aware that UVA rays penetrate glass; therefore, UV-protective clothing should be worn throughout the day and during all seasons.⁷

In clinical trials of vemurafenib, Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis was reported in 2 patients.^8,9 Clinical trials also reported patients developing new primary malignant melanoma lesions.¹⁰ These findings further emphasize the need for patients to undergo total-body skin examinations during and after treatment.

Other possible dermatologic reactions include a generalized rash, erythema, alopecia, and pruritus.^2,3 The development of benign growths associated with patients on vemurafenib include follicular plugging seen in keratosis pilaris, palmar and plantar hyperkeratosis, seborrheic dermatitis-like rashes, verrucous keratosis, and acantholytic dyskeratosis.^8,11,12

We report a case of nonmalignant growths occurring 8 days after starting vemurafenib. This case illustrates potential cutaneous adverse reactions that were benign yet still of great concern to our patient. Many of these nonmalignant cutaneous findings are associated with abnormal follicular keratinization thought to be secondary to abnormal signaling of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway that occurs with the use of BRAF inhibitors.⁸ Although in this case malignant lesions were not discovered, the need for total-body skin examinations exists during all stages of treatment. Supportive care and reassurance should be given to patients along with local treatments including topical therapies (steroids, retinoids), cryotherapy, and biopsies or excisions when necessary.^13,14

To the Editor:

A 53-year-old woman was referred by her oncologist to our dermatology office with lesions on the face and body that presented 8 days after starting vemurafenib 960 mg twice daily for metastatic melanoma. The patient denied any symptoms from the lesions but was concerned they would spread to cover her entire face and body.

The patient's medical history included a diagnosis of metastatic melanoma 6 years prior to presentation. She stated that the primary cutaneous melanoma site was unknown. The patient had endured numerous surgeries to excise lymph node tumors, with some lesions up to 3 cm. The patient recently started vemurafenib, a treatment for BRAF V600E mutation-positive metastatic melanoma. The patient's personal history was notable for hepatitis A, B, and C, and her family history revealed her mother had metastatic lung cancer.

Physical examination revealed numerous 2- to 3-mm, round-oval, flesh-colored to light-brown papules on the cheeks, chest, abdomen (Figure 1), back, and both arms and legs. Some papules were inflamed and some had a stuck-on appearance. Lesions on the chest between the breasts and inframammary region were slightly inflamed. Two skin biopsies were performed. Biopsy of the lesion on the right lateral back revealed solar lentigo, early macular seborrheic keratosis, and a focus of inflamed mild solar keratosis. The dermis showed a mild superficial perivascular and interstitial inflammatory infiltrate composed mostly of lymphocytes, histiocytes, and eosinophils. There were occasional melanophages present (Figure 2). Biopsy of the lesion between the breasts revealed inflamed verrucous seborrheic keratosis (Figure 3).

We treated the lesion on the right lateral back with cycles of cryotherapy and explained to the patient that the lesion between the breasts was benign. We also reiterated to the patient the importance of wearing sun-protective clothing and UVA/UVB sunblock with a sun protection factor of 30 or higher.

Our patient was diagnosed with pneumonia and subsequently had to discontinue vemurafenib. During the period of nontreatment, the keratotic lesions cleared with postinflammatory hyperpigmentation and no epidermal changes, which showed a possible inference of a direct relationship between the vemurafenib and the appearance of the nonmalignant cutaneous lesions. Although this report only represents 1 patient, other patients possibly can benefit from a modified dose of vemurafenib, which either would resolve or lessen the quantity of these lesions.

Vemurafenib is the first US Food and Drug Administration-approved treatment for nonresectable metastatic melanoma with the BRAF V600E mutation as detected by a US Food and Drug Administration-approved test.^1,2 Mutated BRAF is present in approximately 60% of cutaneous melanomas.³ Vemurafenib targets the oncogenic BRAF V600E making the protein inactive, thus inhibiting cell proliferation and leading to apoptosis and shrinkage of the metastatic tumors.^3-5 Vemurafenib has a response rate of more than 50% and is associated with rapid improvement in quality of life.³

Cutaneous side effects include increased incidence of squamous cell carcinoma and keratoacanthomas, appearing approximately 7 to 8 weeks after starting vemurafenib.⁴ The incidence of these lesions increases in patients 65 years and older and in patients with prior skin cancer and chronic sun exposure. The paradoxical activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway by mutant BRAF-selective inhibitors provides an explanation of the induction of squamous cell carcinomas.⁴ Prior to the initiation of vemurafenib, all patients should receive a total-body skin examination and every 2 months thereafter while on treatment. After discontinuation of the medicine, the patient should continue to receive total-body skin evaluations every 6 months indefinitely.

Patients should be aware of the potential for mild to severe photosensitivity reactions. They should be advised to limit their sun exposure time and to wear sun-protective clothing when outdoors. The use of broad-spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen and lip protectant with a sun protection factor of 30 or higher also should be stressed.^6,7 Patients should be aware that UVA rays penetrate glass; therefore, UV-protective clothing should be worn throughout the day and during all seasons.⁷

In clinical trials of vemurafenib, Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis was reported in 2 patients.^8,9 Clinical trials also reported patients developing new primary malignant melanoma lesions.¹⁰ These findings further emphasize the need for patients to undergo total-body skin examinations during and after treatment.

Other possible dermatologic reactions include a generalized rash, erythema, alopecia, and pruritus.^2,3 The development of benign growths associated with patients on vemurafenib include follicular plugging seen in keratosis pilaris, palmar and plantar hyperkeratosis, seborrheic dermatitis-like rashes, verrucous keratosis, and acantholytic dyskeratosis.^8,11,12

We report a case of nonmalignant growths occurring 8 days after starting vemurafenib. This case illustrates potential cutaneous adverse reactions that were benign yet still of great concern to our patient. Many of these nonmalignant cutaneous findings are associated with abnormal follicular keratinization thought to be secondary to abnormal signaling of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway that occurs with the use of BRAF inhibitors.⁸ Although in this case malignant lesions were not discovered, the need for total-body skin examinations exists during all stages of treatment. Supportive care and reassurance should be given to patients along with local treatments including topical therapies (steroids, retinoids), cryotherapy, and biopsies or excisions when necessary.^13,14

To the Editor:

A 53-year-old woman was referred by her oncologist to our dermatology office with lesions on the face and body that presented 8 days after starting vemurafenib 960 mg twice daily for metastatic melanoma. The patient denied any symptoms from the lesions but was concerned they would spread to cover her entire face and body.

The patient's medical history included a diagnosis of metastatic melanoma 6 years prior to presentation. She stated that the primary cutaneous melanoma site was unknown. The patient had endured numerous surgeries to excise lymph node tumors, with some lesions up to 3 cm. The patient recently started vemurafenib, a treatment for BRAF V600E mutation-positive metastatic melanoma. The patient's personal history was notable for hepatitis A, B, and C, and her family history revealed her mother had metastatic lung cancer.

Physical examination revealed numerous 2- to 3-mm, round-oval, flesh-colored to light-brown papules on the cheeks, chest, abdomen (Figure 1), back, and both arms and legs. Some papules were inflamed and some had a stuck-on appearance. Lesions on the chest between the breasts and inframammary region were slightly inflamed. Two skin biopsies were performed. Biopsy of the lesion on the right lateral back revealed solar lentigo, early macular seborrheic keratosis, and a focus of inflamed mild solar keratosis. The dermis showed a mild superficial perivascular and interstitial inflammatory infiltrate composed mostly of lymphocytes, histiocytes, and eosinophils. There were occasional melanophages present (Figure 2). Biopsy of the lesion between the breasts revealed inflamed verrucous seborrheic keratosis (Figure 3).

We treated the lesion on the right lateral back with cycles of cryotherapy and explained to the patient that the lesion between the breasts was benign. We also reiterated to the patient the importance of wearing sun-protective clothing and UVA/UVB sunblock with a sun protection factor of 30 or higher.

Our patient was diagnosed with pneumonia and subsequently had to discontinue vemurafenib. During the period of nontreatment, the keratotic lesions cleared with postinflammatory hyperpigmentation and no epidermal changes, which showed a possible inference of a direct relationship between the vemurafenib and the appearance of the nonmalignant cutaneous lesions. Although this report only represents 1 patient, other patients possibly can benefit from a modified dose of vemurafenib, which either would resolve or lessen the quantity of these lesions.

Vemurafenib is the first US Food and Drug Administration-approved treatment for nonresectable metastatic melanoma with the BRAF V600E mutation as detected by a US Food and Drug Administration-approved test.^1,2 Mutated BRAF is present in approximately 60% of cutaneous melanomas.³ Vemurafenib targets the oncogenic BRAF V600E making the protein inactive, thus inhibiting cell proliferation and leading to apoptosis and shrinkage of the metastatic tumors.^3-5 Vemurafenib has a response rate of more than 50% and is associated with rapid improvement in quality of life.³

Cutaneous side effects include increased incidence of squamous cell carcinoma and keratoacanthomas, appearing approximately 7 to 8 weeks after starting vemurafenib.⁴ The incidence of these lesions increases in patients 65 years and older and in patients with prior skin cancer and chronic sun exposure. The paradoxical activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway by mutant BRAF-selective inhibitors provides an explanation of the induction of squamous cell carcinomas.⁴ Prior to the initiation of vemurafenib, all patients should receive a total-body skin examination and every 2 months thereafter while on treatment. After discontinuation of the medicine, the patient should continue to receive total-body skin evaluations every 6 months indefinitely.

Patients should be aware of the potential for mild to severe photosensitivity reactions. They should be advised to limit their sun exposure time and to wear sun-protective clothing when outdoors. The use of broad-spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen and lip protectant with a sun protection factor of 30 or higher also should be stressed.^6,7 Patients should be aware that UVA rays penetrate glass; therefore, UV-protective clothing should be worn throughout the day and during all seasons.⁷

In clinical trials of vemurafenib, Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis was reported in 2 patients.^8,9 Clinical trials also reported patients developing new primary malignant melanoma lesions.¹⁰ These findings further emphasize the need for patients to undergo total-body skin examinations during and after treatment.

Other possible dermatologic reactions include a generalized rash, erythema, alopecia, and pruritus.^2,3 The development of benign growths associated with patients on vemurafenib include follicular plugging seen in keratosis pilaris, palmar and plantar hyperkeratosis, seborrheic dermatitis-like rashes, verrucous keratosis, and acantholytic dyskeratosis.^8,11,12

We report a case of nonmalignant growths occurring 8 days after starting vemurafenib. This case illustrates potential cutaneous adverse reactions that were benign yet still of great concern to our patient. Many of these nonmalignant cutaneous findings are associated with abnormal follicular keratinization thought to be secondary to abnormal signaling of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway that occurs with the use of BRAF inhibitors.⁸ Although in this case malignant lesions were not discovered, the need for total-body skin examinations exists during all stages of treatment. Supportive care and reassurance should be given to patients along with local treatments including topical therapies (steroids, retinoids), cryotherapy, and biopsies or excisions when necessary.^13,14

Adding rituximab and bortezomib to a moderate-intensity chemotherapy regimen and following it up with maintenance rituximab produced high response rates and “excellent” survival outcomes for adults with previously untreated mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), investigators reported in long-term follow-up of a small study.

The objective response rate (ORR) among 30 patients with MCL treated with VcR-CVAD – bortezomib (Velcade), rituximab, and hyperCVAD (hyper-fractionated cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, and dexamethasone) followed by rituximab maintenance – was 90%, including a high proportion of complete responses (CR) or unconfirmed complete responses.

After a median follow-up of 7.8 years, the rates of 6-year progression-free and overall survival (PFS and OS) were 53% and 70%, respectively, with patients older and younger than 60 years having equally good outcomes, according to Julie E. Chang, MD, of the Wisconsin Institute of Medical Research in Madison, and her colleagues.

VcR-CVAD is a moderate-intensity regimen with a favorable toxicity profile that allowed tolerability even in an older population, the investigators noted. “An important lesson illustrated by VcR-CVAD is that long-term remissions are achievable in some patients without intensive inductions or consolidation,” they wrote in Clinical Lymphoma, Myeloma & Leukemia.

The investigators previously reported that after a median follow-up of 42 months, the 3-year PFS and OS were 63% and 86%, respectively, and that these outcomes were comparable to those reported with more intensive regimens (Br J Haematol. 2011 Oct;155[2]:190-7).

Wikimedia Commons/TexasPathologistMSW/CC-ASA 4.0 International

hematologynews@frontlinemedcom.com

SOURCE: Chang J et al. Clin Lymphoma Myeloma Leuk. 2018 Jan;18(1):e61-e67. doi: 10.1016/j.clml.2017.10.006.

Adding rituximab and bortezomib to a moderate-intensity chemotherapy regimen and following it up with maintenance rituximab produced high response rates and “excellent” survival outcomes for adults with previously untreated mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), investigators reported in long-term follow-up of a small study.

The objective response rate (ORR) among 30 patients with MCL treated with VcR-CVAD – bortezomib (Velcade), rituximab, and hyperCVAD (hyper-fractionated cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, and dexamethasone) followed by rituximab maintenance – was 90%, including a high proportion of complete responses (CR) or unconfirmed complete responses.

After a median follow-up of 7.8 years, the rates of 6-year progression-free and overall survival (PFS and OS) were 53% and 70%, respectively, with patients older and younger than 60 years having equally good outcomes, according to Julie E. Chang, MD, of the Wisconsin Institute of Medical Research in Madison, and her colleagues.

VcR-CVAD is a moderate-intensity regimen with a favorable toxicity profile that allowed tolerability even in an older population, the investigators noted. “An important lesson illustrated by VcR-CVAD is that long-term remissions are achievable in some patients without intensive inductions or consolidation,” they wrote in Clinical Lymphoma, Myeloma & Leukemia.

The investigators previously reported that after a median follow-up of 42 months, the 3-year PFS and OS were 63% and 86%, respectively, and that these outcomes were comparable to those reported with more intensive regimens (Br J Haematol. 2011 Oct;155[2]:190-7).

Wikimedia Commons/TexasPathologistMSW/CC-ASA 4.0 International

hematologynews@frontlinemedcom.com

SOURCE: Chang J et al. Clin Lymphoma Myeloma Leuk. 2018 Jan;18(1):e61-e67. doi: 10.1016/j.clml.2017.10.006.

Adding rituximab and bortezomib to a moderate-intensity chemotherapy regimen and following it up with maintenance rituximab produced high response rates and “excellent” survival outcomes for adults with previously untreated mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), investigators reported in long-term follow-up of a small study.

The objective response rate (ORR) among 30 patients with MCL treated with VcR-CVAD – bortezomib (Velcade), rituximab, and hyperCVAD (hyper-fractionated cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, and dexamethasone) followed by rituximab maintenance – was 90%, including a high proportion of complete responses (CR) or unconfirmed complete responses.

After a median follow-up of 7.8 years, the rates of 6-year progression-free and overall survival (PFS and OS) were 53% and 70%, respectively, with patients older and younger than 60 years having equally good outcomes, according to Julie E. Chang, MD, of the Wisconsin Institute of Medical Research in Madison, and her colleagues.

VcR-CVAD is a moderate-intensity regimen with a favorable toxicity profile that allowed tolerability even in an older population, the investigators noted. “An important lesson illustrated by VcR-CVAD is that long-term remissions are achievable in some patients without intensive inductions or consolidation,” they wrote in Clinical Lymphoma, Myeloma & Leukemia.

The investigators previously reported that after a median follow-up of 42 months, the 3-year PFS and OS were 63% and 86%, respectively, and that these outcomes were comparable to those reported with more intensive regimens (Br J Haematol. 2011 Oct;155[2]:190-7).

Wikimedia Commons/TexasPathologistMSW/CC-ASA 4.0 International

hematologynews@frontlinemedcom.com

SOURCE: Chang J et al. Clin Lymphoma Myeloma Leuk. 2018 Jan;18(1):e61-e67. doi: 10.1016/j.clml.2017.10.006.

Potent proinflammatory markers appear to be significantly elevated in the brains of black patients with Alzheimer’s disease, compared to the brains of white patients, while cytokines with a potentially neuroprotective role are decreased, a Food and Drug Administration researcher reported Jan. 11 at an agency grand rounds presentation

These differences may be driven by the NLRP3 gene, which, in the presence of neuronal insults like beta amyloid aggregates, can direct microglia to pump out a stew of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, Dr. Ferguson said.

“This proposed pathway may help explain why black patients are twice as likely as white ones to develop AD, said Dr. Ferguson, acting director of FDA Division of Neurotoxicology. “Once NLRP3 is activated, it leads to chronically increased levels of inflammatory cytokines. Once they are chronically increased, it could lead to increased synaptic dysfunction, cognitive impairment, and cell death.”

Dr. Ferguson and her colleague, Vijayalakshmi Varma, PhD, FDA research biologist, obtained brain tissue samples from 12 black patients with AD and 12 white ones. She did not have baseline severity staging for the cohort, but said that the patients were a mean of 81 years old, and had confirmed AD pathology at the time of death.

The researchers examined neurodegenerative proteins and cytokine levels in the BA21 area of the brain. Located in the temporal lobe, BA21 is important in language and auditory processing. It generally exhibits atrophy and the characteristic AD lesions of beta amyloid plaques and tau tangles early in the disease.

In a previously published report of this neuropathological cohort, the team examined a number of markers of neurodegeneration including S100B, the soluble form of the receptor for advanced glycation end-products (sRAGE); glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF); and amyloid beta (AB) 40 and AB42 (J Alzheimers Dis. 2017:59; 57-66).

RAGE helps mediate the transport of AB through the cell membrane and the blood brain barrier. S100B is a protein that has been implicated in the formation of tau tangles; other studies suggest that it interacts with RAGE to promote tau phosphorylation.

Compared to levels in the brains of white patients, brains of black patients contained 17% more S100B and 121% more AB42. The AB42/40 ratio was increased by almost 500% over that seen in the white sample. 

The new, unpublished data used this same neuropathological cohort, but examined 40 known neuroinflammatory markers. Compared to the white sample, the black sample showed:
IL-1B, thought to increase amyloid precursor protein and promote tau phosphorylation, increased by 109% MIG, an attractant for activated T-cells, increased by 37%
TRAIL, a ligand that induces apoptosis. increased by 50%

“S 100 B is an astrocytic calcium binding protein,” Dr. Ferguson said. “We know that there are increased brain and cerebrospinal levels of S100 be in mild-moderate Alzheimer’s. S100 B can trigger neuroinflammatory signaling pathways. S100 B is also a potential biomarker of blood-brain barrier permeability. We see increased serum levels in such things as unmedicated schizophrenia and depression as well as brain injury.”

However, Dr. Ferguson said, “There were a couple of cytokines significantly that were decreased in African-American sample, including IL-8. Decreased IL-8 brain levels have been described in those with Alzheimer’s and recent studies have indicated that IL-8 may have a protective role in Alzheimer’s pathogenesis.”

IL-3, which activates mature neutrophils and macrophages, was also significantly decreased. 
The researchers also saw some gender differences. Women had about 20% less CCL25 and CCL26 than men, and 32% less CxCL1 (fracktalkine). CCL26 (Eotaxin-3) was decreased significantly (19%) in women. Fractalkine is essential for microglial cell migration. CCL25 and CCL26 are also mobilizers of immune cells.

Dr. Ferguson postulated that at least some of this neuroinflammatory profile could be related to the formation of inflammasomes – multi-protein oligomeric structures formed in microglia in the brain by the influence of the NLRP3 gene.

“There is a lot of evidence that inflammasomes are involved in AD pathogenesis,” she said. Messenger RNA for the NLRP3 inflammasome is up-regulated in blood from AD patients. Alzheimer’s transgenic mice without the gene show decreased hippocampal and cortical AB40 and 42, increased microglial phagocytosis, and better memory. There is also some evidence that the NLRP3 inflammasome releases minute protein particles called apoptosis-associated (ASC) specks. Some researchers think these particles help seed amyloid throughout the brain. Based on these findings, Dr. Ferguson postulated a potential pathway for the increased prevalence and severity of AD among blacks.

Proinflammatory cytokines are released in response to rising AB levels. These promote the formation of the NLRP3 inflammasome within activated microglia. The inflammasome releases more chemokines and cytokines, leading to a chronic proinflammatory state that may actually promote amyloid seeding. This leads to synaptic dysfunction, cognitive dysfunction, and neuronal death

Dr. Ferguson said work on the samples will continue. 

“We also have CSF and hippocampal tissue and intend to look at similar endpoints in those,” she said. “If as a result of this, we can find gene variants associated with ethnicity and Alzheimer’s, we may be able to establish genetic profiles to identify those at high risk. If we can do that, we may be able to intervene early before the person starts showing cognitive deficits and slow the progression of the disease – even develop precision medications for disease intervention.”

This article was updated 1/11/18.

msullivan@frontlinemedcom.com

Potent proinflammatory markers appear to be significantly elevated in the brains of black patients with Alzheimer’s disease, compared to the brains of white patients, while cytokines with a potentially neuroprotective role are decreased, a Food and Drug Administration researcher reported Jan. 11 at an agency grand rounds presentation

These differences may be driven by the NLRP3 gene, which, in the presence of neuronal insults like beta amyloid aggregates, can direct microglia to pump out a stew of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, Dr. Ferguson said.

“This proposed pathway may help explain why black patients are twice as likely as white ones to develop AD, said Dr. Ferguson, acting director of FDA Division of Neurotoxicology. “Once NLRP3 is activated, it leads to chronically increased levels of inflammatory cytokines. Once they are chronically increased, it could lead to increased synaptic dysfunction, cognitive impairment, and cell death.”

Dr. Ferguson and her colleague, Vijayalakshmi Varma, PhD, FDA research biologist, obtained brain tissue samples from 12 black patients with AD and 12 white ones. She did not have baseline severity staging for the cohort, but said that the patients were a mean of 81 years old, and had confirmed AD pathology at the time of death.

The researchers examined neurodegenerative proteins and cytokine levels in the BA21 area of the brain. Located in the temporal lobe, BA21 is important in language and auditory processing. It generally exhibits atrophy and the characteristic AD lesions of beta amyloid plaques and tau tangles early in the disease.

In a previously published report of this neuropathological cohort, the team examined a number of markers of neurodegeneration including S100B, the soluble form of the receptor for advanced glycation end-products (sRAGE); glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF); and amyloid beta (AB) 40 and AB42 (J Alzheimers Dis. 2017:59; 57-66).

RAGE helps mediate the transport of AB through the cell membrane and the blood brain barrier. S100B is a protein that has been implicated in the formation of tau tangles; other studies suggest that it interacts with RAGE to promote tau phosphorylation.

Compared to levels in the brains of white patients, brains of black patients contained 17% more S100B and 121% more AB42. The AB42/40 ratio was increased by almost 500% over that seen in the white sample. 

The new, unpublished data used this same neuropathological cohort, but examined 40 known neuroinflammatory markers. Compared to the white sample, the black sample showed:
IL-1B, thought to increase amyloid precursor protein and promote tau phosphorylation, increased by 109% MIG, an attractant for activated T-cells, increased by 37%
TRAIL, a ligand that induces apoptosis. increased by 50%

“S 100 B is an astrocytic calcium binding protein,” Dr. Ferguson said. “We know that there are increased brain and cerebrospinal levels of S100 be in mild-moderate Alzheimer’s. S100 B can trigger neuroinflammatory signaling pathways. S100 B is also a potential biomarker of blood-brain barrier permeability. We see increased serum levels in such things as unmedicated schizophrenia and depression as well as brain injury.”

However, Dr. Ferguson said, “There were a couple of cytokines significantly that were decreased in African-American sample, including IL-8. Decreased IL-8 brain levels have been described in those with Alzheimer’s and recent studies have indicated that IL-8 may have a protective role in Alzheimer’s pathogenesis.”

IL-3, which activates mature neutrophils and macrophages, was also significantly decreased. 
The researchers also saw some gender differences. Women had about 20% less CCL25 and CCL26 than men, and 32% less CxCL1 (fracktalkine). CCL26 (Eotaxin-3) was decreased significantly (19%) in women. Fractalkine is essential for microglial cell migration. CCL25 and CCL26 are also mobilizers of immune cells.

Dr. Ferguson postulated that at least some of this neuroinflammatory profile could be related to the formation of inflammasomes – multi-protein oligomeric structures formed in microglia in the brain by the influence of the NLRP3 gene.

“There is a lot of evidence that inflammasomes are involved in AD pathogenesis,” she said. Messenger RNA for the NLRP3 inflammasome is up-regulated in blood from AD patients. Alzheimer’s transgenic mice without the gene show decreased hippocampal and cortical AB40 and 42, increased microglial phagocytosis, and better memory. There is also some evidence that the NLRP3 inflammasome releases minute protein particles called apoptosis-associated (ASC) specks. Some researchers think these particles help seed amyloid throughout the brain. Based on these findings, Dr. Ferguson postulated a potential pathway for the increased prevalence and severity of AD among blacks.

Proinflammatory cytokines are released in response to rising AB levels. These promote the formation of the NLRP3 inflammasome within activated microglia. The inflammasome releases more chemokines and cytokines, leading to a chronic proinflammatory state that may actually promote amyloid seeding. This leads to synaptic dysfunction, cognitive dysfunction, and neuronal death

Dr. Ferguson said work on the samples will continue. 

“We also have CSF and hippocampal tissue and intend to look at similar endpoints in those,” she said. “If as a result of this, we can find gene variants associated with ethnicity and Alzheimer’s, we may be able to establish genetic profiles to identify those at high risk. If we can do that, we may be able to intervene early before the person starts showing cognitive deficits and slow the progression of the disease – even develop precision medications for disease intervention.”

This article was updated 1/11/18.

msullivan@frontlinemedcom.com

Potent proinflammatory markers appear to be significantly elevated in the brains of black patients with Alzheimer’s disease, compared to the brains of white patients, while cytokines with a potentially neuroprotective role are decreased, a Food and Drug Administration researcher reported Jan. 11 at an agency grand rounds presentation

These differences may be driven by the NLRP3 gene, which, in the presence of neuronal insults like beta amyloid aggregates, can direct microglia to pump out a stew of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, Dr. Ferguson said.

“This proposed pathway may help explain why black patients are twice as likely as white ones to develop AD, said Dr. Ferguson, acting director of FDA Division of Neurotoxicology. “Once NLRP3 is activated, it leads to chronically increased levels of inflammatory cytokines. Once they are chronically increased, it could lead to increased synaptic dysfunction, cognitive impairment, and cell death.”

Dr. Ferguson and her colleague, Vijayalakshmi Varma, PhD, FDA research biologist, obtained brain tissue samples from 12 black patients with AD and 12 white ones. She did not have baseline severity staging for the cohort, but said that the patients were a mean of 81 years old, and had confirmed AD pathology at the time of death.

The researchers examined neurodegenerative proteins and cytokine levels in the BA21 area of the brain. Located in the temporal lobe, BA21 is important in language and auditory processing. It generally exhibits atrophy and the characteristic AD lesions of beta amyloid plaques and tau tangles early in the disease.

In a previously published report of this neuropathological cohort, the team examined a number of markers of neurodegeneration including S100B, the soluble form of the receptor for advanced glycation end-products (sRAGE); glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF); and amyloid beta (AB) 40 and AB42 (J Alzheimers Dis. 2017:59; 57-66).

RAGE helps mediate the transport of AB through the cell membrane and the blood brain barrier. S100B is a protein that has been implicated in the formation of tau tangles; other studies suggest that it interacts with RAGE to promote tau phosphorylation.

Compared to levels in the brains of white patients, brains of black patients contained 17% more S100B and 121% more AB42. The AB42/40 ratio was increased by almost 500% over that seen in the white sample. 

The new, unpublished data used this same neuropathological cohort, but examined 40 known neuroinflammatory markers. Compared to the white sample, the black sample showed:
IL-1B, thought to increase amyloid precursor protein and promote tau phosphorylation, increased by 109% MIG, an attractant for activated T-cells, increased by 37%
TRAIL, a ligand that induces apoptosis. increased by 50%

“S 100 B is an astrocytic calcium binding protein,” Dr. Ferguson said. “We know that there are increased brain and cerebrospinal levels of S100 be in mild-moderate Alzheimer’s. S100 B can trigger neuroinflammatory signaling pathways. S100 B is also a potential biomarker of blood-brain barrier permeability. We see increased serum levels in such things as unmedicated schizophrenia and depression as well as brain injury.”

However, Dr. Ferguson said, “There were a couple of cytokines significantly that were decreased in African-American sample, including IL-8. Decreased IL-8 brain levels have been described in those with Alzheimer’s and recent studies have indicated that IL-8 may have a protective role in Alzheimer’s pathogenesis.”

IL-3, which activates mature neutrophils and macrophages, was also significantly decreased. 
The researchers also saw some gender differences. Women had about 20% less CCL25 and CCL26 than men, and 32% less CxCL1 (fracktalkine). CCL26 (Eotaxin-3) was decreased significantly (19%) in women. Fractalkine is essential for microglial cell migration. CCL25 and CCL26 are also mobilizers of immune cells.

Dr. Ferguson postulated that at least some of this neuroinflammatory profile could be related to the formation of inflammasomes – multi-protein oligomeric structures formed in microglia in the brain by the influence of the NLRP3 gene.

“There is a lot of evidence that inflammasomes are involved in AD pathogenesis,” she said. Messenger RNA for the NLRP3 inflammasome is up-regulated in blood from AD patients. Alzheimer’s transgenic mice without the gene show decreased hippocampal and cortical AB40 and 42, increased microglial phagocytosis, and better memory. There is also some evidence that the NLRP3 inflammasome releases minute protein particles called apoptosis-associated (ASC) specks. Some researchers think these particles help seed amyloid throughout the brain. Based on these findings, Dr. Ferguson postulated a potential pathway for the increased prevalence and severity of AD among blacks.

Proinflammatory cytokines are released in response to rising AB levels. These promote the formation of the NLRP3 inflammasome within activated microglia. The inflammasome releases more chemokines and cytokines, leading to a chronic proinflammatory state that may actually promote amyloid seeding. This leads to synaptic dysfunction, cognitive dysfunction, and neuronal death

Dr. Ferguson said work on the samples will continue. 

“We also have CSF and hippocampal tissue and intend to look at similar endpoints in those,” she said. “If as a result of this, we can find gene variants associated with ethnicity and Alzheimer’s, we may be able to establish genetic profiles to identify those at high risk. If we can do that, we may be able to intervene early before the person starts showing cognitive deficits and slow the progression of the disease – even develop precision medications for disease intervention.”

This article was updated 1/11/18.

msullivan@frontlinemedcom.com

In patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), frontline treatment with the oral fluoropyrimidine S-1 combined with irinotecan and bevacizumab was noninferior to other commonly used regimens, according to results of a randomized, open-label, phase 3 trial.

Median progression-free survival for patients receiving the S-1–containing regimen was 14.0 months, compared with 10.8 months for patients receiving either mFOLFOX6 or CapeOX plus bevacizumab (P less than .0001 for noninferiority; P less than .0815 for superiority), Yuji Yamada, MD, of National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, and coauthors reported.

Based on these results, “we consider S-1 and irinotecan plus bevacizumab to be an effective first-line therapy for mCRC and believe that it can be included as one of the recommended standard regimens,” Dr. Yamada and colleagues said (Ann Oncol. 2017 Dec 17. doi: 10.1093/annonc/mdx816).

S-1, a combination preparation that includes the 5-fluorouracil prodrug tegafur plus the modulators gimeracil and oteracil potassium, has been approved in Japan and is approved by the European Medicines Agency for gastric cancer, authors wrote.

Their phase 3 trial, known as TRICOLORE, included 487 patients randomly assigned to receive S-1 and irinotecan plus bevacizumab or a control group that received an oxaliplatin-based regimen (either mFOLFOX6 or CapeOX).

Oxaliplatin-based regimens are associated with milder alopecia and gastrointestinal toxicity, compared with irinotecan-based regimens but can result in prolonged peripheral neuropathy that can negatively impact quality of life and may lead to treatment discontinuation, Dr. Yamada and associates said.

Adverse events of grade 3 or higher occurred in 58.6% of the S-1/irinotecan/bevacizumab group and 64.9% of the control group. The most common grade 3 or greater adverse events were neutropenia and diarrhea in the S-1 group, and neutropenia and peripheral sensory neuropathy in the controls.

The median 14-month progression-free survival for S-1/irinotecan/bevacizumab establishes its noninferiority to the standard regimens, according to the authors: “Although superiority could not be proven, the median progression-free survival was 3.2 months longer in the experimental group than in the control group, and the quality of life results were favorable,” they wrote.

Quality of life was not statistically different between arms as measured by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Colorectal Trial Outcome Index, according to the report. However, scores on the FACT/Gynecologic Oncology Group-Neurotoxicity subscale showed a “significantly more favorable trend over time in the experimental group,” authors noted.

The study was supported in part by Taiho Pharmaceutical. Dr. Yamada reported receiving honoraria from Taiho, Chugai, and Yakult.

SOURCE: Yamada Y et al. Ann Oncol. 2017 Dec 17. doi: 10.1093/annonc/mdx816.

op@frontlinemedcom.com

In patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), frontline treatment with the oral fluoropyrimidine S-1 combined with irinotecan and bevacizumab was noninferior to other commonly used regimens, according to results of a randomized, open-label, phase 3 trial.

Median progression-free survival for patients receiving the S-1–containing regimen was 14.0 months, compared with 10.8 months for patients receiving either mFOLFOX6 or CapeOX plus bevacizumab (P less than .0001 for noninferiority; P less than .0815 for superiority), Yuji Yamada, MD, of National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, and coauthors reported.

Based on these results, “we consider S-1 and irinotecan plus bevacizumab to be an effective first-line therapy for mCRC and believe that it can be included as one of the recommended standard regimens,” Dr. Yamada and colleagues said (Ann Oncol. 2017 Dec 17. doi: 10.1093/annonc/mdx816).

S-1, a combination preparation that includes the 5-fluorouracil prodrug tegafur plus the modulators gimeracil and oteracil potassium, has been approved in Japan and is approved by the European Medicines Agency for gastric cancer, authors wrote.

Their phase 3 trial, known as TRICOLORE, included 487 patients randomly assigned to receive S-1 and irinotecan plus bevacizumab or a control group that received an oxaliplatin-based regimen (either mFOLFOX6 or CapeOX).

Oxaliplatin-based regimens are associated with milder alopecia and gastrointestinal toxicity, compared with irinotecan-based regimens but can result in prolonged peripheral neuropathy that can negatively impact quality of life and may lead to treatment discontinuation, Dr. Yamada and associates said.

Adverse events of grade 3 or higher occurred in 58.6% of the S-1/irinotecan/bevacizumab group and 64.9% of the control group. The most common grade 3 or greater adverse events were neutropenia and diarrhea in the S-1 group, and neutropenia and peripheral sensory neuropathy in the controls.

The median 14-month progression-free survival for S-1/irinotecan/bevacizumab establishes its noninferiority to the standard regimens, according to the authors: “Although superiority could not be proven, the median progression-free survival was 3.2 months longer in the experimental group than in the control group, and the quality of life results were favorable,” they wrote.

Quality of life was not statistically different between arms as measured by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Colorectal Trial Outcome Index, according to the report. However, scores on the FACT/Gynecologic Oncology Group-Neurotoxicity subscale showed a “significantly more favorable trend over time in the experimental group,” authors noted.

The study was supported in part by Taiho Pharmaceutical. Dr. Yamada reported receiving honoraria from Taiho, Chugai, and Yakult.

SOURCE: Yamada Y et al. Ann Oncol. 2017 Dec 17. doi: 10.1093/annonc/mdx816.

op@frontlinemedcom.com

In patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), frontline treatment with the oral fluoropyrimidine S-1 combined with irinotecan and bevacizumab was noninferior to other commonly used regimens, according to results of a randomized, open-label, phase 3 trial.

Median progression-free survival for patients receiving the S-1–containing regimen was 14.0 months, compared with 10.8 months for patients receiving either mFOLFOX6 or CapeOX plus bevacizumab (P less than .0001 for noninferiority; P less than .0815 for superiority), Yuji Yamada, MD, of National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, and coauthors reported.

Based on these results, “we consider S-1 and irinotecan plus bevacizumab to be an effective first-line therapy for mCRC and believe that it can be included as one of the recommended standard regimens,” Dr. Yamada and colleagues said (Ann Oncol. 2017 Dec 17. doi: 10.1093/annonc/mdx816).

S-1, a combination preparation that includes the 5-fluorouracil prodrug tegafur plus the modulators gimeracil and oteracil potassium, has been approved in Japan and is approved by the European Medicines Agency for gastric cancer, authors wrote.

Their phase 3 trial, known as TRICOLORE, included 487 patients randomly assigned to receive S-1 and irinotecan plus bevacizumab or a control group that received an oxaliplatin-based regimen (either mFOLFOX6 or CapeOX).

Oxaliplatin-based regimens are associated with milder alopecia and gastrointestinal toxicity, compared with irinotecan-based regimens but can result in prolonged peripheral neuropathy that can negatively impact quality of life and may lead to treatment discontinuation, Dr. Yamada and associates said.

Adverse events of grade 3 or higher occurred in 58.6% of the S-1/irinotecan/bevacizumab group and 64.9% of the control group. The most common grade 3 or greater adverse events were neutropenia and diarrhea in the S-1 group, and neutropenia and peripheral sensory neuropathy in the controls.

The median 14-month progression-free survival for S-1/irinotecan/bevacizumab establishes its noninferiority to the standard regimens, according to the authors: “Although superiority could not be proven, the median progression-free survival was 3.2 months longer in the experimental group than in the control group, and the quality of life results were favorable,” they wrote.

Quality of life was not statistically different between arms as measured by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Colorectal Trial Outcome Index, according to the report. However, scores on the FACT/Gynecologic Oncology Group-Neurotoxicity subscale showed a “significantly more favorable trend over time in the experimental group,” authors noted.

The study was supported in part by Taiho Pharmaceutical. Dr. Yamada reported receiving honoraria from Taiho, Chugai, and Yakult.

SOURCE: Yamada Y et al. Ann Oncol. 2017 Dec 17. doi: 10.1093/annonc/mdx816.

op@frontlinemedcom.com

The odds of seizure control in epilepsy patients declines significantly with each successive unsuccessful treatment regimen, despite the wide availability of a variety of new antiepileptic drugs, according to Zhibin Chen, PhD, and his associates

The study included a total of 1,795 patients who were treated at the epilepsy unit of the Western Infirmary in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 1, 1982, to Oct. 31, 2012, and followed until Oct. 31, 2014, or until their deaths. They had a median follow-up of 11 years. Of this group, 1,144 patients were seizure free for a year or longer, including 816 who achieved seizure freedom after the first antiepileptic drug and 212 after receiving their second antiepileptic drug.

The odds ratio for each successive antiepileptic drug regimen’s failing if the first regimen failed was 1.73. The first antiepileptic drug regimen offered about a 50% probability of seizure freedom for 1 year or longer, but the probability of success was only 12% with the second regimen and 4% with the third. Attempts after the third regimen all had a probability of seizure freedom of around or below 1%. Patients who had a greater number of seizures prior to treatment, reported recreational drug use, or had first-degree relatives with a history of seizure were significantly less likely to achieve seizure freedom in a multivariate regression analysis.

“A paradigm shift in treatment and research strategies is needed to improve the long-term outcomes of newly diagnosed epilepsy. Patients with drug-resistant epilepsy should be considered early for nonpharmacological therapies, such as resective surgery and brain stimulation techniques,” the study investigators wrote.

lfranki@frontlinemedcom.com

SOURCE: Chen Z et al. JAMA Neurol. 2017 Dec 26. doi: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2017.3949

The odds of seizure control in epilepsy patients declines significantly with each successive unsuccessful treatment regimen, despite the wide availability of a variety of new antiepileptic drugs, according to Zhibin Chen, PhD, and his associates

The study included a total of 1,795 patients who were treated at the epilepsy unit of the Western Infirmary in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 1, 1982, to Oct. 31, 2012, and followed until Oct. 31, 2014, or until their deaths. They had a median follow-up of 11 years. Of this group, 1,144 patients were seizure free for a year or longer, including 816 who achieved seizure freedom after the first antiepileptic drug and 212 after receiving their second antiepileptic drug.

The odds ratio for each successive antiepileptic drug regimen’s failing if the first regimen failed was 1.73. The first antiepileptic drug regimen offered about a 50% probability of seizure freedom for 1 year or longer, but the probability of success was only 12% with the second regimen and 4% with the third. Attempts after the third regimen all had a probability of seizure freedom of around or below 1%. Patients who had a greater number of seizures prior to treatment, reported recreational drug use, or had first-degree relatives with a history of seizure were significantly less likely to achieve seizure freedom in a multivariate regression analysis.

“A paradigm shift in treatment and research strategies is needed to improve the long-term outcomes of newly diagnosed epilepsy. Patients with drug-resistant epilepsy should be considered early for nonpharmacological therapies, such as resective surgery and brain stimulation techniques,” the study investigators wrote.

lfranki@frontlinemedcom.com

SOURCE: Chen Z et al. JAMA Neurol. 2017 Dec 26. doi: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2017.3949

The odds of seizure control in epilepsy patients declines significantly with each successive unsuccessful treatment regimen, despite the wide availability of a variety of new antiepileptic drugs, according to Zhibin Chen, PhD, and his associates

The study included a total of 1,795 patients who were treated at the epilepsy unit of the Western Infirmary in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 1, 1982, to Oct. 31, 2012, and followed until Oct. 31, 2014, or until their deaths. They had a median follow-up of 11 years. Of this group, 1,144 patients were seizure free for a year or longer, including 816 who achieved seizure freedom after the first antiepileptic drug and 212 after receiving their second antiepileptic drug.

The odds ratio for each successive antiepileptic drug regimen’s failing if the first regimen failed was 1.73. The first antiepileptic drug regimen offered about a 50% probability of seizure freedom for 1 year or longer, but the probability of success was only 12% with the second regimen and 4% with the third. Attempts after the third regimen all had a probability of seizure freedom of around or below 1%. Patients who had a greater number of seizures prior to treatment, reported recreational drug use, or had first-degree relatives with a history of seizure were significantly less likely to achieve seizure freedom in a multivariate regression analysis.

“A paradigm shift in treatment and research strategies is needed to improve the long-term outcomes of newly diagnosed epilepsy. Patients with drug-resistant epilepsy should be considered early for nonpharmacological therapies, such as resective surgery and brain stimulation techniques,” the study investigators wrote.

lfranki@frontlinemedcom.com

SOURCE: Chen Z et al. JAMA Neurol. 2017 Dec 26. doi: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2017.3949

A Twitter battle over the size of each “nuclear button” possessed by President Donald Trump and North Korea’s Kim Jong-un has spiked sales of a drug that protects against radiation poisoning.

Troy Jones, who runs the website www.nukepills.com, said demand for potassium iodide soared last week, after President Trump tweeted that he had a “much bigger & more powerful” button than Kim – a statement that raised new fears about an escalating threat of nuclear war.

“North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the ‘Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times.’ Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!”

– Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) Jan. 3, 2018

“On Jan. 2, I basically got in a month’s supply of potassium iodide and I sold out in 48 hours,” said Mr. Jones, who is a top U.S. distributor of the drug. His Mooresville, N.C., firm sells all three types of the product approved by the Food and Drug Administration. No prescription is required.

In that 2-day period, Jones said, he shipped about 140,000 doses of potassium iodide (KI). Without the tweet, he typically would have sent out about 8,400 doses to private individuals, he said.

Mr. Jones also sells to government agencies, hospitals and universities, which aren’t included in that count.

Alan Morris, president of the Williamsburg, Va.–based pharmaceutical firm Anbex, which also distributes KI, said he’s seen a bump in demand, too.

“We are a wonderful barometer of the level of anxiety in the country,” he said.

A spokeswoman for a third firm, Recipharm, which sells low-dose KI tablets, declined to comment on recent sales.

Mr. Jones said this is not the first time in recent months that jitters over growing nuclear tensions have boosted sales of KI, which comes in tablet and liquid form and should be taken within hours of exposure to radiation.

It’s the same substance often added to table salt to provide trace amounts of iodine that ensure proper thyroid function. Mr. Jones sells his tablets for about 65 cents each, though they’re cheaper in bulk. Mr. Morris said he sells the pills to the federal government for about 1 cent apiece.

Yet, neither the FDA nor the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that families stockpile potassium iodide as an antidote against nuclear emergency.

“KI cannot protect the body from radioactive elements other than radioactive iodine – if radioactive iodine is not present, taking KI is not protective and could cause harm,” the CDC’s website states.

The drug, which has a shelf life of up to 7 years, protects against absorption of radioactive iodine into the thyroid. But that means that it protects only the thyroid, not other organs or body systems, said Anupam Kotwal, MBBS, an endocrinologist speaking for the Endocrine Society.

“This is kind of mostly to protect children, people ages less than 18 and pregnant women,” Dr. Kotwal said.

States with nuclear reactors and populations within a 10-mile radius of the reactors stockpile potassium iodide to distribute in case of an emergency, according to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. An accident involving one of those reactors is far more likely than any nuclear threat from Kim Jong-un, Anbex’s Mr. Morris said.

Still, the escalating war of words between the United States and North Korea has unsettled many people, Mr. Jones said. Although some of his buyers may hold what could be regarded as fringe views, many others do not.

“It’s moms and dads,” he said. “They’re worried and they find that these products exist.”

Such concern was underscored last week, when the CDC announced a briefing on the “Public Health Response to a Nuclear Detonation.” One of the planned sessions is titled “Preparing for the Unthinkable.”

Hundreds of people shared the announcement on social media, with varying degrees of alarm that it could have been inspired by the presidential tweet.

A CDC spokeswoman, however, said the briefing had been “in the works” since last spring. The agency held a similar session on nuclear disaster preparedness in 2010.

“CDC has been active in this area for several years, including back in 2011, when the Fukushima nuclear power plant was damaged during a major earthquake,” the agency’s Kathy Harben said in an email.

Indeed, Jones saw big spikes in potassium iodide sales after the Fukushima Daichii disaster, after North Korea started launching missiles – and after President Trump was elected.

“I now follow his Twitter feed just to gauge the day’s sales and determine how much to stock and how many radiation emergency kits to prep for the coming week,” Mr. Jones said, adding later: “I don’t think he intended to have this kind of effect.”
 

KHN’s coverage of these topics is supported by Laura and John Arnold Foundation and Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. Kaiser Health News is a nonprofit news service covering health issues. It is an editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation that is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.

A Twitter battle over the size of each “nuclear button” possessed by President Donald Trump and North Korea’s Kim Jong-un has spiked sales of a drug that protects against radiation poisoning.

Troy Jones, who runs the website www.nukepills.com, said demand for potassium iodide soared last week, after President Trump tweeted that he had a “much bigger & more powerful” button than Kim – a statement that raised new fears about an escalating threat of nuclear war.

“North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the ‘Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times.’ Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!”

– Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) Jan. 3, 2018

“On Jan. 2, I basically got in a month’s supply of potassium iodide and I sold out in 48 hours,” said Mr. Jones, who is a top U.S. distributor of the drug. His Mooresville, N.C., firm sells all three types of the product approved by the Food and Drug Administration. No prescription is required.

In that 2-day period, Jones said, he shipped about 140,000 doses of potassium iodide (KI). Without the tweet, he typically would have sent out about 8,400 doses to private individuals, he said.

Mr. Jones also sells to government agencies, hospitals and universities, which aren’t included in that count.

Alan Morris, president of the Williamsburg, Va.–based pharmaceutical firm Anbex, which also distributes KI, said he’s seen a bump in demand, too.

“We are a wonderful barometer of the level of anxiety in the country,” he said.

A spokeswoman for a third firm, Recipharm, which sells low-dose KI tablets, declined to comment on recent sales.

Mr. Jones said this is not the first time in recent months that jitters over growing nuclear tensions have boosted sales of KI, which comes in tablet and liquid form and should be taken within hours of exposure to radiation.

It’s the same substance often added to table salt to provide trace amounts of iodine that ensure proper thyroid function. Mr. Jones sells his tablets for about 65 cents each, though they’re cheaper in bulk. Mr. Morris said he sells the pills to the federal government for about 1 cent apiece.

Yet, neither the FDA nor the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that families stockpile potassium iodide as an antidote against nuclear emergency.

“KI cannot protect the body from radioactive elements other than radioactive iodine – if radioactive iodine is not present, taking KI is not protective and could cause harm,” the CDC’s website states.

The drug, which has a shelf life of up to 7 years, protects against absorption of radioactive iodine into the thyroid. But that means that it protects only the thyroid, not other organs or body systems, said Anupam Kotwal, MBBS, an endocrinologist speaking for the Endocrine Society.

“This is kind of mostly to protect children, people ages less than 18 and pregnant women,” Dr. Kotwal said.

States with nuclear reactors and populations within a 10-mile radius of the reactors stockpile potassium iodide to distribute in case of an emergency, according to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. An accident involving one of those reactors is far more likely than any nuclear threat from Kim Jong-un, Anbex’s Mr. Morris said.

Still, the escalating war of words between the United States and North Korea has unsettled many people, Mr. Jones said. Although some of his buyers may hold what could be regarded as fringe views, many others do not.

“It’s moms and dads,” he said. “They’re worried and they find that these products exist.”

Such concern was underscored last week, when the CDC announced a briefing on the “Public Health Response to a Nuclear Detonation.” One of the planned sessions is titled “Preparing for the Unthinkable.”

Hundreds of people shared the announcement on social media, with varying degrees of alarm that it could have been inspired by the presidential tweet.

A CDC spokeswoman, however, said the briefing had been “in the works” since last spring. The agency held a similar session on nuclear disaster preparedness in 2010.

“CDC has been active in this area for several years, including back in 2011, when the Fukushima nuclear power plant was damaged during a major earthquake,” the agency’s Kathy Harben said in an email.

Indeed, Jones saw big spikes in potassium iodide sales after the Fukushima Daichii disaster, after North Korea started launching missiles – and after President Trump was elected.

“I now follow his Twitter feed just to gauge the day’s sales and determine how much to stock and how many radiation emergency kits to prep for the coming week,” Mr. Jones said, adding later: “I don’t think he intended to have this kind of effect.”
 

KHN’s coverage of these topics is supported by Laura and John Arnold Foundation and Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. Kaiser Health News is a nonprofit news service covering health issues. It is an editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation that is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.

A Twitter battle over the size of each “nuclear button” possessed by President Donald Trump and North Korea’s Kim Jong-un has spiked sales of a drug that protects against radiation poisoning.

Troy Jones, who runs the website www.nukepills.com, said demand for potassium iodide soared last week, after President Trump tweeted that he had a “much bigger & more powerful” button than Kim – a statement that raised new fears about an escalating threat of nuclear war.

“North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the ‘Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times.’ Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!”

– Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) Jan. 3, 2018

“On Jan. 2, I basically got in a month’s supply of potassium iodide and I sold out in 48 hours,” said Mr. Jones, who is a top U.S. distributor of the drug. His Mooresville, N.C., firm sells all three types of the product approved by the Food and Drug Administration. No prescription is required.

In that 2-day period, Jones said, he shipped about 140,000 doses of potassium iodide (KI). Without the tweet, he typically would have sent out about 8,400 doses to private individuals, he said.

Mr. Jones also sells to government agencies, hospitals and universities, which aren’t included in that count.

Alan Morris, president of the Williamsburg, Va.–based pharmaceutical firm Anbex, which also distributes KI, said he’s seen a bump in demand, too.

“We are a wonderful barometer of the level of anxiety in the country,” he said.

A spokeswoman for a third firm, Recipharm, which sells low-dose KI tablets, declined to comment on recent sales.

Mr. Jones said this is not the first time in recent months that jitters over growing nuclear tensions have boosted sales of KI, which comes in tablet and liquid form and should be taken within hours of exposure to radiation.

It’s the same substance often added to table salt to provide trace amounts of iodine that ensure proper thyroid function. Mr. Jones sells his tablets for about 65 cents each, though they’re cheaper in bulk. Mr. Morris said he sells the pills to the federal government for about 1 cent apiece.

Yet, neither the FDA nor the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that families stockpile potassium iodide as an antidote against nuclear emergency.

“KI cannot protect the body from radioactive elements other than radioactive iodine – if radioactive iodine is not present, taking KI is not protective and could cause harm,” the CDC’s website states.

The drug, which has a shelf life of up to 7 years, protects against absorption of radioactive iodine into the thyroid. But that means that it protects only the thyroid, not other organs or body systems, said Anupam Kotwal, MBBS, an endocrinologist speaking for the Endocrine Society.

“This is kind of mostly to protect children, people ages less than 18 and pregnant women,” Dr. Kotwal said.

States with nuclear reactors and populations within a 10-mile radius of the reactors stockpile potassium iodide to distribute in case of an emergency, according to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. An accident involving one of those reactors is far more likely than any nuclear threat from Kim Jong-un, Anbex’s Mr. Morris said.

Still, the escalating war of words between the United States and North Korea has unsettled many people, Mr. Jones said. Although some of his buyers may hold what could be regarded as fringe views, many others do not.

“It’s moms and dads,” he said. “They’re worried and they find that these products exist.”

Such concern was underscored last week, when the CDC announced a briefing on the “Public Health Response to a Nuclear Detonation.” One of the planned sessions is titled “Preparing for the Unthinkable.”

Hundreds of people shared the announcement on social media, with varying degrees of alarm that it could have been inspired by the presidential tweet.

A CDC spokeswoman, however, said the briefing had been “in the works” since last spring. The agency held a similar session on nuclear disaster preparedness in 2010.

“CDC has been active in this area for several years, including back in 2011, when the Fukushima nuclear power plant was damaged during a major earthquake,” the agency’s Kathy Harben said in an email.

Indeed, Jones saw big spikes in potassium iodide sales after the Fukushima Daichii disaster, after North Korea started launching missiles – and after President Trump was elected.

“I now follow his Twitter feed just to gauge the day’s sales and determine how much to stock and how many radiation emergency kits to prep for the coming week,” Mr. Jones said, adding later: “I don’t think he intended to have this kind of effect.”
 

KHN’s coverage of these topics is supported by Laura and John Arnold Foundation and Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. Kaiser Health News is a nonprofit news service covering health issues. It is an editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation that is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.