Dose-response effect of Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 on whole gut transit time and functional gastrointestinal symptoms in adults.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 supplementation on whole gut transit time (WGTT) and frequency of functional gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in adults. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We randomized 100 subjects (mean age: 44 years; 64% female) with functional GI symptoms to consume a proprietary probiotic strain, B. lactis HN019 (Fonterra Research Centre, Palmerston North, New Zealand), at daily doses of 17.2 billion colony forming units (CFU) (high dose; n = 33), 1.8 billion CFU (low dose; n = 33), or placebo (n = 34) for 14 days. The primary endpoint of WGTT was assessed by X-ray on days 0 and 14 and was preceded by consumption of radiopaque markers once a day for 6 days. The secondary endpoint of functional GI symptom frequency was recorded with a subject-reported numeric (1-100) scale before and after supplementation. RESULTS: Decreases in mean WGTT over the 14-day study period were statistically significant in the high dose group (49 ± 30 to 21 ± 32 h, p < 0.001) and the low dose group (60 ± 33 to 41 ± 39 h, p = 0.01), but not in the placebo group (43 ± 31 to 44 ± 33 h). Time to excretion of all ingested markers was significantly shorter in the treatment groups versus placebo. Of the nine functional GI symptoms investigated, eight significantly decreased in frequency in the high dose group and seven decreased with low dose, while two decreased in the placebo group. No adverse events were reported in any group. CONCLUSIONS: Daily B. lactis HN019 supplementation is well tolerated, decreases WGTT in a dose-dependent manner, and reduces the frequency of functional GI symptoms in adults.

The blind leading the blind: use and misuse of blinding in randomized controlled trials.

The use of blinding strengthens the credibility of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) by minimizing bias. However, there is confusion surrounding the definition of blinding as well as the terms single, double, and triple blind. It has been suggested that these terms should be discontinued due to their broad misinterpretation. We recommend that, instead of abandoning the use of these terms, explicit definitions of blinding should be adopted. We address herein the concept of blinding, propose standard definitions for the consistent use of these terms, and detail when different types of blinding should be utilized. Standardizing the definition of blinding and utilizing proper blinding methods will improve the quality and clarity of reporting in RCTs.

A phase 2 trial of immunotherapy with mitumprotimut-T (Id-KLH) and GM-CSF following rituximab in follicular B-cell lymphoma.

We evaluated the efficacy and safety of patient-specific immunotherapy with mitumprotimut-T idiotype keyhole limpet hemocyanin and granulocyte-monocyte colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) following rituximab in patients with follicular B-cell lymphoma. Patients with previously untreated or relapsed/refractory CD20+ follicular lymphoma received 4 weekly infusions of rituximab and those with a complete response (CR), partial response (PR), or stable disease received mitumprotimut-T and GM-CSF injections subcutaneously. Courses were given monthly for 6 doses, every 2 months for 6 doses, and then every 3 months until disease progression. Computed tomography scans were obtained every 3 to 6 months and reviewed centrally. The primary endpoint was event-free survival (EFS). Among 103 patients treated with rituximab, 92 (54 relapsed/refractory and 38 previously untreated) received mitumprotimut-T/GM-CSF; median age was 53 years, 91% had stage III to IV disease, and 59% had failed earlier therapy. The premitumprotimut-T objective response rate was 47% (2 CRs, 41 PRs). During the mitumprotimut-T treatment phase, 16 patients converted to CR resulting in an overall objective response rate of 60% (18 CRs, 37 PRs). Median EFS was 15.2, 20.8, and 13.5 months for all, treatment-naive, and relapsed/refractory disease patients, respectively. Anti-Id cellular immune responses were detected in 13 of 18 (72%) patients and humoral immune responses in 17 of 83 (20%) patients. Adverse events were usually mild-to-moderate. The most common adverse event was injection site reactions. Mitumprotimut-T/GM-CSF-induced anti-Id cellular immune responses in most patients. The occurrence of late CRs and favorable EFS suggested a clinical benefit of active immunotherapy and led to a placebo-controlled phase 3 trial.

Placebo-controlled phase III trial of patient-specific immunotherapy with mitumprotimut-T and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor after rituximab in patients with follicular lymphoma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate patient-specific immunotherapy with mitumprotimut-T (idiotype keyhole limpet hemocyanin [Id-KLH]) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in CD20(+) follicular lymphoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with treatment-naive or relapsed/refractory disease achieving a complete response (CR), partial response (PR), or stable disease (SD) with four weekly rituximab infusions were randomly assigned to mitumprotimut-T/GM-CSF or placebo/GM-CSF, with doses given monthly for six doses, every 2 months for six doses, and then every 3 months until disease progression (PD). Randomization was stratified by prior therapy (treatment-naive or relapsed/refractory) and response to rituximab (CR/PR or SD). The primary end point was time to progression (TTP) from randomization. RESULTS: A total of 349 patients were randomly assigned; median age was 54 years, 79% were treatment naive, and 86% had stage III/IV disease. Median TTP was 9.0 months for mitumprotimut-T/GM-CSF and 12.6 months for placebo/GM-CSF (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.384; P = .019). TTP was comparable between the two arms in treatment-naive patients (HR = 1.196; P = .258) and shorter with mitumprotimut-T/GM-CSF in relapsed/refractory disease (HR = 2.265; P = .004). After adjusting for Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index (FLIPI) scores, the difference in TTP between the two arms was no longer significant. Overall objective response rate, rate of response improvement, and duration of response were comparable between the two arms. Toxicity was similar in the two arms; 76% of adverse events were mild or moderate, and 94% of patients had injection site reactions. CONCLUSION: TTP was shorter with mitumprotimut-T/GM-CSF compared with placebo/GM-CSF. This difference was possibly due to the imbalance in FLIPI scores.

Intratumoral cisplatin/epinephrine gel in advanced head and neck cancer: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, phase III study in North America.

BACKGROUND: The objective was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a novel intratumoral cisplatin/epinephrine injectable gel (CDDP/epi gel) for local control and palliation of tumor-related symptoms in patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighty-seven patients were randomly assigned to either CDDP/epi or placebo gel in this phase III, double-blind study. Tumors were < or =20 cm(3); most recurrences (88%) were in a previously irradiated field. The most symptomatic or threatening tumor was designated as the target tumor. DOSE: 0.25 mL CDDP/epi gel/cm(3) tumor volume. TREATMENTS: < or =6 weekly intratumoral injections in an 8-week period. PRIMARY OUTCOMES: target tumor response and symptom relief. RESULTS: During the blinded phase, 34% (21 of 62) of patients achieved an objective response (CR or PR) in the target tumor treated with CDDP/epi gel vs 0% (0 of 24) treated with placebo gel (p <.001). Responses occurred within a median of four treatments (range, 2-6) and were durable (median, 95 days; range, 34-168+ days). More patients treated with CDDP/epi gel achieved palliative benefit than did those treated with placebo gel (37% vs 12%, p =.036). Most frequent side effects were local pain and local cutaneous reactions, which resolved over 3-12 weeks. Renal and hematologic toxicities were rare. CONCLUSIONS: This phase III trial showed that CDDP/epi gel significantly reduces tumor burden, palliates tumor-related symptoms, and is an effective local treatment for recurrent tumors.