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Background Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) reduce systolic blood pressure (SBP) and increase serum potassium concentration ([K+]). This indirect comparison investigated any differences in SBP-lowering and hyperkalemia risk between finerenone, a nonsteroidal MRA, and the steroidal MRA spironolactone ± a potassium binder. Methods In FIDELITY (a pooled analysis of FIDELIO-DKD and FIGARO-DKD), a subgroup of patients with treatment-resistant hypertension (TRH) and chronic kidney disease meeting eligibility criteria of the AMBER trial were identified (FIDELITY-TRH). The main outcomes were mean change in SBP, incidence of serum [K+] ≥5.5 mmol/L and hyperkalemia-associated treatment discontinuation. Results at ∼17 weeks were compared with 12 weeks from AMBER. Results In 624 FIDELITY-TRH patients and 295 AMBER patients, the least squares mean change in SBP (mmHg) from baseline was −7.1 for finerenone and −1.3 for placebo {between-group difference −5.74 [95% confidence interval (CI) −7.99 to −3.49], P Conclusions In patients with TRH and chronic kidney disease compared with spironolactone with or without patiromer, finerenone was associated with a lower SBP reduction and lower risk of hyperkalemia and treatment discontinuation. Trial Registration: AMBER (NCT03071263), FIDELIO-DKD (NCT02540993), FIGARO-DKD (NCT02545049)

Background: Finerenone reduced risk of cardiorenal outcomes in patients with CKD and type 2 diabetes in the FIDELIO-DKD trial. We report incidences and risk factors for hyperkalemia with finerenone and placebo in FIDELIO-DKD. Methods: This post hoc safety analysis defined hyperkalemia as ≥mild or ≥moderate based on serum potassium concentrations of >5.5 or >6.0 mmol/L, respectively, assessed at all regular visits. Cumulative incidences of hyperkalemia were based on the Aalen-Johansen estimator using death as competing risk. A multivariate Cox proportional hazards model identified significant independent predictors of hyperkalemia. Restricted cubic splines assessed relationships between short-term post-baseline changes in serum potassium or eGFR and subsequent hyperkalemia risk. During the study, serum potassium levels guided drug dosing. Patients in either group who experienced ≥mild hyperkalemia had the study drug withheld until serum potassium was ≤5.0 mmol/L; then the drug was restarted at the 10 mg daily dose. Placebo-treated patients underwent sham treatment interruption and downtitration. Results: Over 2.6 years' median follow-up, 597 of 2785 (21.4%) and 256 of 2775 (9.2%) patients treated with finerenone and placebo, respectively, experienced treatment-emergent ≥mild hyperkalemia; 126 of 2802 (4.5%) and 38 of 2796 (1.4%) patients, respectively, experienced moderate hyperkalemia. Independent risk factors for ≥mild hyperkalemia were higher serum potassium, lower eGFR, increased urine albumin-creatinine ratio, younger age, female sex, β-blocker use, and finerenone assignment. Diuretic or sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor use reduced risk. In both groups, short-term increases in serum potassium and decreases in eGFR were associated with subsequent hyperkalemia. At month 4, the magnitude of increased hyperkalemia risk for any change from baseline was smaller with finerenone than with placebo. Conclusions: Finerenone was independently associated with hyperkalemia. However, routine potassium monitoring and hyperkalemia management strategies employed in FIDELIO-DKD minimized the impact of hyperkalemia, providing a basis for clinical use of finerenone. Bayer AG 10.121 JCR (2020) Q1, 6/89 Urology & Nephrology 4.451 SJR (2020) Q1, 39/2446 Medicine (miscellaneous) No data IDR 2020 UEM

In FIDELITY, a prespecified pooled analysis of the FIDELIO-DKD and FIGARO-DKD studies, finerenone was found to improve cardiorenal outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes, a urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio of 30–5000 mg/g, an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 25 ml/min per 1.73 m2 or more and also receiving optimized renin-angiotensin system blockade treatment. This present analysis focused on the efficacy and safety of finerenone on kidney outcomes. Among 13,026 patients with a median follow-up of three years, finerenone significantly reduced the hazard of a kidney composite outcome (time to kidney failure, sustained 57% or more decrease in eGFR from baseline, or kidney death) by 23% versus placebo (hazard ratio, 0.77; 95% confidence interval, 0.67–0.88), with a three-year absolute between-group difference of 1.7% (95% confidence interval, 0.7–2.6). Hazard ratios were directionally consistent for a prespecified baseline eGFR and urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio categories (Pinteraction = 0.62 and Pinteraction = 0.67, respectively), although there was a high degree of uncertainty in the 30–300 mg/g subgroup. Finerenone significantly reduced the hazard of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) by 20% versus placebo (0.80; 0.64–0.99). Adverse events were similar between treatment arms, although hyperkalemia leading to treatment discontinuation occurred significantly more frequently with finerenone versus placebo (2.4% vs 0.8% and 0.6% vs 0.3% in patients with eGFR less than 60 vs. greater than or equal to 60 ml/min per 1.73 m2, respectively). Thus, finerenone improved kidney outcomes, reduced the hazard of ESKD, and is well tolerated in patients with chronic kidney disease and type 2 diabetes.

AimsTo explore the modifying effect of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) use on outcomes with finerenone across a wide spectrum of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) in the pooled analysis of FIDELIO-DKD and FIGARO-DKD.Materials and methodsPatients with T2D and CKD treated with optimized renin-angiotensin system blockade were randomized to finerenone or placebo. Effects of finerenone on a cardiovascular composite outcome (cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or hospitalization for heart failure) and a kidney composite outcome (kidney failure, sustained ≥57% estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] decline, or renal death), change in urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR), and safety were analysed by GLP-1RA use.ResultsOf 13 026 patients, 944 (7.2%) used GLP-1RAs at baseline. Finerenone reduced the risk of the cardiovascular composite outcome (hazard ratio [HR] 0.76, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.52–1.11 with GLP-1RA; HR 0.87, 95% CI 0.79–0.96 without GLP-1RA; P-interaction = 0.63) and the kidney composite outcome (HR 0.82, 95% CI 0.45–1.48 with GLP-1RA; HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.67–0.89 without GLP-1RA; P-interaction = 0.79) irrespective of baseline GLP-1RA use. Reduction in UACR with finerenone at Month 4 was –38% in patients with baseline GLP-1RA use compared with –31% in those without GLP-1RA use (P-interaction = 0.03). Overall safety and incidence of hyperkalaemia were similar, irrespective of GLP-1RA use.ConclusionsThe cardiorenal benefits of finerenone on composite cardiovascular and kidney outcomes and UACR reduction in patients with CKD and T2D appear to be maintained, regardless of GLP-1RA use. Subsequent studies are needed to investigate any potential benefit of this combination. Aims: To explore the modifying effect of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) use on outcomes with finerenone across a wide spectrum of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) in the pooled analysis of FIDELIO-DKD and FIGARO-DKD. Materials and methods: Patients with T2D and CKD treated with optimized renin-angiotensin system blockade were randomized to finerenone or placebo. Effects of finerenone on a cardiovascular composite outcome (cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or hospitalization for heart failure) and a kidney composite outcome (kidney failure, sustained ≥57% estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] decline, or renal death), change in urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR), and safety were analysed by GLP-1RA use. Results: Of 13 026 patients, 944 (7.2%) used GLP-1RAs at baseline. Finerenone reduced the risk of the cardiovascular composite outcome (hazard ratio [HR] 0.76, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.52–1.11 with GLP-1RA; HR 0.87, 95% CI 0.79–0.96 without GLP-1RA; P-interaction = 0.63) and the kidney composite outcome (HR 0.82, 95% CI 0.45–1.48 with GLP-1RA; HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.67–0.89 without GLP-1RA; P-interaction = 0.79) irrespective of baseline GLP-1RA use. Reduction in UACR with finerenone at Month 4 was –38% in patients with baseline GLP-1RA use compared with –31% in those without GLP-1RA use (P-interaction = 0.03). Overall safety and incidence of hyperkalaemia were similar, irrespective of GLP-1RA use. Conclusions: The cardiorenal benefits of finerenone on composite cardiovascular and kidney outcomes and UACR reduction in patients with CKD and T2D appear to be maintained, regardless of GLP-1RA use. Subsequent studies are needed to investigate any potential benefit of this combination.

Perception of the role of the aldosterone/mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) ensemble has been extended from a previously renal epithelial-centered focus on sodium and volume homeostasis to an understanding of their role as systemic modulators of reactive oxygen species, inflammation, and fibrosis. Steroidal MR antagonists (MRAs) are included in treatment paradigms for resistant hypertension and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, while more recently, the nonsteroidal MRA finerenone was shown to reduce renal and cardiovascular outcomes in two large phase III trials (FIDELIO-DKD and FIGARO-DKD) in patients with chronic kidney disease and type 2 diabetes, respectively. Here, we provide an overview of the pathophysiologic role of MR overactivation and preclinical evidence with the nonsteroidal MRA finerenone in a range of different disease models with respect to major components of the aggregate mode of action, including interfering with reactive oxygen species generation, inflammation, fibrosis, and hypertrophy. We describe a time-dependent effect of these mechanistic components and the potential modification of major clinical parameters, as well as the impact on clinical renal and cardiovascular outcomes as observed in FIDELIO-DKD and FIGARO-DKD. Finally, we provide an outlook on potential future clinical indications and ongoing clinical studies with finerenone, including a combination study with a sodium–glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor.

Introduction: Finerenone reduced the risk of cardiovascular (CV) and kidney outcomes, without affecting HbA1c, in CKD and T2D patients in the FIDELITY prespecified pooled analysis of the FIDELIO-DKD and FIGARO-DKD studies. Here, we evaluate the effect of finerenone by baseline HbA1c, HbA1c variability, and diabetes duration. Methods: Patients with T2D and CKD (UACR ≥30-≤5000 mg/g and eGFR ≥25 mL/min/1.73 m2) were randomized to finerenone or placebo. Effects of finerenone vs. placebo on CV (CV death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or hospitalization for heart failure) and kidney (kidney failure, sustained ≥57% eGFR decline from baseline, or renal death) composite outcomes were analyzed by baseline HbA1c quartiles, HbA1c variability (first year of treatment) , and diabetes duration quartiles. Results: In 13,026 patients included in the analysis, mean baseline HbA1c was 7.7% and diabetes duration was 15.4 years. Higher baseline HbA1c quartiles had longer diabetes duration and more diabetes-related complications. Risk reductions in the CV and kidney composite outcomes with finerenone vs. placebo were consistent across HbA1c (p-interaction 0.52 and 0.09, respectively) and diabetes duration (p-interaction 0.12 and 0.75) quartiles. HbA1c variability in the first year of treatment was associated with higher cardiorenal risks; each 1 unit increase in mean absolute residual of HbA1c was associated with a 20% increased risk of a CV event (HR 1.20; 95% CI 1.07-1.35; p=0.0016) and a 36% increased risk of a kidney event (HR 1.36; 95% CI 1.21-1.52; p Conclusion: Greater variability in HbA1c was associated with increased risks of cardiorenal outcomes. Risk reductions in the CV and kidney outcomes with finerenone in patients with CKD and T2D were not modified by baseline HbA1c, HbA1c variability, or duration of diabetes. Disclosure J. B. Mcgill: Advisory Panel; Gilead Sciences, Inc., Lilly Diabetes, MannKind Corporation, Novo Nordisk A/S, Provention Bio, Inc., Salix Pharmaceuticals, Consultant; Bayer AG, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Research Support; Dexcom, Inc., Novo Nordisk. M. Brinker: Employee; Bayer AG. A. Joseph: Employee; Bayer AG. A. Z. Lage: None. R. Lawatscheck: None. C. Scott: Employee; Bayer AG. P. Rossing: Consultant; Astellas Pharma Inc., AstraZeneca, Bayer AG, Gilead Sciences, Inc., Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., Novo Nordisk A/S, Sanofi, Speaker’s Bureau; Eli Lilly and Company. R. Agarwal: Advisory Panel; Akebia Therapeutics, Inc., Bayer AG, Board Member; Chinook Therapeutics Inc., DiaMedica Therapeutics, Inc., Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, Consultant; Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Reata Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Vifor Pharma Management Ltd. S. Anker: Consultant; Bayer AG, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Novartis AG, Novo Nordisk, Vifor Pharma Management Ltd., Research Support; Abbott. G. Bakris: Consultant; Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc., AstraZeneca, DiaMedica Therapeutics, Inc., Horizon Therapeutics plc, Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Merck & Co., Inc., Other Relationship; Novo Nordisk. G. Filippatos: Other Relationship; Amgen Inc., Amgen Inc., Bayer AG, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Medtronic, Novartis AG, Servier Laboratories, Vifor Pharma Management Ltd. B. Pitt: Advisory Panel; Merck & Co., Inc., Consultant; AstraZeneca, Bayer AG, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Vifor Pharma Management Ltd. L. M. Ruilope: Consultant; Bayer AG. A. L. Birkenfeld: None. L. Caramori: Advisory Panel; Bayer AG, Consultant; AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Novo Nordisk, Research Support; Bayer AG, Novartis AG.

Introduction: Finerenone reduced risk of cardiorenal outcomes in patients with CKD and T2D in the FIDELIO-DKD and FIGARO-DKD studies. In FIDELIO-DKD the effects of finerenone on kidney and CV outcomes were consistent irrespective of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) use, but analyses were better powered to evaluate change in urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) . Here, we extend these analyses to patients in both studies (FIDELITY analysis) , thus encompassing a larger population with broader inclusion criteria. Methods: Patients with T2D and CKD (UACR ≥30- Results: Of 13026 patients, 944 (7.2%) received GLP-1RAs at baseline. Results were consistent irrespective of GLP-1RA use at baseline for the CV composite outcome (hazard ratio [HR] 0.76; 95% CI 0.52-1.with GLP-1RA; HR 0.87, 95% CI 0.79-0.96 without GLP-1RA; p-interaction 0.63) , and the kidney composite outcome (HR 0.82; 95% CI 0.45-1.48 with GLP-1RA; HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.67-0.89 without GLP-1RA; p-interaction 0.79) . A greater reduction in UACR was observed with finerenone in patients taking GLP-1RA at baseline (placebo-corrected change -38% with GLP-1RA and -31% without GLP-1RA use; p-interaction 0.03) . Incidence of hyperkalemia was similarly increased with finerenone irrespective of GLP-1RA use at baseline. Conclusion: The benefits of finerenone on composite CV and kidney outcomes in patients with CKD and T2D are not modified by GLP-1RA use at baseline, with an increased effect observed for UACR reduction, suggesting a different mechanism of reduction in albuminuria. Disclosure P.Rossing: Consultant; Astellas Pharma Inc., AstraZeneca, Bayer AG, Gilead Sciences, Inc., Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., Novo Nordisk A/S, Sanofi, Speaker's Bureau; Eli Lilly and Company. P.Viswanathan: Employee; Bayer AG. R.Lawatscheck: None. A.Joseph: Employee; Bayer AG. G.Bakris: Consultant; Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc., AstraZeneca, DiaMedica Therapeutics, Inc., Horizon Therapeutics plc, Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Merck & Co., Inc., Other Relationship; Novo Nordisk. S.Anker: Consultant; Bayer AG, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Novartis AG, Novo Nordisk, Vifor Pharma Management Ltd., Research Support; Abbott. G.Filippatos: Other Relationship; Amgen Inc., Amgen Inc., Bayer AG, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Medtronic, Novartis AG, Servier Laboratories, Vifor Pharma Management Ltd. B.Pitt: Advisory Panel; Merck & Co., Inc., Consultant; AstraZeneca, Bayer AG, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Vifor Pharma Management Ltd. L.M.Ruilope: Consultant; Bayer AG. V.Fonseca: Consultant; Abbott, Asahi Kasei Corporation, Bayer AG, Novo Nordisk, Sanofi, Research Support; Fractyl Health, Inc., Jaguar Gene Therapy, Stock/Shareholder; Abbott, Amgen Inc., BRAVO4Health, Mellitus Health. G.E.Umpierrez: Research Support; AstraZeneca, Dexcom, Inc., Novo Nordisk. L.Caramori: Advisory Panel; Bayer AG, Consultant; AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Novo Nordisk, Research Support; Bayer AG, Novartis AG. M.Lambelet: Other Relationship; Bayer AG.

In patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), risks of cardiovascular mortality and heart failure (HF) increase with decreasing kidney function (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR]) and increasing albuminuria (urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio [UACR]). Finerenone, a selective, nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist, improved cardiorenal outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and T2D in FIDELITY (Finerenone in Chronic Kidney Disease and Type 2 Diabetes: Combined FIDELIO-DKD and FIGARO-DKD Trial Programme Analysis).This study sought to evaluate the effects of finerenone on HF outcomes by eGFR and/or UACR categories.FIDELITY included 13,026 patients with T2D and CKD (UACR 30-5,000 mg/g and eGFR ≥25 mL/min/1.73 mCompared with placebo, finerenone significantly reduced risk of first HHF (HR: 0.78 [95% CI: 0.66-0.92]; P = 0.003), cardiovascular death or first HHF (HR: 0.83 [95% CI: 0.74-0.93]; P = 0.002), recurrent HHF (HR: 0.79 [95% CI: 0.64-0.96]; P = 0.021), and cardiovascular death or recurrent HHF (HR: 0.82 [95% CI: 0.72-0.95]; P = 0.006). The risk of outcomes increased across baseline eGFR and UACR categories; lowest incidences were seen in patients with an eGFR ≥60 mL/min/1.73 mCompared with placebo, finerenone improved HF-related outcomes in patients with CKD and T2D, with consistent benefits across eGFR and/or UACR categories. (Efficacy and Safety of Finerenone in Subjects With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Diabetic Kidney Disease [FIDELIO-DKD], NCT02540993; Efficacy and Safety of Finerenone in Subjects With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and the Clinical Diagnosis of Chronic Kidney Disease [FIGARO-DKD], NCT02545049).

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Patients with stage 4 chronic kidney disease (CKD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) have a high residual risk of cardiovascular (CV) and kidney disease progression, and effective treatment options to reduce the risk are limited. The non-steroidal selective mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist finerenone has previously demonstrated significant cardiorenal benefits versus placebo in patients with stage 1–4 CKD [1–3]. This FIDELITY subgroup analysis investigated the effects of finerenone in patients with stage 4 CKD [estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) METHOD FIDELIO-DKD and FIGARO-DKD were phase III trials of patients with CKD and T2D randomised 1:1 to finerenone or placebo. FIDELITY was an individual patient-level prespecified pooled efficacy and safety analysis of these studies. Efficacy outcomes included change in urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) between baseline and month 4, change in eGFR over time, a kidney composite outcome (kidney failure, a sustained ≥57% decrease in eGFR from baseline over ≥ 4 weeks or renal death) and a CV composite outcome [CV death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke or hospitalization for heart failure (HHF)], as well as the individual components of these composite outcomes. RESULTS Of 13 023 patients included in the analysis, 890 patients (6.8%) had stage 4 CKD; key baseline characteristics are listed in Table 1. In patients with stage 4 CKD, finerenone reduced UACR by 31% vs placebo between baseline and month 4 [ratio of least-squares (LS) mean change 0.69; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.63–0.77), an effect maintained for the duration of the study. Total eGFR slope (LS mean change in eGFR from randomisation to end of treatment) in patients with stage 4 CKD was –0.7 mL/min/1.73 m2/year with finerenone versus –1.6 mL/min/1.73 m2/year with placebo; the chronic eGFR slope (LS mean change in eGFR from month 4 to end of treatment) was –1.8 mL/min/1.73 m2/year with finerenone vs –3.2 mL/min/1.73 m2/year with placebo. The hazard ratio (HR) for risk of the kidney composite in stage 4 CKD was 1.01 (95% CI 0.75–1.37; Figure 1) for finerenone versus placebo. Reduction in risk of sustained ≥ 57% decrease in eGFR with finerenone (stage 4 CKD: HR 0.69, 95% CI 0.43–1.11) was similar between CKD subgroups (pinteraction = 0.71). Reduction in risk of the composite CV outcome (stage 4 CKD: HR 0.78, 95% CI 0.57–1.07) and HHF (stage 4 CKD: HR 0.99, 95% CI 0.62–1.58) was also consistent between CKD subgroups (pinteraction = 0.67 and 0.31, respectively). Overall, incidences of adverse events were balanced between treatment arms in patients with stage 4 CKD and stage 1–3 CKD. The incidence of hyperkalaemia leading to permanent discontinuation was low in patients with stage 4 CKD (3.2% versus 2.2% for finerenone versus placebo). CONCLUSION The cardiorenal benefits and safety profile of finerenone in FIDELITY were also observed in the subgroup of patients with stage 4 CKD.

International audience; Aims: The role and selection of antithrombotic therapy to improve limb outcomes in chronic lower extremity artery disease (LEAD) is still debated. We conducted a meta-analysis to examine the efficacy and safety of antithrombotic and more intense antithrombotic therapy on limb outcomes and limb salvage in patients with chronic LEAD.Methods and results: Study inclusion criteria were: enrolment of patients with LEAD, randomized allocation to more vs. less intense antithrombotic therapy [more vs. less intense single-antiplatelet therapy (SAPT); dual-antiplatelet therapy vs. SAPT; dual antithrombotic therapy vs. SAPT or oral anticoagulant]; enrolment of ≥200 patients; reporting of at least one of following outcomes: limb amputation or revascularization. Seven randomized studies enrolling 30 447 patients were included. Over a median follow-up of 24 months, more vs. less intense antithrombotic therapy or placebo significantly reduced the risk of limb revascularization [relative risk (RR) 0.89, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.83-0.94] and limb amputation (RR 0.63, 95% CI 0.46-0.86), as well as stroke (RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.70-0.97). There was no statistically significant effect on the risk of myocardial infarction (RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.87-1.11), all-cause (RR 0.93, 95% CI 0.86-1.01), and cardiovascular death (RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.86-1.08). Risk of major bleeding increased (RR 1.23, 95% CI 1.04-1.44).Conclusion: In patients with LEAD, more intense antithrombotic therapy reduces the risk of limb amputation and revascularization as well as stroke with an increase in the risk of bleeding events.

Summary Background Treatment of ventilated pneumonia is often unsuccessful, even when patients are treated according to established guidelines. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the efficacy of the combination drug device Amikacin Inhale as an adjunctive therapy to intravenous standard-of-care antibiotics for pneumonia caused by Gram-negative pathogens in intubated and mechanically ventilated patients. Methods INHALE was a prospective, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 3 study comprising two trials (INHALE 1 and INHALE 2) done in 153 hospital intensive-care units in 25 countries. Eligible patients were aged 18 years or older; had pneumonia that had been diagnosed by chest radiography and that was documented as being caused by or showing two risk factors for a Gram-negative, multidrug-resistant pathogen; were intubated and mechanically ventilated; had impaired oxygenation within 48 h before screening; and had a modified Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score of at least 6. Patients were stratified by region and disease severity (according to their Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation [APACHE] II score) and randomly assigned (1:1) via an interactive voice-recognition system to receive 400 mg amikacin (Amikacin Inhale) or saline placebo, both of which were aerosolised, administered every 12 h for 10 days via the same synchronised inhalation system, and given alongside standard-of-care intravenous antibiotics. All patients and all staff involved in administering devices and monitoring outcomes were masked to treatment assignment. The primary endpoint, survival at days 28–32, was analysed in all patients who received at least one dose of study drug, were infected with a Gram-negative pathogen, and had an APACHE II score of at least 10 at diagnosis. Safety analyses were done in all patients who received at least one dose of study drug. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov , numbers NCT01799993 and NCT00805168 . Findings Between April 13, 2013, and April 7, 2017, 807 patients were assessed for eligibility and 725 were randomly assigned to Amikacin Inhale (362 patients) or aerosolised placebo (363 patients). 712 patients received at least one dose of study drug (354 in the Amikacin Inhale group and 358 in the placebo group), although one patient assigned to Amikacin Inhale received placebo in error and was included in the placebo group for safety analyses. 508 patients (255 in the Amikacin Inhale group and 253 in the placebo group) were assessed for the primary endpoint. We found no between-group difference in survival: 191 (75%) patients in the Amikacin Inhale group versus 196 (77%) patients in the placebo group survived until days 28–32 (odds ratio 0·841, 95% CI 0·554–1·277; p=0·43). Similar proportions of patients in the two treatment groups had a treatment-emergent adverse event (295 [84%] of 353 patients in the Amikacin Inhale group vs 303 [84%] of 359 patients in the placebo group) or a serious treatment-emergent adverse event (101 [29%] patients vs 97 [27%] patients). Interpretation Our findings do not support use of inhaled amikacin adjunctive to standard-of-care intravenous therapy in mechanically ventilated patients with Gram-negative pneumonia. Funding Bayer AG.

Kidney failure is an important outcome for patients, clinicians, researchers, healthcare systems, payers, and regulators. However, no harmonized international consensus definitions of kidney failure and key surrogates of progression to kidney failure exist specifically for clinical trials. The International Society of Nephrology convened an international multi-stakeholder meeting to develop consensus on this topic. A core group, experienced in design, conduct, and outcome adjudication of clinical trials, developed a database of 64 randomized trials and the 163 included definitions relevant to kidney failure. Using an iterative process, a set of proposed consensus definitions were developed and subsequently vetted by the larger multi-stakeholder group of 83 participants representing 18 different countries. The consensus of the meeting participants was that clinical trial kidney failure outcomes should be comprised of a composite that includes receipt of a kidney transplant, initiation of maintenance dialysis, and death from kidney failure; it may also include outcomes based solely on laboratory measurements of glomerular filtration rate: a sustained low glomerular filtration rate and a sustained percent decline in glomerular filtration rate. Discussion included important considerations, such as (i) recognition of existing nomenclature for kidney failure; (ii) applicability across resource settings; (iii) ease of understanding for all stakeholders; and (iv) avoidance of inappropriate complexity so that the definitions can be used across ranges of populations and trial methodologies. The final definitions reflect the consensus for use in clinical trials.

As polyomavirus major capsid protein VP1-derived virus-like particles (VLPs) have been demonstrated to be highly immunogenic, we studied their interaction with human dendritic cells (hDCs). Exposure of hDCs to VLPs originating from murine (MPyV) or hamster polyomavirus (HaPyV) induced hDC maturation. In contrast, exposure of hDCs to VLPs derived from human polyomaviruses (BK and JC) and simian virus 40 (SV40) only marginally induced DC maturation. The hDCs stimulated by HaPyV- or MPyV-derived VLPs readily produced interleukin-12 and stimulated CD8-positive T-cell responses in vitro. The highest frequencies of activated T cells were again observed after pulsing with HaPyV- and MPyV-derived VLPs. Monocyte-derived hDCs both bound and internalized the various tested polyomavirus VP1-derived VLPs with different levels of efficiency, partially explaining their individual maturation potentials. In conclusion, our data suggest a high variability in uptake of polyomavirus-derived VLPs and potency to induce hDC maturation.

In this study, we examined hamster polyomavirus (HaPyV) major capsid protein VP1-derived virus-like particles (VLPs) as a carrier for a human tumor-associated cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitope. The VP1 tolerated the insertion of an HLA-*A2-restricted CTL epitope from human mucin 1 (MUC1) into two sites independently and simultaneously, without interfering with assembly of chimeric VLPs. Chimeric VLPs did not differ in the entry pathway or maturation potential of human dendritic cells (hDCs) compared to unmodified VLPs. Recently we demonstrated that immunization of BALB/c mice with chimeric VLPs harboring two MUC1 insertions resulted in the generation of MUC1-specific monoclonal antibodies. Here we demonstrate that the monoclonal antibodies generated react specifically with human tumor cells. Co-cultivation of chimeric VLP-primed hDCs with autologous peripheral blood leukocytes resulted in the activation of MUC1 epitope-specific CD8(+) T cells. This was evidenced by IFN-gamma secretion of an expanded MUC1-specific CD8(+) T-cell pool. The induction of epitope-specific T cells in a human in vitro model and of murine MUC1-reactive antibodies in vivo indicate the potential of chimeric HaPyV VP1-derived VLPs as a delivery vehicle for immunotherapeutic targets.

We inserted the sequence of the carcinoembryonic antigen-derived T cell epitope CAP-1-6D (CEA) into different positions of the hamster polyomavirus major capsid protein VP1. Independently from additional flanking linkers, yeast- expressed VP1 proteins harboring the CEA insertion between VP1 amino acid residues 80 and 89 (site 1) or 288 and 295 (site 4) or simultaneously at both positions assembled to chimeric virus-like particles (VLPs). BALB/c mice immunized with adjuvant-free VLPs developed VP1- and epitope-specific antibodies. The level of the CEA-specific antibody response was determined by the insertion site, the number of inserts, and the flanking linker. The strongest CEA-specific antibody response was observed in mice immunized with VP1 proteins harboring the CEA insert at site 1. Moreover, the CEA- specific antibodies in these mice were still detectable 6 mo after the final booster immunization. Our results indicate that hamster polyomavirus-derived VLPs represent a highly immunogenic carrier for foreign insertions that might be useful for clinical and therapeutic applications.