Novartis (Ireland)

IntroductionHidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, painful skin disease associated with a high disease burden. Disease-related pain is frequently reported as the most troublesome symptom of HS. The SUNSHINE and SUNRISE phase 3 trials previously reported that secukinumab improved control of pain in patients with moderate to severe HS. The objective of this analysis was to evaluate the impact of secukinumab on multiple aspects of pain in patients with HS from SUNSHINE and SUNRISE.MethodsPatients were randomised to receive secukinumab 300 mg every 2 (SECQ2W) or 4 weeks (SECQ4W), or placebo until week 16. At week 16, the placebo group switched to receive SECQ2W (placebo-SECQ2W) or SECQ4W (placebo-SECQ4W), whereas the secukinumab groups continued their treatment, until week 52. Pain was assessed using the Patient’s Global Assessment of skin pain‒at worst on a continuous numeric rating scale (NRS) through week 52. Quartiles were used to categorise pain severity groups based on baseline NRS scores (NRS ≤ 3.3; NRS > 3.3 to ≤ 5.4; NRS > 5.4 to ≤ 7.2; NRS > 7.2). Additional assessments included quality of life (QoL) and pain medication use.ResultsAt week 16, a greater mean (standard deviation) absolute change from baseline in skin pain was observed for patients treated with secukinumab [SECQ2W (− 1.35 (2.16)); SECQ4W (− 1.05 (2.02))] versus placebo [− 0.47 (2.07)]. In the SECQ2W and SECQ4W groups, in patients with NRS > 7.2 at baseline, 20.0% and 12.7% had NRS ≤ 3.3 at week 16, respectively. This improvement in pain was maintained through week 52. Moreover, patients in the NRS ≤ 3.3 category generally experienced better QoL. The proportion of patients reporting pain medication use was generally reduced at weeks 16 and 52 versus baseline in the secukinumab groups.ConclusionThis analysis highlights the sustained benefits of secukinumab in reducing pain in patients with moderate to severe HS. These pain reductions were associated with QoL improvements.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03713619 (SUNSHINE) and NCT03713632 (SUNRISE).Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13555-025-01426-x.

"HSR25-182: Patient-Physician Communication About Adverse Events and Impact on Quality of Life to Foster Shared Decision-Making in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia" published on 28 Mar 2025 by National Comprehensive Cancer Network.

IntroductionThe impact of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) on patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is well documented. However, considerable gaps remain in understanding the experience, perception and needs of patients with CSU. In this study, we investigate the perspective of patients with CSU about the disease journey, treatment and management of the condition as well as the physical and psychosocial impact of the disease.MethodsA multinational, cross-sectional online survey was completed by patients with chronic urticaria (CU) and physicians treating CU. This analysis focuses on data from the patients with CSU. The patient survey included customized questions and a validated patient-reported outcomes measure, the Urticaria Control Test (UCT).ResultsA total of 582 patients with CSU (62% women; mean [standard deviation, SD] age: 42.2 [11.9] years) completed the online survey. Patients reported a mean (SD) diagnostic delay of 2 (5.4) years and saw 6.1 (8.9) physicians. The majority (79%) of patients were on antihistamines, of which 84% were inadequately controlled (UCT score of < 12) and reported a significantly higher negative impact of CSU on the HRQoL domains than adequately controlled patients, with the highest impact on mental and emotional well-being and social life and intimate relationships. More than half (55%) of the patients experienced angioedema with a mean (SD) of 7.7 (14.0) episodes per year. In addition, sleeping problems (62%), pain (55%) and fatigue (49%) were frequently reported physical symptoms during an exacerbation.ConclusionPatients with CSU experience substantial burden due to delayed diagnosis, insufficient symptom control (despite treatment) as well as mental and emotional well-being and social impact, particularly when uncontrolled. Early diagnosis and patient-centered approaches to symptom management and disease control should be prioritized to minimize the negative impact of CSU on patients’ life.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13555-025-01348-8.

ABSTRACT Cardiomyopathy is the most common pathology associated with Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Reports that statins have both cardioprotective and trypanocidal activity have generated interest in their potential as a therapeutic treatment. Using a highly-sensitive bioluminescent mouse model, we show that 5 days treatment with statins has no significant impact on parasite load. The free systemic concentrations fail to reach the level required for potency. Hence, clinical trials to investigate trypanocidal activity of statins lack experimental justification.