ABSTRACT
Background: Chronic disseminated candidiasis (CDC) classically occurs after profound and prolonged neutropenia. The aim of the CANHPARI study was to assess the clinical value of adding 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT to conventional radiology for initial and subsequent evaluations of CDC. Materials and methods: A pilot prospective study was conducted in 23 French onco-hematological centers from 2013 to 2017 (NCT01916057). Patients ≥ 18 y.o. suspected for CDC on abdominal conventional imaging (CT or MRI) were included. PET/CT and conventional imaging were performed at baseline and month 3 (M3). Follow-up was assessed until M12. The primary outcome measure was the global response at M3, i.e., apyrexia and complete response to PET/CT. The secondary outcome measure consists in comparison between responses to PET/CT and conventional imaging at diagnosis and M3. Results: Among 52 included patients, 44 were evaluable (20 probable and 24 possible CDC); 86% had acute leukemia, 55% were male (median age 47 years). At diagnosis, 34% had fever and conventional imaging was always abnormal with microabscesses on liver and spleen in 66%, liver in 25%, spleen in 9%. Baseline PET/CT showed metabolic uptake on liver and/or spleen in 84% but did not match with lesion localizations on conventional imaging in 32%. M3 PET/CT showed no metabolic uptake in 13 (34%) patients, 11 still having pathological conventional imaging. Global response at M3 was observed in eight patients. Conclusion: Baseline PET/CT does not replace conventional imaging for initial staging of CDC lesions but should be performed after 3 months of antifungal therapy. Clinical trial registration: [www.clinicaltrials.gov], identifier [NCT01916057].
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Ivacaftor has been shown to improve lung function and body weight in patients with CF and a gating mutation. Real-world evaluation is warranted to examine its safety and effectiveness over the long term. METHODS: A retrospective observational multicentre study collected clinical data in the year before and the 2years after ivacaftor initiation in patients with CF and a Gly551Asp-CFTR mutation. RESULTS: Fifty-seven patients were included. Mean absolute change in FEV1% predicted improved from baseline to Year 1 (8.4%; p<0.001) and Year 2 (7.2%; p=0.006). Statistically significant benefits were observed with increased body mass index, fewer Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus positive cultures, and decreased IV antibiotics and maintenance treatment prescriptions (including azithromycin, Dornase alpha and nutritional supplements). No significant adverse events were reported. CONCLUSION: The clinical benefits of ivacaftor reported in previous clinical trials were confirmed in a real-world setting two years post-initiation, also reducing treatment burden.
