Reducing the off-target endocrinologic adverse effects of azole antifungals-can it be done?

Azoles are among the most effective and widely used class of antifungals for prophylaxis as well as empirical and directed therapy against yeast and mould infections. Their use appears to be increasing worldwide. All triazoles cause hepatotoxicity, drug-drug interactions, and QTc prolongation (except isavuconazole); however, there are growing concerns following increasing reports of off-target endocrinologic adverse events. Skeletal fluorosis, pseudohyperaldosteronism, adrenal insufficiency, hyponatraemia and hypogonadism have all been documented in relation to azole use, causing considerable morbidity. The following review provides new insights into the clinical incidence and underlying pathophysiology of azole-associated endocrinopathies. Routine clinical and biochemical monitoring (including therapeutic drug monitoring) of endocrinologic adverse events may play a role in their prevention and progression. Novel azoles in preclinical and clinical stages of development may offer therapeutic advantages due to their greater selectivity of binding to fungal CYP51. The integration of pharmacogenomics into routine clinical practice holds future promise in guiding antifungal drug and dose selection to reduce the risk of off-target phenomena, including endocrinologic adverse events.

Voriconazole-Associated Periostitis: New Insights into Pathophysiology and Management.

Voriconazole-associated periostitis (VAP) is an underrecognized and unpredictable side effect of long-term voriconazole therapy. We report two cases of VAP occurring in the post-transplant setting: a 68-year-old lung transplant recipient who required ongoing voriconazole therapy, in whom urinary alkalinization was used to promote fluoride excretion and minimize voriconazole-related skeletal toxicity, and a 68-year-old stem-cell transplant recipient with a high voriconazole dose requirement, identified on pharmacogenomic testing to be a CYP2C19 ultrarapid metabolizer, the dominant enzyme in voriconazole metabolism. This is the first reported case of pharmacogenomic profiling in VAP and may explain the variability in individual susceptibility to this uncommon adverse effect. Our findings provide new insights into both the management and underlying pathophysiology of VAP. © 2021 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

VIPoma: an unsuspecting culprit of severe secretory diarrhoea in a human immunodeficiency virus-infected patient.

A 35-year-old man with known human immunodeficiency virus experienced chronic diarrhoea for 18 months. He presented to multiple hospitals with profuse secretory diarrhoea and life-threatening electrolyte disturbances. Infectious and non-infectious aetiologies were considered, with focussed history and investigations ultimately leading to a diagnosis of VIPoma. Initiation of somatostatin analogue therapy followed by surgical resection led to complete resolution of symptoms and markedly improved quality of life.

Feminizing Hormone Therapy Prescription Patterns and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Aging Transgender Individuals in Australia.

Context: The safety and efficacy of feminizing hormone therapy in aging transgender (trans) individuals is unclear. Current recommendations suggest transdermal estradiol beyond the age of 45 years, especially if cardiometabolic risk factors are present. Objective: To evaluate feminizing hormone therapy regimens and cardiovascular risk factors in aging trans individuals. Design: Retrospective cross-sectional analysis. Setting: Primary care and endocrine specialist clinic in Melbourne, Australia. Participants: Trans individuals on feminizing therapy for ≥6 months. Main Outcomes Measures: Feminizing hormone regimens and serum estradiol concentrations by age group: (a) ≥45 years, (b) <45 years, and prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors in individuals ≥45 years. Results: 296 individuals were stratified by age group: ≥45 years (n=55) and <45 years (n=241). There was no difference in median estradiol concentration between groups (328 nmol/L vs. 300 nmol/L, p=0.22). However, there was a higher proportion of individuals ≥45 years treated with transdermal estradiol (31% vs. 8%, p<0.00001). Of those treated with oral estradiol, the median dose was lower in the ≥45 years group (4mg vs. 6mg, p=0.01). The most prevalent cardiometabolic risk factor in the ≥45 years group was hypertension (29%), followed by current smoking (24%), obesity (20%), dyslipidaemia (16%) and diabetes (9%). Conclusions: A greater proportion of trans individuals ≥45 years of age were treated with transdermal estradiol. Of those who received oral estradiol, the median dose was lower. This is important given the high prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors in this age group, however cardiovascular risk management guidelines in this demographic are lacking.