Cationic surfactants: A review

Cationic surfactants have gained significant interest since their introduction. Their properties and adsorption behavior onto different surfaces have driven the development of a plethora of surfactants with distinctive functionalities. This paper reviews self-assembly, intermolecular interactions, and the properties of cationic surfactants also when interacting with co-solutes, which may be small molecules or macromolecules, and surfaces. The versatile properties of single- and double-chain cationic surfactants and other special cationics such as gemini, catanionic, bolaform, amino acid- and sugar-based surfactants, are presented and discussed together with skin toxicity and environmental considerations. The effects of cationic surfactant mixing with other surfactants, polymers, proteins, and DNA are also shown and examined. We also outline established applications of cationic surfactants as disinfectants, in fabric softening, hard surface cleaning, personal care applications, road surfacing, and oil field applications, as well as emerging applications such as soft antimicrobial agents and nucleic acid delivery, which has contributed, for instance, to the enormously successful surfactant-based mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. © 2023 Elsevier B.V.

Evaluation of a Rapid Multiplex PCR Diagnostic Device for the Detection of Microorganisms from Nasopharyngeal and Throat Swab Specimens in the Near Patient Setting

Background. Limited availability of multiplex molecular tests in the near-patient setting can impact the rapid diagnosis and treatment of patients experiencing symptoms of respiratory tract infections, including pharyngitis. The BioFire Respiratory/ Sore Throat (R/ST) Panel (bioMerieux, Salt Lake City, UT), designed for use with the BioFire SpotFire System, is a PCR-based sample-to-answer diagnostic test that identifies four bacteria and 10 viruses (including SARS-CoV-2) from nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) or throat swab (TS) specimens in about 16 minutes. This study evaluated the performance of an Investigational Use Only (IUO) version of the BioFire R/ST Panel in the near patient setting. Methods. NPS and TS specimens were prospectively enrolled from symptomatic consented/assented volunteers of all ages, or obtained as residual leftover specimens. Enrollment was conducted between December 2020 and September 2021 at five study sites in the US and UK (adult and pediatric emergency departments or urgent care clinics) with testing performed by personnel representative of the intended users (non-laboratory professionals). Several analytes that were not circulating during the COVID-19 pandemic were supplemented with archived specimens of known analyte composition. Performance was determined for both sample types by comparison to FDA cleared multiplex PCR tests or culture and PCR followed by sequencing of isolates (Streptococcus from throat swabs). Results. A total of 1131 NPS and 452 TS prospectively collected specimens and 542 NPS and 128 TS archived specimens were tested with the BioFire R/ST Panel. For NPS specimens (prospective and archived) overall positive percent agreement (PPA) was 98.7% and negative percent agreement (NPA) was 99.1%, and for TS specimens (prospective and archived) overall PPA was 95.9% and NPA was 99.2%. Conclusion. The BioFire R/ST Panel is a sensitive, specific, and robust test for rapid detection of a wide range of organisms in NPS and TS specimens in the nearpatient setting. This test is expected to aid in the timely diagnosis and appropriate management of pharyngitis and other respiratory infections.

Safety/efficacy of evobrutinib, a Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor, 2.5 years into Phase II MS open-label extension

Background and aims: Evobrutinib, a Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor, was well tolerated and effective in a double-blind, randomised Phase II trial in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis (pwRMS;NCT02975349). Objective: report evobrutinib safety and efficacy data 2.5 years into an open-label extension (OLE). Methods: In the 48-week (W) double-blind period (DBP), pwRMS (n=267) received placebo (switched to evobrutinib 25mg once-daily, W24), evobrutinib 25mg once-daily, 75mg once-daily, or 75mg twice-daily, or open-label dimethyl fumarate (DMF;240mg twice-daily). At W48 patients could enter the OLE (DMF: 4-8W washout);evobrutinib 75mg once-daily (median ∼48W) then 75mg twice-daily. We report the latest available OLE data. Results: Of 267 DBP patients, 213 (80%) entered the OLE;164 (61%) completed ≥132W OLE treatment. Treatmentemergent adverse events (TEAEs) were reported by 165/213 patients (77.5%);59 (27.7%) had a treatment-related TEAE (six were serious;Table). Severe/opportunistic infections (≥Grade 3) were reported by 9/213 patients (4.2%);three (not treatment related;Covid pneumonia [n=2]) were fatal. Most patients had normal IgG (91%), IgA (88%) and IgM (82%) levels (OLE W120). Mean CD19+ B cells levels were 0.218x106cells/mL (OLE baseline) and 0.122x106cells/ mL (OLE W96). ALT/AST elevations only occurred in patients previously receiving DMF/evobrutinib 25mg, and within 12W of OLE initiation. Amylase/lipase increases occurred in 6 (2.8%)/24 (11.3%) patients, without clinical signs and symptoms. ARR, for patients receiving 75mg twice-daily in the DBP, was 0.12 (95%CI 0.07-0.20 [all available OLE data]). Conclusion: Evobrutinib safety and efficacy data over 2.5 years shows acceptable tolerability, no new safety signals and maintained efficacy in pwRMS.

Safety and Efficacy of Evobrutinib, a Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitorin Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis Over 2.5 Years of The Open-Label Extension to a Phase II Trial

Objective: Report the safety and efficacy of evobrutinib over 2.5 years in an open-label extension (OLE). Background: Evobrutinib, a covalent, blood-brain barrier-penetrating Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor, was well tolerated and effective at reducing gadolinium-enhancing lesions in a double-blind, randomized phase II trial in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis (pwRMS;NCT02975349). Design/Methods: In the 48-week (W) double-blind period (DBP), pwRMS (n=267) received placebo (switched to evobrutinib 25mg once-daily at W24), evobrutinib 25mg once-daily, 75mg once-daily, or 75mg twice-daily, or open-label dimethyl fumarate (DMF;240mg twice-daily). At W48 patients could enter the OLE (DMF: 4-8W washout);evobrutinib 75mg once-daily (median ~48W) then 75mg twice-daily. The latest available OLE data are now reported. Results: Of 267 DBP patients, 213 (80%) entered the OLE;164 (61%) completed ≥132W of OLE treatment. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were reported by 165/213 patients (77.5%);59 (27.7%) had a treatment-related TEAE. Six serious TEAEs were deemed treatment-related. Severe/opportunistic infections (≥Grade 3) were reported by 9/213 patients (4.2%);3 were fatal (Covid-19 pneumonia [n=2] and E. coli sepsis [n=1];not considered treatment-related). At OLE W120, most patients had IgG (91%), IgA (88%) and IgM (82%) within normal ranges. Overall mean CD19+ B cells levels were 0.218×10 cells/mL (OLE baseline) and 0.122×10 cells/mL (OLE W96). ALT/AST elevations were observed only in patients previously receiving DMF/evobrutinib 25mg and occurred within 12W of OLE initiation. Amylase/lipase increases occurred in 6 (2.8%)/24 (11.3%) patients, but without clinical signs and symptoms. Based on all available OLE data, ARR was 0.12 (95%CI 0.07-0.20) for patients receiving 75mg twice-daily in the DBP. 6 6 Conclusions: Evobrutinib safety and efficacy data over 2.5 years in pwRMS continue to show acceptable tolerability, with no new safety signals, and maintained efficacy.